Thanksgiving Dinner at a local restaurant

[SamSpade]

Years ago, shortly after my father passed, the entire clan went out of state and had Thanksgiving at a restaurant.
Some time after when my mom moved out of state, we did something similar where we all booked condos in a resort out of state and had it "to go".

They're both gone now, and now that my wife's parents are gone, we usually only host at home if we have friends who have no place to go.
Several of them have now moved away. There's no crushing NEED to have dinner at home, except of course - I kind of like it. I like the deep friend turkey and the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving day conjures up pleasant memories growing up with my family.

BUT -

Eating OUT is seeming like a better choice this year, with the health of those in attendance.

I only know of two places that can be relied upon for Thanksgiving, but admittedly, I just don't know who does it, and especially, who does a good spread.

Bob Evans does it, but their booths and tables are cramped, and I've never been sold on their food. Ditto Cracker Barrel (although they're rather spacious).

Any recommendations? Oddly enough one of the two places we got dinner from, while out of state - was Ruth's Chris, not a place you'd normally think.

 

[vraiblonde]

You can split the difference and order your meal from the grocery store and pick it up all cooked and ready to serve at home. Most grocery stores offer this.

 

[RoseRed]

You can split the difference and order your meal from the grocery store and pick it up all cooked and ready to serve at home. Most grocery stores offer this.

Pretty sure Bradford's will have stuffed ham.

 

[BadGirl]

I've ordered in advance a turkey dinner package from Cracker Barrell, and it was delicious. I usually make a huge meal (for upwards of 50-60 people), and we use the CB meal as a back up in case we run low on the homemade food. But honestly, the CB food is great!

 

[SamSpade]

I've ordered in advance a turkey dinner package from Cracker Barrell, and it was delicious. I usually make a huge meal (for upwards of 50-60 people), and we use the CB meal as a back up in case we run low on the homemade food. But honestly, the CB food is great!

That might be what we will try. I haven't gone to the grocery stores yet, because this early, no one seems to be advertising yet.

Normally I have an aversion to eating out as part of BIG celebrations when I am footing the bill (and it's ok for the wife for her birthday, or Valentine's or anniversary) because just about everyone orders way more than they can eat, and they rarely eat what they take home.

When we did the turkey takeout - it was ALREADY takeout, so it didn't matter at that point.
More time for football, less time for frying turkey, although I've gotten really good at it by now.

 

[Sneakers]

I haven't gone to the grocery stores yet, because this early, no one seems to be advertising yet.

Couple of days ago, Aldi had whole turkey for $1.19. I'm not sure we'll see the $.29/lb like in past years.

 

[SamSpade]

Couple of days ago, Aldi had whole turkey for $1.19. I'm not sure we'll see the $.29/lb like in past years.

I haven't seen ALDI ever offer the bargains for turkey like the main stores do around Thanksgiving. All of the major stores usually have at least ONE brand they're willing to sell at dirt cheap prices. Which subsequently go WAY UP afterward.

Same thing is true on corned beef. I recently had this yen to make Reubens at home - we always have rye, swiss and Russian dressing, so - why not go out and get some corned beef? And then - damn. REALLY expensive at the deli and whole briskets were nearly as expensive. Even the POINT CUTS were expensive - whereas around St Pattie's Day, they sometimes sell for 2-3 dollars a pound.

Deep frying a turkey to me has become a fun challenge which I try to perfect every year - mix up the brine, find ways to cook it hotter, dry it out better, cook smaller - and I guess not happening this time.

 

[Sneakers]

whereas around St Pattie's Day, they sometimes sell for 2-3 dollars a pound.

I always get a few and throw them in the freezer.

Deep frying a turkey to me has become a fun challenge which I try to perfect every year

Make sure your extension cord is ready!!

 

[SamSpade]

I always get a few and throw them in the freezer.


Make sure your extension cord is ready!!

I took everyone's advice last year and it really worked - I got a heavy duty cord that could handle a bigger load and shortened the distance to the outlet. I was able to keep the temp high enough to have the turkey actually come out crisp.

 

[RoseRed]

Couple of days ago, Aldi had whole turkey for $1.19. I'm not sure we'll see the $.29/lb like in past years.

I saw them on Sunday, I thought they may have been less than that. Butterball.

Speaking of Aldi, I have seen comments on the Aldi FB group of people raving about the sweet potato casserole with the crumble topping. I didn't see that in the frozen section but will be looking for them in the near future.

 

[SamSpade]

I saw them on Sunday, I thought they may have been less than that. Butterball.

Speaking of Aldi, I have seen comments on the Aldi FB group of people raving about the sweet potato casserole with the crumble topping. I didn't see that in the frozen section but will be looking for them in the near future.

I DID notice that ALDI once again has the Gyro kits, which have been missing a while. Couldn't find the ones at BJ's even after asking staff.

 

[RoseRed]

I DID notice that ALDI once again has the Gyro kits, which have been missing a while. Couldn't find the ones at BJ's even after asking staff.

I've never looked for those. I don't like gyros. I'm glad you found them.

 

[BadGirl]

I don't like gyros.

I'm unsure if we can be friends anymore.

 

[SamSpade]

My

I've never looked for those. I don't like gyros. I'm glad you found them.

My GO TO sandwich if it is offered at a place. Arby's actually makes a pretty good one. My youngest is the fussiest eater I've ever seen - she's convinced that unless it was purchased at the store within the past week - the food is OLD and must not be eaten. I'm unable to convince her that a candy bar bought YESTERDAY is still likely to have been made six months ago -or more. She will refuse a glass of water if she thinks it is "old" - and I will tell her, sorry, but that glass of water is older than life on Earth.

AND *she* still likes them, or at least, the meat.

I'm convinced a decent gyro must have tsadziki, cukes and tomatoes in addition to the meat and flatbread. No one else in my household shares that sentiment.

 

[stgislander]

I'm convinced a decent gyro must have tsadziki, cukes and tomatoes in addition to the meat and flatbread. No one else in my household shares that sentiment.

And you'd be correct.

 

[Sneakers]

I'm convinced a decent gyro must have tsadziki, cukes and tomatoes in addition to the meat and flatbread. No one else in my household shares that sentiment.

I grill some peppers and onions to put on, and use cucumber ranch instead of tsadziki.

 

[vraiblonde]

I've never looked for those. I don't like gyros.

I won't eat disgusting stinky lamb, but pork or chicken gyros - I'm there for it

Niko's did pork gyros with all the fixins and it was out of this world hella fab.

 

[RoseRed]

I'm unsure if we can be friends anymore.

Allll.... I don't fault you for hatred of cilantro.

 

[RoseRed]

I won't eat disgusting stinky lamb, but pork or chicken gyros - I'm there for it

Niko's did pork gyros with all the fixins and it was out of this world hella fab.

Lamb is disgusting.

 

[Grumpy]

Lamb is disgusting.

You've been unfriended.