Nov. 05--Eating out on Thanksgiving Day instead of cooking at home? You'll want to make a reservation, and you'll want to act quickly. Restaurants are already taking bookings.
Here are 19 places open and serving holiday menus for dinner (and several of them lunch as well), or holiday specials, all on Nov. 26. And some offer turkey and the fixings for take-away so that you can celebrate at home without doing days of cooking; again, order ahead.
Big Jones: A Celebration of Thanksgiving dinner which will be served at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. Dinner includes deep-fried turkey with giblets gravy and cranberry sauce; onion, apple and sage stuffing; roasted and pickled beets three ways with cottage cheese and mustard greens; squash pie and more. $50 per person ($20 for children 12 and under) 5347 N. Clark St.; www.bigjoneschicago.com; 773-275-5725.
Bistronomic: From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving guests can stop in and select one item per course for $55. The menu consists of house-cured duck confit, homemade chicken liver-foie gras terrine, roasted farm turkey breast and stuffed leg, prime beef short ribs, lemon tart and more. 840 N. Wabash; www.bistronomic.net; 312-944-8400.
David Burke's Primehouse: A four-course Thanksgiving meal will consist of pumpkin bisque soup with crab and crostini, crab with a hijiki salad and pepper aioli, fingerling potato soup, plus Thanksgiving favorites. The menu will be available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; tickets are $65 and $20 for children's menu. Reservations are highly recommended 616 N. Rush St.; www.davidburkesprimehouse.com; 312-660-6000.
Devon Seafood Grill: A three-course prix fixe menu will be offered from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. First course: butternut squash soup, Maine lobster bisque, baby greens salad or Caesar salad. Main course: turkey, cornbread and sausage stuffing, whipped Yukon Gold potatoes, gravy, glazed yams, green beans with pecans and cranberry-orange relish. Finish the meal with pecan pie, apple croustade, chocolate velvet cake or cheesecake. Special cocktails will also be available. $38 per adult ($19 for children under 12). 39 E. Chicago Ave.; www.devonseafood.com/chicago; 312-440-8660.
Gibsons Bar Steakhouse: A special three-course menu will be offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., including roasted butternut and acorn squash soup; roasted turkey served family style with house-made cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and seasonal stuffing; chocolate mousse parfait, pumpkin pie and apple purse. Tickets are $20 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. 2105 Spring Road, Oak Brook; www.gibsonssteakhouse.com; 630-954-0000.
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse: Depending on the Harry Caray's nearest to you, Thanksgiving Day specials may include roasted turkey, butternut squash bisque, Granny Smith apple cobbler and a variety of other selections. For those hosting Thanksgiving at home, orders must be placed by Nov. 23. For locations and more information, visit www.harrycarays.com.
Prairie Grass Cafe: This Northbrook eatery makes Thanksgiving to-go easy: Everything from side dishes to the turkey, stuffing, appetizers and dessert are available. Choose from a quart of butternut squash soup ($20) to Brussel sprouts with bacon and chestnuts ($24) to Thanksgiving pie. 601 Skokie Blvd.; www.prairiegrasscafe.com; 847-205-4433.
Mariano's: Choose from a fresh baked butterball whole turkey or a fully cooked spiral sliced ham, along with a number of side dishes to select. Each dinner is $65 and serves 6-8 guests. Thanksgiving dinners will be available to pick up beginning Nov. 20, and heating instructions will be included. Everyone is encouraged to submit requests at least 72 hours in advance. Visit www.marianos.com to find a store near you or call 877-664-3399.
Marion Street Market: A select dinner menu featuring holiday favorites and pumpkin delicacies plus custom charcuterie and cheese platters, bottles of wine, craft beer and local chocolates are available for pick up. 100 S. Marion St. Oak Park; marionstreetmarket.com; 708-725-7200.
Shaw's Crab House: A traditional Thanksgiving meal will be served from 12-7 p.m. The buffet will be $75 per adult and $20 per child, and includes an assortment of seafood, salads, turkey, mashed potatoes and other traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving favorites. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit The Leukemia Lymphoma Society. 21 E. Hubbard St. in Chicago and 1900 E. Higgins Road in Schuamburg; www.shawscrabhouse.com.
Tortoise Club: Enjoy a buffet style meal with both traditional and seasonal menu items from 12-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Everything from cranberry cheesecake, apple-sage cornbread stuffing and brown sugar brined turkey will be available for $79 for adults, $25 for kids 4 to 12; children 3 and under eat for free). 305 N. State; www.tortoiseclub.com; 312-755-1700.
Weber Grill: The restaurant known for its grilling expertise plans to deliver a Fire-Grilled Thanksgiving Feast, in addition to the regular menu. The three-course holiday menu includes grill roasted, smoked turkey, plenty of sides and dessert of pumpkin or chocolate espresso pecan pie. Noon to 8 p.m. at Lombard and Schaumburg locations; 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m. breakfast and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. lunch and dinner at Chicago location; $29.95 per adult, $10.95 per child (10 and under). Party platters to-go are available including whole turkeys, pies and all of the accompaniments. For details for each location, visit www.webergrillrestaurant.com.
Other places to celebrate Thanksgiving:
Coco Pazzo Cafe: 636 N. St. Claire St.; www.cocopazzochicago.com; 312-664-2777.
Delightful Pastries: For locations and information, visit www.delightfulpastries.com.
Dolce Italian: 127 W. Huron St.; www.dolceitalianrestaurant.com; 312-754-0700.
Flagship: 1622 W. Belmont Ave.; www.flagshipchicago.com; 773-281-3805.
Frontier: 1072 N. Milwaukee; www.thefrontierchicago.com; 773-772-4322.
Hard Rock Cafe: 63 W. Ontario; www.hardrock.com/cafes/chicago; 312-943-2252.
Kanela Breakfast Club: For locations and information, visit www.kanelabreakfastclub.com.
Lottie's Pub: 1925 W. Cortland; www.lottiespub.com; 773-489-0738.
Park Grill: 11 N. Michigan Ave.; www.parkgrillchicago.com; 312-521-7275.
Rack House Kitchen Tavern: 222 E. Algoquin Road, Arlington Heights; www.rackhousetavern.com; 847-640-7225.
Real Urban Barbecue: Downtown Highland Park (610 Central Ave. #177); Vernon Hills (1260 S. Milwaukee Ave.); and Oak Brook (2119 Clearwater Drive). www.realurbanbbq.com.
Tavern on Rush: 1031 N. Rush St.; www.tavernonrush.com; 312-664-9600.
The Local Chicago: 198 E. Delaware Place; www.thelocalchicago.com; 312-280-8887. *Orders must be placed by Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. and can be picked up on Thanksgiving starting at 9 a.m.
Tuscany Restaurant (Wheeling): 550 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling; www.tuscanychicago.com/tuscany-wheeling; 847-465-9988.
Lindsey Compton is a freelance writer.
