In my wife's family the thought of eating anything other than a home-cooked meal at home on Thanksgiving is anathema. While, I LOVE a home-cooked home meal, I guess I'm a bit more open-minded. When I was a kid I remember a couple of Thanksgiving dinners with my grandparents at a local restaurant, a fancy hotel that was known for their sumptuous Thanksgiving spreads. (Of course there is the whole issue of businesses being open on Thanksgiving Day and whether those workers should be with their families too, but that is another topic for another time). I guess I can see both sides. Of course a home-cooked meal is the "gold standard", but I also understand not wanting to do dishes, clean-up, prepare 50 different recipes...maybe for some people just kicking back with family in a restaurant is more relaxing. Or I suppose there is the "hybrid" approach of buying your meal and bringing it all home.
Kroger, for instance, advertises a full Thanksgiving supper with all the trimmings to serve six for $44. Sheesh, that has to be a lot cheaper than doing it yourself. Has anyone tried that or something like that?
If you want an Amish-style food experience on Thanksgiving, your options are limited, but Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana is opening its doors on Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is not a huge holiday among the Amish of northern Indiana (the prevailing attitude is "we give thanks everyday") so I am sure some Amish cooks will be in the kitchen preparing the meal.
Now, if you don't feel like whipping up from-scratch pies, but you still want to impress your guests and you happen to live in Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky: consider The Home Place. You can place an order today for apple, blackberry, cherry, peach, pecan, pumpkin, peanut butter, and chocolate peanut butter (plus some other varieties, including sugar free). This is a Mennonite-owned bakery in Brown County, Ohio and they have some very skilled pie bakers in the kitchen. Their peanut butter pie is one of the best I've tasted among any Amish or Mennonite bakery. They'll also do dinner rolls and probably pretty much anything else you want them to whip up.
To order from The Home Place (SIGH, since I have site sponsors now, I feel like I always need to clarify....The Home Place is NOT a sponsor of this site, so I am not being paid to say this, I just like their stuff!:) call them at 937-378-3400 or email [email protected] . Orders need to be placed 48 hours ahead of pick-up time.
Missy
Kevin, we tried this many years ago when we lived in California. My parents went out of town for the holiday and it was just Dan and I. It really wasn't very good. The turkey was that pressed turkey 🙁 and the rest of it just wasn't that tasty. We never did that again.
Kathleen
We have gone out several times over the years for Thanksgiving Dinner. This year again we are going out. We have been married 52 years and I am tired of cooking for my family full of middle aged kids and grown grandkids who all are lazy do not know how to bring a dish or clean one. It is about time they do something about cooking.
I am going to make a few pies and we do celebrate my husband birthday that day and out oldest grandson birthday so there will be cake as well.
We are going to The Houston Inn in Mason Ohio very nice restaurant. Oh yes one year we went to Golden Corral can eat a lot there.
After all Thanksgiving is not the food we eat but celebration and being together.
Kevin
Kathleen, Houston's is good...I think we may have gone there one year for Thanksgiving also....Thanksgiving frog legs?:) - Kevin
Kathleen
REal Turkey there also. You must go back another time it is very worth it and love their menu. I live about a mile from there.
Debbie
We always have a family dinner, and fortunately everybody pitches in. Until last year I did most of the meals, and then my wonderful daughter in law & son said they were taking over! All I have to bring is my homemade rolls and my Spicy Green Bean Casserole. (none of us care for the other green bean casserole)
The only time we have eaten out for a holiday wa in 2011 when we moved to Colorado. Our daughter was in Montana and our son was still in Indiana. It was a beautiful day, so we hopped on the motorcycle and rode the Peak to Peak and ended up at Perkin's in Longmont for dinner. It was just ok, but the ride was fantastic!
Kevin
Ah, that Peak to Peak ride sounds amazing....and SPICY green bean casserole? What kind of spice? Sounds intriguing...
Debbie
Spices don't make it spicy. I have been making this recipe for many years. It is easy & yummy! Yes, Peak to Peak is a wonderful ride/drive. I still can't believe I am blessed to live here. Although I do miss Shipshewana & Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury.
Spicy Green Bean Casserole
★★★★★
Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 1 hour | Makes: 6-8 | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
• 3 c. green beans (3 cans, drained)
• 4-6 strips of cooked bacon
• 1 sliced onion
• 1 c. ketchup (I use a bit more to make it thicker)
• ⅓ c. sugar
• ¼ c. vinegar
Directions:
Cook Bacon in frying pan.
Crumble/Chop bacon into bits.
Cook sliced onion in the leftover bacon grease until partially translucent.
Combine and mix ingredients in a 9" x 13" baking dish.
Bake uncovered at 350˚F for about 1 hour.
Notes:
I slice the raw bacon, then cook it until crisp.
Kevin
Debbie, thanks, that sounds delish!
Beverly
NO! I either will work it (like last year) or be at my 85yr old mother's for it. Although.. My significant other and I did discuss maybe trying a local Casino buffet this year.
Kevin
I love casino buffets, let us know if you go that route, Beverly!
Linda from KY
One year for Christmas my mother bought a Kroger's Turkey dinner for 6. Sure, it was a bargain, but the sides were horrible. The turkey was good and the pie was just okay. I'd rather do homemade.
I'll be helping to cook and carve many turkeys at my workplace on Thanksgiving Day. I'd rather have the day off, sure, but I'm considering my time spent at work a ministry to people who just want to take it easy that day. I refuse to begrudge them that. My family will still be there when I get off work. I'm actually planning on cooking a feast the day after when I'm off, so I'll be eating turkey two days in a row. I consider that a win-win. 🙂
Carolyn
kathleen ... Sounds like you have the right idea . One year my husband and I cooked for his entire family . They came and ate then went to a sisters to play cards , leaving us with the clean-up . Do I need to say that was the last time we did that !
Kathleen
Good for you when did people get so lazy or bold to think they can come to your home fill up and leave? Leaving especially is down right rude. Society is not polite any more.
lorraine
Cooking the meal at home. Ordered pies from "Bakers Square."