My kids tell me that I can literally burn anything. I like my toast dark, dark brown. Ha. Maybe that is why since the day I got divorced and the kids were little, we have always gone to my sister or my mom’s house for Thanksgiving. I have always been asked to bring the veggies or ice (I can’t burn ice – or can I? There is freezer burn). But if you don’t have anyone to lean on to go to their house for Thanksgiving and you’re as good a cook as me OR if you just don’t want to cook (or deal with the clean-up). Try one of these great Thanksgiving options:
Breakfast: You have to start your day some way, right?
- Habit Doughnut Dispensary. I don’t make it a habit of eating a big breakfast the day of Thanksgiving (saving room for the good stuff). BUT, with Habit Doughnut Dispensary ‘s Dr. Seuss inspired creations – the Lorax, Cindy-Lou Who and Wocket in My Pocket sweets made of honey brioche, malted milk glaze, ganache and holiday crumble. This may become my new habit.
- Kneaders. Grab some Chunky Cinnamon Bread and make the amazing overnight French Toast https://www.kneaders.com/blog/kneaders-overnight-french-toast-recipe.
Full Turkey Meal: These awesome locations offer the traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day.
- Golden Corral. There are two occasions when I pig out: the first is when I eat Thanksgiving dinner and the second is when I go to a buffet. This magical combination of both is at the Thanksgiving Day Buffet with turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
- IHOP. Roast turkey, smashed potatoes and broccoli. I could do that.
- Village Inn. I used to think of Village Inn as only the place to grab a pie on the way to another Thanksgiving celebration. BUT, they will serve up the traditional meal right there (along with the slice of pie).
- Denny’s. Also a place I think of for breakfast (and who wants to load up on breakfast that day – when you will stuff yourself with turkey later). Denny’s has turkey and fixin’s all day!
- Boston Market. Yes, even fast-casual dining is available on Thanksgiving Day thanks to Boston Market. It offers a whole meal with turkey(or chicken), two sides, roll and pie for just $12.99. You can dine in or takeout.
- Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. Traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner for just$59 per person prepared by Executive Chef, Phillipe Martinez? I’m in! Slow roasted turkey breast, soup or salad, apple sausage stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans and cranberry relish plus pumpkin cheesecake or pecan pie– or choose from Del Frisco’s favorites like steaks! Reservations recommended.
- Ted’s Montana Grill. Home Away from Home [on the Range] includes a three course feat including turkey and all the favorite accompaniments.
Take with Me: Have I mentioned I’m not a good cook? I like to grab something from somewhere and try my best to pass it off as my own.(Then my family wears me down and figures out where I got it from).
- Village Inn. Maybe you have known this for years – or maybe this is news to you, but Village Inn has amazing pies. Grab a pie and you’re certain to be one of the favorites at your Thanksgiving meal.
- Call,the only Colorado winner of the 2018 Bon Appétit Hot 10 award, is offering Thanksgiving pies in both pumpkin and pecan. Order by November 19th. Pick up on Wednesday,November 21st.
- Olive & Finch. Wants omething more exciting than basic pumpkin pie? Try spiced blueberry crumb, pumpkin marshmallow, campfire chocolate cream, pecan maple bourbon, traditional apple caramel crumb, chocolate cherry pie, and a tartlemon meringue.
- King Soopers. I learned several years ago, that I can order a whole meal fully cooked right from the Deli. It includes the turkey plus a couple sides, rolls and pie.
- Safeway. Same deal as King Soopers. I mean fully cooked, ready to go, full-meal deal!
- Sprouts. Get a full meal with sides like cornbread stuffing and creamed kale & spinach.
- Whole Foods. At Whole Foods, you can not only get the full meal, but you can also opt for vegetarian dishes. (Let’s get this straight – while I know vegetarians, I’m most assuredly not one).
- Boston Market. I mentioned previously that you can eat in the restaurant or take it home – the same deliciousness!
- Kneaders. Kneaders has the most amazing rolls (I’ve brought these before) and pies!
For a Little Fun:
- Punch Bowl Social. Are you celebrating more of a Friendsgiving(or looking to make a few friends)? Punch Bowl Social is the place to be. Their seasonal punch called “Gobble This” is a bourbon spiced tea with notes of cranberry, cinnamon and honey crisp apple. In that case, who cares what you’re actually eating?
- Stop in to Carbon Beverage Café (1553 Platte St., www.habitcarbon.com). They’re open until 2 p.m. for your pre-Thanksgiving power-up, so grab a seat in the dining area under the historic carriage house door and give thanks as you dig in to something from the menu of munchies, shares, salads or bowls: try the Rocket Man, a crispy devil-fried chicken piled high with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, a spicy Korean BBQ sauce and Togarashi bun, or the MacDaddy Pasta Bowl, a grown-up take on mac n cheese with cheddar jack mornay over cavatappi pasta topped with a buttered brioche crumb crust. Munch on some Doobie Snacks, and butter brioche wrappedli’l smokie sausages which are hits for dipping, and don’t forget to order your tots on the side: with an actual menu of tot options to choose from (think parmesan cheese and paprika, Poutine-style smothered in herb gravy and white cheddar, or Loaded & Baked with cheddar jack mornay, bacon bits, sour cream and chives), the Wu Tang Tots are crispy, salty, tangy, sour and hot grown-up versions of your childhood faves.
Just Escape:
- Consider a trip to the luxurious mountain resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Avon for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Autumn Adventure package is valid for stays November 16 – December 13, 2018 and rates start at $199/night including breakfast for two. Both on-site restaurants offer twists on the traditional Thanksgiving meal with a la carte options at Buffalos and a special holiday menu featuring options including butternut squash soup with ginger crème fraiche, turkey two ways plus foie gras parfait at WYLD. Call 970.343.1168 for reservations at WYLD.
- Thanksgiving at YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center offers families an easy, fun-filled mountain getaway with many activities for all ages. The holiday kicks off with the 11th Annual Turkey Trot 5K at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, followed by a delicious and affordable Thanksgiving Brunch with seating available from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Adults: $35/each; ages 6-12:$15/each; children under five eat for free. Call 970-586-3341 ext. 1083 for reservations.) The festive weekend continues with organized lawn games, holiday movies, and campfires with s’mores, in addition to ongoing activities such as archery lessons, arts and crafts, miniature golf, and the new indoor climbing wall at the beautiful Boone Mountain Family Center.
- At Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, the Thanksgiving weekend kicks off on Wednesday night with a classic movie night showing A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.On Thursday, grab the family for a 3.5k Turkey Trot and then enjoy the Turkey Tournament with Turkey Tag, Turkey Hunting, and pin the feather on the turkey plus enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixin’s and none of the work. Stay for the long weekend and get creative with holiday cookie decorating, Moose on the Loose (hike or snowshoe), plus snow painting, turkey flag football, Human Hungry Hungry Hippos and ornament decorating. Accommodations at Snow Mountain Ranch range from hotel style lodge rooms to cozy cabins to mega reunion cabins sleeping up to 40 guests. Beyond the Thanksgiving activities, guests can enjoy Nordic skiing, fat biking, sledding, indoor archery, indoor climbing wall, rollerskating, swimming and more.
