I’m going to be honest: I’ve never cooked a turkey. I’ve observed, I’ve made some sides, I’ve brought a pie, I’ve looked very involved in an apron while someone’s mom talked about brine and basting or whatever… and I have been lucky enough my whole life to have had family to celebrate and be grateful with (and for). But thanks to COVID, gatherings outside our household are off the table (so to speak), and it turns out I’m someone’s mom. Based on how this year is going, however, 2020 is no time to learn to cook a turkey. I’m not even sorry.

 

If you’re anything like us, your Thanksgiving will look very different, and may be much smaller. Like us, it may even be the first time you’re having it in your own home. But despite the differences, it is still a time to be grateful for what we do have—and to send love to family over Zoom, and be grateful that 2020 is almost over.

 

Luckily, there are so many fabulous Philly restaurants out there planning for this inevitability, and with a little planning (and advance orders) your Thanksgiving will be delicious, warm, and you can save yourself a whole lot of stress! Here are just some great picks around town. Happy Thanksgiving!

Garces Events Thanksgiving Dinner

Pickup at The Olde Bar, 125 Walnut St.

Order by November 21

 

Garces Events serves up a Thanksgiving feast with turkey and all the trimmings, including turkey, challah bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, salad, green bean casserole, and much more. The package for two is $95; add $60 for each additional guest. While the prix fixe package includes one piece of pie per person, you can also buy additional whole pies at $18 each. Order by November 21, and pickup at The Olde Bar on November 25.

Devil’s Alley

1907 Chestnut St.

Dine in from 2:30 —8 pm on November 26; same-day delivery and takeout also available

 

Devil’s Alley has an annual tradition of “Mama Devil’s Holiday Dinner,” a three-course prix fixe dinner with classics like butternut squash soup, macaroni and cheese, turkey, pie, and more. $45 per adult and $20 per child (minus the soup) for a dine-in three-course meal. Delivery is also available through Doordash and Grub Hub—orders must be placed that day – but be sure to leave extra time for delivery. Otherwise for pick-up, order through the Devil’s Alley website. Cocktails to-go are also available for pickup!

Panorama

14 N. Front Street

Order by November 22

 

Panorama will offer a complete and ready- to-heat Thanksgiving dinner to go. Chef Matthew Gentile has adapted traditional dishes with his signature Italian influences, for a memorable and unique Thanksgiving feast.  So, in addition to the traditional turkey, cranberries, and chestnut and fig stuffing, you can also get eggplant parmigiana, focaccia, and more. The meal comes prepared sliced and ready to just heat and serve. Orders must be placed by day’s end on Sunday, November 22, and will be ready for curbside pickup on Wednesday, November 25 from noon—6 pm. Minimum order size is for four people, at $200, plus tax; additional orders are $50  plus tax per person.

El Camino Real

1040 N. Second St.

Order by November 23

 

El Camino offers a lot of flexibility. You can just do an entire turkey (with gravy and cranberry) for $85 if you want to tackle the sides yourself or add a la carte sides (stuffing, potatoes, etc.) for $25 each. They also have all-inclusive packages that include turkey, sides, biscuits, vegetables, and pie for two, four, or even 8-10 people. You can also go with a Buttermilk Southern Fried Turkey in place of a traditional roasted one, because why not?  Additional pies can be ordered for $20 each. Order by November 23, and pickup on November 25.

 

Urban Farmer at the Logan Hotel

1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Urban Farmer is offering its Thanksgiving to-go menu again this year, boasting a full spread of holiday favorites such as a 12-14 pound turkey, house-made cranberry sauce, red bliss smashed potatoes, house-made gravy, roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted carrots, house-made cornbread and guests’ choice of pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie. Urban Farmer’s package is $180 and serves 4-6 people. All orders can be picked up on Thanksgiving Day from noon—3 pm.

Iron Hill Brewery

1150 Market St.

Order by November 25

 

Iron Hill will be offering a no-fuss, traditional Thanksgiving meal to-go for $50. The pre-cooked meal bundles serve four and include oven-roasted turkey, sausage and sage stuffing, buttery Yukon smashed potatoes, and fresh green beans with bacon and grilled onions. Guests who purchase a Thanksgiving dinner before November 18 will be given the option to purchase a pie for the reduced price of $5. Iron Hill is donating $2 to No Kid Hungry for every to-go Thanksgiving meal sold through November 25, to ensure every child gets the nutritious food they need, every day.

Rex 1516

1516 South St.

Order by November 23

 

For a Southern twist on Thanksgiving, Rex 1516 is going all out with a menu of Buttermilk Biscuits, Chanterelle and Green Bean Strudel, Smoked Brisket Shells and Cheese, Andouille and Cornbread Stuffing, Smoked Turkey Roulade, and Sweet Potato Pie. Thanksgiving dinner to-go is $120 for two people and $230 for four. You can also add on to-go cocktails! 1516 is taking pre-orders now through November 23 for pick up on Wednesday, November 25.

Di Bruno Brothers

1730 Chestnut St. and 930 S. Ninth St.

Order by November 20

 

A package for six people includes butternut squash soup, rolls, cranberries, stuffing, sides, pie, and your choice of entrees—you can get a whole turkey or other meats. Add on more sides, appetizers, wine, and even flowers! Order by November 20 and pickup on November 25 in Rittenhouse or the Italian Market. If you’re late to order a whole package, chances are you can find some a la carte items in the Rittenhouse location’s prepared food section and bakery, so don’t give up!

 Vegan Option: P.S. & Co.

1706 Locust St.

Order by November 20

 

If you’re looking for a plant-based option, P.S. & Co. has a vegan Thanksgiving Feast including Shepherd’s Pie, biscuits, cranberry compote, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and more. The entire package serves four to six people for $325, or you can select your own dishes a la carte. They also have vegan Thanksgiving desserts, of course, like pumpkin pie, apple cobbler, and more. Order by November 20 with the option to pickup on November 24, 25, or 26 from 10 am—1 pm. Delivery will be available within 20 miles as well—details online.

 

Lead photograph courtesy of Garces Events and Aversa PR.