Are you cooking for Thanksgiving? Me neither! The idea of spending a day stuffing your face with friends and family is appealing, but to so many of us, the prospect of having to prepare all that food first is utterly crushing.
We can’t all be kitchen wizards, which is why many restaurants have started selling entire Thanksgiving meals you can bring home and serve like you spent all day in the kitchen. Whether you need the full shebang or a few sides to round out your homemade offerings, here are eight national chains where you can pick up your holiday fare this year.
If you need a whole meal, don’t feel overwhelmed. You have options.
Denny’s is offering a "Turkey Bundle" for 2024. For $54.99, you get enough carved turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce for four people—plus you get to choose an additional side. You can order it between Friday, Nov. 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 27, but you must do so at least 24 hours in advance of when you want to pick it up.
Cracker Barrel is going all in on heat-and-serve meals for 2024, with varying price levels and offerings for everyone. For $184.99, for instance, you can enough turkey, casserole, pie, and more to feed between eight and 10 people. (Feeding four to six is $119.99.) These choices are available between Nov. 23 and Dec. 1, though there are others available at different intervals throughout the holiday season, so you can make sure your next two months of hosting go smoothly. Check out the site for details on the meals and options available (and don't pass up the hashbrown casserole).
If you want an Italian twist on your Thanksgiving meal, Buca de Beppo can help. Their Thanksgiving offerings are available both dine-in and take-out, and you get 10% off if you order before Nov. 26. The mashed potatoes have garlic and the stuffing has Italian seasoning, but it's just traditional enough to make even a Thanksgiving purist happy. Use the site to check your local prices.
Golden Corral has meals to feed six to eight people with turkey, ham, or beef, plus mashed potatoes, stuffing, and sides. Like last year, they have a la carte options to go along with the standard fare, but the prices in 2024 are down significantly: The complete meals start at just $99.99, compared to $109.99 and up from last year. The last day to order for pickup is Nov. 20, though, so get moving.
Maybe you need a few sides to go with the rest of your home-cooked meal, or you are having a low-key dinner with yourself or one or two other people. You don’t need a giant takeout order for that, but you can try these options (in addition to the a la carte offerings from the restaurants above).
Popeye’s is offering a Cajun-style turkey again this year, though it's pricier than it was before. It's $99.99, feeds eight to 12 people, and arrives pre-cooked at your door. Thaw it, heat it, and eat it. Since it's Popeye's we're talking about, don't forget to order some sides to go with it.
Boston Market, a chain synonymous with Thanksgiving-esque offerings all year round, is serving up buffets and individual plates, making it more customizable for different sized parties. You do have to call to order: (303)317-6900.
In addition to options for larger parties, Bob Evans is once again offering its Farmhouse Feasts at a variety of sizes. If you want a premium feast to feed eight to 10 people, check out the options at the link, but also be advised that four people can eat a ham meal with dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and pie for just $84.99.
You might not think of a grocery store when you're imagining heat-and-eat Thanksgiving meals, but the same place you would go if you wanted to whip up the whole feast yourself can actually be where you pick up the premade version, too. Whole Foods is offering full meals for between $99.99 and $259.99, plus ready-made appetizers, sides, and more a la carte. Order by Nov. 26 and pick up by Nov. 28.
