Cooking for Thanksgiving? It’s OK to hate it. Turkey, stuffing, sides, dessert; parents, in-laws, nieces, nephews — that’s a lot of pressure for one meal.
If you’re looking for alternative plans this year — be it going out to eat or bringing the meal home — Chicago has you covered, with plenty of different options for holiday dining and carryout. Your only concern should be making a reservation: Virtually all restaurants below strongly recommend or require one, so be sure to contact your chosen venue as soon as possible.
RELATED: Chicago bakeries and restaurants taking pre-orders now for Thanksgiving pie
Unless otherwise noted, listings are for Thursday, Nov. 24, and gratuity and tax are not included.
DINE IN
Bub City At its River North location, Bub City will serve a Southern-style Thanksgiving platter ($17) of hickory-smoked turkey, homemade cornbread-and-sage stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberries to guests dining in. Those who want to stay at home can carry out large-party options as well. Minimum 24 hours notice required for carryout orders. Dine-in 11 a.m. to midnight, 435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4200, www.bub-city.com
Cherry Circle Room A prix fixe menu includes roasted turkey, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, candied yams, cornbread stuffing and pumpkin cheesecake, with beer and wine pairings available. $75; pairings extra. 1–8 p.m., 12 S. Michigan Ave., second floor, 312-792-3515, www.lsdatcaa.com/cherry-circle-room
Di Pescara Di Pescara offers its holiday menu any way you want it — dine-in ($40 per person), carryout or delivery ($36 per person for either) — served in family-style portions with turkey and a selection of salads, entrees, sides and desserts. Children ages 5-12 eat half-price. Noon to 7 p.m., 2124 Northbrook Court, Northbrook, 847-498-4321, www.di-pescara.com
Fourteensixteen La Grangers who don’t want to deal with holiday cooking have a local option in Fourteensixteen, which will have an a la carte Thanksgiving menu. The dine-in meal features the traditional turkey and sides, plus more creative dishes, including fig and duck salad. Priced a la carte. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 14 W. Calendar Ave., La Grange, 708-469-7896, www.1416lagrange.com
Green Zebra Vegetarians facing the challenges of Thanksgiving can stop by Green Zebra in West Town for some help. Beginning Nov. 18, the vegetarian restaurant will use seasonal ingredients to create veggie-friendly versions of classic Thanksgiving sides. Starts Nov. 18, 1460 W. Chicago Ave., 312-243-7100, www.greenzebrachicago.com
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab Despite the name, you can still find Thanksgiving turkey at Joe’s Seafood. A crispy turkey stars on the holiday prix fixe menu, alongside cornbread stuffing, cheesy mashed potatoes and citrus cranberry relish. $50, $25 ages 5-12. Noon to 7 p.m., 60 E. Grand Ave., 312-379-5637, www.joes.net/chicago
Longman & Eagle You can feast on a Michelin-caliber Thanksgiving meal at Longman & Eagle, with a roasted heritage turkey, green bean casserole, and chestnut foie-gras stuffing headlining the lineup of dishes. $65; email info@longmanandeagle.com for reservations. 2657 N. Kedzie Ave., 773-276-7110, www.longmanandeagle.com
Mity Nice Bar & Grill If you’re looking to go a little more casual, Water Tower Place’s Mity Nice Bar & Grill is your spot. The restaurant’s dinner lineup is simple and traditional, including oven-roasted turkey and glazed sweet potatoes. To play good hosts, Mity Nice also provides complimentary validated parking for guests all evening (five-hour limit). $55, $25 ages 12 and under. Noon to 7 p.m., 835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-335-4745, www.mitynicechicago.com
Monastero’s Ristorante Three seating times are available for the Monastero’s Thanksgiving buffet, which offers plenty of traditional Turkey Day options (turkey, ham, potatoes) and enough to satisfy kids as well (mac and cheese, chicken fingers). There will also be a dessert spread, of course. $35, $17 ages 12 and under. Seatings at noon, and 2 and 4 p.m., 3935 W. Devon Ave., 773-588-2515, www.monasteros.com
Nico Osteria This year, for the first time, the Gold Coast restaurant will offer both dine-in and carryout options for Thanksgiving dinner. On the takeout docket, think turkey breast, cranberry chutney, truffle mashed potatoes and baked kale, plus a pair of a la carte pies: chocolate pecan and spiced pumpkin with a ginger-snap crust. On Thanksgiving Day at the restaurant, sit down to a similar menu during a four-course prix fixe meal. Carryout: All orders due by 3 p.m. Nov. 18; $130 serves up to three people, $300 four to six people, $550 seven to nine people, $750 10-12 people. Dine-in: $85; kids $35. 2-9 p.m., 1015 N. Rush St., 312-994-7100, www.nicoosteria.com
Oak Brook Hills Resort The resort offers multiple options to diners looking to have holiday dinner elsewhere this year. The first takes place in the Grand Ballroom, home to a sizable buffet of traditional Thanksgiving food ($45, $18 ages 5-12, free 4 and younger; seatings at 1 and 3:30 p.m.). The second offers a four-course dinner ($30; seatings at 5, 7 and 9 p.m.) at the property’s restaurant, B. 3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook, 630-850-5555, www.oakbrookhillsresortchicago.com
Prairie Grass Choose your own Thanksgiving dinner lineup this year at Prairie Grass. The Skokie establishment will offer a three-course meal with choices of appetizers, entrees, sides and, of course, dessert. The same choices are available via carryout, sold in a la carte portions. Carryout: Orders due Nov. 17, pickup noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 24; Dine-in: $57; $18 ages 12 and younger. 2:30-7 p.m., 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433, www.prairiegrasscafe.com
RPM Steak Thanksgiving at RPM Steak looks like what you might expect when the holiday meets a steakhouse: additional proteins besides turkey (king crab, rib-eye), plus a variety of hearty side dishes. Additions like white truffles shaved tableside and cold seafood are available at an extra cost. And don’t fret; dessert will be served as well. $85 (includes tax). 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., 66 W. Kinzie St., 312-284-4990, www.rpmrestaurants.com/rpmsteak/chicago
Seven Lions On Michigan Avenue across from the Art Institute, Seven Lions offers another option to ditch the kitchen. The restaurant will serve a three-course meal with enough diversity to be friendly to vegetarians, with dish options including roasted squash bisque, traditional turkey, braised short ribs, wild mushroom pasta and pumpkin/sweet potato pie. $38, kids $12. Noon to 8 p.m., 130 S. Michigan Ave., 312-880-0130, www.sevenlionschicago.com
Shaw’s Crab House – Chicago Shaw’s offers another traditional Thanksgiving buffet downtown. Expect a typical spread for Turkey Day, with some bonus seafood options like oysters on the half-shell. Desserts are included, but beverages are not. $75, $20 ages 12 and younger. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 21 E. Hubbard St., 312-527-2722, www.shawscrabhouse.com/chicago
Shaw’s Crab House – Schaumburg The Shaw’s in Schaumburg will host the same buffet dinner as its downtown counterpart, above, for Thanksgiving. Additionally, the restaurant will hold a food drive, and anyone who brings in nonperishable food items can receive a $5 gift certificate for each item, up to $100. $65, $12 ages 12 and younger. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, 847-517-2722, www.shawscrabhouse.com/schaumburg
Wildfire At all its locations except Lincolnshire, Wildfire will offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner served family-style to guests dining in, as well as party-platter options for those interested in eating at home. Gluten-free menu items will be available in both instances. The restaurant plans to donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Dine-in: $45.95, $19.95 ages 12 and younger. 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m, multiple locations, www.wildfirerestaurant.com
CARRYOUT
Bub City See listing in above section for details.
Di Pescara See listing in above section for details.
L. Woods In Lincolnwood, L. Woods will offer an a la carte menu for the holiday, ready to pick up and reheat on the big day. The lodge is planning a classic selection of holiday fare, including stuffing, double baked potato casserole, and pecan, pumpkin and Key lime pies. Priced a la carte. Orders due Nov. 21; pickup Nov. 21-23. 7110 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood, 847-677-3350, www.lwoodsrestaurant.com
Nico Osteria See listing in above section for details.
Parson’s Chicken One of the easiest Thanksgiving dinner options comes from Parson’s. Order a $50 dinner for two, with a whole fried Amish chicken, green chili cornbread, mashed potatoes, gravy, Thanksgiving elotes, and tomato- and bacon-braised green beans (add-ons are available. Orders due noon Nov. 23; pickup 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. 2952 W. Armitage Ave., 773-384-3333, www.parsonschickenandfish.com/thanksgiving
Prairie Grass See listing in above section for details.
Publican Quality Meats Take home a top-tier turkey from Publican Quality Meats, which is offering a selection of carryout items for Thanksgiving dinner, including three different types of birds. Additional menu items include brines, rubs, gravy, a few sides and a trio of Thanksgiving desserts: apple pie, pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake. It’s worth noting that Publican has imported Avec’s popular dates with piquillo sauce, available specially for the holiday. Priced a la carte. Orders due Nov. 19. Pickup 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 20, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 22, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23. 825 W. Fulton Market, 312-445-8977, www.publicanqualitymeats.com/thanksgiving
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