5 Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Day Meals

No time to craft a Thanksgiving feast? Dreading the clean-up? Not enough family or friends around to make a shindig worth the cost?

If so, just hop in the car whenever you get hungry next Thursday. Several national and regional restaurant chains are expecting you. So we’ve compiled everything you need to know about their special Turkey Day options and how to ensure you’ll feast without a hitch.

Do a little planning

1. Pick a restaurant beforehand. If you have a particular restaurant in mind for Thanksgiving but aren’t sure if they’re open, just call and ask. Some restaurants, like Golden Corral, aren’t necessarily offering special meals but will open for limited hours. And some 24-hour diners remain open on holidays.
   
2. Get confirmation. Even with a chain, not all of their locations may participate in Thanksgiving. So call to confirm when they’ll be open and what they’ll offer.
   
3. Reserve your meal. Some restaurants will take reservations for dine-in customers. Some require to-go customers to place their order prior to Thanksgiving, which means you’ll be out of luck if you wait till Thursday.

Take your pick

Boston Market will offer “holiday favorites” like their Thanksgiving Day Meal, which includes roasted turkey breast, two sides, cornbread, and a slice of apple or pumpkin pie. If you prefer to serve their food to your guests at home, catering can also be ordered online or by phone (866-977-9090) until Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m.

• Price: $11 for the Thanksgiving Day Meal
• Available: Dine-in, to-go
• Open: Hours vary by location
• Locations: 28 states

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant‘s Turkey Feast includes white-meat turkey served with gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, whole-berry cranberry sauce, and spicy Italian sausage stuffing flavored with garlic, sage, and Parmesan. If you prefer pasta, four side dishes will be offered: spaghetti marinara, fettuccine alfredo, ravioli al pomodoro, and baked ziti.

• Price: $45 for the small feast (which feeds up to three), $90 for the large (feeds up to six).
• Available: Dine-in, to-go (but to-go orders must be placed and confirmed by Monday, Nov. 19, at 9 p.m.)
• Open: At 11 a.m.
• Locations: 26 states

Cracker Barrel‘s Thanksgiving Day In-Store Meal includes turkey, dressing, baked ham, sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish, a vegetable, biscuits or corn muffins, a drink, and a slice of pumpkin pecan streusel pie. The Thanksgiving Dinner To-Go includes roasted turkey breast, gravy, cornbread dressing, sugar-cured ham, three vegetables, cranberry relish, and a bread (biscuits, corn muffins, or a sourdough loaf).

• Price: $9 for adults, $4.70 for kids for the dine-in option; $55 for the to-go option (which serves up to six)
• Available: Dine-in, to-go (but to-go orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance)
• Open: At 11 a.m.
• Locations: 42 states

Houlihan’s Roasted Turkey Dinner also includes stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, and cranberries. Their full menu will be available too, as well as their regular breakfast.

• Price: $18 for adults, $10 for kids aged 12 and under for the Roasted Turkey Dinner
• Open: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the Roasted Turkey Dinner, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for regular breakfast
• Locations: 18 states

Shoney’s Thanksgiving Day buffet includes turkey, “traditional fixins,” fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, and collard greens, and a free slice of pumpkin pie.

• Price: The buffet is free for kids age 4 and under with the purchase of an adult meal
• Available: Dine-in, to-go
• Locations: 17 states

Karla Bowsher covers consumer, retail, and health issues. If you have a comment, suggestion, or question, leave a comment or contact her at [email protected].