Procrastinators Of Austin And Beyond: Here's A List Of What's Closed, Open For Thanksgiving Day

AUSTIN, TX — Look here now, your consistent procrastination and fashionable lateness is part of the delightfully eccentric person that you are — part and parcel of your quirky personality. We get that. Your adorable riposte of "I'll probably be late to my own funeral..." with accompanying, if exaggerated, shrugging of the shoulders and mock frown never gets old.

But if you've been tasked to contribute to the Thanksgiving meal, these personality traits will not serve you well on Thursday. Many stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day, meaning you won't have access to the food therein. It's important to know this in advance.

HEB traditionally closed on Christmas but open until 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. They wear that retail aberrant tactic like a badge of honor, officials noting on their website they want their employees to be with family as part of their well-crafted familial marketing.

Their main competitor in Austin, Randall's Food Markets, will be open also. Still, you might want to check first by calling so you don't waste a trip out there. Some Randall's stores operate on shortened schedules on Thanksgiving Day.

Thinking about an all-organic holiday feast? Well, think again because Whole Foods Market is closed on Thanksgiving Day too generally, although some stores remain open during limited hours. Check with your local store first. But if you're still intent on an organic feast (come to think of it, kind of like the Pilgrims had with the indigenous people they encountered) both Wheatsville Co-op locations in Austin will be open on Thanksgiving Day, albeit with reduced hours. The two cooperatives, at 3101 Guadalupe St. and 4001 S. Lamar Blvd., will both be open, but only from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CVS Pharmacy is open on Thanksgiving Day, including some stores open 24/7, such as the one at 2927 Guadalupe St. They have food there, even things like eggs, bacon and orange juice at competitive prices. They even sell frozen chicken breasts, which is probably the closest thing you'll get to turkey there.

You know, come to think of it, just file this away for another time — the knowledge that CVS Pharmacy is open 24 hours a day — as that information might one day come in handy. But trying to assemble a Thanksgiving-like meal from its offerings might make for a rather sad little Thanksgiving feast. Besides that, they're a fine retail establishment.

If you don't make it and get sad about this and decide to shop your sorrows away, you might also study this carefully. Many retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day too. Ace Hardware (yes, some of us enjoy going to hardware stores on slow periods like a zen exercise) are generally closed on Thanksgiving Day, but some stores do stay open. The Breed hardware & Co. hardware store is open, with a 20 percent off sale.

Thinking of going to Bed, Bath & Beyond for some candles, bath oils and related accouterments to get away from the holiday stress? Think again, and no you won't be able to do this. You guessed it: It's closed Thanksgiving Day.

For a full list of retailers, showing which are open and closed, click here.

So you missed everything in the way of retail? You didn't make it in time to contribute to the meal, arriving empty-handed and sheepish? You could go watch a movie at AMC Theaters for some escapism, as the chain prides itself on being open 365 days a year. Alamo Drafthouse also will be screening films, and usually include holiday-themed meals as part of their menu.

Not to beat a dead horse on closures, but you also might want to be aware that some of your favorite restaurants will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, including: Bahama Breeze; California Pizza Kitchen; Carrabba's; Cheesecake Factory; Hooters; Olive Garden; Outback Steakhouse; Red Robin; and Taco Bell. Yes, most Taco Bell locations will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, you read that right.

This may be overly specific, but you know the Taco Shack at 2825 Guadalupe St.? The one where you walk up to the window to order? Yeah, that's closed on Thanksgiving Day, too. They do a brisk business given their prime location near the University of Texas at Austin, giving them the luxury to close at around 2 p.m. each day. We know they are closed Thanksgiving Day because we may or may not have gotten breakfast tacos there this morning, and there was a sign saying they'd be closed tomorrow.

But take heart! There will be many restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day! So all is not lost! A list of restaurants that are open Thursday follow, but first: Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you still want to save face and pretend at the holiday party that you prepared your ingredients all along and with plenty of time, you might want to check out these five dessert recipes calling for just three ingredients. That's right: Just three ingredients needed, stuff you might find around the house.

This is all we're able to offer you. This is the extent of ability to help you repair your procrastinating ways.

Oh, and also: If you know of other closures or openings, let us know in the comments section!

Restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day:

• Applebee’s

• Acapulco Restaurant and Cantina

• Arooga’s

• Black Angus Steakhouse

• Bonanza Steakhouse

• Boston Market

• Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill

• Country Buffet

• Country Cookin

• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

• Denny’s

• Domino’s

• Dunkin’ Donuts

• El Torito

• Fire of Brazil

• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

• Furr’s Fresh Buffet

• Golden Corral

• HomeTown Buffet

• Humperdinks

• IHOP

• Jim’s Restaurants

• Legal Sea Foods

• Luby’s

• Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

• Maggiano’s Little Italy

• Marie Callender’s

• McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks

• Mimi’s Café

• Old Country Buffet

• Ponderosa Steakhouse

• Romano’s Macaroni Grill

• Ruby Tuesday’s

• Ruth’s Chris Steak House

• Ryan’s

• Shoney’s

• Smith & Wollensky

• TGI Fridays

• The Dixie Café

• Waffle House

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