What’s better to be thankful for than not cooking a massive meal or spending hours on Thanksgiving cleanup? If you’re looking to skip the work – and the stress – and still enjoy a delicious meal, hit up one of these restaurants open on Thanksgiving this year.
10 Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving 2018
These restaurants will be open this year for the holiday, and many serve traditional Thanksgiving meals you can enjoy in-restaurant. There are also options at some to carry out, if you prefer to eat at home. As always, make sure you call ahead to verify your location is open before heading out.
1) Bob Evans

Whether you’re looking to eat out or bring a delicious heat-and-serve meal home, Bob Evans can meet your needs, and will be open on Thanksgiving 2018. They’ll also be offering their carry-out heat-and-serve Thanksgiving Farmhouse Feast. It consists of roast turkey, smoked ham, celery and cornbread dressing, green beans with ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry relish, macaroni and cheese, rolls, pumpkin bread, double-crust apple pie, and pumpkin pie. You can feed eight to ten people for $114.99.
2) Boston Market

Boston Market is open for in-restaurant dining on Thanksgiving, and also offers both carry-out and home delivery on Thanksgiving meals. In-restaurant diners can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal of roast turkey breast or half a chicken, two sides, a roll, and apple pie for $12.99.
You can also pick up Family Meals, hot sides, appetizers, and whole pies on Thanksgiving Day. If you’re feeding a large group, pick up the Holiday Heat & Serve Meal, which includes entrees, sides, and pies for four to 12 people, or the Whole Roasted Turkey Meal for 12, which includes a whole turkey and all the trimmings, for $119.99.
3) Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Another option for a traditional dine-in or carry-out restaurant meal on Thanksgiving is Cracker Barrel. The Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressing meals include turkey, sugar-cured ham, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, your choice of a side, corn muffins or buttermilk biscuits, a beverage, and a slice of pumpkin pie, à la mode at no extra charge. Guests can dine-in from 11:00 a.m. Carry-out versions are also available to feed six or ten people, for $67.00 and $109.99.
4) Denny’s

Denny’s serves more traditional Thanksgiving meals, such as the Turkey & Dressing Dinner, as well as twists like the Cinnamon Roll and Pumpkin Spice Pancake Breakfasts. Denny’s also offers a Turkey & Dressing Dinner Pack, which feeds four, and can be ordered online through Denny’s on Demand.
5) Golden Corral

Golden Corral will be featuring a special Thanksgiving Buffet loaded with turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes with gravy, and all your Thanksgiving favorites, as well as other classic endless buffet dishes like smoked baby back ribs, fried shrimp, and a full salad bar. Don’t forget to hit up the chocolate fountain on the dessert bar while you’re there.
6) Ponderosa Steakhouse

Ponderosa Steakhouse and Bonanza Steakhouse are also offering Thanksgiving buffets at some locations. Call the location nearest you for hours and pricing. A Thanksgiving buffet is a great option if you’re planning on seconds and thirds.
7) Sizzler

Sizzler locations will also be serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year, but picky eaters will also be able to choose from any of their regular menu items or their salad bar. The traditional meal, which includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, baked sweet potato with maple butter, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, is available for $12.99.
8) Chart House

If you’d prefer a seafood dinner for Thanksgiving, Chart House will be open this year, but they encourage diners to make reservations for the holiday.
In addition to their regular menu, they’ll be serving a Thanksgiving menu of turkey, ham, or tri-tip served with cranberry relish, mashed potatoes or sweet potato, Parmesan creamed spinach, and roasted vegetables. You can order this as a plated dinner, or as a buffet at some locations. You can wash it down with pumpkin martinis and other pumpkin-themed cocktails. If you’d rather eat at home, Chart House offers turkey platters and candied pecan butter cake or pumpkin cheese pie for carry out.
9) TGI Friday’s

Most TGI Friday’s locations will be open this Thanksgiving, but they probably won’t be serving any special meals. Call ahead to verify holiday hours before you leave.
10) Ruby Tuesday

No matter how good a cook you are, it’s hard to beat Ruby Tuesday’s salad bar. This chain restaurant won’t be serving a special Thanksgiving menu this year, but they should be open and serving their regular menu. Call your location to make sure they’re open first.
If you’re looking forward to eating Thanksgiving dinner more than you’re looking forward to cooking it and cleaning up afterward, think about going out this year. No matter where you live, you should be able to find a restaurant that’s open and serving a traditional meal or a regular menu, or both. Now, that’s something to be thankful for.
Do you plan on heading to a restaurant for Thanksgiving? Share with us in the comments below!
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(Photo: David Stewart)
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