Nine percent of Americans will eat their Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant, according to a National Restaurant Association survey. That’s reason enough for restaurants to remain open and offer a fancy feast.
It’s also an opportunity for families traveling from out of town or different states, to meet midway and spend quality time while enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings, without the bother of cleaning up.
Ten percent of people will pick up parts of a meal from a restaurant instead of preparing and cooking it themselves.
Here is a sampling of restaurants open Thanksgiving. Call ahead for hours, if reservations required, and include fast food chains, too.
Acapulco Restaurant and Cantina will have a special Thanksgiving buffet with a roasted turkey and ham-carving station and a taco al pastor and seafood station.
Applebee’s will be offering a Thanksgiving meal featuring turkey breast, mashed potatoes and green beans. Call ahead for local menu.
Bob Evans will have the Farmhouse Feast carryout menu that offers a turkey or ham feast (with all the trimmings) that feed up to four ($49.99) or eight people ($79.99). Get both turkey and ham for $109.99.
Boston Market will offer a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Choose between turkey or rotisserie chicken, with side dishes of mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and vegetable stuffing.
Country Buffet will be open from 11 am – 6 pm, featuring carved turkey, steak, carved ham, butterfly shrimp, carved roast beef, meatloaf, chicken pot pie, fried chicken, scratch-made dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn, carrots, fresh steamed broccoli, seasoned green beans, and honey cornbread. Holiday desserts will include pumpkin pie, pecan pie and egg custard pie.
Cracker Barrel will be open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., and will feature a Thanksgiving dinner for $12.99 for dining in ($7.99 for children), a $67.99 to-go meal and a fully catered dinner for $99.
Denny’s has a breakfast and dinner available on Thanksgiving. Open 24/7/365.
FATZ is open on Thanksgiving from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse opens at 11 a.m. and will be serving a three-course Thanksgiving meal for $39.95 per adult. Children under 12 will have a Thanksgiving menu available for $15.00.
Golden Corral will have a Thanksgiving buffet in addition to their usual offerings.
HomeTown Buffet will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. serving among other entrees and side dishes, carved turkey, steak, carved ham, butterfly shrimp and roast beef.
Hooters will be open on Thanksgiving serving wings and beer, along with the rest of their regular menu.
IHOP restaurants will offer pumpkin spice pancakes for breakfast, with a full menu all day.
K&W Cafeterias will be offering a Thanksgiving special for $7.99 that includes roast turkey with dressing, cranberry sauce, two vegetables, fresh baked bread, dessert and refillable beverage.
Joe’s Crab Shack, call ahead for local stores.
Maggiano’s Little Italy will serve a four-course, family-style Thanksgiving meal.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks is serving a roasted turkey dinner at participating locations. Reservations are recommended. The dinner menu is also available all day.
Mimi’s Cafe offers a three-course turkey supper on Thanksgiving. It’s $18.99 for adults and $8.99 for children.
Old Country Buffet will again offer its family-style meal.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill will be offering a three-course Thanksgiving dinner for $24.99.
Ruby Tuesday locations, for the most part, will be open on Thanksgiving.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House will be serving a three-course turkey dinner for $39.95 (kids eat for $12.95).
Ryan’s will have a Southern-style Thanksgiving menu with sliced turkey, sliced ham, fried chicken, steak, chicken pot pie, butterfly shrimp, and more. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ted's Montana Grill will have a Thanksgiving menu, featuring roast turkey and the trimmings.
TGI Friday’s restaurants are open Thanksgiving.
Tryon International Equestrian Center has a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Legends Grille and Lodge, 25 International Blvd. Mill Spring, N.C. $29.95 adults $14.95 children. Reservations recommended. Call 828-863-1000.
Waffle House restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving. Open 24/7/365.