Thanksgiving is a logistical marathon. From perfecting the brine and navigating grocery lines to juggling an extensive oven schedule, even the most seasoned host will break a sweat. Luckily, Dallas’ chefs are stepping in to take the load off.
Across the city, restaurants have curated Thanksgiving feasts for every palette. Whether you’re looking for a traditional holiday dinner, inventive twists on classics, or a fiery alternative to turkey, these 15 Dallas hotspots have you covered with ready-to-go Thanksgiving spreads without the hassle.
Harwood Hospitality Group
Harwood Hospitality Group’s portfolio boasts some of Dallas’ most distinctive restaurants, including Marie Gabrielle Restaurant and Gardens, Mercat Bistro, Hotel Swexan’s signature Texan-rooted steakhouse Stillwell’s, Katy Trail’s Tequila Social, and the sports fanatic’s haven Happiest Hour. The group is scratching cooking off your to-do list this season with a classic Thanksgiving dinner for four to six. The meal includes four pounds of sliced smoked turkey with 64 ounces of gravy, cranberry relish, cornbread and smoked sausage stuffing, whipped potatoes, dinner rolls, and a pie. Rounding out the meal is bourbon mashed sweet potatoes, green bean almondine, crispy brussels sprouts, and orange and honey-glazed carrots. Two come with the deal. Order online at least one day in advance by Tuesday, November 25 at 4 p.m. for pick up on Wednesday, November 26 or Thursday,, November 27 at Happiest Hour. 2616 Olive St., harwoodhospitality.com
Al Biernat’s
Since 1998, Al Biernat’s has set the standard for Dallas steakhouses. This old-world destination, named for its founder Albert Biernat, is a favorite, beloved by both celebrities and Dallasites for its impeccable quality and service. This Thanksgiving you can bring that same excellence home. Both locations will offer a feast fit for a king from a roasted turkey, spiral-sliced ham, and whole tenderloin to a rich, juicy prime rib. Choose from 15 family-style sides, including the signature shrimp and crab salad. Hot ticket items include Al’s famous coconut cream pie. The thick signature pie is jam packed with coconut and a sure sell out. Order by Tuesday, November 24 for Thursday, November 26 pick up. Multiple locations, albiernats.com
Croix Bakehouse
This popular Frisco bakery draws weekend crowds of carb lovers buying pastries and breads by the boxful. This year’s Thanksgiving menu includes platters of sugar-iced cinnamon rolls and caramel apple cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese frosting and caramelized apples. Crackly sourdough in roasted garlic and asiago or cranberry and walnut varieties are on the menu, plus a pumpkin cake loaf sprinkled with pecan powder. Order by 11 p.m. on Sunday, November 23 for pick up between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26. 5355 Dallas Pkwy., Ste. 610, Frisco, croixbakehouse.com
Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q
Pitmaster Arnulfo “Trey” Sanchez brings Texas smoke and Mexican heritage together at Allen’s Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q. A James Beard Award semifinalist, Sanchez boasts a reputation for some of the best tacos in the state with barbeque birria, smoked suadero, and barbacoa tacos drenched in salsa tlaquepaque. This Thanksgiving, Sanchez is making Thanksgiving prep easier than ever. The Allen barbecue joint is offering ready-to-reheat vacuum-sealed hickory-smoked turkey breast, St. Louis pork ribs, a whole brisket, and sides like Vaquero’s signature three-cheese mac and potato salad. Orders close Wednesday, November 19 and pick up is on Wednesday, November 26. 965 Garden Park Dr., Allen, vaquerostxbbq.com
Georgie
The Michelin-recommended restaurant, helmed by new executive chef Wes Whitsell, is serving a prix-fixe menu featuring deviled eggs, melt-in-your-mouth grandma’s dinner rolls, a French onion target and choice of turkey or braised Texas wagyu short rib. For those celebrating at home, Georgie’s Thanksgiving Take-Home Feast offers the same polish to your table. The spread feeds four and includes a castelfranco and pear salad, a 12-pound smoked or fried turkey, potato purée, giblet gravy, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, a choice of greens or green beans, and pumpkin or pecan chocolate pie. Make the experience indulgent by adding Black Diamond Ossetra caviar, available in one-, four- or 16-ounce tins. 4514 Travis St., Ste. 132, Dallas, georgiedallas.com
Cafe Momentum
The holidays are all about giving back, and no one embodies the spirit of the season better than Cafe Momentum. Founded by chef Chad Houser, the nonprofit restaurant is built upon a mission to help children involved in the justice system through mentorship and career training. 10 years later, it remains one of Dallas’ most inspiring eateries. Cafe Momentum’s “Thanksgiving at Home, Curated by Café Momentum” menu is bringing the mission home with a four-person feast of cider-brined roasted turkey breast, tasso-spiced mushroom gravy, jalapeño and cheddar cornbread, Texas autumn greens, buttermilk biscuits, roasted fennel and apple dressing, and a pick of chai-spiced pumpkin pie or bourbon pecan pie. Wear stretchy pants because the meal comes with three sides such as roasted garlic and boursin mashed potatoes, coffee-rubbed baby carrots, and green beans with nuoc-cham. The cafe is accepting orders online until Monday, November 24 at 5 p.m. 1510 Pacific Ave., Dallas, cafemomentum.org
Goodwins
Goodwins is always a good idea, especially when it comes with a stop at the hidden Goosebar. It’s an even better idea when Goodwins comes home. The Lower Greenville favorite is easing the Thanksgiving load with an extensive to-go menu that starts with appetizers like JLB’s Baller cheese ball with everything bagel seasoning, cheddar, scallion and Ritz; a trio party dip; and harissa-glazed meatballs. Mains include turkey, turkey breast, and beef tenderloin served with a dozen rolls. Choose from nine sides and four salad options that feed four to six. For dessert, there’s a bourbon pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and mini chocolate crunch cake. Order online for pick up on Tuesday, Noveber 25 or Wednesday, November 26. 2937 Greenville Ave., Dallas, goodwinsdallas.com
Dive Coastal Cuisine
Snider Plaza’s Dive Coastal Cuisine has been Dallas’ go-to for fresh, coastal eating since 2010. Chef-owner Franchesca Nor grows much of the restaurant’s produce at DiveDWN Future Farm. This Thanksgiving, Dive Coastal Cuisine is offering a catering spread of herb roasted turkey, peppercorn-seasoned tenderloin, and grilled salmon. Holiday sides offer a variety from the usual with green chili cornbread and sausage stuffing, sweet potatoes with coconut-candied pecans, coconut spaghetti squash, and more. There’s also a holiday charcuterie board and Dive Coastal Cuisine’s favorite: the whole key lime pie. For non-turkey lovers, the regular menu is also available to go. Order must be placed with a minimum 24-hour advance notice, and can be picked up by Thanksgiving eve. 3404 Rankin St., Dallas, divecoastal.com
Meridian
After a year-long closure, Meridian reopened in October with executive chef Eduardo Osorio heading the kitchen. The Village Dallas restaurant now centers on live-fire cooking, approachability, and communal dining. For his inaugural holiday season, Osorio is rethinking Thanksgiving by swapping turkey for a Szechuan fried chicken. Meridian’s Thanksgiving Supper is available in four- or eight-person portions and comes with pimento grits, cornbread, and roasted broccolini to accompany the entree. Secure your order online by Tuesday, November 25 for pick up on Wednesday, November 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5650 Village Glen Dr., Dallas, meridiantherestaurant.com
Far-Out Dallas
Chef Misti Norris’ Petra and the Beast long reigned as one of Dallas most innovative restaurants. The news of its abrupt closure shook the city’s culinary scene, but she didn’t stay gone for long. Norris resurfaced in South Dallas in a 1940’s Quonset Hut bar called Far Out. Welcoming in her first holiday season, Norris rolled out Thanksgiving packages that feed up to 10. True to her palette, the menu showcases a peppercorn-mustard and honey-glazed rehoboth ranch Rehoboth Farm turkey, cornbread dressing, broccoli and cheese casserole, herbed turkey and gravy, and a snazzy kale salad dressed with candied persimmon, robiola, pickled beets, salted pine nuts and herbs. There’s focaccia with herb butter and spiced Texas pecan pie for dessert. Orders can be placed online. 1906 S. Haskell Ave., Dallas, faroutdallas.com
Rex’s Seafood
Dive into the coast on Thanksgiving with Rex’s Seafoods’ pre-order menu of shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, and buttery lobster roll platters. The seafood connoisseurs are also offerin live or steamed lobsters, oysters, king crab legs, and snow crab fingers. Grab an array of homemade pies including key lime, fudge and chocolate pecan pie. Order by phone 48 hours in advance. Multiple locations, rexseafood.com
Hurtado Barbecue
There are plenty of ways to enjoy pitmaster Brandon Hurtado’s Central Texas-style barbecue. You can explore any one of the four Dallas-Fort Worth locations of Hurtado Barbecue for instant gratification, or grab his cookbook, Barbacoa: The Heart of Tex-Mex Barbecue, for a hands-on approach. This Thanksgiving, have the best of both worlds with Thanksgiving preorders, available through Monday, November 24 at 11:15 a.m. Build-your-own spread, no smoker required. Available mains are a smoked whole brisket, rack of beef or pork ribs, glazed ham, turkey breast, or snappy poblano pepper jack sausage. Sides include the famed street corn, Mexican rice, brisket beans, hatch mac and cheese, bacon-braised cabbage, and more. Orders are for pick up on Wednesday, November 26 only. Multiple locations, hurtadobbq.com
Quarter Acre
Lower Greenville’s seasonally driven Quarter Acre brings the refined flavors of chef Toby Archibald’s New Zealand roots to the neighborhood. Bring his polished palate home with a take-home meal for four. The holiday package features a smoked turkey breast with confit turkey leg and gravy, or a slow-cooked leg of New Zealand lamb served with mint chimichurri. Accompaniments include charred carrots, brussel sprouts, and creamy pomme dauphinoise, along with three-grain sourdough bread, New Zealand butter, cranberry sauce, and fall-spiced buns. Orders are limited to four per person and must be placed by Thursday, November 20 for pick up between 1 and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26. 2023 Greenville Ave., Dallas, quarteracrerestaurant.com
S&D Oyster
S&D Oyster is offering a Cajun spin to Thanksgiving this year. The New Orleans-influenced restaurant is known for Southern bites and Gulf catches. Let the good times roll this Turkey Day by quarts and gallon orders of coleslaw, seafood gumbo and B. A.’s spicy shrimp and cream cheese dip. S&D Oyster’s signature entrees and sides are available to purchase to complement your dinner, as well as S&D Oyster’s homemade lemon meringue pie. 2701 McKinney Ave., Dallas, sdoyster.com
Hug BBQ
In historic Downtown Lancaster, Hug BBQ is a neighborhood standout worth the drive. Chef-owner Dwayne Holder built the faith-centered smokehouse as a fundraising pop-up supporting local nonprofits. Today, it’s a community staple serving Texas barbecue with dashes of Holder’s Caribbean heritage. Give thanks over a Hug BBQ’s catering lineup of whole brisket, turkey breast, pulled ham, cured ribs, smoked turkey and turkey legs. Add trays of banana pudding, traditional barbecue sides and elote, a Hug BBQ speciality of smoked corn with Shabang seasoning, parmesan and Tajin.Place your order by Thursday, November 20 for Wednesday, November 26 pick up. 133 Historic Town Sq., Lancaster, hugbbq.com
