From smoked turkey to pumpkin pie, these restaurants are offering Thanksgiving feasts
Last year was a Thanksgiving for trying out new traditions.
Circles were smaller, first-time cooks were crowned and the year’s premier food holiday was one to remember, both for what it was and what it wasn’t.
This Thanksgiving, the full-scale feast will likely make a return to many tables. That means days of cooking, of figuring out wet or dry brines, debating casseroles, mashing potatoes, venturing back and forth to the grocery store and conjuring a silky, wondrous gravy.
But if all that is too great an undertaking, restaurants throughout the Triangle are planning feasts of their own, both for dining in and taking home. Meals range from 12-person spreads of turkey and fixings, to lavish buffets and carving stations, to take-home packages for couples. If you’ve got the turkey and stuffing under control, consider a pie or four, a way to support local restaurants and avoid any supply chain woes.
Happy eating.
Acme Food & Beverage Co.
110 E. Main St., Carrboro. 919-929-2263 or acmecarrboro.com
The Acme Thanksgiving feast serves two people and includes deep-fried turkey and sides such as rosemary and sage stuffing, collards and bourbon mashed sweet potatoes. Meals can be picked up Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. The cost is $85. Dessert, bread and additional sides are available as add-ons.
Ashley Christensen Restaurants
1519 Brookside Drive, Raleigh. ac-restaurants.com.
Ashley Christensen’s restaurant group, known as AC Restaurants, is offering Thanksgiving staples, from brined birds that just need to go into the oven to family-sized sides like custard-style mac and cheese, green bean casserole and whole pies. Orders must be placed by Nov. 15 at www.toasttab.com/acevents-holiday/v3, with pickup available Tuesday, Nov. 23 or Wednesday, Nov. 24 at the commissary kitchen AUX.
Angus Barn
9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 919-781-2444 or angusbarn.com
The Angus Barn is offering take-home Thanksgiving meals that feed five people. The package includes turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing and other sides, a whole pie and bread. The cost is $185, with pickup available Nov. 25 and Nov. 26.
Bob Evans
Three locations in the Triangle, in Durham, Raleigh and Smithfield. bobevans.com
Open on Thanksgiving and also offering take-home meals for four to 10 people, plus a la carte desserts and sides.
Bongiorno & Son
8450 Honeycutt Road, Suite 106, Raleigh. 919-594-1544 or bongiornoandson.com
Offering Thanksgiving platters to-go, including antipasto, cheese plates, Italian sausage stuffing, roasted porchetta and tiramisu. The deadline to order is Nov. 19, with pickup on Nov. 24.
Boricua Soul
705 Willard St., Durham. 919-902-0520 or boricuasoulnc.com
This Southern and Caribbean restaurant is offering takeout dishes for Thanksgiving, including whole roasted Pernil pork shoulder, mac and cheese and collards. The deadline to order is Nov. 21 with pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 24.
Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse
8551 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh. 919-544-3344 or brasasteakhouse.com
Open from 10:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m., serving a Thanksgiving buffet that includes turkey and gravy, swords of bacon-wrapped chicken and cinnamon-roasted pineapple, sides, a salad bar and carving station. The cost is $55.
The Capital Grille
4242 Six Forks Road, Raleigh. 919-787-3901 or thecapitalgrille.com
Serving a Thanksgiving meal for $43 per person, available in-person or takeout, including turkey with brioche stuffing, green beans, cranberry-pear chutney and mashed potatoes.
Chef’s Palette Restaurant and Bar
3460 Ten Ten Road, Suite 118, Cary. 919-267-6011 or chefspaletterestaurantandbar.com
Thanksgiving is takeout only this year, with a la carte options including roasted turkey breast or ham by the pound and family style sides. The deadline to order is Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Counting House
111 N. Corcoran St., in the 21c Museum Hotel, Durham. 919-956-6760 or countinghousenc.com
Serving dine-in Thanksgiving meals with either bourbon brown sugar-brined turkey or rotisserie New York Strip, plus four sides, including baked mac and cheese, bagel stuffing and whipped sweet potato, plus a dessert. Meals are $50 per person for turkey and $60 for steak. The same meal is available to go for $80, serving two people.
Crossroads at The Carolina Inn
211 Pittsboro St., in the Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill. 919-918-2777 or carolinainn.com
Serving Thanksgiving brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. including carving stations with turkey breast and smoked prime rib, a mashed potato bar with toppings, a seafood display, holiday sides and a salad bar. The cost is $80 per person. The Carolina Inn is also offering a to-go package for four people for $225.
The Durham
Inside The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham. 919-768-8831 or thedurham.com
Serving an in-person three course Thanksgiving dinner from 12 to 4 p.m., including maple and brown sugar glazed turkey, roasted ham, chestnut and rye stuffing, wild mushroom and green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes and other sides, plus dessert. The cost is $75 per person. Takeout is available and orders must be placed by Nov. 10.
The Fearrington House
2000 Fearrington Village Center, 230 Market St., Pittsboro. 919-542-2121 or fearrington.com
Serving a fine dining Thanksgiving menu with four courses, including options like celery root and pear soup with smoked chicken, braised short rib with carrots and smoked bacon, sorghum-glazed turkey, red wine-braised cabbage, green bean and mushroom ragout, three cheese mac and dessert. The cost is $150 for dine-in. The meal can also be packed up as takeout for two for $155.
Golden Corral
Six locations around the Triangle. goldencorral.com
Offering take-out Thanksgiving meals for six to eight people. The deadline to order is Nov. 22.
Gravy
135 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh. 919-896-8513 or gravyraleigh.com.
This Italian restaurant is offering two Thanksgiving takeout packages, one for two people at $80, and a larger one for four people. The packages include baked brie, a mixed salad, including a meat and cheese board, glazed turkey with balsamic peach reduction, two sides and a chocolate lava cake. The deadline to order is Tuesday, Nov. 16, with pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Herons
100 Woodland Pond Drive, in the Umstead Hotel, Cary. 919-447-4050 or theumstead.com
Serving a four-course meal in the Umstead ballroom from 12 to 5:30 p.m. for $95 per person or $25 for children. The meal will include a choice of entree and family style sides.
Il Palio
505 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, in the Siena Hotel. 919-918-2545 or ilpalio.com
Offering a three-course Thanksgiving meal for $89 per person, including options like chestnut and porcini mushroom soup, duck confit pasta, butternut squash ravioli, smoked duck breast and roasted prime rib, with dessert choices including pumpkin cheesecake or apple crostata.
Irregardless Cafe
901 W. Morgan St., Raleigh. 919-833-8898 for restaurant, 919-610-0872 for catering or irregardless.com.
Offering take and bake Thanksgiving meals for four or eight people. The meal includes entrees, four to eight sides, rolls, gravy and dessert. Pickup is Nov. 24 between 12:30 and 6 p.m., with customers picking a reserved timeslot. Vegan options are also available.
Kababish Cafe
201 W. Chatham St., Suite 103, Cary. 919-377-8794 or kababishcafe.com
Offering Thanksgiving takeout meals for four or eight people, including Masala turkey marinated in yogurt and spices and served with mashed potatoes, chicken kebabs, garlic and plain naan, basmati rice and other sides. The meal for four is $100 and $185 for eight. Same day ordering is not available, so pre-ordering is required. Meals will be ready for pickup Thanksgiving Day.
La Farm Bakery
4248 NW Cary Parkway, Cary. 919-657-0657 or lafarmbakery.com
Offering a wide selection of breads and pastries, including pumpkin and pecan tarts, pumpkin spice challah, yeast rolls and more. Orders can be made in La Farm’s Cary cafes, by phone and online. The deadline for Thanksgiving orders is Nov. 21.
Locals Oyster Bar
Located in the Durham Food Hall at 530 Foster St., Durham or the Transfer Co. Food Hall at 500 E. Davie St., Raleigh. localsoysterbar.com.
Offering a menu of take-and-bake dishes, as well as raw oysters and meal kits. Dishes include shrimp cocktail, oyster stuffing, smoked oysters, raw oysters, crab potatoes aligot and a seafood stew meal kit. The deadline to order is Nov. 20, with pickup available Nov. 23 or Nov. 24.
Longleaf Swine
300 E. Edenton St., Raleigh longleafswine.com
Offering takeout meals including whole smoked turkey breast or pulled pork and brisket by the pound, as well as side dishes of pimento mac and cheese, whiskey baked beans, esquites, coleslaw and collard greens. Orders can be placed online, with pickup available Wednesday, Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lucette Grace
235 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, 919-307-4950 or lucettegrace.com
The bakery is taking orders through Monday, Nov. 15 for bourbon pecan pie, peanut butter chess pie, croquembouche, macaron towers and a Thanksgiving brunch box. Pickup is available Nov. 23 and Nov. 24.
Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen
7307 Tryon Road, Cary. 919-233-1632 or lucky32.com
Serving from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a choice between a smoked turkey breast meal or prime rib.
Mandolin
2519 Fairview Road, Raleigh. 919-322-0365 or mandolinraleigh.com
The Thanksgiving Day meal for four or eight people includes heat-and-serve turkey, sides, fixings and desserts. Look for aligot potatoes, bread pudding stuffing, sweet potato casserole, yeast rolls and a choice of sweet potato pie, chocolate chess pie or apple pie. Cost is $166 for a half turkey plus sides or $318 for a whole turkey and larger sides. Orders must be received by Nov. 12. Pickup is 12 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Margaux’s Restaurant
8111 Creedmoor Road, Suite 111, Raleigh. 919-846-9846 or margauxsrestaurant.com
Offering a four-course dine-in Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m for $60 per person. Dish options include veal meatballs with truffle potatoes, an oyster Po’boy, roasted turkey, cassoulet, chocolate whoopie pie and pumpkin spice creme brulee.
Midtown Grille
4421-115 Six Forks Road, Raleigh. 919-782-9463 or themidtowngrille.com
Open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., serving a four-course Thanksgiving menu for $45 per person. The meal includes soup, salad, choice of entree and dessert.
NanaSteak
345 Blackwell St., Durham. 919-282-1183 or nanasteak.com
Offering takeout Thanksgiving meals, either a steak dinner for two or a larger meal for six to eight people, including turkey breast or prime rib, plus sides and dessert. Order by Nov. 18, with pickup on Nov. 24. Email info@nanasteak.com to place orders.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
4509 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh. 919-827-4158 or perryssteakhouse.com.
Serving dine-in meals on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the full menu available, as well as a holiday menu for $45. A four-person takeout menu is also available for $139.
Plates
301 Glenwood Ave., #100, Raleigh. 919-828-0018 or plateskitchen.com
Offering a dine-in Thanksgiving meal that benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. The meal is $55 per person and includes thee courses, a choice of turkey, short rib, pork loin or spaghetti squash, plus three sides and dessert. The meal is also available as takeout for six to eight people for $159, with $25 going to the food bank. Order deadline is Nov. 22, with pickups Nov. 24 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Pit
328 W. Davie Street, Raleigh. 919-890-4500 or thepit-raleigh.com
321 W. Geer Street, Durham. 919-282-3748 or thepit-durham.com
Serving dine-in family style meals on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meal is $45 per person and includes fried pimento cheese bites, a salad and choices of smoked ham, turkey or whole hog barbecue, plus sides like dressing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and pies for dessert. Takeout is available as well for groups from two people to 16. Packages include six side dishes, three entrees including smoke ham, smoked turkey and chopped barbecue. Orders should be placed by Friday, Nov. 19, with pickup on Nov. 24 or Nov. 25 at either Pit location.
Plum
501 Washington St., Suite C, Durham. 919-351-6446 or plumdurham.com
Serving dine-in Thanksgiving meals for up to eight people, at $70 per person. There are also to-go feasts that feed four featuring smoked turkey breast, confit dark meat, gravy, mushroom and herb stuffing and other classic sides, plus salad, rolls and pumpkin pie. The package is $160 and can be picked up Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m to 12 p.m.
Refectory Cafe
2726 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham. 919-949-8623 or therefectorycafe.com.
Offering a la carte Thanksgiving options, including rosemary turkey breast, mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, mac and cheese, whole pies, cakes and cheesecakes. The deadline to order is Nov. 21 at 4 p.m., with orders picked up by Nov. 24 at 5 p.m.
Rocky Top Catering
5000 Departure Drive, Raleigh. 919-850-2340 or rockytopcatering.com.
Offering ready-to-serve and take and bake Thanksgiving meals, featuring turkey, ham, salad, sides, all the fixings and dessert. The $200 meals serve four people and can be picked up Nov. 24 for take and bake or Nov. 25 to serve immediately.
The Root Cellar
Pickups available at Chapel Hill and Pittsboro locations. rootcellarchapelhill.com
The restaurant offers a $150 Meal for four with choice of oven-roasted turkey, cranberry red wine-braised brisket or butternut squash lasagna; choice of three sides; choice of gravy or cranberry orange relish; and choice of mini pumpkin pie or apple pie. A la carte options of turkey, sides, breads and desserts available. All orders must be placed by 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. All pickups are Wednesday, Nov. 24, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sage & Swift (formerly Watts Grocery)
1116 Broad St., Durham. 919-957-7889 or sageandswift.com
Preparing full Thanksgiving meals to-go, as well as a la carte options, such as turkey, sides, soups and desserts. Dishes include charred sweet potatoes, traditional dressing with apples and celery, Italian sausage and bread dressing, baked corn pudding and others.
Salt & Lime Cabo Grill
6006 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh. 919-872-2230 or saltandlimecabo.com.
Offering a takeout Thanksgiving menu for six people for $175, including spiced turkey breast and boneless thighs, with smoked chile gravy and jalapeno cornbread and four sides, with options like chipotle mac and cheese, chorizo cornbread stuffing, caramelized mango salad and sweet potato casserole with cinnamon tortilla crisps, plus one dessert. The deadline to order is Nov. 17, with pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 24 from 3 to 9 p.m.
Seasons 52
4325 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, inside Crabtree Valley Mall. 919-787-3052 or seasons52.com
Offering Thanksgiving takeout for four to six people, including salad, turkey and sides and dessert for $175.
Sitti
137 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh. 919-239-4070 or sitti-raleigh.com.
Offering a takeout meal for four people for $80, including harissa-roasted turkey with Brussels sprouts, pita stuffing, salad, lemon garlic potatoes and banana pudding cheesecake. Orders should be placed by Saturday, Nov. 20, with pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tandem
200 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro. 919-240-7987 or tandemcarrboro.com
Dine-in seatings and takeout meals are available. The Thanksgiving menu includes smoked beets and Brussels sprouts salad, roasted turkey and dark meat confit, smoked potato puree, brioche stuffing and miniature desserts. The meal is $60 per person and $25 for children under 12. Takeout orders must be placed by Tuesday, Nov. 23.
Talulla’s
456 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 919-933-1177. talullas.com
Turkish-inspired three-course Thanksgiving menu for $40 per person, with a $19 wine pairing available. Dish options include zucchini fritters, chicken kebabs, phyllo-wrapped tilapia, stuffed eggplant, musakka and baklava.
Time-Out
201 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 919-929-2425 or timeout247.com.
This Chapel Hill restaurant, famously open 24 hours a day, is serving Thanksgiving meal packages featuring turkey, sides, bread and dessert. Meals for four to six people are $132.99 and eight to 12 people are $246.99.
Union Special Bread
2409 Crabtree Blvd, Raleigh. 984-200-3094 or unionspecialbread.com.
Offering Thanksgiving pre-orders for whole pies, including butterscotch pecan, lemon shaker pie, classic pumpkin and chocolate chess, chocolate chip cookies, blue corn cookies, sourdough bread and boxes of pastries. Ordering is available until Nov. 21 with pickup Tuesday, Nov. 23 and Wednesday, Nov. 24. Orders must be placed online.
Wooden Nickel Pub
111 N. Churton St., Hillsborough. 919-932-0134 or downtownpies.com
The Bake Shop at the Wooden Nickel is taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving pies and desserts, including local pumpkin, NC apple, pear ginger crumble, bourbon maple pecan and cakes like Texas Sheetcake and Coca-Cola layer. The deadline to order is Nov. 21, for pickup on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24.
Yellow Dog Bread
219 E. Franklin St., Raleigh. 984-232-0291 or yellowdogbread.com
Offering pies and breads for the Thanksgiving table, including salted pecan pie, cranberry apple, gingerbread turkeys and more. The deadline to order is at noon on Monday, Nov. 22.
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 3:08 PM.
