Why the US and Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on different days
Thanksgiving is beloved and widely celebrated in both Canada and the United States.
unbranded – Lifestyle
With the election behind us, the Thanksgiving holiday is fast approaching. It’s the biggest food holiday of the year and a big day for restaurants.
If you’re not in the mood to cook but want to host friends or family, or if you just want to leave the cooking to someone else, metro Detroit restaurants are offering tantalizing menus of chef-curated, complete holiday meals destined to satisfy taste buds.
Either choose to make reservations and dine in, order fully cooked meals-to-go, or pick up something prepped and oven-ready to cook at home.
What’s offered?
Plenty. The majority offer traditional roast turkey with all the classic sides of mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry relish, green bean casserole and desserts.
You will also find twists on turkey flavors, such as Lockhart’s BBQ whole smoked turkey to European-inspired Coeur restaurant’s spatchcocked turkey with gravy and mushroom and leek dressing. There’s also an abundance of side dishes from traditional offerings to roasted vegetables to balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts and candied sweet potatoes.
Ordering and reservationsMost places require preordering and advance reservations. Many places sell out fast.Plan on most places having a cutoff date for orders and specific day and pickup times before or on Thanksgiving Day.Count on the majority offering classic Thanksgiving side dishes — mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, gravy, stuffing, cranberry relish and rolls.For those who don’t want a complete meal, many places offer items like side dishes a la carte.Most prices listed do not include beverages, taxes, and gratuity.
[ Find great recipes for Thanksgiving and all occasions at Southern Kitchen. ]
Check out our list, which is by no means comprehensive, of metro Detroit restaurant offerings:
Atheneum Suite Hotel and Conference Center
Detroit
The A Lounge is open and serving Thanksgiving brunch before after downtown’s Thanksgiving Day parade, turkey trot and Detroit Lions game. Seatings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Brunch is $35.95 ($14.95 for children 12 and under) and includes endless mimosas and valet parking.
For info and reservations: atheneumsuites.com/special-events
Apparatus Room
Detroit
Four-course, family-style dinner at this restaurant on the ground floor of the Foundation Hotel on Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit. The dinner includes a selection of appetizers, salads, and a main dish of turkey plus sides and dessert. $85 and $45 for ages 12 and under.
For info and reservations: detroitfoundationhotel.com
Bavarian Inn Restaurant
Frankenmuth
A variety of Bavarian Inn’s signature entrees,, including its family-style dinners and all-you-can-eat chicken dinners featuring turkey and other meats plus an array of side dishes and desserts are offered for Thanksgiving. Depending on dinner option, prices range $34.99-$41.99 for adults and children $6-$11.99 (depending on age.) The Bavarian Inn Lodge Harvet Thanksgiving buffet seating times start at 11 a.m. for the Thanksgiving buffet at Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth. There’s an array of salads, a hot buffet with roasted prime rib, roasted turkey, Bavarian Inn’s famous chicken, traditional sides dishes plus its Blue Hubbard squash side dish and a dessert table. Buffet is $42.95, ages 8-12 $19.99; ages 3-7 $14.99; 2 and under are free.
For info and ordering: bavarianinn.com
Blind Owl
Royal Oak and New Baltimore
Traditional Thanksgiving dinner features sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, almond garlic green beans, gravy cranberry sauce and salad plus one glass of wine or well Margarita. $34.95 per person.
For info and reservations: blindowlrestaurant.com
Bravo! Italian Kitchen
Lansing, Livonia and Rochester Hills
Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for dine-in featuring a three-course traditional turkey day menu with sliced white meat turkey, sides, including spicy Italian sausage stuffing, and dessert. You can also order some dishes separately for pick up. Individual meal prices vary by location. Also available are Thanksgiving packages to-go, hot or cold, featuring all of the classic offerings. Prices vary. You can also order a catering feast now through Thanksgiving Day.
For info and order: bravoitalian.com
Caucus Club
Downtown Detroit
This downtown Detroit restaurant known for its wood-fired steaks will feature items from its current Autumn menu plus Thanksgiving classics. Menu items include a roast turkey dinner served with traditional side dishes, a holiday platter with mix of roast turkey and ham or roast prime beef. There’s also an option for kids.
The Caucus Club is on Congress Street on the ground floor of the Penobscot Building. It has a long history and is noted as a the place where Barbra Streisand go her start.
For reservations: 313-965-4970 or caucusclubdetroit.com
Eddie Merlot’s
Bloomfield
This American steakhouse’s Thanksgiving Day menu offers a roast turkey dinner, paired with all the sides, plus a starter and dessert. Cost is $49; $24 for the kid’s menu option. You can also order a Thanksgiving Feast for 5 or 10 people to go.
For info and ordering: eddiemerlots.com
City BBQ
Multiple locations
Open for pre-ordered and pick-up only holiday meals, featuring turkey and all the fixings. City BBQ has locations in Troy, Portage and Kentwood.
For info and ordering: citybbq.com
Coeur
Ferndale
This European-inspired Ferndale restaurant features a to-go Thanksgiving meal designed to serve family-style. The menu features a spatchcocked turkey with mushroom and leek dressing, roasted carrots and root vegetables, cranberry gelée, green bean and foraged mushroom casserole, potato purée, and chicory salad. It’s $120 and has to be ordered in increments of two now through Nov. 22. Add a pecan or pumpkin pie for $40.
For info and ordering: coeurferndale.com
Crystal Gardens
Southgate
Buffet-style traditional Thanksgiving turkey meal also includes carved prime rib, ham, an assortment of salads, soup, rolls, and desserts. Seatings are at noon, 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. Cost is $35.95, $34.95 for seniors and $24.95 for ages 4-10. A turkey dinner-to-go option with sides and desserts is $225 (feeds 10 people) and $260 (feeds 15 people).
For info and ordering: 734-285-2210 or crystalgardensonline.com
Cucina Lab Torino
Troy
Thanksgiving dinner to-go from this Italian restaurant billed as a “little corner of Italy” in Michigan. Meals include classics with added Cucina Lab touches such as its pumpkin bread rolls and caramel walnut pie. Cost is $55 per person with pick up times 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 26-27.
For info and ordering: 248-525-9098 or exploretock.com/cucinalab/event/511457/thanksgiving-dinner-to-go
Hamilton’s
Detroit
At the Godfrey Hotel in Corktown, a multi-course prix fixe family-style meal that includes salads, soup, roast turkey, broiled salmon, sides for the table and desserts. $65; 12 and under $45. On Thanksgiving Day, the Godfrey also offers brunch service for the parade and ahead of the Detroit Lions football game that day. Prices vary.
For info and reservations: exploretock.com/hamiltons-corktown-detroit/
Lockhart’s BBQ
Royal Oak
Its holiday menu includes hickory-smoked turkey with choice of three sides and dessert. The family meal serves 6-8 and is $150. A single-serve meal is $30. You can also order sides and dessert a la carte at various prices such as a whole smoked turkey for $85, according to its website.
For info and ordering: 248-584-4227 or lockhartsbbq.com
Madam
Birmingham
Located at the Daxton Hotel in Birmingham, Madam’s Thanksgiving grand buffet offers seatings from 2-8 p.m. Buffet features roasted turkey plus glazed ham, cedar baked salmon, seafood towers, salads, sides and desserts. $75 per adult; $35 ages 3-10; under 3 are free.
For info and ordering: daxtonhotel.com
MacRay Harbor
Harrison Township
Three seating times, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., are offered for MacRay Harbor’s Thanksgiving buffet. The buffet includes carved ham and turkey carving, an array of sides, salads, artisan cheeses and desserts. $49.99; ages 4-11 $24.95. Thanksgiving to to go package with turkey, sides, salad and pies feeds 10-12 people and is $369.
Info and ordering: 586-854-2044 or macray.com/events
Maggiano’s
Offered at all locations nationwide, is a dine-in family-style menu includes traditional holiday dishes with choices of two entrees, two pastas, two sides, and two desserts. Maggiano’s also offers a carryout menu that serves up to 5 people. Place orders must be placed by 8 p.m. the night before pick up. Cold-prepared meals can be picked up on Nov. 26-27 and hot-prepared meals will be ready on Nov. 28.
For info and reservations: maggianos.com.
Marrow
Detroit and Birmingham
This neighborhood butcher shop and restaurant in Detroit’s West Village plus the soon-to-open outpost in Birmingham has several holiday offerings, including locally sourced organic turkeys, glazed hams, standing rib roasts and Michigan-raised Peking ducks. Other a la carte items include turkey stock, gravy, cranberry relish, charcuterie boards and sage stuffing. Prices vary. Available for pick up Nov. 26-27.
For info and ordering: marrowdetroit.com
Oak & Reel
Detroit
Thanksgiving dinner to go from Michelin-starred chef and owner Jared Gadbaw of Oak & Reel in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood. The menu features slow-roasted turkey, stuffing with or without oysters, roasted Brussels sprouts, and cipollini onions. A meal for four to six people is $195 for half-turkey; dinner for eight-12 is $385 for a whole turkey. Add pumpkin or apple pie for $29 each. Pickup is 3:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 27.
For info and ordering: exploretock.com/oakandreel/
One | Nine Event Venue
Riverview
With views of the Riverview Highlands golf course, the venue offers a Thanksgiving buffet with seatings every hour starting at noon and limited to 1 ½ hours. Menu includes main dishes of oven roasted turkey, dill salmon, prime rib and chicken piccata. There will be an array of side dishes, cold salads, dinner rolls and butter and homemade desserts. Buffet includes soft drinks, coffee and tea. Cash bar available. $34.95; $19.95 ages 4-10 plus an 18% gratuity. A Thanksgiving to-go package available for pre-order by Nov. 23.
For info and reservations: 734-676-2233.
Rugby Grille
Birmingham
Inside Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel, Rugby Grille has a prix-fixe four-course Thanksgiving dinner for $125 per person. The dinner includes choices of appetizers, soup or salad, several entrée choices (including a traditional turkey dinner), soup, salad, and desserts. Options include a charcuterie board, shrimp cocktail, baked French feta, dirty martini salmon and salted caramel apple crisp. A special kids menu will be available. Seating times are noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
For info and reservations: rugbygrille.com
San Morello
Detroit
A dine-in prix fixe menu is offered at this Italian eatery at downtown Detroit’s Shinola Hotel. The meal includes choices from several antipasti, secondi (including Thanksgiving turkey with Sicilian orange glaze, marsala gravy, yukon gold mash, cranberry mostarda and roasted Brussel sprouts) and dolci menu items. It’s $120 per person, $65 ages 12 an under.
For info and reservations: sanmorello.com
Slows to Go
Detroit
This to-go outpost of Corktown’s Slows Bar BQ has a complete Thanksgiving package featuring a smoked boneless turkey breast and an array of sides including its famed mac and cheese. Serves 6-8 and is $199 picked up cold or had $20 to pick up hot and ready to serve. Pick up Nov. 26-27 at Slows To-Go in Midtown at 4107 Cass Ave., Detroit.
For info and ordering: toasttab.com/…/menu/thanksgiving%20package
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Detroit
This steakhouse is on the ground floor of the Westin Book Cadillac on Washington Boulevard. Its Thanksgiving Day meal includes hand-carved roasted turkey served with a starter, two sides and a dessert. $51 per person. A kids menu is available for $25. You can also order its Sullivan’s Thanksgiving Feast for 5 or 10 people to go.
For info and reservations: sullivanssteakhouse.com
The Hungarian Rhapsody
Southgate
This long-standing Downriver restaurant offers individual turkey dinners for $21.95 or family-style for five or more are $24.95 per person. A family-style turkey and ham dinner for five or more people is $26.95 per person. The menu also includes many other traditional Hungarian selections such as chicken paprika with dumplings and goulash for an added cost. A children’s menu is also available. You can also preorder dinners for carryout in advance.
For info and ordering: 734-283-9622 or therhapsodyrestaurant.com
The Stage Deli
West Bloomfield
Complete Thanksgiving dinner for eight ($325) includes whole roasted, locally raised turkey with onion roll stuffing and side dishes, green salad and dressing, and bake-at-home dinner rolls. There are also optional add-ons and a la carte items plus pumpkin cheesecake and apple crumble at various costs.
For info and ordering: 248-855-6622 or stagedeli.com
Union Joints
Pre-order Thanksgiving Feast Kits featuring classic sides, pies and gluten-free desserts from the group that operates Clarkston Union, Union Red, Lincoln Yard, Honcho, Fenton Fire Hall, Vinsetta Garage and other restaurants. A Thanksgiving sides package serves 4 is $85 and includes several dishes including take-and-bake Union Joints famous mac and cheese and house made rolls. A variety of handmade pies and other baked treats are offered at various prices. Choose from four location to pick up order 2-6 p.m. Nov. 27.
For info and ordering: unionpantry.com
The Whitney
Detroit
Multi course meal includes starter, main and dessert. Choices include soup or salad, traditional turkey dinner with sides or a vegetarian option and three dessert options. Cost is $79 per person or $49 for kids 10 and under. A$10 deposit is required for all reservations.
For info and reservations: thewhitney.com
Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth
Zehnder’s has a Thanksgiving buffet that includes its famous fried chicken, turkey and prime rib along with many classic sides, its noodle soup, fresh baked breads, Zehnder’s cheese spread and chicken liver paté, salads and desserts. The buffet is $43.95 for adults; $18.95 ages 9-11; $16.95 ages 6-8; and $8.95 for ages 3-5. Zehnder’s to-go dinners serve eight-10 people and is $309. Features a choice of whole roasted turkey or hickory-smoked ham, traditional sides and pumpkin pie. Preorder for curbside pickup on Thanksgiving Day. You can also order other pies and homemade goods from Zehnder’s Bakery.
For info and reservations: 989-652-0450 or zehnders.com
Zingerman’s Deli
Ann Arbor
Thanksgiving feast feeds 6-8 an includes butter-basted and sage-rubbed bone-in whole turkey ($325 for the whole bird or $340 for a carved whole bird) with traditional sides, plus a loaf of Bakehouse Farm bread, Michigan farm butter, a bag spiced pecans and pumpkin pie. An individual meal of turkey breast, served with Deli’s housemade sage and celery stuffing and other sides for $20 per person. Oven-ready ($185) or precooked ($225) turkeys are also available for ordering as well as sides, appetizers, breads, and desserts.
For info and ordering: zingermansdeli.com
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.