KENTUCKY — Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table with loved ones to gobble up a warm, home-cooked meal, but sometimes the work required to cobble together that holiday spread is just too much.
If you’re someone averse to dirty dishes, or simply want an easier option for Thanksgiving this year, you’ve got a lot to choose from.
Across Kentucky, there are a flock of restaurants and businesses offering Thanksgiving meals—many with dine-in specials, but several others offering take-out spreads you could pass off as your own!
Here’s a look at some options in your neck of the woods.
Statewide
Dine-in and Carry Out
Bob Evans is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every Thanksgiving, and this year they’ll offer their special home-style holiday meals until 7 p.m. on Turkey Day. You can order portions ranging from a single plate to a feast that could serve up to 8 people.
Thanksgiving platters and family meals to go will be available to order online. Each takeaway Farmhouse Feast is handed off cold, so you’ll have to carve out a few hours to heat up your meal.
Dine-in and Carry Out
Nothing says classic comfort food like Cracker Barrel. The hugely popular chain is open all day on Thanksgiving for dine-in turkey dinners, but the real highlight is their wide array of takeout options.
You can order heat-and-serve dinner spreads that feed up to 10 people, or you can order a-la-carte sides and desserts to add to your Thanksgiving feast.
And don’t forget the delectable Cinnamon Roll Pie.
Dine-in and Carry Out
The famous 24-hour diner is a popular spot for Thanksgiving meals. If you’re ordering a meal to-go, you’ll have to heat it before serving.
Dine-in and Carry Out
Golden Corral’s ever-popular buffet will be open on Thanksgiving and offering turkey with all the fixings. They also have carry out heat-and-serve feasts for those looking to avoid crowds.
Carry Out
With locations throughout the state, the grocery store chain is offering full Thanksgiving meals for a low as $65. Each bundle includes, among other things, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, Kings Hawaiian rolls, dressing and pumpkin pie.
You’ll have to order your meal ahead of time up until Nov. 22 by going online or by calling your local store’s deli department.
Carry Out
Sometimes, turkey just doesn’t sound great. But pizza… pizza never fails. Papa Johns, and other chains like Domino’s, are open for delivery and carry out at most locations in Kentucky.
Dine-in
This southern buffet staple offers an annual “All You Care to Eat” feast on Thanksgiving. Some locations offer Thanksgiving meals to-go, but you’ll have to check with each individual location.
Dine-in, Drive-Thru and Carry Out
We know what you’re thinking. “Who would want White Castle on Thanksgiving?” Apparently many people, seeing as the business operates on the holiday. Whether you’re craving sliders or just need some quality hangover food, White Castle will have you covered this year.
Louisville
Dine-in and Carry Out
When you think Thanksgiving, you may not have an Italian restaurant in mind, but Buca di Beppo is renowned in some circles for its Thanksgiving menu.
Thanksgiving Feasts To Go can be pre-ordered any time before Tuesday, Nov. 22, and they’ve got both hot and cold pick-up options, with detailed reheating instructions included.
You can also eat your family-style turkey, potatoes and more at the restaurant. Reservations can be placed online.
Dine-in and Carry Out
Joe’s Crab Shack could essentially rebrand as Joe’s Turkey Shack on Thanksgiving. In addition to their full menu, the restaurant offers a feast of roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy and a slice of pie to boot.
Dine-in and Carry Out
Stress-free feasting is the name of the game at Metro Diner. Whether you’re dining in or carrying out, their Thanksgiving options are sure to satisfy your taste buds.
If you’re dining in, you surely won’t want to miss out on their turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy atop a waffle pressed from stuffing. No reservations are needed.
For those seeking to dine at home, you can order a baked ham or roasted turkey with four sides and rolls. All take-home feasts are served cold and pricing varies depending on portion size.
Lexington
Carry Out
Prime rib, rack of lamb and boneless turducken—if any of these sound like a tasty Thanksgiving feast for you, then look no further than the Fresh Market.
Online ordering is available up until Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. EST. Main courses are priced per pound, and sides like mashed sweet potatoes, creamed spinach and soft yeast rolls are also available.
You can even order fully-put-together holiday meals to serve up to 14 guests.
Carry Out
Proud Mary BBQ is another restaurant where you can find Thanksgiving catering for large groups. Their $175 family meal, including smoked or fried turkey, can serve 10-12 people.
You can also drop some dough on a $325 prime rib and a host of Thanksgiving side options.
Carry Out
Whole Foods has a whole lot of feast options available this Thanksgiving. Their appetizer trays can serve 8 people, and a variety of feast spreads can serve large groups. Whole Foods is a great place to get your feast if you’re looking for turkey substitutes like beef wellington, braised lamb or surf and turf.
Holiday meal orders must be placed 48 hours before pickup time, so don’t wait if you’re thinking of ordering! The grocer also offers a-la-carte entrees and sides.