Dining in or getting takeout: These restaurants can help with your Thanksgiving meal

If the thought of making your meal for Thanksgiving is just too daunting, you can look to these restaurants in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties. They're offering you a chance to order ahead and pick up dishes to take home, or they have special menus and dine-in hours for the holiday.

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Order ahead and pick up

8207 NOMA: In Porters Neck, this gourmet food business is taking orders through Nov. 16 for items like turkey breast by the pound, quiches, pies, and extras like chive and cheddar biscuits, tomato pie, and lobster mac-and-cheese. Pick up is Nov. 22-23. Details: 8207 Market St., Wilmington, www.8207noma.com.

Calabash Deli:  This classic deli is accepting orders for small, medium and large Thanksgiving dinners to go. You can also order extra sides, breads and pies. Details: At 9929 Beach Drive S. W., Calabash, calabashdeli.com

Cast Iron Kitchen: This restaurant is once again offering a pre-order menu for Thanksgiving. It includes a choice of protein, with sides, extras and optional add-ons. Pricing is based on group size, from two to 14 people. Orders need to be placed by Nov. 18. Details: 8024 Market St., Wilmington, www.castiron-kitchen.com.

CraftGrown Market: This new market on Castle Street is accepting pre-orders for heritage turkey, holiday breads (both savory and sweet), and Thanksgiving pies (pumpkin, apple, pecan, sweet potato, chocolate meringue and lemon meringue), Details: 603 Castle St., Wilmington, http://craftgrownmarket.com.

Gourmet to Go & Catered Affairs: Order ahead for pick up or delivery at this Southport favorite. Their holiday menu is available for online ordering and includes ham or turkey as well as sides. Round out the meal with extras like butternut apple bisque, bourbon meatballs and whole pies. Orders need to be placed and paid for by Nov. 14. Details: At 105 W. St. George St., Southport , https://gourmettogosouthport.com.

Junction 421: The popular "Turkey to Trot" meal is back at this Monkey Junction restaurant. It promises a stress-free meal for four that can be picked up on Nov. 24. It includes turkey or ham with a choice of three sides (like cornbread dressing, autumn salad and a dessert option of pumpkin creme brulee. Details: 5104 S. College Road, Wilmington, junction421.com.

Panacea Brewing Company: You can add some vegan dishes to your holiday table at this Wilmington business. Options include entrees like lentil-and-oat loaf with homemade gravy and tofu quiche, as well as sides such as sweet potato casserole and mac and cheese. Orders accepted through Nov. 20. Details: 4107 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, www.panaceabrewingcompany.com.

Pine Valley Market: This Wilmington favorite often quickly fills their holiday pre-orders. This year's menu includes fully cooked turkeys and turkey breasts, and sides like sweet potato souffle, cider-glazed Brussels sprouts, and gluten-free gravy, as well as desserts. Thanksgiving plates with all the fixings are also available for smaller groups. Details: 3520 S. College Road, Wilmington, www.pinevalleymarket.com.

The Purple Onion Café: This popular restaurant in Shallotte is once again offering its Thanksgiving Reheat & Serve menu for this holiday Details: 4647 Main St., Shallotte, www.purpleonioncafe.com.

SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar: In Carolina Beach, you can order complete holiday meals though Nov. 20 for pick up on Nov. 23. The package can feed 6-8 and includes a 10–14-pound turkey and sides and extras like gravy, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. Details: 227 Carolina Beach Ave. N., Carolina Beach, https://seawitchtikibar.com.

Shagger Jacks: You can “Create Your Own Thanksgiving Meal” at this restaurant with a special selection of a la carte dishes that feed 6-8 people and include turkey, ham, two kinds of dressing, crawfish mac-and-cheese, creamy gouda potatoes, pies, and more. Orders need to be placed by Nov. 19. Details: 8004 E. Oak Island Drive in Oak Island, shaggerjacksoki.com.

Spoonfed Kitchen & Bakeshop: Near Wrightsville Beach, this cafe and catering shop has posted a menu for the holiday that includes quiches, tea breads, sides, appetizers, desserts, and vegetarian entrees. Orders must be placed by Nov. 19 for pick up on Nov. 23. Details: 1930 Eastwood Road near Wrightsville Beach is, spoonfedkitchen.com.

Streat Side: In Southport, you can get some help for Thanksgiving with the help of this catering company. They are accepting orders through Nov. 20 for Roasted Tomato Soup with Crab and Jalapeno, and Sausage, Corn and Potato Chowder. Details:  524 N Howe St., Southport, 910-363-4113.

Sugar Island: This bake shop in Surf City is accepting orders for pies, sweets, sides, and hostess gifts. Details: 206 N Topsail Dr, Surf City, https://sugarislandnc.com.

Open on Thanksgiving

Blockade Runner Beach Resort: EAST, the onsite restaurant at this Wrightsville Beach resort, is well known for putting on delicious holiday meals. Their Thanksgiving Grand Buffett menu includes a nine-item seafood station, a carving station with prime rib, turkey, pork and whole fish, and a selection of salads, sides and desserts that includes vegan and gluten-free options. Reservations are 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Details: 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach, https://blockade-runner.com/dining-br.

Chance's Steak and Sea: In Shallotte, you can make reservations for this holiday buffet that will have multiple carving stations and scratch-made sides. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Details: 4690 East Coast Lane, Shallotte, http://chancessteakandsea.com.

Front Street Brewery: Downtown's original brewery is now accepting reservations for its Tap Room, where they'll be serving turkey dinner plates with mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Pumpkin pie is also available for dessert. Details: 9 N. Front St., Wilmington, www.frontstreetbrewery.com.

PinPoint Restaurant: This Market Street restaurant is preparing for its fourth annual Thanksgiving service. It's an all-inclusive menu that includes turkey, persimmon-glazed ham, mac and cheese, collard greens, as well as more sides, cranberry sauce and gravy, and dessert. Hours are 12:30-6:30 p.m. Details: 114 Market St., Wilmington, pinpointrestaurant.com.

Ports of Call: In Southport, this popular restaurant is accepting reservations for a dine-in, four-course meal from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It includes soup (butternut and rum bisque), salad, choice of a ham or turkey entrée, and dessert. Details: 16 N. Howe St., Southport, www.portsofcallbistro.com.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: You can dine in or take home at this newly renovated restaurant. The in-house menu offers a choice of starter, a turkey-and-stuffing entrée with a choice of side, and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Details: 301 N. Water St., Wilmington, www.ruthschris.com.

Salt64: This new restaurant in Oak Island will be open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 24 serving a buffet-style meal. Reservations are required. Details: 6404 E Oak Island Dr., Oak Island, https://salt64.com.

Steam Restaurant & Bar: With a view of the Cape Fear River, this restaurant has become a holiday favorite. This year, they're open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 24. Details: At 9 Estell Lee Place, Wilmington, www.steamrestaurantilm.com.

Sweet N Savory Café: Reserve your spot for this family-style meal that includes 20 or so items from sides to desserts. Hours are 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. You can also order Thanksgiving packages that feed 6-8 people to bring home. Details: 1611 Pavilion Place near Wrightsville Beach, sweetnsavory.cafe.

unWINEd: This wine bar and beer garden in Surf City, and its neighboring business, Daily Grind, will be open Thanksgiving Day serving a regular menu with live music. Details: 114 N Topsail Dr, Surf City, www.unwinedsurfcity.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner