NORTHBROOK, IL — Many independent restaurants around the Chicago area will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, for Thanksgiving. But some local and regional favorites are taking reservations, giving Northbrook 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 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.
In Northbrook, options include:
National chains offer additional choices, from multicourse 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.
The chains below have Illinois locations, although some are outside the Chicago area. Participation, menus and hours can vary, so check the restaurant you plan to visit.
Morton's The Steakhouse: Four-course Thanksgiving dinner includes soup, salad, roasted turkey roulade, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and dessert.
Ruth's Chris Steak House: Participating restaurants open early, serving a holiday meal with a starter, roasted turkey breast, sausage and herb stuffing, a side and pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla ice cream. Steakhouse favorites are also available.
The Capital Grille: Thanksgiving dinner includes slow-roasted turkey, brioche sage stuffing, French green beans, cranberry-pear chutney and mashed potatoes. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake cost extra. The full dinner menu is also available.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: Open 11 a.m.–9 p.m., with a Thanksgiving menu and a caramelized prime rib special available 4–9 p.m.
Eddie Merlot's: Illinois restaurants in Lincolnshire, Burr Ridge and Warrenville advertise a Thanksgiving buffet with holiday favorites, seafood and desserts. Prices are $84 for adults and $34 for children 10 and younger, plus tax and gratuity. Regular menus will not be available.
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. The holiday offering runs Nov. 12–29. Prices and hours vary.
Texas de Brazil: 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. Select a location to check details and reservations.
McCormick & Schmick's: Thanksgiving dinner includes a starter and turkey with stuffing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy. Pumpkin pie costs extra.
Eddie V's: Select locations open Thanksgiving. Check the chosen restaurant for holiday hours and reservations.
Maggiano's Little Italy: Taking Thanksgiving Day reservations for a special family-style dine-in menu.
Buca di Beppo: Open Thanksgiving, serving turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, vegetables and cranberry sauce.
Benihana: Participating restaurants offer a six-course hibachi turkey dinner Nov. 12–29, 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.
Bob Evans: Advertises Thanksgiving hours of 8 a.m.–7 p.m., with a special breakfast menu and a homestyle holiday meal.
Denny's: Its 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. Its Illinois locations are in Collinsville and Granite City, outside the Chicago area.
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.
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.
Sonic Drive-In: Thanksgiving participation and hours vary by location.
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