GENEVA, IL — Many independent restaurants in the Chicago area will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, for Thanksgiving. But some local and regional favorites are taking reservations, giving Geneva residents a chance to gather around a different table this year.
The appeal isn't hard to understand. Hosting Thanksgiving can mean days of shopping and preparation for a meal that disappears remarkably fast. Dining out leaves more time for the visiting, with no refrigerator puzzle to solve afterward.
It also makes room for a holiday that doesn't look the same for everyone. Some people are celebrating with a partner or a few friends. Others are meeting family halfway, traveling over the holiday or simply ready to retire the roasting pan for a year.
Around Geneva, options include:
Some restaurants are offering to-go meals that can be picked up the day before Thanksgiving. In Geneva, Niche Restaurant and Chianti's are offering this option.
National chains offer additional choices, from multi-course steakhouse dinners to family restaurants serving turkey and traditional sides. Some also offer their regular menus, welcome news for anyone whose Thanksgiving wishes run more toward a ribeye than a drumstick.
Gibson's Bar & Steakhouse: Three-course Thanksgiving dinner, including lobster bisque, roasted turkey breast with house-made cranberry sauce, candied yams, roasted green beans almondine and seasonal stuffing. Pumpkin pie will be for dessert. A limited dinner menu will also be available to order a la carte.
Morton's The Steakhouse: Four-course Thanksgiving dinner, including soup, salad, roasted turkey roulade, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and dessert.
Ruth's Chris Steak House: Participating restaurants open early, with a Thanksgiving meal that includes a starter, roasted turkey breast with sausage and herb stuffing, a side and pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla ice cream. Steakhouse favorites are also available.
The Capital Grille: Thanksgiving plate includes slow-roasted turkey, brioche sage stuffing, French green beans, cranberry-pear chutney and mashed potatoes. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake cost extra. Full dinner menu is also available; the national page does not list a price.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: Opens at 11 a.m., with a prix fixe menu featuring roasted turkey breast, filet mignon and bone-in ribeye options. Includes a starter, green beans and shared holiday sides. Children's menu and full dinner menu are also available.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m., featuring both Thanksgiving menu, and a caramelized prime rib special is available from 4-9 p.m.
Eddie Merlot's: Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m., with a three-course turkey dinner with a starter, turkey with stuffing, two sides and dessert.
STK Steakhouse: Participating locations offer a family-style turkey dinner with stuffing, confit thighs, green beans, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes, alongside the full menu. Holiday offering runs Nov. 12-29, with different dates in Las Vegas. Prices and hours vary.
Texas de Brazil: All locations open early, serving the full churrasco dinner menu with holiday dishes. Dinner pricing applies; hours and offerings vary.
Fogo de Chão: Holiday hours are posted by individual restaurants.
McCormick & Schmick's: Thanksgiving menu includes a starter and turkey with stuffing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy. Pumpkin pie costs more.
Eddie V's: Select locations open Thanksgiving.
Maggiano's Little Italy: Taking Thanksgiving Day reservations for a special family-style dine-in menu.
Buca di Beppo: Open Thanksgiving, with turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, vegetables and cranberry sauce.
Benihana: Open Thanksgiving, with a six-course hibachi turkey dinner available Nov. 12-29 at participating locations, including soup, salad, shrimp appetizer, vegetables, turkey, stuffing, duck fried rice and dessert. Hours vary.
Cracker Barrel: Open regular hours, with its traditional Thanksgiving meal served starting at 11 a.m.
Denny's: Holiday menu includes turkey breast with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, two sides and dinner bread.
IHOP: Open Thanksgiving; hours vary by location.
Waffle House: Open Thanksgiving, serving breakfast and diner fare.
Cooper's Hawk: Most locations will be open, offering a Thanksgiving menu alongside the regular menu. The holiday meal will cost $36.99 per adult and $15.99 for kids 12 and under. The restaurant is also offering take-home meals that serve six.
Yard House: Participating locations offer a Thanksgiving plate with sliced turkey and gravy or fried Nashville hot turkey, holiday sides and pumpkin praline cheesecake.
Pizza Hut: Thanksgiving openings and hours vary by restaurant.
Wendy's: The chain says many locations open on holidays, including Thanksgiving. Hours vary by restaurant.
McDonald's: Thanksgiving availability depends on the local operator.
Burger King: Participating restaurants may open Thanksgiving, with hours varying by franchise. Check the selected restaurant in the app or call ahead.
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