The secret to a stress-free vacation: dining. No, seriously – lighten your load this season and satisfy all or some of your major holiday meals.
“Oh, I can never get enough of Thanksgiving; my family looks forward to my brown butter gravy and mashed potatoes,” you might falter. “They’re going to want my grandmother’s 56-layer Jell-O mold recipe for Christmas.”
I get it. I do. But trust me, you should still try the meal-package route.
The holidays can be wonderful, but (and it’s a big one) all the food involved requires a lot of work, making the mental load of the holiday stressful. It’s no fun feeling like you’re chained to the stove while your family is screaming in the other room watching a football game. Or missing out on impromptu game night because you were trying to organize the perfect charcuterie board for tomorrow’s party.
Fortunately, we live in modern times. Inventions like the air fryer and microwave have made homemade meals easier and faster. No one will know if you modified Bob Evans’ pre-made mashed potatoes. Take shortcuts! Or, better yet, make the entire (or most) meal satisfying. Believe it or not, catering at Christmas doesn’t have to mean having strangers work on the holiday, nor does it mean spending a lot of money. Some national chains will allow you to pick up family meals the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and many other times during the holiday season.
So all you have to do is heat up restaurant-quality food for your family. Plus, if you leave most of the work to the experts, taking the time to whip up an extra special recipe or two will seem less like a chore and more like a time-honored tradition.
Where to order Thanksgiving dinner from restaurants
Bob Evans*
Call Bob Evans the King of Thanksgiving. Bob Evans’ restaurant already offers two different sizes of Thanksgiving dinners year-round. They also sell pre-made stuffing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and more in grocery stores nationwide. On Thanksgiving, though, you can order a feast (hot or cold) that includes turkey and ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables, potatoes, and bread. Oh, and a pie. A reliably delicious Thanksgiving meal serves six people and costs about $100, depending on where you live.
Bukka Dibepo*
Whether you’re serving 3, 6, 10 or 20 family members, Buca di Beppo has an ordering diagram to suit you and your family. While you can order their classic Italian fare any time, they offer a Thanksgiving meal during the holidays that’s suitable for even the largest Italian-American families.
City BBQ
If you want to serve something familiar to a crowd but a little different from the usual Thanksgiving fodder, look no further than Urban BBQ. They offer two sizes of Thanksgiving meals, one of which serves 12 to 16 people (with the promise of leftovers). Each meal includes a whole smoked turkey, sides, and bread or dessert.
Cracker Barrel*
If brown checkered walls and artistic oil cans aren’t for you, but you’re still craving a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal, Cracker Barrel is also offering Thanksgiving meals to-go. Their regular Thanksgiving meal serves six people and even includes a dessert. Known for your family recipe and not planning on giving it up? Cinnamon rolls are an option that make breakfast a breeze. Bonus: Cracker Barrel also sells individual meals, in case you’re celebrating alone this year.
Danny*
For many families, Denny’s feels like a “roadside snack.” Often located near southern interstates, they are the perfect place to enjoy warmth, familiarity, and enrichment. But for others, Denny’s is a regular Friday night tradition. This year, why not move Danny’s date up to Thursday and have Thanksgiving dinner with them? Just make sure to order at least 24 hours in advance.
Golden Corral*
The Golden Corral may be known for its old-fashioned buffets, but don’t miss out on its holiday feasts, either. You can choose from traditional turkey as well as ham or roast pork. And their sweet potato casserole? This puts Memaw to shame. Golden Corral Thanksgiving dinner requires 72 hours notice, so start planning now.
Maggiano’s Little Italy*
Maggiano goes all out for Thanksgiving. They offer a traditional three-course Thanksgiving meal, or you can spice things up with what they do best: traditional Italian. If you try Maggiano’s on Thanksgiving, there’s really no wrong answer. They offer same-day dining (reservations required), cold meals in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, and hot meals on Thanksgiving day. Just make sure you order in advance.
Popeye*
Want to change up your usual Thanksgiving meal? Popeye Cajun Style Turkey is Answer. The New Orleans-style restaurant gives you the option to sample the famous Cajun turkey with your own sides. Or, you can order a Popeye-style Thanksgiving meal that includes not only cooked, ready-to-heat Cajun turkey, but also beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, cookies and more.
Romano Macaroni Grill
Macaroni Grill also adds a new twist to Thanksgiving traditions. As part of a Macaroni Grill Thanksgiving meal, customers can choose from their famous crispy Brussels sprouts or broccoli. You can also choose an appetizer of soup or salad. Even for a regular Thanksgiving side dish, Romano’s makes it extra special by offering apple sausage stuffing. Meals start at $35 per person, but smaller children’s plates are also available.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse*
Ruth’s Chris is known for its juicy steaks year-round, which changes every year. They offer two options for Thanksgiving: The “Thanksgiving on the Table” full meal includes everything from salads to entrees and even dessert, as well as personal-sized pumpkin pies. Or, you can choose to provide your own turkey and use Ruth’s Chris directly for a delicious twist on traditional Thanksgiving side dishes.
Season 52*
Still not sure you’ve found the right place to replace your go-to family recipes? Seasons 52’s Thanksgiving dinner menu is like an updated version of the dishes you make at home. Their mashed sweet potatoes have the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Their green beans are crispier and lighter than those on most American dinner tables, but just as delicious. They also offer mini desserts in the form of “Pumpkin Pie Mini Indulgence”. The last day to order is Monday, November 25th.
Still worth noting? Any other national chain that offers takeout year-round will not offer takeout until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. So whether you’re craving Roadhouse rolls or Chipotle burritos for Thanksgiving, with a little planning, anything is possible.
*Most of these restaurants are open on Thanksgiving, so you can RSVP to pick up your food or reserve a table to avoid confusion.
Stores selling festive meals
If giving up all creative control over your restaurant makes you itch, another option is to buy a perfectly delicious meal from one of the many national grocery chains that sell Thanksgiving meals. Most people will stick to basic recipes that are familiar in flavor but easy to “zhuzh-up” with your own favorite seasonings. These groceries offer ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals
- Albertsons
- costco
- fresh market
- hook up
- Mayer
- public places
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods Market
Mail Order Thanksgiving and Christmas Meals
“But, horrible mom, I actually like hiding in the kitchen, away from politics and family gossip,” you chirped. “However, I wanted to try something new.”
If you’re ready to work during the holidays but want to push outside of your comfort zone, mail-order meals are the way to go. Almost all meal delivery services offer Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and let you customize typical order sizes to accommodate more guests.
blue apron
Blue Apron offers Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gift boxes. If you can only make one, make it a Christmas gift box. Note: This is a a lot of A lot of work, but worth it. You can make the Cheesy Potato Spaghetti and Chocolate Mousse Pie ahead of time. The honey orange carrots will be the best carrots you’ll ever eat, and their beef tenderloin is a great accompaniment to traditional ham. The meal feeds six to eight people and is $160.
Harry and David
Yes, fruit and chocolate people. Harry and David deliver cooked whole turkeys right to your door. Or even better? They’re pre-sliced, so your partner won’t shred the meat with the electric knife. They also sell side dishes like garlic mashed potatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and truffle mac and cheese. Sizes and prices vary.
hello fresh
Hello Fresh Thanksgiving gift boxes also offer Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, making them your best choice. It offers high-end, luxurious versions of all the classic Thanksgiving standards, including turkey, brioche stuffing, garlic green beans and apple crisp with cinnamon pecan crumble. Private rooms can accommodate 8 to 10 friends and are priced at $160.
Already a big fan of a food delivery service not listed? Take a look at the website when you log in to order food in the next few weeks. Almost everyone offers a holiday-themed box or two.
enjoy your meal!
