The more you know: Thanksgiving food facts
Nov. 27 — Did you know that green bean casserole was invented by an employee of Campbell’s Soup? Yep. It was invented by Campbell’s kitchen supervisor Dorcas Reilly during the 1950s while testing recipes to put on the back of the company’s now-famous cans.
🦃 Turducken – aka a bird cooked within a bird – was not the invention of Cajun chef Paul Prudhomme, or discovered by legendary football broadcaster John Madden during the annual Thanksgiving game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in 1996. In fact, its origins date back to 1774 and the cookbook “The Art of Cookery,” which contained instructions for stuffing a turkey with pigeon, partridge, fowl, and goose. The name “turducken” was, however, coined by Chef Paul Prudhomme in 1986.
Science is the reason canned cranberry sauce slides out so easily when you open the can. Canning it upside down creates an air bubble vacuum at the top. When you open the can and slide a knife in to loosen the congealed cranberry mass, that air bubble pushes it out.
Read more Turkey Day food facts from Mental Floss here.
If you’re looking for some Thanksgiving leftover ideas beyond turkey and dressing sandwiches, turkey tetrazzini, and turkey chili, we suggest Serious Eats. It features several not boring but easy Thanksgiving leftovers ideas.
🗣️ Attention Black Friday shoppers: Waffle House will launch a pop-up merch shop tomorrow in Peachtree Corners. Located on Bay Circle, and only open through Dec. 1, the shop includes everything from Waffle House coffee mugs to t-shirts and sweatshirts to bags of WaHo coffee beans. The first 100 people in line on Black Friday will get free waffles from the food truck.
🎄 Black Friday also kicks off holiday bar season around Atlanta. This year, we’ve compiled a list of more than 30 bars and restaurants getting festive with the decor, drinks, and food. We’re giving you a little sneak peek in today’s Side Dish.
And while eating may be the last thing on your mind after over-indulging at Thanksgiving, we still wanted to share our six favorite dishes from November dining with you before the long holiday weekend. Put these on your list of dishes to seek out soon.
Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Beth 🍸 and Sarra 🍰
It’s Holiday Bar Szn!
Photo by Dominque White
🧑🎄 Tis the season for holiday bars, which return for another round this year. From Atlanta to Alpharetta to Marietta, we’ve compiled a list of more than 30 holiday-themed restaurants and pop-up bars decked in good cheer serving festive cocktails, dishes, and desserts from now until the New Year.
While the full list (with a handy map) publishes Black Friday morning on Rough Draft, we wanted to give y’all a little sneak peek. Consider this the highlights reel. Here are 10 can’t-miss holiday bars now open or opening this weekend.
🎄Atlanta/Decatur
Chrismukkah Bar at Daily Chew
Morningside/Lenox Park
Begins Nov. 29.
The Chrismukkah Bar at Daily Chew returns to Liddell Drive. The holiday bar, which melds Christmas and Hanukkah, will operate Thursday through Monday, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., until Dec. 21. Expect latkes and caviar, holiday cheese balls and crackers, and sufganiyot (jelly and creamed-filled doughnuts) paired with holiday cocktails like boozy eggnog, yuzu pine margaritas, and spiced hot toddies. Non-alcoholic drinks will also be served.
Westside Sleigh at Westside Motor Lounge
English Avenue
Begins Nov. 29.
The Echo Street restaurant and bar brought back Westside Sleigh this year. Look for festive decor, holiday-themed cocktails, food from pop-up chefs, live music, and a Grinch dance-off contest. Open weekdays at 5 p.m. and weekends at 12 p.m.
Christmas at Dad’s
Virginia-Highland
Now open
Want some Christmas nostalgia in your life? Head to Dad’s in Virginia-Highland for a hit of holiday spirit that includes kitschy decor, cozy drinks, and comforting dishes all set to a rocking Christmas playlist. Mark your time at Dad’s by snapping a pic in the photo booth.
Little Christmas Spirit
Inman Park
Begins Dec. 1
For the rest of the year, cozy Inman Park bar Little Spirit becomes Little Christmas Spirit. Enjoy dishes like the Turkey Leftovers sandwich, along with festive cocktails and mulled wine. There’s also a photo booth.
Tiki Holiday at S.O.S Tiki Bar
Decatur
Now open
Mele Kalikimaka! Tiki Holiday is back in Decatur. Once again, the below-street tiki den becomes a festive and nostalgic, tropical destination dripping with Christmas lights, ornaments, and tinsel, serving rum cocktails spiked with holiday cheer. Open Wednesday through Saturday, starting at 6 p.m.
❄️ Alpharetta/Roswell
Winter Village at Delbar
Alpharetta
Now open
The Alpharetta location of Middle Eastern restaurant Delbar becomes a wintery village in December. Look for Christmas trees, garland, holiday lights, and areas for festive photo-ops throughout the dining room and bar. There’s a mini wine bar on the patio, serving mulled wine and hot chocolate. Delbar also features seven igloos outside, seating up to five people. The largest igloo even includes sleigh and reindeer decor. Reservations for igloos required.
Christkindl Market
180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell
Now open
A German-style Christmas market takes over the grounds of historic Bulloch Hall in Roswell this year with crafts vendors, food stalls, and mulled wine and grog stands. Grab a picture with Santa, too. Pet-friendly. Open daily through Dec. 23.
🦌 Dunwoody/Sandy Springs
Reindeer Room at Agave Bandido
Dunwoody
Now Open
Maya Speak Tiki, the upstairs bar at Agave Bandido, becomes the Reindeer Room for the holidays. Expect themed cocktails and tropical holiday decor at this High Street pop-up.
Winter Wonderland at The Select
Sandy Springs
Now open
The Sandy Springs restaurant becomes a winter wonderland again, complete with upside-down Christmas trees hanging from the ceiling, colorful lights, and holiday-themed snacks and cocktails. Open nightly. Reservations encouraged.
🕯️ MariettaClassic Holiday Bar at The Third Door
Marietta
Begins Nov. 28
After five years hosting its “Christmas Vacation” holiday bar, the Marietta Square cocktail lounge will switch things up in 2025 with a fresh festive theme. The new holiday theme debuts Nov. 28 and skews more classic. Expect a brand new holiday cocktail menu this year, too.
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Our Six Favorite Dishes From November
Photo by Beth McKibben
🥞 While eating may be the last thing on your mind after over-indulging at Thanksgiving, we still want to give a shoutout to our six favorite dishes from November dining. Among those are the squash pancakes from Pure Quill Superette, ceviche from Cuzco Peruvian, and shakshouka from Diyar Al Yemen.
➡️ Read more about our favorite dishes from November here.
🖋️ Today’s Side Dish was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.
Dining and Cooking