The Ultimate Guide To 2024 Thanksgiving Dining: 25+ Restaurants Confirmed Open On November 28th

Planning your Thanksgiving dinner for 2024 just got a whole lot easier. With Thanksgiving Day falling on Thursday, November 28, 2024, the demand for dining out or picking up a prepared holiday meal is higher than ever. Whether you are a traveler needing a quick bite, a family looking to skip the hours of cooking, or someone seeking a traditional, homestyle feast, numerous national and local restaurants kept their doors open to serve guests on this major holiday. This comprehensive guide, updated for the 2024 season, confirms the hours and menu details for the most popular chains, ensuring your holiday meal is stress-free.

The 2024 holiday season continued the trend of restaurants offering robust dine-in and takeout options, catering to every style of celebration. From classic turkey dinners at family-style chains to multi-course gourmet meals at upscale steakhouses, this list provides the definitive rundown of where you could find a hot meal on November 28, 2024.

The Confirmed Homestyle Heroes: Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving 2024

For many Americans, Thanksgiving means a classic, comforting, homestyle meal. The following major chains were confirmed to be open on Thanksgiving Day 2024, offering their traditional holiday menus and often their full regular menu as well. It is always wise to call your local branch to confirm specific hours, as franchise locations may vary.

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• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: The quintessential Thanksgiving destination, Cracker Barrel was open during its regular business hours (typically 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) on November 28, 2024. The traditional Thanksgiving meal, featuring Turkey N' Dressing, started being served at 11:00 a.m. They also offered their popular Heat n' Serve Holiday Family Meals and Feasts for those opting to dine at home.
• Bob Evans: Known for its "Farm Fresh" approach, Bob Evans was open on Thanksgiving 2024, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. They served their special Thanksgiving Platter, which includes slow-roasted turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and cranberry relish. They also offered the "Hot Holiday Family Meal" for takeout, a convenient option for a full family feast.
• Golden Corral: The buffet giant was a popular choice for families on Thanksgiving 2024, with most locations open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (hours varied by location). Their holiday buffet featured carved turkey, glazed ham, pork roast, and a massive selection of classic sides and desserts.
• Boston Market: A go-to for rotisserie chicken and pre-made meals, Boston Market offered individual Thanksgiving meals for dine-in and a variety of catering options, including whole turkeys and holiday sides for pickup.

24/7 Dining and Casual Chains Serving on November 28, 2024

Travelers, night-shift workers, and those who prefer an unconventional holiday meal had plenty of options, as several casual dining and 24-hour establishments remained open throughout Thanksgiving Day 2024.

The All-Day, All-Night Options

These chains are famous for their reliability, often operating on a 24-hour schedule, even on major holidays:

• Denny's: True to tradition, Denny's was open on Thanksgiving Day, often operating 24 hours a day. Guests could enjoy their regular all-day breakfast menu (pancakes, eggs, bacon) or opt for the seasonal Turkey & Dressing Dinner, which was available for dine-in or as a to-go bundle.
• Waffle House: A beacon for travelers, Waffle House is famous for never closing, and Thanksgiving 2024 was no exception. They served their full menu of waffles, hash browns, and breakfast favorites all day and night.

Casual Dining Restaurants with Holiday Specials

Many favorite casual dining spots opened their doors, often with a special holiday menu in addition to their regular offerings. These provided a great alternative for a group dinner:

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• Applebee's: While hours varied significantly by location (franchise-dependent), many Applebee’s restaurants were open for dine-in and offered a limited holiday menu.
• Red Lobster: A great choice for those seeking seafood instead of turkey, several Red Lobster locations were open on Thanksgiving 2024, offering their standard menu.
• Buca di Beppo: This Italian chain offered a special Thanksgiving feast, served family-style, which typically included sliced turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, and more, alongside their regular Italian menu.
• Bahama Breeze: For a tropical escape from the cold, select Bahama Breeze locations were open, offering a Caribbean-inspired holiday menu.
• Bravo Italian Kitchen & Brio Italian Grille: Both of these sister Italian restaurants offered traditional Thanksgiving meals with an Italian twist, available for both dine-in and takeout.

Upscale and Fine Dining Options for Thanksgiving Dinner 2024

For those looking for a more elegant, reservation-only experience, a number of upscale steakhouses and fine dining establishments offered multi-course Thanksgiving menus, taking the stress out of holiday preparation while elevating the dining experience. Making reservations well in advance was essential for these venues.

Steakhouses and Gourmet Meals

High-end restaurants often provide a special, fixed-price menu on Thanksgiving Day, combining holiday tradition with gourmet preparation.

• Morton's The Steakhouse: Morton's offered a four-course Thanksgiving meal for dine-in guests, featuring a blend of traditional holiday dishes and their signature steakhouse fare.
• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: Fleming's typically served a three-course Thanksgiving menu, which included a choice of turkey or a premium steak, along with classic sides and dessert.
• Capital Grille: Known for its upscale ambiance, Capital Grille offered a special Thanksgiving plate, though their locations typically required reservations weeks in advance.
• Black Angus Steakhouse: Open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Black Angus offered a limited menu that included a traditional turkey dinner.

The Rise of Takeout and Catering Options in 2024

A major trend in 2024 holiday dining was the continued popularity of "Thanksgiving Dinner To-Go" bundles. Restaurants like Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel, and Denny's heavily promoted their pre-cooked, chilled, or hot meal packages. This allowed families to enjoy a professionally prepared meal at home without the need for reservations or extensive cooking, perfectly bridging the gap between dining out and a home-cooked feast. This convenience factor addressed the growing demand for prepared Thanksgiving meals, especially for smaller gatherings or households with busy schedules.

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Tips for Dining Out on Thanksgiving Day 2024

Securing a spot at a restaurant on November 28, 2024, required a bit of foresight. Here are the key logistical tips for a smooth holiday dining experience:

1. Always Call Ahead to Confirm: While national chains often have standard policies, many locations are independently owned franchises (like Applebee's or McDonald's) or have local variations in hours due to staffing. Always call your specific location to confirm their Thanksgiving Day hours and menu.
2. Make Reservations Early: For any upscale or even mid-range restaurant (like Cracker Barrel or Bravo!), reservations or priority seating calls were crucial to avoid extremely long wait times.
3. Ask About the Menu: Many restaurants offer a limited holiday menu on Thanksgiving. If you're hoping for a specific item from their regular menu, confirm its availability before you go.
4. Check Takeout Deadlines: If you planned to order a Thanksgiving meal kit or bundle (like the Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel feasts), these often required ordering and pickup several days before November 28th.
5. Expect Surcharges: Some restaurants may impose a mandatory holiday surcharge or offer a fixed-price (prix-fixe) menu that is more expensive than their standard offerings.

Whether you were craving the classic comfort of a Bob Evans Turkey Platter, the convenience of a Denny's to-go bundle, or the elegance of a steakhouse meal, the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday offered a wealth of dining options to make the day memorable and delicious without the kitchen chaos.