Some Ames Restaurants Serve Thanksgiving Meals Thursday

Hundreds of Ames area residents will forego turkey basting, burning their fingers and trying to find enough burners for all the fixings tomorrow. Or, inexperienced cooks might have a turkey mishap.

All of them will find a festive Thanksgiving meal at select Ames locations Thursday.

“More and more, people don't want to cook at home,” said Patrick Greene, Village Inn manager.

Both and will offer their annual turkey dinner and the rest of the menu, people will find pies at both places. The restaurants take walk-ins and expect a steady day of business.

Thanksgiving day banquets have been planned at and at the from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

Olde Main offers an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving Day buffet with turkey, prime rib, ham and more. Prices range from $8.95 to $17.95, depending on age.

Gateway offers a Thanksgiving Champagne buffet. In addition to traditional Thanksgiving foods, the conference center will also serve omelets made to order. Prices are $11 to $22 per person depending on age.

Erin Wall, Gateway's marketing event coordinator, expects to see about 300 people.

If turkey isn't what your after, both Casey's General Stores on and said they are typically busy each Thanksgiving, they offer two single topping pizzas for $19.99. In fact many pizza parlors are open Thanksgiving afternoon.

, and all open at 4 p.m. in Ames. opens at 5 p.m.

Most Asian food restaurants are closed for Thanksgiving, but is open, as is .

If a drive-through is more your kind of meal,  is open until 11 a.m. and will reopen at 11 p.m.

Closed for the Day

Sorry , within Quality Inn & Suites, which is normally open for Thanksgiving, will be closed for renovations.

grocery stores will also be closed for Thanksgiving, but is open and taking orders for prepared Thanksgiving meals for 8 or 12. Choices include turkey, prime rib and boneless ham. Prices range from $59.95 to $99.95. Thanksgiving orders must be placed by the end of today.