Leave Thanksgiving to someone with a professional-grade kitchen—we rounded up catering, dine-in, and dessert specials for the holiday.
The Drake Hotel
Seatings available at 11:45 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. in the Gold Coast Ballroom for both Thanksgiving favorites and Drake signature items, such as crab cakes—the meal is $115 for adults and $50 for children (but those age five and younger are free). Live music all day, plus face painting and other activities for kids.
140 E. Walton Place, 312-932-4525.
Kanela
Their Thanksgiving Day brunch has seasonal specials like a pumpkin caramel waffle ($9), plus $18 bottomless mimosas with the purchase of food.
3231 N. Clark St., Lake View, 773-248-1622;
1552 N. Wells St., Old Town, 312-255-1206.
Goddess and Grocer
A la carte sides, stuffings, and whole turkeys are available, as well as a set menu for 12 people that includes all of the above plus pecan and pumpkin pies for $375. Place orders by Friday, November 22 at noon.
1646 N. Damen Ave., Bucktown, 773-342-3200;
25 E. Delaware Place, Gold Coast, 312-896-2600;
2222 N. Elston Ave., 773-292-7100;
901 N. Larrabee St., 312-988-9870.
Frontier
Whole smoked Amish turkeys will be available to go ($75 for a 15-pound bird, $95 for a 20-pounder), as will side dishes including cornbread stuffing and five-cheese macaroni. Reserve by Monday, November 24.
1072 N. Milwaukee, West Town, 773-772-4322.
Karyn’s on Green
Thanksgiving without the guilt (or bloat): Karyn’s on Green has two seatings available for their raw ($50) and cooked ($45) vegan menus—raw has a “turkey” loaf with walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and tomatoes; cooked has a tofu turkey roulade made with seitan, stuffing, sweet potato and kale. (The meal can also be ordered to go from Karyn’s Fresh Corner, 1901 N. Halsted St. by Saturday, November 23.) Reserve the sit-down meal by Thursday, November 21.
130 S. Green St., 312-266-6155.
Bistrot Margot
Turkey’s just one of the options for the French spot’s three-course prix-fixe ($34.95): you can go for steak frites, a lamb shank or another of the seven available entrees.
1437-39 N. Wells St., Old Town, 312-587-3660.
Acadia
The four-course menu ($65, wine pairings an additional $25) features a wild boar terrine with violet mustard, a turkey roulade, and a roasted apple with white cheddar and pecan ice cream for dessert. A children’s menu is available for $20.
1639 S. Wabash Ave., South Loop, 312-360-9500.
Eli’s Cheesecake
New for the holidays, the Wildflower Honey Mediterranean Cheesecake with Pistachios and Almonds uses honey harvested by student beekeepers from the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences (and a portion of the proceeds from it go to the school’s scholarship fund.)
6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive, elicheesecake.com.
Niche
Brined and roasted turkeys and full meals (including pureed Yukon Gold potatoes, cornbread and sausage stuffing, pies, and more) are available for pick-up for any size group. Reserve this by November 14.
14 S. Third St., Geneva, 630-262-1000.
Shaw’s Crab House
Both locations will have an all-day buffet running (in Schaumburg: $56 for adults, $12 for kids 12 and younger; in Chicago, $65 adults, $16 kids), with Thanksgiving standards plus a cold seafood bar with oysters and shrimp. It all benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
21 E. Hubbard, 312-527-2722;
1900 E. Higgins Rd., Schaumburg, 847-517-2722.
Seasons 52
In addition to their normal menu, they’ll have roasted turkey with gravy, stuffing, cranberry relish, butternut squash, and mashed potatoes ($25.95) for one day only—though Thanksgiving’s menu will exceed the restaurant’s normal caloric limits.
1770 Higgins Rd., Schaumburg, 847-517-5252.
Real Urban Barbecue
Their Thanksgiving Day Package for 10-12 people includes one whole Amish hickory-smoked 12-14-pound turkey plus sides, salads, biscuits, and an apple pie for $145—everything can also be ordered a la carte. Reserve by Tuesday, November 26 by calling a "Turkey Hotline" at 847-861-1190.
610 Central Ave #177, Highland Park, 224-770-4227;
1260 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills, 847-613-1227.
Prairie Grass Café
Prairie Grass’ “Thanksgiving To Go” keeps to the classics for their a la carte, take-home menu, with half ($60) and whole ($110) roasted turkeys plus pints and quarts of various sides. Or, opt to dine in—the set $49 menu starts with soup or salad, then follows with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, marshmallow-topped squash, and a choice of dessert. Reserve by Sunday, November 24.
601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433.
Vanille Patisserie
Nab one of Vanille’s pies: pumpkin with cinnamon whipped cream (pictured), apple with streusel topping, and pecan with chocolate cream are all on the menu, or go for Thanksgiving (and Hanukkah) cookies and petits fours. Place orders by Saturday, November 23.
2229 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-868-4574;
131 N. Clinton St., 312-575-9963.
Benny’s Chop House
Have Steaksgiving by ordering off of Benny’s standard menu, or opt for a set Thanksgiving menu for $34.99 per person with turkey breast and leg, potatoes, and your choice of two more sides. The restaurant is open from noon to 9 p.m.
444 N. Wabash Ave., Near North, 312-626-2444.
Shallots Bistro
Keep Thanksgivukkah Kosher—there are meat and dairy options available for their $79, five-course menu (it’s $35 for kids younger than 12.) Make a reservation for before 4 p.m. and the dinner price drops down to $65 for adults and $25 for kids.
7016 Carpenter Rd., Skokie, 847-677-3463.