Feasts to Gobble Up! 18 Spots to Get Take Out for Thanksgiving
by Aimee Della Bitta
If you’re excited to host a larger gathering with friends and family this Thanksgiving, but want to make sure you’re enjoying the time rather than stressing over Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen, we’ve got the solution. Try outsourcing all or some of the cooking! We’ve rounded up 18 local restaurants and caterers offering Thanksgiving meals for pick-up––with options ranging from smoked, roasted or apple-brined turkey, to prime rib, brisket, Italian, and even paleo-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free feasts! Prices range from very affordable to very gourmet depending on your budget. To save even more time, look for the places that will deliver a decadent dinner straight to your door! Read on for the details.
Wood-fired and flavorful, Del Mar’s International Smoke is offering a multi-course feast that you can pick up or get delivered. Chow down on Parker House rolls, curry pumpkin soup, persimmon salad, roasted cauliflower skewers, and a maple-roasted turkey with all the trimmings. Orders must be placed by Sunday, November 21; the meal is $320 and serves four people.
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: Minimal preheating and prep required Place orders by: Sun. Nov. 21th How to order: online Pick up times: Nov. 24th or Nov. 25th
International Smoke Del Mar 3387 Del Mar Heights Road San Diego, CA 92130
Seaside Market in Cardiff, is known for its mouthwatering Burgandy tri-tip, infamously nicknamed "Cardiff Crack" by locals. And, this Thanksgiving, you can swap the turkey for their Tri-tip Feast which comes with sides like roasted vegetables, candied sweet potato mash, broccoli gorgonzola salad and more. Or, you can keep it traditional with their Complete Turkey Feast and side dishes. Seaside also offers a vegan meal with lasagna as the main dish. Whatever your crew is craving this holiday, you can order it at Seaside Market and sit back and relax because your meal is certain to be an utter crowd pleaser.
Cost: $249.95 for Complete Turkey or Cardiff Crack Tri-Tip Feast, each feeds 6+ people. $89 for Vegan Feast, feeds 2-3+ people
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: yes Preparation: Served chilled in aluminum pans with reheating and serving instructions. Place orders by: 48 hours in advance How to order: online Pick up times: Call for pick up times
Seaside Market 2087 San Elijo Ave Cardiff-by-the-sea 92007
Leave the cooking to the kind folks at UTC's Great Maple by reserving your Thanksgiving meal today. The delicious dinner, made to be enjoyed at home, includes butternut squash bisque soup, thyme, and rosemary turkey breast served with brioche stuffing, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, toasted sage green beans, and pumpkin pie. The cost is $39.95 per person.
Cost: $39.95/person
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: fully cooked, heat and eat Place orders by: Before they sell out How to order: online Pick up times: Thursday, November 25th from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Great Maple UTC 8675 Genesee Ave Suite 1200 La Jolla, CA 92122
Bring home a Turkey Feast Meal To-Go paired with all the fixings. Available in 3 different sizes for either a family of 4, 8 or 12 servings. Each comes with the classics: roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, sage dressing, sweet potatoes, broccoli with garlic butter, salad, cranberry sauce, their famous molasses bread and pumpkin pie.
If you just want a whole dessert to go, they have other options a la carte like their well-known big mountain fudge cake, NY style cheesecake, sky-high mud pie, spiced carrot cake or chocolate flourless torte.
Cost: 4 servings for $99.95; 8 servings for $199.95; 12 servings for $299.95.
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: Hot and ready to eat How to order: online Pick-up times: Thurs. Nov. 26th from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Black Angus 1000 Graves Ave., El Cajon 619-440-5055
707 E St., Chula Vista 619-426-9200
296 E. Via Rancho Parkway, Escondido Escondido,CA92025
Simplify your Thanksgiving this year with fully prepared holiday meals from Sprouts, made with simple and wholesome ingredients like cage-free turkey, no antibiotics ever and organic ingredients. Fully prepared meal options that serve 6-8 include natural turkey, free-range organic turkey, USDA choice beef rib roast or spiral-sliced ham (regular or uncured & sugar-free) come with delicious seasonal sides. Or choose the 40 oz. vegan roast meal with cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and a take & bake sourdough loaf. Don’t forget to add one of their award winning pies to your checkout cart, each pie is made with real fruit and are always free from artificial preservatives.
Place orders online for yourself or treat your friends or family to a meal for them to pick up at their local store or have it delivered straight to their door. Sprouts stores will be open on Thanksgiving day from 7am-4pm in case you forget something.
Cost: boneless turkey breast meal for 2 is $39.99; natural turkey meal for 6-8 is $79.99; spiral-sliced ham meal for 6-8 is $79.99; beef rib roast meal for 6-8 is $89.99; vegan roast meal for 4 is $44.99
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: Yes Preparation: fully cooked, heat and eat Place orders by: Before they sell out How to order: online Pick up times: curbside or delivery with Instacart!
Bring home a fresh scratch-made feast just like grandma used to make. Choose from a Family Feast that serves 6-8 or a Family Meal that serves 4 and you’ll get an herb roasted cage-free turkey breast, mushroom stuffing, homemade gravy, sweet cranberry relish, artisan bread and choice of two sides. Add on a scratch-made dessert made in-house by their pasty chef: mango tart, seasonal pumpkin & walnut layer cake or a Hummingbird Cake, among others.
Urban Plates offers one of the best values with quality organic produce, cage-free turkey and always free of hormones, antibiotics and GMOs. Order early, they sold out last year!
Cost: a la carte sides $13 each; desserts $32-$60; Turkey Plate serves 1, $19.95; Turkey Family Meal serves 4 for $79; Turkey Family Feast serves 6-8 for $139
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: Sides available Preparation: chilled, fully cooked with heating instructions Place orders by: Nov. 20th How to order: online Pick up times: Nov. 23rd or 24th
Switch up your Thanksgiving this year with an Italian feast, or choose from their traditional Thanksgiving dishes to keep it classic. Their Thanksgiving day specials include prime rib, short ribs, butternut squash ravioli or oxtail cannelloni each with complementary sides, but you can also choose from their extensive menu of gourmet pasta meals, pan seared salmon, eggplant dishes or chicken marsala among others. Your taste buds will delight in their Italian sweets like the tiramisu tray, Limoncello cake or Nutella cheesecake. If you can’t decide, just order the dessert sampler and everyone will be happy.
Cost: meals serve 6-8 people – prime rib meal $85, short rib meal $75, butternut squash ravioli meal $60, oxtail cannelloni $60
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: call for details Place orders by: call for details How to order: online Pick up times: based on store hours
Celebrate the season with Whole Foods Market catering menu with offerings for everyone. You’ll find the classics like organic turkey, and prime rib with all the sides, but also paleo-friendly paleo and vegan-friendly options. Holiday appetizer platters are also available.
Cost: classic roast turkey meal for 12 is $299.99; beef wellington meal for 4 is $139.99; prime rib meal for 8 is $229.99; you’ll find other serving sizes and options online
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: Yes Preparation: fully cooked, heat and eat Place orders by: All Holiday Selections orders must be placed a minimum of 24 hours ahead of pickup date and time How to order: online Pick up times: Nov. 19th -25th from 8 a.m.-8 p.m
Whole Foods 711 University Ave., Hillcrest 619-294-2800
8825 Villa La Jolla Dr., La Jolla Village 858-642-6700
Chart House is big on holidays, which means you can expect a mouthwatering Thanksgiving dinner without having to lift a finger, except to carry the bags into the house. The Chart House Thanksgiving To-Go offers a choice of slow-roasted prime rib or turkey, stuffing, cranberry dressing, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes and pecan or pumpkin pie.
Cost: serves 4 people for $105 for turkey, or $130 for prime rib
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: call for details Place orders by: Nov. 19th How to order: online Pick up times: based on store hours, delivery available
Bring the good life home from Rancho Valencia to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast in the comfort of your own home. This year they’ve launched “Rancho-To-Go” where you can choose from a full a la carte menu of canapés, starters and soups, choice of meats, sides and sauces; completed with pies and desserts. You can also choose from their a la carte items like crab cakes, empanadas, truffle arancini, poached pears, charcuterie boards and so much more.
Cost: full meal serves 4 for $265; or buy everything a la carte - minimum order $350, all items sold are in portions of 4 unless otherwise noted
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: Yes Preparation: fully cooked, heat and eat Place orders by: Thurs. November 18th How to order: online Pick-up times: Wed. Nov, 24th between 9 am - 1 pm.
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa 5921 Valencia Cir., Rancho Santa Fe 858-759-6216
Mix and match a cornucopia of delights by choosing all of your Thanksgiving dishes a la carte. Choose from roasted & carved natural turkey and such sides as Focaccia-leek & pistachio stuffing, squash skewers, butternut squash soup, caramelized Brussels sprouts, truffle parmesan mashed potatoes or a poached pear salad among other options. It might take you a while to decide what’s for dessert from Frangelico chocolate truffle lollipops to Meyer lemon bars or pies.
Cost: Varies based on a la carte items ordered, roughly $160 for 6-8 servings
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: fully cooked, heat and eat Place orders by: noon on Monday, Nov. 22nd How to order: online Pick up times: Pick up or delivery on November 24th
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering 7853 Herschel Ave., La Jolla 858-581-2205
Having your Thanksgiving meal delivered doesn’t get any easier than this! Order your classic Thanksgiving meal from Elijah’s and they’ll bring it right to your front door. Choice of turkey, beef brisket, or ham served with 2 classic side dishes to choose from and add on an apple, pecan or pumpkin pie for only $14.95 extra.
Cost: all servings are for 10 people - $165 for turkey dinner, $165 for beef brisket dinner and $165 for spiral ham dinner
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: all dinners are freshly cooked for your pick-up time, no reheating required! Just put it on the table and eat. Place orders by: 48 hrs notice How to order: call Pick up times: schedule with restaurant, delivery available for an additional charge.
Elijah’s Restaurant 7061 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont 858-353-5528 or 858-455-1461
Ranch 45 adds a gourmet twist to all of your favorite traditional foods. Just some of their offerings are butternut squash soup, roasted rainbow carrots, wild rice with butternut squash, herb-crusted prime rib, red wine braised short ribs, smoked turkey legs… and much more online. Don’t forget traditional desserts; are you team Apple or team Pumpkin pie? Or maybe an alternative GF carrot cake is more up your alley.
Cost: all items are ordered a la carte; approx. $160 for 3-4 servings
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: Yes Preparation: fully cooked, heat and eat Place orders by: Sunday, November 21st How to order: in store, by phone, online Pick up times: 10 am - 3 pm on Nov. 24th
Ranch 45 512 Via De La Valle, Solana Beach 858-461-0092
Take the hassle out of Thanksgiving Dinner this year and order out from Ruth’s Chris Steak House. They have a family meal that serves 4 and includes roasted turkey and all the trimmings, including 4 personal pumpkin cheesecakes.
Cost: 4 servings for $175
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: chilled, fully cooked to heat and eat Place orders by: 48 hours in advance How to order: online Pick up times: Wed. Nov. 24th, 12 pm - 6 pm
Ruth’s Chris Steak House 11582 El Camino Real, Del Mar 858-755-1454
1355 N Harbor Dr., Downtown/Embarcadero 619-233-1422
Celebrate at home with Fleming’s 3-course dinner for the family. Meals include Herb-Roasted Turkey paired with all the fixings, salad and a cinnamon pumpkin cream cheesecake with orange cranberry sauce. You can also substitute the turkey for petite filet mignon or prime bone-in ribeye each with peppercorn sauce or add on delectable sides like lobster mac & cheese, cauliflower mash or crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon.
Cost: $53/adult and $23/children, dishes available a la carte also
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: fully cooked, heat and eat Place orders by: call for details How to order: online Pick up times: call for details
Fleming’s Prime Steak House 8970 University Center Ln., UTC 858-535-0078
Bring this Thanksgiving BBQ Feast to your table this year from either of these 3 restaurants from Cohn’s. Choice of whole smoked turkey or brisket, 3 family size sides (bacon potato salad, coleslaw, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, killer beans, candied yams, mac & cheese, collard greens or green beans) and cornbread or dinner rolls. Add on pecan or pumpkin pie for dessert. You can also buy the main course a la carte (whole smoked turkey or brisket) and fix your own sides at home.
Cost: serves 6-8 servings for $189.95; add on a pie for $219.99; or even buy the main course a la carte: $114.95 for turkey or $129.95 for brisket
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: no Preparation: fully cooked, heat and eat Place orders by: 3 p.m. on Mon. Nov. 22nd How to order: call Pick up times: Thurs. Nov. 25th between 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
(all 3 Cohn Restaurants share the same Thanksgiving menu options)
Del’s Hideout 5351 Adobe Falls Rd., Del Cerro 619-255-8175
Pioneer BBQ 8622 Lake Murray Blvd., San Carlos 619-825-7787
Top off your day of eating this year with a non-traditional Thanksgiving pie from Nutmeg Bakery. They’ve got all kinds of cream pies: Chocolate, Banana, Boston or Coconut; as well as Key Lime and Maple Pecan (gluten-free). But if you want to go the traditional route they’ve got you covered there with Apple Lattice, Apple Crumb (GF) and Pumpkin (avail GF). Now if you want a Thanksgiving cake, well they’ve got plenty of options too with everything from Carrot Cake (avail GF) to chocolate chip cookie dough, vanilla (vegan) or lemon raspberry, orange cranberry, lemon blueberry, coconut rum (GF, V) hummingbird, Italian cream and oh so many more.
Cost: $20-$35 per pie
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: Yes Preparation: call for details Place orders by: 72 hrs advance notice How to order: online only Pick up times: based on order
If you want to have your Thanksgiving pie and eat it too, there are plenty of options from Pop Pie Co. That’s all they do and that’s why they’re the best. Choose from Salted Honey, Honey Bourban Pecan, Pumpkin Pie, Salted Caramel Apple Crumble or Apple Crumble (vegan).
Cost: $35 per pie
Vegan/Gluten-Free options: Yes Preparation: pies are baked fresh the morning you pick them up Place orders by: Sun. Nov. 21st or until they’re sold out How to order: online only Pick up times: Wed Nov. 24th from 11 am-5 p.m. or Thurs. Nov. 25th from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Pop Pie Co. 4404 Park Blvd., University Heights 619-501-4440
