Lighting of the Christmas tree during Downtown D’Lights in Erie
Despite some rainy weather, crowds of people made their way to Perry Square in Erie on Dec. 1, 2023, to view events during Downtown D’Lights.
For those who aren’t chefs and don’t aspire to try, at least on the biggest holidays of the year, there are restaurants and stores that will gladly take the chore off your hands.
Whether you need a simple veggie tray or a 10-person dinner with all the trimmings, your wish is their command, given that you give them enough notice and a few clams.
Don’t wait too long to reserve yours, though, or you’ll be out in the cold, shopping and schlepping and (shiver) cooking it all yourself.
Bob Evans
Erie Bob Evans holiday hours: Dec. 24: open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 25: closed; New Year’s Eve and Day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
8041 Peach St., 814-864-54442340 W. 12th St., 814-455-01185739 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, 814-898-1913
Christmas dinner to-go choices are available at bobevans.com, starting at $14.99 per person. Protein choices include turkey, ham and pot roast. Pick up your feast on or before Dec. 24.
Colony Pub & Grille
Christmas: Dec. 24, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Dec. 25, 4 p.m. to close (lounge only; no food); New Year’s Eve and Day, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
2670 W. Eighth St., 814-838-2162, thecolonypubandgrille
Complete dinners for takeout include protein choices of turkey, ham, stuffed chicken and prime rib. Appetizers and sides available as well. Order by Dec. 23 4 p.m. by calling 814-838-2162; pick up on Christmas Eve by 6 p.m.
Cracker Barrel
Christmas: Dec. 24, 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed; Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
7810 Interstate Drive, 814-868-2500, crackerbarrel.com
Full meals for carryout include: Heat and serve feast for eight to 10 and family dinner for four to six. Pre-order and receive a free digital bonus card when you schedule pickup for Dec. 22 or 23. Holiday complete meals require 24-hour notice, and food should be consumed within 72 hours of pickup. Available Dec. 21-28. Sides and a la carte extras are available. Preorder at crackerbarrel.com.
Erie Food Co-op
The Co-op will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Regular hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 8 am. to 8 p.m., Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
1341 W. 26th St., 814-456-0282, eriefood.coop
Holiday brunch packages available from the Co-op include quiches (can have gluten-free crust); vegan cinnamon rolls; cranberry orange doughnuts. Last day to order is Dec. 21. Available for pickup Dec. 23 until 8 p.m. or Dec. 24 until 4 p.m. All items prepared in a shared kitchen.
Giant Eagle
Christmas: Dec. 24: Supermarkets open 8 a.m. to noon; Dec. 25: closed. New Year’s: Dec. 31: Supermarkets will close at 9 p.m.; Jan. 1: Supermarkets will close at 5 p.m.
Millcreek Marketplace Giant Eagle, 2067 Interchange Road, 814-866-1089Yorktown Centre Giant Eagle, 2501 W. 12th St., 814-838-6990Harborcreek Giant Eagle, 4265 Buffalo Road, 814-899-2730Girard Giant Eagle, 9125 West Ridge Road, 814-774-2656
Giant Eagle has a flock of options for a cooked holiday dinner. Visit gianteagle.com. Orders not hot at pickup. Deadline to order is Dec. 26.
Golden Corral
The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day. All other holidays, hours are regular: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
7500 Peach St. To order, call 814-864-3488 or visit Golden Corral’s website.
Holiday Feast To Go Meals are now available for pre-order. All of the restaurant’s proteins, sides, rolls and desserts are also available a la carte. Orders must be placed 72 hours in advance. Available through the holiday season.
Make it Fabulous
814-456-4323, makeitfabulous@icloud.com, 1164 W. Sixth St. makeitfabulous.com
Choices for holiday meals include turkey, prime rib, herb-crusted beef tenderloin, herb-roasted pork loin, fresh herb and butter airline turkey breast and chardonnay-poached Norwegian salmon.
Christmas: Orders must be placed by Dec. 18. All packages ordered in December require a 72-hour notice. Pickup is Dec. 24 from noon to 2 p.m. For New Year’s Eve, menu requests need to be submitted by Dec. 23. Pickup is Dec. 31 from noon to 2 p.m.
Two45 Waterfront Grill
Two45 Waterfront Grille at Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, 55 West Bay Drive, 814-454-2005
Kitchen hours Dec. 24, 25, 31, Jan. 1 are regular: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. brunch, lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner Sundays through Thursdays, 5 to 10, Fridays and Saturdays, 5 to 11 p.m.
Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Friendly Markets Erie-area locations are all open: Christmas: Dec. 24, closing at 7 p.m.; Dec. 25 closed; New Year’s: Dec. 31, closing at 9 p.m. and open Jan. 1.
1702 E. 38th St.; 814-455-7482712 W. 38th St.; 814-864-4958 230 High St, Waterford; 814-796-671119-21 E. High St., Union City; 814-438-7614
Prepared Turkey dinner, $114.99: Fully cooked 10- to 12-pound turkey with mashed potatoes, homestyle gravy, cran-orange relish, herb stuffing, sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole. Includes dinner rolls and 10-inch baked apple or pumpkin pie. Allow 2-2½ hours to heat. Serves eight to 10
Prepared ham dinner: $109.99: Available seasonally. Fully cooked 9-pound spiral ham with au gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and escalloped apples. Includes dinner rolls and 10-inch baked apple or pumpkin pie. Allow 2-2½ hours to heat. Serves eight to 10
Wegmans
Christmas: Store will close at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 and reopen on Dec. 26 at 6 a.m.; New Year’s Eve and Day; 6 a.m. to midnight daily.
Erie West, 5028 West Ridge Road, 814-835-1900, wegmans.comPeach Street, 6143 Peach St., 814-860-5300, wegmans.com
A number of complete meals made up of holiday traditional foods are available for carryout at both Wegmans locations. Holiday options include turkey, prime rib and ham. For full carryout meals, visit meals2go.com. For those who just need a little inspiration, holiday gathering recipes and Wegmans prepared items can be found at wegmans.com/holiday.
Order at least 24 hours in advance, while supplies last. Choose date of pickup while ordering.
Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Find her weekly newsletter at https://profile.goerie.com/newsletters/erielicious/.