Patch Picks: Newton Spots to Pick Up Thanksgiving Dinner

Sure, you can go out to dinner: both Legal Sea Foods in Chestnut Hill and will be open Thanksgiving night and offering specials for the holiday (other restaurants may be open; watch this space for updates). But if you’d rather be able to loosen your pants, watch the games and hang out with the family at home – but you don’t want to cook everything – here are some places you can get all or part of your Thanksgiving feast pre-prepared.

- Soup might not be your primary meal focus on Thanksgiving, but luckily NESF also has a special “essentials” menu available to enhance your holiday meal. Sure, they have six yummy-sounding varieties of their signature starter, but they also have stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, whipped potatoes, two types of fruit relish, salad dressings, their “must-have” turkey gravy and a number of other side dishes. Orders must be placed by Sunday November 20; call 617-558-9966 to place your order.

– Whole Foods has a large, colorful Thanksgiving menu from which to order -but don’t read it when you’re hungry or you will wish it were already November 24. Choose from the usual turkey and side dishes/accompaniments (with Whole Foods’ trademark healthy twist) as well as some lesser-known offerings like mashed Yukon gold potatoes with goat cheese, chive and dill or a full vegan Thanksgiving feast. You can order online or call either the (617-969-1141) or (617-965-2070) stores to place your order.

– In addition to all of the ingredients you’d need to slave over your own Thanksgiving dinner, Shaw’s/Star Market also orders full dinners for just under $60. Choose from a Classic Turkey or Classic Ham meal that includes mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, gravy, rolls and pie. You can order in store, online or by calling 1-877-932-7948.

- TJ’s annual salute to Thanksgiving, The Food Pilgrimager, is out and ready for your perusal. Featuring beautifully brined turkeys ready to be cooked, pumpkin pies just awaiting your oven (and a dollop of fresh whipped cream if you want to go all out) and a vast array of side dishes, this circular should be firmly in hand when you visit the store so that you don’t forget any essential items. And even if you plan to make your meal from scratch, Trader Joe’s can get you off to a good start with a large selection of cheeses, crackers and easy-to-heat appetizers.

– Offering full menus for 6 – 8, 9 – 12 and 13 – 15 people, Blue Ribbon will do all of the cooking and you will get all of the praise. The menu includes smoked turkey breast and gravy, turkey stew and ham (for larger orders), cranberry chutney, pies and a whole assortment of side dishes. Orders must be placed by Monday, Nov. 21 and picked up by Wednesday, Nov. 23 and must be prepaid with a credit card. Call 617-244-7427 for more information or to order.