Eating out in Edina on Thanksgiving Day

It's no longer necessary to stay home and slave over a huge Thanksgiving meal for family and friends—not when area restaurants will gladly do the heavy lifting for you. In Edina, there are several places open for the holiday, ready to dish up turkey and other delicious meals.

Here are some suggestions of where to dine out on Thursday in the area, so you can concentrate on your loved ones and leave the cooking to the professionals.

in the Galleria offers a $27.95 three course Thanksgiving dinner with choice of butternut squash or garden salad as the appetizer. The main event consists of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, chef's veggies, sage dressing, gravy and turkey. Diners may choose between pumpkin or pecan pie for dessert. In addition, some selections from the restaurant's regular menu will be available. The first seating starts at 11:30 a.m. and the kitchen closes at 6 p.m.

Nearby, in the will serve a turkey entrée with all the fixings, along with regular menu items. It comes with soup or salad plus a selection of desserts—one is a pumpkin pie—and costs $23.95 per person. Reservations are necessary and the dinner is available from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. only.

"The staff likes to work on the holidays," said Terry Mulhern, manager of McCormick and Schmick's. "The pay is good and the guests that come are in a great mood." 

For a cheaper option, presents a buffet-style dinner priced at $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $0.75 per year for children. Roast turkey, baked chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, fresh fruit, pumpkin pie and more will be on the line. The noon to 5 p.m. meal fills up fast and requires a reservation to be made with a manager.

Care to enjoy an apple pancake or eggs benedict prepared by somebody else before taking on all that cooking, baking and family?  will serve its beloved breakfast fare from 6:30 a.m. to noon. It's a nice way to kick off what can be a wonderful, yet hectic day.

Or, finish out the day with some cheer. Once the meal is eaten and the dishes are stacked up, head out to for drinks. The bar starts serving (beverages only, no food) at 8 p.m. and the staff will be prepared to hear all about wacky uncles, turkey disasters and the joy of family togetherness.