If Americans have one meal in common, it would undoubtedly be Thanksgiving with a feast that calls for turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. Oh, other holidays try, such as Easter with ham and cheesy potatoes, but they don't have the mandated feel of the November spread.
But what if you don't like to cook or want to go out for the holidays? Well, although the majority of restaurants close on Thanksgiving, several options are open for Utah Valley diners. Be sure to check hours, however. Several are open for dinner but closed in the evening.
Mimi's Cafe in Orem is open early on Thanksgiving to accommodate those who may want to celebrate the day with breakfast. They also serve a turkey dinner all day. This reviewer sampled the turkey meal available year-round and found both the turkey and dressing exceptionally moist, the from-scratch mashed potatoes generous and the whole cranberry sauce delicious, but a little too sweet for those who prefer the tang of the berry. People may also order a full meal that serves between six and eight people for $69.95. It comes in a take-away carton, and patrons may pick up the dinner that day and get a spread that includes all the expected options as well as a loaf of Mimi's signature carrot raisin bread. The bonus here is that you get to keep any leftovers for turkey sandwiches later in the day. The restaurant offers 50 of these packages and tends to fill up by the Monday before Thanksgiving. If this option is of interest, calling now is a good idea.
The new Pa Pa's Southern Smoked BBQ along University Parkway in Provo also lets you get a full dinner for eight for $44.95 that includes 10 pounds of smoked turkey. Additionally, individual items; turkey, stuffing, potatoes, sweet potatoes or pumpkin pie; may be ordered.
Chuck-a-Rama and the Golden Corral will be open for their buffets, and the Denny's restaurants throughout the state will be open during regular hours. Customer may order a Thanksgiving meal or choose from the regular Denny's menu. International House of Pancakes will be open during the lunch and early dinner hours to offer a turkey dinner.
In the south end of the county, Prestwich Farms Restaurant & Pies will be open limited hours and serve the holiday meal in addition to its customary menu. A trip up Provo Canyon offers some options as well. The Sundance Grill will have a Thanksgiving buffet; the Sundance Tree Room will be open in the evening. And the Blue Boar Inn in Midway offers a three course meal with fish options as well as turkey. Expect to pay more than $40 per person with tip and tax for the Sundance restaurants and the Blue Boar.
It also might be worth checking your favorite grocery store. Harmons in Orem, for example, will prepare the entire meal for you to take out.
In the classic movie, "A Christmas Story," Ralphie and his parents were forced to eat Chinese food at the only place in town after dogs devoured the Christmas turkey. A few calls to Chinese, Italian and Mexican restaurants in the area, however, revealed that those eating places are closed. So, if you're in the mood for sweet and sour pork, cannelloni or chimichangas for Thanksgiving, you'll probably have to make them yourself — or wait until Friday.
Charlene Winters is a freelance writer, former food editor and food judge who — when she's not in the kitchen — works as the director of communications and marketing for BYU alumni. Contact her at charlene_winters@byu.edu.