The Ultimate Thanksgiving Restaurant Primer

They're scenarios that have been played out on the big screen. Situations that lead to needing to find a restaurant that's open for dinner on the holiday. The weather is bad and you're stranded in a city because your flight has been cancelled à la Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Maybe the neighbor's dogs rampaged through your kitchen and devoured your turkey like in A Christmas Story. Or you get to your relative's house and they've already started, like in Avalon when Lou Jacobi arrives and starts saying, "You cut the turkey without me?!"

Whether you can't decide to brine or deep-fry, or you want to do a destination dinner, whatever the reason, wherever you are, this list should help. Below are suggestions by notable blogs, newspapers, and personalities for restaurants celebrating Turkey Day, and places you can pick up meals to-go across the country like the Popeyes Cajun turkey, and, of course, in The Daily Meal's featured cities.

 

AUSTIN

CITYSEARCH: Austin Thanksgiving Planner 2010

Restaurants making Thanksgiving dinners and preparing catered meals for no-fuss holiday meals.

OPEN TABLE: Austin

10 restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in and around Austin.

 

BOSTON
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Thanksgiving dining — More than turkey

Staff picks for the best places to eat Thanksgiving dinner out at restaurants in and around Boston.

OPEN TABLE: Boston

More than 80 restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in and around Boston.

BOSTON DISCOVERY GUIDE: Boston Thanksgiving Dinner 2010

Six restaurant recommendations from a traditional meal to a feast at Beacon Hill Bistro.

ZAGAT BUZZ: Thanksgiving Dinner at Boston Restaurants

Restaurants around Boston offering turkey with all the trimmings on November 25.

 

CHICAGO

OPEN TABLE: Chicago

More than 90 restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in and around Chicago.

ZAGAT BUZZ: Thanksgiving Dinner at Chicago Restaurants

Restaurants around Chicago offering turkey with all the trimmings on November 25.
 

LAS VEGAS

OPEN TABLE: Las Vegas

Twenty restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in Vegas.

TRAVELS.COM: Where to Eat in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving

Eight restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving in Vegas, from Mesa Grill to Valentino.

 

LOS ANGELES

OPEN TABLE: Los Angeles

More than 150 restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in and around L.A.

ABOUT.COM: Thanksgiving Dining Guide for Los Angeles 2010

A narrower list of restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner around L.A., including a free dinner and comedy show for performers, writers, and anyone alone for the holiday.

ZAGAT BUZZ: Thanksgiving Dinner at Los Angeles Restaurants

Restaurants around L.A. offering turkey with all the trimmings on November 25.

 

MIAMI

GAYOT: Dining Out for Thanksgiving Miami/South Florida

More than 15 picks from Café Boulud and Emeril's to Smith & Wollensky.

CITYSEARCH: Miami Thanksgiving Planner 2010

Restaurants making Thanksgiving dinners and preparing catered meals for no-fuss holiday meals.

OPEN TABLE: Miami

More than 40 restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in Miami.

 

NEW ORLEANS

NEWORLEANSONLINE: Thanksgiving Day Dining in New Orleans

New Orleans' official tourism site's twenty picks for Thanksgiving dining in New Orleans.

OPEN TABLE: New Orleans

Flaming Torch, The Rib Room, M bistro and five other restaurant picks (and counting) for places that are open on Thanksgiving in New Orleans.

 

NEW YORK
One of 2010's most notable New York turkey developments that people will agree with across the board, Torrisi's turkey (recipe here) being available for puchase is a game-changer. It is, after all, what Thanksgiving turkey aspires to be.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Sifty Fifty Thanksgiving List

Restaurant critic, Sam Sifton's list of his current favorite restaurants in New York City and what if any Thanksgiving menus they're offering.

OPEN TABLE: New York

Sifty was right. New Yorkers are spoiled. Open Table lists more than 350 restaurants (and counting) are open on Thanksgiving in and around New York.

SERIOUS EATS: Where to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner
More than 60 restaurants in New York and Brooklyn that are doing Thansgiving dinners. From the $105/person Thanksgiving-themed feast at Adour Alain Ducasse to Virgil's family-style feast full of Southern comforts ($195/family of 8-10). An update, and some Thanksgiving pies to buy.

CITYSEARCH: New York Thanksgiving Planner 2010

Restaurants making Thanksgiving dinners and preparing catered meals for no-fuss holiday meals.

CBSNEWYORK: Where To Eat Thanksgiving Dinner

A handful of interesting choices in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

ABOUT.COM: Top 7 Gourmet Shops For Thanksgiving Meals To Go

Turkey and trimmings prepared for you by places ranging from Whole Foods to Brother Jimmy's.

NEW YORK MAGAZINE: Thanksgiving To Go

A great list. City Bakery, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Eatlay, Hill Country, Ssäm Bar, and more.

ZAGAT BUZZ: Thanksgiving Dinner at New York City Restaurants

New York City restaurants offering turkey with all the trimmings on November 25.

 

PHILADELPHIA

OPEN TABLE: Philadelphia

More than 50 restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in and around Philly.

ZAGAT BUZZ: Thanksgiving Dinner at Philadelphia Restaurants

Philly restaurants offering turkey with all the trimmings on November 25.
 

SAN FRANCISCO

OPEN TABLE: San Francisco

More than 25 restaurants (and counting) open on Thanksgiving in and around San Francisco.

ZAGAT BUZZ: Thanksgiving Dinner at San Francisco Restaurants

Restaurants around San Francisco offering turkey with all the trimmings on November 25.

 

SEATTLE

OPEN TABLE: Seattle

More than 25 restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in and around Seattle.

CITYSEARCH: Thanksgiving in Seattle 2010

Restaurants making Thanksgiving dinners and preparing catered meals for no-fuss holiday meals.

THE NEWS TRIBUNE: Where to eat Thanksgiving dinner

Sue Kid's list of Thanksgiving dinners served at restaurants on Thanksgiving Day. 

SEATTLE.NET: Thanksgiving Dinner Part I

Nine picks for restaurants to eat Thanksgiving dinner in and around Seattle.

 

WASHINGTON DC

OPEN TABLE: Washington DC

More than 120 restaurants (and counting) that are open on Thanksgiving in and around DC.

WAHINGTONIAN: Thanksgiving To-Go

Washington restaurants cooking Thanksgiving menus that can be picked up or delivered.

ABOUT.COM: Take Out Turkey and All the Trimmings

Places doing turkey to-go around the Beltway.

CITY BEST: Where to Eat out on Thanksgiving Day
DC's best banquets – Thanksgiving dinner in restaurants from Peking duck, and all-you-can-eat buffets to a set three-course meal in 1789, the renowned federal townhouse in Georgetown where Hoyas get their folks to take them when they're in town.

METROCUREAN: Eating Out For Thanksgiving
Amanda McClements' 12 tasty choices for restaurants cooking up Thanksgiving feasts.

ZAGAT BUZZ: Thanksgiving Dinner at DC Restaurants

Restaurants in DC offering turkey with all the trimmings on November 25.

 

NATIONWIDE

Andrew Knowlton's 38 picks for restaurant Thanksgivings in more than 20 American cities.

Harold McGee weighs in on five myths About Thanksgiving Dinner (just because).

ABOUT.COM: Local Phoenix Resorts Serving Thanksgiving Dinner – 2010

CHARLESTON COCKTAIL: Charleston Restaurants Offering Thanksgiving Dinner

CITY'S BEST: Orlando – Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

ASSOCIATED CONTENT: Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving Dinner in Orlando

B4-U-EAT: Thanksgiving Day in Houston Dine-In or Take Out

WALT DISNEY WORLD INFO.COM: Thankgiving at Disney World 2010

ASSOCIATED CONTENT: Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving in the Pocanoes

METROMIX: Thanksgiving Day restaurants in Denver 2010

METROMIX: Thanksgiving Restaurant Options in Des Moines

HAWAII FOR VISITORS: Oahu Thanksgiving Dinners

OPEN TABLE: Atlanta – Restaurants Open for Thankgiving

SUITE 101.COM: Classic Southern Thanksgiving Dinners in Savannah, GA

ABOUT.COM: Where to Eat Out on Thanksgiving Day in St. Louis

ABOUT.COM: Baltimore Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

 

Because no Thanksgiving post would be complete without it, Adam Sandler's Thanksgiving song.