ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Thanksgiving is usually all about cooking at home, but this year, restaurants across Roanoke are seeing more families choose a different approach: letting someone else handle the meal.
“We’ve definitely seen an uptick every year that I’ve been here and this year, around 150 more people than we normally get,” said Barry Caldwell, general manager of 419 West.
For many, cost is a big part of the decision. Some families find it cheaper to eat out than to buy all the ingredients for a full Thanksgiving feast.
“The prices to do your own Thanksgiving was probably more than coming out here… and you had to take the time to prepare it,” Caldwell said.
Convenience matters just as much. Families want to enjoy the holiday without worrying about cooking, cleaning, or prepping for hours.
“That whole family tradition… it’s more ‘let’s go out and relax… we don’t have to worry about the cleanup,’” Caldwell said.
Restaurants are also serving people who might otherwise spend the holiday alone or who aren’t able to cook themselves.
“There’s a lot of people that don’t have families… and the people that are older that aren’t able to cook… we’re here for them,” Caldwell said.
Reservations are already filling up fast. 419 West has about 540 booked for Thanksgiving, and Hotel Roanoke reports its tables for the holiday were fully reserved months in advance.
“We sell out every year one month, two months in advance… and we have a wait list right now,” said Declan McGettigan, director of food and beverage at Hotel Roanoke.
Even larger gatherings, family reunions with 30 to 50 people, are choosing to dine out together.
“Without a doubt, it’s the larger parties…That’s the most striking difference this year,” McGettigan said.
Restaurants have been prepping for the holiday for weeks.
“It starts months ago from getting the turkeys… prep starts on Monday all the way through Thursday,” McGettigan said.
Local restaurants expect this trend to continue as more families embrace a simpler, stress-free way to celebrate Thanksgiving.
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Dining and Cooking