LEAVE THE THANKSGIVING COOKING TO SOMEONE ELSE

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and be grateful for all the blessings in our lives, but it’s also a holiday focused very much on food. A big turkey and all the trimmings are often part of the day. For the cooking challenged or those who just want to take a day off from cooking, there are options. Looking for a place where you can dine with your family and take in an elaborate meal or a place to pick up a carry-out meal to enjoy for an at-home celebration? Here are a few in the Chicago Southland to keep in mind. (*Reservations are highly recommended, and in some cases required, so be sure to call early to save a spot for your celebration).

Chuck’s Southern Comforts Cafe
6501 West 79th Street
Burbank
708-229-8700
Join the crew at Chuck’s in Burbank for a buffet from noon - 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving. For $35 per adult and $17 for kids age 4 to 12, you can try a large number of side dishes along with carving stations of smoked ham, smoked turkey and smoked bone-in pork loin with a dessert table and ice cream station. BBQ pork and chicken tenders will also be on the buffet and sides range from jalapeño cheddar cornbread to andouille sausage stuffing to candied sweet potatoes and much more.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
2307 East Lincoln Highway
New Lenox
815-320-7500

15690 South Harlem
Orland Park
708-633-0200
Coopers Hawk locations will be open on Thanksgiving serving everything on the regular menu all day, but will also be offering a prix fixe menu for both adults and children. It will start with butternut squash soup and then a plated dinner of white and dark turkey meat, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans and homemade cranberry sauce with pumpkin praline cheesecake for dessert (a chocolate truffle for kids) for only $34.99 for adults and $15 for kids. You can pair your dinner with a glass of their new Grateful White and Grateful Red wines that were created to pair perfectly with a Thanksgiving feast. Dinner reservations are recommended.

There are also a limited number of catering packages available, so call quickly to reserve. The cold packages can be picked up two days prior to the holiday. The complete dinner feeds four to six and comes with heating instructions. 

Dunning’s Market
1050 Sterling Avenue
Flossmoor
708-799-5151
Get a heat-and-serve turkey dinner for two or a whole cooked turkey with an array of sides and a bottle of wine to feed a group. Turkeys are fresh, hormone free and antibiotic-free. Order by November 13. Prepared food will be available for pick-up or delivery the day before Thanksgiving.

Francesca’s Fortunato
40 Kansas Street
Frankfort
815-464-1890
Francesca’s Fortunato will be open on Thanksgiving day for buffet only. The scrumptious spread will elevate your holiday with oven-roasted turkey accompanied by sage gravy, honey ham, artichoke stuffing, mashed potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts and more. There will also be a fresh fruit section, a charcuterie section and a dessert table for just $49.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids age 12 and under.

Jack Gibbons Gardens
147th Street & Oak Park Avenue
Oak Forest
708-687-2331
Open on Thanksgiving day with a full regular menu, you can also opt for the Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie or ice cream for dessert. Price is $37.95 for adults, $15.95 for kids age 7-10 and $5 for kids age 1 to 6.

Jenny’s Grill & Banquets
11041 South Menard
Chicago Ridge
708-229-2272
If you like to pick and choose from a large buffet with an array of items, don’t miss out on the Thanksgiving Feast Dinner Buffet served from noon to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. It will include chef-carved turkey, ham and prime rib roast and among the sides are sweet potatoes, turkey stuffing, fresh turnips, green bean casserole and corn casserole. There are also additional protein choices of baked salmon, Chicken Vessuvio, ziti pasta with meatballs and shrimp linguine. Several pies and miniature treats are available for dessert. Cost is $39 for adults and $18 for children under 12. Call for reservations.

LaVoute Restaurant
2034 Ridge Road
Homewood
708-798-6000
The restaurant will not be open for service on Thanksgiving, but they’ll have a limited number of reservations to pick up an advance meal of turkey with all the trimmings that you’ll simply need to reheat and serve at home.

Texas de Brazil
856 Orland Square Drive
Orland Park
708-998-3008
If you’re looking to dine out for the holiday and have a group of people with different tastes and preferences, Texas de Brazil is the perfect choice. The Brazilian Steakhouse is open on Thanksgiving Day starting at 11 a.m. with their chef-crafted salad bar, all-you-can-eat grilled meat, buffet of hot dishes, desserts and more.

The Carraig Irish Pub
6119 West 147th Street
Oak Forest
708-687-9323
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey, ham, roast beef and all the trimmings. Also included are soup, build your own salad, coffee, tea and dessert station. Meal served from 2-9 p.m. Get tickets in advance - adults are $40, children age 4-12 are $16.

Related Articles