The Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dishes In Every State
A report by Zippia has revealed the most popular Thanksgiving sides in each state, using Google Trends data.
unbranded – Lifestyle
Believe it or not, it’s time to decide whether you’ll want to cook that Thanksgiving meal, or let someone else do it. Like your sister. If you don’t have a sister, or at least one who will make you a Thanksgiving dinner, and you really don’t want to do it either, Erie is full of caterers and stores and restaurants who want to help you out.
And you’re not alone.
In 2023, POPMENU.com, a restaurant service company, performed a survey of 1,000 Americans on Nov. 6 and 7, 2023, that found 32% of Americans were planning to order takeout or delivery on Thanksgiving. That is in addition to about 17% of Americans who said they plan to dine in person at a restaurant.
According to the survey,
64% said it’s just easier,35% don’t feel like cooking,35% prefer professionally cooked food,and 24% estimate that it’s cheaper to order from restaurants than to buy all the ingredients needed to cook Thanksgiving dinner.We get it
We tried to nail down all the Erie County Thanksgiving buffets, specials and dinners to go. If we left anyone off, let us know and we can update the list. Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com to offer suggestions. This list does not contain the free dinners offered by local charities. That will come in a separate story when the information becomes available.
Here are some options:
Bob Evans’ Thanksgiving menu
Erie Bob Evans locations:
8041 Peach St., 814-864-5444; Open Thanksgiving Day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.2340 W. 12th St., 814-455-0118; Open Thanksgiving Day, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.5739 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, 814-898-1913; Open Thanksgiving Day, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thanksgiving dinner to go:
Premium Farmhouse Feast: Packed cold. Heat, serve at home. Serves up to 10; $159.99Slow-Roasted Turkey Farmhouse Feast: Heat, serve at home. Serves up to 8; $124.99Hickory-Smoked Ham Farmhouse Feast: Heat, serve & enjoy at home. Serves 8: $114.99Other options: Slow-Roasted Pot Roast Farmhouse Feast; Slow-Roasted Turkey Farmhouse Feast, which serves 4; sides feeding up to six include dressing, corn, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans and dressingFor more information and to order online, visit Bob Evans Farmhouse Feasts.The Cakery’s Thanksgiving menu
To go: Ready to eat, serving six to eight is $119. Individual dinners are $16.
Includes 3-pound turkey breast, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, choice of corn or coleslaw, white or wheat dinner rolls and cranberry relish. Add a sweet potato casserole for $15. Pumpkin rolls and pies also available.
Orders are due by Nov. 23, available for pickup Nov. 27. Call or stop in to order dinners and desserts.
Main Street Cakery, Fairview: 7403 West Ridge Road (Route 20), Fairview, 814-474-4555
Main Street Cakery, Copperleaf: 2900 Copperleaf Drive, Summit Township; 814-651-0375
Cali’s West Catering’s Thanksgiving menu
To go: Serves eight, including roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, cranberry sauce, tossed salad, rolls and butter. Apple and pumpkin pies are available by slice, $4.50, or whole, $24.
Call 814-833-3033 to order; pickup at 1313 Harper Drive. For more information, visit caliswestcatering.com.
Colony Pub & Grille’s Thanksgiving hours
2670 W. Eighth St., 814-838-2162, open Thanksgiving Day; pickup 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; dining room open 11 a.m. to last seating for buffet at 7 p.m. Dine-in reservations strongly encouraged.
To go: Take-out Thanksgiving dinner includes whole roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and rolls. Choose from mashed or sweet potatoes or salad or assorted squash. Order by 4 p.m., Nov. 25 by calling 814-838-2162; pick up on Thanksgiving Day after 10:30 a.m. at Colony Pub & Grille. All prices are pre-tax.
10- to 12-pound turkey dinner serves six to 10, $98.99; extra sides, $24 each. Add a apple, pecan or pumpkin pie for $20.99,22- to 24-pound turkey dinner serves 10 to 16, $189.99; extra sides, $24 each. Add a apple, pecan or pumpkin pie for $20.99,Individual meals are $19.99.
Also available, including potato and vegetable choices, rolls and butter:
1/2 ham, $10511- or 22-pound prime rib, market price
Dining in:
Turkey dinner: $18.99, includes turkey, soup or salad, mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.
Also available: dinner entrees such as prime rib, salmon, chicken Parmesan, baked ham, roasted vegetables over pasta. All dinner entrees include choice of potato, soup or salad. Vegetable of the day is assorted squash for $3.75 Kids menu available, $10.99.
Thanksgiving Grand Buffet: includes turkey, stuffing, sliced honey glazed ham, horseradish salmon, assorted squash, mashed potatoes, hot and cold pasta, gravy, array of salads, cranberry sauce, rolls, dessert, chocolate fountain. Adults, $32.99; kids 10 and younger, $14.99; children under 3, free
Limited menu also available, including a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for $19.99, and other dishes.
Cracker Barrel will have carryout meals, limited dining menu
7810 Interstate Drive, (814) 868-2500, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a limited menu.
Full Thanksgiving meals for carryout include:
Heat and Serve Feast: Serves eight to 10 and includes two turkey breasts, dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, two sides, rolls, pumpkin pie and pecan pie. $169.99Thanksgiving Heat and Serve Family Dinner: Serves four to six and includes one turkey breast, dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, one side and rolls. $109.99Pre-order and receive a free digital bonus card when you schedule pickup for Nov. 25 or 26.Pickup Nov. 23 to Dec. 1. 24-hour notice required. Food should be consumed within 72 hours of pickup.Sides and a la carte extras are available. Preorder at crackerbarrel.com.Giant Eagle’s Thanksgiving catering options
Giant Eagle has a flock of options for a cooked holiday dinner. Visit gianteagle.com. Orders not hot at pickup. Order Thanksgiving dinners online or in-store by Nov. 20. Pick up your order Nov. 24-28.
All turkey Thanksgiving meals that serve six come with 2½ pounds mashed potatoes, 2 pounds homestyle stuffing, 24 ounces Market District turkey gravy and 12 dinner rolls.
Boneless Turkey Breast Bundle, $69.99, 3½- to 4-pound boneless turkey breastWhole Turkey Bundle, $79.99 includes whole 11- to 13-pound turkeyAll-Natural Whole Turkey Bundle, $89.99, includes all-natural 12- to 14-pound turkey
Ham bundle $69.99, includes 2 pounds potatoes au gratin, 1 1/2 pounds green ban almandine, 1 pound Dijon horseradish sauce and 12 dinner rolls
Other holiday meal options include prime rib, lamb shanks, sides bundles, dessert bundles, a la carte items and other feasts for more people up to $224.99. Visit the website for a complete list.
Locations: All Giant Eagle stores’ Thanksgiving Day hours are 7 a.m. to 3 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, 814-774-2656Golden Coral Thanksgiving menu
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 now through the holiday season. Find the restaurant at 7500 Peach St. To order, call 814-864-3488 or visit Golden Coral’s website. The restaurant is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All meals serving six to eight include mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, one dozen yeast rolls with honey butter, and your choice of homestyle side and a whole pie:
Whole Roasted Turkey Meal, serves six to eight, $109.99Holiday Glazed Ham Meal, serves six to eight, $109.99Holiday bone-in pork roast meal, serves six to eight, $119.99
Other choices include sides, desserts, individual meals and more.
8844 Route 18, Cranesville; Thanksgiving Day buffet by reservations only, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $26.99 per adult and $13.99 for children 12 and younger. For more information, call 814-402-1075.
The buffet includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, fried Brussels sprouts with bacon, Bourbon glazed baby carrots, bacon gouda mac and cheese, creamy butternut squash pasta, cornbread casserole, salad and rolls.
814-456-4323, makeitfabulous@icloud.com, 1164 W. Sixth St.
Thanksgiving: Fresh whole roasted turkey with turkey gravy and cranberry apple relish: 10 to 12 pounds, $275; 14 to 16 pounds, $300. All dinners are served with a choice of two vegetable selections and one starch selection, as well as cafe salad and dressing and dinner rolls with butter. Additional vegetable is $4.50 per person. Additional starch is $4.50 per person.
Other choices for holiday meals include prime rib, herb-crusted beef tenderloin, herb-roasted pork loin, fresh herb and butter airline turkey breast and chardonnay-poached Norwegian salmon.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Orders must be placed by Friday (Nov. 22). Pick-up is Nov. 28 from noon to 2 p.m.
Christmas Dinner: Orders must be placed by Dec. 18. Pick-up is Dec. 24 from noon to 2 p.m. All packages ordered in December require a 72-hour notice.
Menu items feed eight and include the following: Holiday dip trio (spinach artichoke dip, Buffalo chicken dip, and pizza dip). Tortilla chips served on the side, $45, charcuterie board, $55; Shepherd’s pie, $60; honey-glazed carrots, $45; roasted green bean salad, $45; classic pumpkin roll, $30; cranberry peach cobbler, $30
All orders must be placed at least 48 hours before pickup date. between Nov. 15 and 27. Pick ups take place at 3018 State St. Menu items will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. Heating and serving instructions included.
Payment accepted: Venmo, cash or check.
Peek’n Peak Resort
Thanksgiving buffet at Peek’n Peak Resort, 1405 Old Rd, Clymer, New York, is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a mix of classic brunch options, charcuterie boards, fresh fruits and salads, and then Thanksgiving favorites like stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey and prime rib as well as desserts.
The buffet is $57.95 per adult; $27.95 for 6- to 12-year-olds; free for 5 and younger. Make reservations by calling 716-355-4141, ext. 7146. For more information, visit
Two45 Waterfront Grill
Two45 Waterfront Grille at Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, 55 West Bay Drive, is offering a Thanksgiving brunch from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., and a full Thanksgiving menu from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. For more information, call 814-454-2005.
Target’s Thanksgiving shopping list
Target’s Thanksgiving meal for under $20 includes ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving feast that serves four, which can easily be doubled to serve eight. The ingredients are available both in stores and online. For more information, call 814-860-8511. The uncooked meal ingredients are enough to serve four, including:
10-pound turkey, frozen5 pounds russet potatoes14.5-ounce can cut green beans.10.5-ounce can Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup14-ounce can Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce 6 ounces Stove Top Turkey Stuffing Mix12-ounce jar Heinz Home Style Roasted Turkey GravyTops Friendly Markets’ prepared Thanksgiving options
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 2-2 1/2 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 2-2 1/2 hours to heat. Serves eight to 10
Tops Friendly Markets Erie-area locations are all open on Thanksgiving Day from 6 a.m. to 4 p,m.
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; 814-438-7614Walmart’s Thanksgiving grocery shopping tool
Walmart has a brilliant calculator on its website that tells you, if you buy items from a select list, how much your meal will cost per person.
The list includes 16 commonly purchased meal components. You choose what you want, and it does the calculating for you. Many of the ingredients are prepared, such as the mashed potatoes and gravy, etc.
The same site offers holiday recipes and each has the cost per serving on those as well.
To shop and use the calculator, visit Walmart.com.
Wegmans offering Thanksgiving catering menu
Carved turkey dinners, ready to heat; one serves six and another serves 12. Carryout only. Dinner for six starts at $117 before adding side dishes, minimum four. Dinner for 12 starts at $207 before adding sides, minimum four. Also, several other menus and many other prepared items are available. Make all catering orders by visiting wegmans.com/thanksgiving.
Order at least 24 hours in advance, while supplies last. Dinners are available for pickup Nov. 23-28 at both locations, 6143 Peach St., Summit Township, 814-860-5300; and 5028 West Ridge Road, Millcreek Township, 814-835-1900. Both stores will be open for pickup on Nov. 27, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Nov. 28, 8 a.m. to noon. Choose date of pickup while ordering. All items are available on wegmans.com/thanksgiving, and need to be paid before pickup. The stores are open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Find her weekly newsletter at https://profile.goerie.com/newsletters/erielicious/.