Thanksgiving dinner doesn't have to mean hours in the kitchen, a mountain of dirty dishes or a refrigerator stuffed with leftovers. Restaurants across the country, including national chains with options for just about every budget, are opening their doors Thursday, Nov. 26, offering everything from traditional turkey dinners to more elaborate holiday feasts.
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, without the cleanup or 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.
National chains offer multiple 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.
Here's what we know about national chains that are open and their advertised Thanksgiving specials:
Morton's The Steakhouse: Four-course Thanksgiving dinner, including soup, salad, roasted turkey roulade, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and dessert.
Ruth's Chris Steak House: Participating restaurants open early, with a Thanksgiving meal that includes a starter, roasted turkey breast with sausage and herb stuffing, a side and pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla ice cream. Steakhouse favorites are also available.
The Capital Grille: Thanksgiving plate includes slow-roasted turkey, brioche sage stuffing, French green beans, cranberry-pear chutney and mashed potatoes. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake cost extra. Full dinner menu is also available; the national page does not list a price.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: Opens at 11 a.m., with a prix fixe menu featuring roasted turkey breast, filet mignon and bone-in ribeye options. Includes a starter, green beans and shared holiday sides. Children's menu and full dinner menu are also available.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m., featuring both Thanksgiving menu, and a caramelized prime rib special is available from 4-9 p.m.
Eddie Merlot's: Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m., with a three-course turkey dinner with a starter, turkey with stuffing, two sides and dessert.
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. Holiday offering runs Nov. 12-29, with different dates in Las Vegas. Prices and hours vary.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse: Multiple restaurants, including Dallas and Washington, D.C., list noon-9 p.m. Thanksgiving hours.
Texas de Brazil: All 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.
Chart House: Advertises a traditional turkey dinner and a three-course menu with choices including prime rib, filet mignon, lobster tails and fish. Turkey dinner includes cornbread stuffing, potatoes, creamed spinach and cranberry relish.
McCormick & Schmick's: Thanksgiving menu includes a starter and turkey with stuffing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy. Pumpkin pie costs more.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room: The turkey dinner includes cranberry sage stuffing, green beans almondine, creamed corn and mashed potatoes. Full dinner menu also available, plus a two-course filet-and-seafood special offered Nov. 26-29.
Eddie V's: Select locations open Thanksgiving.
Maggiano's Little Italy: Taking Thanksgiving Day reservations for a special family-style dine-in menu.
Buca di Beppo: Open Thanksgiving, with turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, vegetables and cranberry sauce.
Benihana: Open Thanksgiving, with a six-course hibachi turkey dinner available Nov. 12-29 at participating locations, 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: Holiday menu includes turkey breast with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, two sides and dinner bread.
Metro Diner: Open Thanksgiving, although restaurants may close early.
IHOP: Open Thanksgiving; hours vary by location.
Waffle House: Open Thanksgiving, serving breakfast and diner fare.
Saltgrass Steak House: Open Thanksgiving, with a turkey dinner plate available exclusively for dine-in that day. Hours and prices vary.
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 by restaurant.
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 varies by location.
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