Stop stressing over the turkey! With Thanksgiving Day 2025 (Thursday, November 27) quickly approaching, the demand for stress-free holiday dining is higher than ever, and a surprising number of national restaurant chains are stepping up to offer everything from classic dine-in turkey dinners to full, heat-and-serve takeout feasts. As of today, December 10, 2025, major chains have already announced their holiday plans, making it easier than ever to book a table or order a complete meal for pickup, saving you hours of kitchen time and ensuring a delicious, traditional, or even Italian-American holiday spread.
Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly plate, an upscale steakhouse experience, or a family-style bundle to feed a large gathering at home, this comprehensive guide provides the freshest details on hours, menu highlights, and pricing for the top restaurants open on the holiday. Securing your spot or meal requires immediate action, as reservations and pre-orders for these coveted Thanksgiving dinner deals fill up fast.
Thanksgiving 2025 Restaurant Entity Guide: Key Chains & Offerings
The landscape of holiday dining options has dramatically expanded, with restaurants offering flexible solutions that cater to every type of celebration. From all-day breakfast spots to traditional family dining, here is a detailed breakdown of the most popular national chains open on Thanksgiving Day 2025, focusing on their unique offerings and essential reservation policies.
- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: The undisputed champion of traditional, hassle-free Thanksgiving. They offer both a dine-in Homestyle Turkey N' Dressing Meal and several takeout Thanksgiving meals. The most popular option is the Heat n' Serve Feast, which feeds 8-10 people and typically costs around $139.99, featuring two oven-roasted turkey breasts, cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, and cranberry relish. They also offer a smaller Family Dinner for 4-6 people ($75-$90) and individual plates ($17-$20). Pre-ordering the Cracker Barrel Heat n' Serve is mandatory.
- Maggiano's Little Italy: For those seeking a delicious twist, Maggiano's offers a special Family-Style menu that blends traditional Thanksgiving comfort food with classic Italian-American cuisine. Their menu often includes Traditional Roasted Turkey, Butternut Squash, and their famous pastas. Individual plates range from $15 to $20, while family-style bundles may cost between $60 and $80, depending on size. Reservations for dine-in are highly recommended.
- Denny's: A reliable, 24/7 option for many locations, Denny's is open all day on Thanksgiving. They offer their seasonal Holiday Turkey Dinner plate, which includes sliced turkey breast, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. They also offer a Holiday Turkey Dinner Bundle for carryout. Hours typically run from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM, but many remain open 24 hours.
- IHOP: Known for their all-day breakfast, IHOP remains open on Thanksgiving Day, offering their full menu, which often includes a special holiday turkey offering. Hours are typically standard, but check your local restaurant.
- Bob Evans: Similar to Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans is a go-to for a classic, family-friendly Thanksgiving restaurant experience. They offer both dine-in meals and Farmhouse Feasts for carryout, which are complete, chilled meals you simply heat and serve at home.
- Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: For an upscale dining experience, Perry's offers a special three-course menu on Thanksgiving Day, often priced around $49 per person, available from 11 am to 9 pm. This is a top choice for those looking to avoid a casual setting.
- Buca di Beppo: Continuing the Italian-American theme, Buca di Beppo offers a traditional Thanksgiving meal served family-style, perfect for large groups who want a communal dining experience without the cooking.
- Golden Corral: A popular choice for a buffet-style holiday meal, Golden Corral is typically open on Thanksgiving, offering a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional dishes at a fixed price.
The Rise of Takeout Thanksgiving Meals: Feasts to Go
The trend of ordering a complete takeout Thanksgiving meal has exploded, offering a perfect middle ground between dining out and cooking from scratch. These "Heat n' Serve" or "Carryout" options are ideal for hosts who want a high-quality, pre-cooked traditional feast but prefer to eat in the comfort of their own home. This service is a game-changer for reducing holiday stress.
The key to securing one of these is understanding the pre-order and pickup windows. Most chains require you to order weeks in advance and schedule a pickup time on the Tuesday or Wednesday before the holiday, as few offer pickup on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Comparing Top Takeout Thanksgiving Feasts (2025 Projections)
When choosing a takeout option, you must consider the meal size, the contents, and the heating time. Here is a comparison of the top choices based on recent holiday offerings:
- Cracker Barrel Heat n' Serve Feast: Feeds 8-10. Includes two turkey breasts, dressing, gravy, and relish. Requires approximately two hours of heating time. This is the best option for a large, traditional meal that is nearly identical to what you would cook yourself.
- Bob Evans Farmhouse Feast: Offers multiple sizes, often feeding 4-8 or 8-12. Features a slow-roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pie. It is a complete, chilled meal that typically requires a longer heating time than Cracker Barrel’s, but offers a full spread.
- Denny's Holiday Turkey Dinner Bundle: A great choice for smaller groups or a single person, offering a complete meal with all the classic sides, available for carryout.
- Boston Market: Known for its A La Carte options and full meals, Boston Market allows you to customize your order, choosing from whole roasted turkeys, spiral-sliced hams, and a wide selection of side dishes Thanksgiving, including mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and creamed spinach.
For those living in metropolitan areas, local entities like Chompie's ($29.99 per person for dine-in or to-go) and Kona Grill also offer convenient takeout and delivery menus, expanding your options beyond the major chains.
Budget-Friendly & Fast-Food Options for Thanksgiving Day
Not every Thanksgiving meal needs to be a formal turkey dinner. For travelers, shift workers, or those simply looking for a quick, budget-friendly option, many fast-food and casual chains remain open, often with slightly reduced hours.
These establishments offer a crucial service, ensuring that food is available even on a major national holiday. While they may not offer a traditional traditional roasted turkey, they provide reliable and convenient meals.
Fast-Food and Casual Chains Open on Thanksgiving 2025:
- Fast Food: McDonald's, Popeyes, Wendy's, Arby's, Burger King. Many fast-food locations are independently owned, so hours will vary significantly. Always call ahead.
- Casual Dining & Dessert: Applebee's, The Cheesecake Factory, Baskin-Robbins, White Castle, Buffalo Wild Wings. These offer varied menus, from full meals to late-night snacks and holiday desserts.
Critical Tips for Securing Your Thanksgiving Reservation
Planning is paramount for Thanksgiving dining. Given the high demand for festive menus, especially at popular spots like Maggiano's and Cracker Barrel, a proactive approach is necessary to avoid disappointment.
1. Book Early: For any sit-down restaurant, including Perry's Steakhouse and Buca di Beppo, make reservations as soon as the restaurant announces its holiday plans. For 2025, this is typically in late September or early October. Many high-end locations require a credit card deposit to hold the table.
2. Pre-Order Takeout Immediately: The window for Cracker Barrel Heat n' Serve and Bob Evans Farmhouse Feasts closes quickly, often a week or more before Thanksgiving. Check the official websites for the exact cutoff date and secure your pre-order.
3. Confirm Local Hours: While national chains like Denny's and IHOP are generally open, individual franchise locations may choose to close or operate on reduced hours. Always call your specific local restaurant to confirm their Thanksgiving hours before driving there.
4. Understand the Menu: Many restaurants switch to a limited, fixed-price holiday menu on Thanksgiving Day. Do not expect the full regular menu to be available. Review the special holiday dining menu online to ensure it meets your family's needs before committing to a reservation or order.
By planning ahead and utilizing the diverse Thanksgiving restaurant dining options available for 2025, you can ensure a delicious, stress-free holiday, whether you prefer to dine out or enjoy a chef-prepared meal at home.
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