With COVID cases spiking in Ohio and across the country, Thanksgiving is definitely going to be different this year — whether or not you make it a masked-up, socially distant extended family affair or go with a turkey-and-stuffing feast with your core bubble.
And local restaurants are trying to lessen the stress of an already stressful holiday...during a pandemic...by offering various full Thanksgiving dinners to-go.
Here are a few:
Bouquet Restaurant
Serves: 4-6 people // Costs: $100; upcharge for wine pairings // Order: Orders can be placed by calling the restaurant at 859-491-7777 and must be placed by Nov. 20.
Bring Thanksgiving home with a specially crafted take-home meal from award-winning Bouquet Restaurant. Chef Stephen Williams’ Thanksgiving Dinner Package features a 5-pound Joyce Farms roasted duck, stuffing, Brussels sprouts and gravy. The restaurant is also offering suggested wine pairings available for purchase by the bottle. The package feeds 4-6 people for $100 (wine additional). More info: facebook.com/bouquet519.
Crown Republic Gastropub
Serves: 4-6 or 6-8 // Costs: $70-$75 // Order: docs.google.com before Nov. 20
The Thanksgiving Meal Kit from Crown Republic Gastropub offers three meal options. At $70 and serving 4-6, the first is a pork loin with maple mustard glaze alongside garlic mashed potatoes and honey-roasted carrots. The second option feeds 4-6 for $75 and features the traditional smoked turkey with gravy and mashed potatoes. For a larger party of 6-8, try the lasagna bolognese for $75. All three come with a pint of cookie dough and a kale and celery Caesar salad. Order before Nov. 20 using the google form linked on the homepage of crownrepublicgastropub.com. Orders will be available for pickup Wednesday, Nov. 25. Staff will call and collect payment before pick-up date. More info: crownrepublicgastropub.com.
deSha’s
Serves/Costs: Price per person; $22-$32 // Order: 513-247-9933
deSha’s is offering a Thanksgiving carry-out menu from its chef Thom Milliken. The first of two mains is a turkey dinner for $22 with roasted turkey, gravy and sage dressing; redskin mashed potatoes; green beans; and cranberry-mandarin orange relish. The second option is a prime rib dinner with au jus mushroom caps, horseradish and mashed potatoes. Choose between a 10-ounce portion for $28 or a 14-ounce portion for $32. Each meal serves one adult. For kids, desha’s provides a customizable $12 menu. Order additional sides such as shrimp cocktail, crab-stuffed mushrooms, soups and salads, or desserts to top off your Thanksgiving spread. Carry-out pre-orders can be placed by calling 513-247-9933. More info: facebook.com/deShasCincinnati.
Forno
Serves: 6-8 // Costs: $179 // Order: Call 513-231-5555 for the Montgomery location and 513-818-8720 for Hyde Park
Forno's "Everything but the Turkey" dinner feeds 6-8 people; and, as the name suggests, all you need to do is purchase and cook your own turkey. The pick-up package includes a variety of sides and dessert. For $179, you get shrimp cocktail, potato puree, butternut squash soup, honey-glazed baby carrots, cauliflower gratin, truffled cream corn, oven-baked penne alla vodka, a baguette from Allez bakery and panettone bread pudding with bourbon-soaked golden raisins. The meal is available at both the Montgomery and Hyde Park locations. All you need to do is order, pick it up Wednesday, Nov. 25 between 2-6 p.m. and heat. More info: facebook.com/fornoosteriabar.
Golden Lamb
Serves: 4-6 people // Costs: $139 plus $69 upcharge for Chateau Briand // Order: goldenlamb.com
The Golden Lamb is still serving its famous Thanksgiving day feast in the restaurant (reservations required), but they are also offering a special Thanksgiving Take & Bake. The menu includes sauerkraut balls, a romaine wedge salad, slow-roasted turkey breast, turkey gravy, herb-cheese mashed potatoes, sage-sausage and apple stuffing, fall vegetable succotash, chutney, yeast rolls and a whole pumpkin pie. The dinner serves 4-6 adults and costs $139. You can also add on a 24-ounce Chateau Briand for $69. Pick-up is available 1-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 or Wednesday, Nov. 25. More info: goldenlamb.com.
Goose & Elder
Serves: 6 // Costs: $125 // Order: Call 513-579-8400 to pre-order
Chef Jose Salazar's Findlay Market eatery Goose & Elder is offering a version of Thanksgiving take-out. Dinner includes a choice of entree, dessert and sides. The dinner feeds 6 and you get your choice of sous vide turkey breast or mushroom and spinach lasagna as a main; all of these sides — buttermilk biscuits, garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, chicken gravy, country-style beans, turkey stuffing and a simple salad; plus a choice of dessert: either chocolate cake with caramel or creme brulee with fresh fruit. More info: gooseandelder.com.
Governor Diner
Serves: Each dish serves 4-6 people // Costs: A la carte // Order: Call 513-239-8298 to pre-order before Monday, Nov. 23
Milford's Governor Diner is offering a slew of Thanksgiving sides and specials for you to take home; all you need to do is provide the turkey. Items are priced a la carte and include stuffing ($22), mac and cheese ($22 or $40 with lobster), a quart of smoked turkey leg gravy ($15) and more, plus desserts from Mama B's and jarred holiday cocktails. More info: facebook.com/thegovernordiner.
Grande Finale
Serves: 2 // Costs: $58 // Order: Call 513-771-5925 before Sunday, Nov. 22
This Thanksgiving, Grand Finale is serving a traditional turkey feast for two featuring turkey breasts, sage dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, green beans and carrots, a house salad, and a side of mashed potatoes or candied sweet potatoes. Save room for pie, cheesecake, white chocolate mousse or bread pudding. The dinner for two costs $58 dollars with a special offer of 20% off wines priced at $50 and below. Call 513-771-5925 to order. Orders must be placed on or before Sunday, Nov. 22 and picked up between 1-5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. More info: grandfinale.info.
Ivory House
Serves: 8-12 // Costs: $150 // Order: toasttab.com/ivoryhousecincy
Ivory House in Westwood is offering a Thanksgiving meal featuring turkey and four sides of your choosing. The heat-and-eat meal feeds 8 to 12 with a 12 to 14-pound turkey, plus cranberry relish, rolls, your choice of mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, savory stuffing, green bean almondine casserole, candied yams, corn on the cob or creamed corn. You can also select a whole pumpkin or apple pie. Pick-up is available 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 25. More info: ivoryhousecincy.com.
Jag's Steak & Seafood
Serves: 4 // Costs: $100 // Order: jagsstore.securetree.com
Chef Michelle has crafted a family meal for four featuring roasted turkey breast, turkey gravy, herb cranberry stuffing, green bean casserole, roasted carrots, garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry chutney, pumpkin pie and whipped butter. All you need to do is heat and eat. The meal serves 4 and needs to be picked up between 2 and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. More info: jagsstore.securetree.com.
Jeff Ruby's
Serves: 6-8 people // Costs: $300 // Order: Call 513-762-0190; amounts are limited
UPDATE: These are now sold out.
The eatery is now taking pre-orders for their Thanksgiving meal kits, which are precooked and prepared — all you have to do is warm them up on the stove and/or in the oven. The kits serve 6-8 guests and come with: a 14-16 pound fresh pre-brined Heritage Breed Turkey with seasoned butter, herbs and roasting veggies; smoked turkey gravy; salted rye dressing; 80 Acres salad with beets, fall fruit, spiced walnuts and bleu cheese; creamy mashed potatoes; bourbon and brown sugar-glazed sweet potatoes; Jeff Ruby-style green bean casserole; cranberry-ginger chutney; sweet potato butter pie with pumpkin seed crumble and cranberry-orange sauce; Sixteen Bricks bread box; and Jeff Ruby's truffle mushroom butter. The meals are priced at $300 and limited. More info: Place your pre-order by calling 513-762-0190 and pick up Thanksgiving week.
Lucius Q
Serves: Between 10 and 22 // Costs: $120-$175 // Order:luciusq.com/thanksgiving
Barbecue joint Lucius Q is providing fresh Thanksgiving turkeys for Cincinnatians from the Avril-Bleh Meat Market and smoked in-house. A whole bird is $120 or an order of whole breast is $75. Choose from corn bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, queso corn, and Broccoli casserole (or all four) to make it a full meal. For dessert, take home a chess or pecan pie. Order online at lucuisq.com/thanksgiving. Meal pickup is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. More info: luciusq.com/thanksgiving.
Metropole
Serves: 2-10 // Costs: $125 for a half turkey (serves 2-4) or $240 for a whole turkey (serves 6-10) // Order: metropoleonwalnut.com/thanksgiving-to-go by 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22
Metropole's Thanksgiving to-go menu — from new chef Vanessa Miller — includes a turkey (half or whole), house rolls, salted honey butter, cranberry sauce, gravy, a choice of two sides and a choice of pie. You can also order additional items a la carte. Side options include stewed local collards, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, shaved Brussels sprouts salad or brioche stuffing, and pie choices are either pumpkin, apple or bourbon pecan. Orders must be received by 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 and can be picked up the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of Thanksgiving week. More info: metropoleonwalnut.com.
National Exemplar
Serves: 4-12 // Costs: $100 for 4 servings; $175 for 8 servings; $250 for 12 servings // Order: Call 513-271-2103 to place order by Monday, Nov. 16
The 2020 Thanksgiving take-and-bake menu from National Exemplar includes three sizes to accommodate a variety of family gatherings. Each order includes sliced turkey breast with gravy and cranberry orange relish, stuffing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, rolls and a pecan or pumpkin pie. For extra sides, try the Hungarian mushroom soup, sweet potato casserole, homemade whipped cream, or charcuterie platter. Pricing ranges between $100 and $250, depending on meal size. Call 513-271-2103 to place order by Monday, November 16. Pick-up is on Wednesday, November 25, between noon and 6 p.m. Curbside or contactless pickup accommodations available. More info: nationalexemplar.com.
Prime Cincinnati
Serves: 2-4 // Costs: $90 for 2 and $170 for 4 // Order: Pre-orders at .toasttab.com/prime-cincinnati
Downtown's Prime steakhouse is offering two different Thanksgiving options: a meal for 2 or a meal for 4. Dinner for two includes a Joyce Farms turkey and Berkshire ham, shallot mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, cornbread apple sausage stuffing, Brussels sprout casserole and Grand Marnier cranberry sauce. Pick two desserts: apple pie, pumpkin pie or pecan pie. For the party of 4, you get the same mains and sides, but you can pick four desserts. Items are also available a la carte. Pre-orders are being accepted online. More info: primecincinnati.com.
S.W. Clyborne Co.
Serves: 4-6 adults // Costs: $129.99 // Order: clybornes.com/thanksgiving by Thursday, Nov. 19
Mason's S.W. Clyborne Co. is offering a Thanksgiving take-and-bake meal kits to serve 4-6 adults. It costs $129.99 and includes a boneless turkey breast (ready for roasting), oven-ready stuffing and other items that just need to be reheated, including mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, cranberry relish, a green salad, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie. Suggested wine pairings are available. Orders need to be placed by Thursday, Nov. 19 and curbside pick-up is available Nov. 25. More info: clybornes.com/thanksgiving.
Salazar
Serves/Cost: $30 per person // Order: Call 513-621-6000 to pre-order
Salazar is offering a prix-fixe menu for carry-out with some favorite Thanksgiving hits. The meal is priced per person with a menu that includes roasted turkey (white, dark or mixed); turkey gravy; dinner rolls; a farm greens salad; a choice of three sides — green beans with mushroom gravy and crispy pickled onions, artisan bread stuffing, sweet corn pudding, roasted Brussels sprouts, potato puree, honey-butter roasted carrots or roasted sweet potatoes; and a choice of dessert, either pumpkin cheesecake with candied walnuts or chocolate pots de creme with peanuts and vanilla whip. More info: salazarcincinnati.com.
