WASHINGTON — While presidents and other world dignitaries bid farewell to our 41st president Wednesday in D.C., an Arlington chain restaurant’s 40th-anniversary celebration was proceeding in decidedly less-dignified fashion across the river.
As first reported by Arlington Now, police were called to the local Cheesecake Factory location — in the 2900 block of Clarendon Boulevard in Arlington — to respond to traffic complaints and even a fight in progress.
When officers showed up, there was no fight to be seen but a very large crowd, Arlington police spokesperson Ashley Savage told WTOP.
The apparent cause of the commotion?
Celebrate our 40th anniversary with 40,000 slices on us! On December 5th get a free slice* delivered with @DoorDash, no strings attached. Find out how to get yours. *Offer valid on 12/5/18 starting at 11:30am local time, while supplies last. Additional Terms and Conditions apply. pic.twitter.com/Rz52FxwX6Y
— Cheesecake Factory (@Cheesecake) December 3, 2018
In addition to that siren song of free dessert, Door Dash’s involvement was causing many drivers to double-park outside the location. An unhappy crowd had formed inside — because free cheesecake rules, missing out on it stinks, “I need to get out of this parking spot” and yada yada yada.
Officers attempted to calm the situation, Savage said, but someone was not ready to let go of his grievances. That person, whom police declined to identify, remained disorderly.
Police tried to arrest the person, Savage said. A struggle ensued, and the person was taken into custody and later evaluated at a hospital.
That person, she said, will likely be charged with disorderly conduct.
A perusal of Twitter indicates that the incident in Arlington might not have been isolated. According to one report, many locations had run out of cheesecake by 2 p.m.
WTOP has reached out to a Cheesecake Factory spokesperson for comment.
