Thanksgiving 2018: Restaurants open, turkey, how to buy a cooked meal

Thanksgiving is coming up fast and if feeding all those people is a little overwhelming, we have some suggestions.

There’s no shame in a getting a little help, whether it’s from a restaurant or a store.

Plenty of restaurants are open Thanksgiving Day, though making a reservation is recommended.

Several stores and some restaurants are also selling Thanksgiving meals that you take home and warm up.

Here’s who’s doing what:

School House Restaurant & Tavern in Sanger is serving a three-course meal. For $59 per person, customers pick from appetizers, desserts and entrees that include a roasted turkey plate and lobster carbonara. Traditionalists can also purchase some Thanksgiving sides to share for $9 each, including mashed potatoes and stuffing.

Reservations are available from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Details: 1018 S. Frankwood Ave., Sanger, (559) 787-3271.

Texas de Brazil, one of River Park’s newest restaurants, will open early at 11 a.m. Thanksgiving Day. The restaurant is known for its meats, carved at the table, and its 50-item salad area. On Thanksgiving Day, the menu will include all that, but also roasted turkey, stuffing and other traditional sides for the regular $44.99 price. Reservations recommended.

Details: 7634 N. Blackstone Ave., (559) 899-1900.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Fresno Convention Center is hosting a Thanksgiving buffet at its restaurant inside the hotel. The meal includes roasted turkey, smoked ham, prime rib, a seafood section and appetizers.

The buffet runs from noon to 4 p.m. The meal costs $38.95 for adults, $30.95 for senior citizens, $14.95 for children 10 and under, and children under 5 are free.

Details: 2233 Ventura St., (559) 268-1000.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. The three-course meal starts at $49 and includes herb-roasted turkey, beef tenderloin, along with soup or salad, stuffing, dessert and sides to share like mashed potatoes.

The restaurant also has a children’s menu for $19 for children 12 and under .

Details: 639 E. Shaw Ave., (559) 222-5823.

Campagnia Bistro is hosting a Thanksgiving buffet from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The menu includes turkey, herb-roasted chicken, baked salmon and prime rib. The meal also includes a large selection of sides, salads and desserts.

Details: 1185 E Champlain Drive, (559) 433-3300.

Black Angus Steakhouse is offering a roasted turkey dinner that includes several sides and pumpkin pie for $19.99 for adults and $9.99 for children. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to close.

Details: 1737 E. Shaw Ave., (559) 224-2205.

Marie Callender’s has a three-course meal for $22.99 and a kids meal for $8.99. The meals include a choice of turkey or ham, and options like corn bread, soup or salad, and pumpkin or apple pie.

Details: Call your closest Marie Callender’s for reservations of eight people or more.

Mimi’s Cafe will have a traditional Thanksgiving meal available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It includes roasted turkey and classic holiday sides like buttered cornbread stuffing and green bean casserole. Customers can pick from pumpkin or pecan pie for dessert. It costs $19.99 for adults and $9.99 for children under age 12.

Details: 7660 Blackstone Ave., (559) 439-2669.

Elbow Room in Fig Garden Village is taking reservations for Thanksgiving Day between noon and 8 p.m. The restaurant will have a limited version of its regular menu, including steak, seafood and pasta. Prices vary. A traditional ham and a turkey dinner will also be available for $26 or a combination of ham and turkey for $30.

Details: 731 W. San Jose Ave., (559) 227-1234.

Meals

Several restaurants and stores also offer meals that can be taken home and reheated. Order early, as many of these have deadlines.

Save Mart has four different meals to choose from, all including traditional sides and pie. The ham and turkey meals cost $49.99 and serve six to eight people. A rib roast meal feeds six to eight people and costs $69.99. The Diestel turkey meal serves eight to 10 people and costs $99.99.

All meals can be ordered online.

Details: Call your local Save Mart.

Campagnia Bistro is open on Thanksgiving Day, but is also selling take-home meals. Options include a complete turkey for dinner for $166 and a rib roast dinner for $278, including plenty of sides.

The full menu is available online. Meals must be ordered by Sunday, Nov. 18 and picked up between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Details: Call (559) 433-3300 to order.

Sprouts has four pre-cooked meals available, starting with a natural turkey dinner for two at $29.99 and increasing in size and price to a rib roast meal for six to eight people. Each meal includes several sides.

The store also sells just the meat, including a fully cooked ham and ready-to-cook turkey and rib roasts.

Details: Call your closest Sprouts.

Whole Foods has just about any Thanksgiving meal option you can think of available, including full meals, just the turkey, just the sides, a vegan meal and pies. The grocer’s website is the best place to peruse the options.

Details: Online or call (559) 241-0300.

Mimi’s Cafe has three options for take-home meals. The entire Thanksgiving meal for eight to 10 people includes a whole turkey and six sides, such as candied-pecan mashed sweet potatoes and green bean casserole. The meal includes a pumpkin and pecan pie. It costs $104.99.

If you want to make your own turkey and dessert, Mimi’s has a “just the sides” option for $49.99

You can also order brunch for six people for $42 or 12 people for $84. It includes fresh-baked croissants or muffins, fruit and single-serving Lorraine or Florentine quiches.

Of course, pie is available too, with pumpkin for $16.99 and pecan for $17.99.

Details: See its website or call (559) 439-2669.

Marie Callender’s has two options for dinners to eat at home. Customers can order the same individual turkey or ham meals with all the sides that are served to customers at the restaurant for $22.99 per person. Or, you can order a full take-home feast that feeds between four and eight people.

Details about the feasts are available online and include turkey breast, ham, a combination ham and turkey dinner or a large whole turkey feast.

Details: Call your closest Marie Callender’s.