Don't want to cook on Thanksgiving? Lots of Polk County places will do it for you

Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger
·6 min read
Bob Evans is offering Farmhouse Feasts for families to pick up the day before Thanksgiving.
Bob Evans is offering Farmhouse Feasts for families to pick up the day before Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day is a time to gather with family and friends over a meal and celebrate, but there's always the question of who is cooking this year's feast.

For those who want to avoid the stress and potential mess, there are plenty of options to dine out or order in Lakeland and across Polk County. Here's a list of dine-in and take-out options compiled by The Ledger:

Dine-In options

Bob Evans

Bob Evans, a national restaurant chain with locations in Davenport, Lakeland, Lake Wales and South Lakeland, is open on Thanksgiving Day for breakfast through dinner. Hours may vary via location, but a full holiday dinner menu is posted on the company’s website.

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is open for business on Thanksgiving Day, serving up a traditional holiday meal starting at 11 a.m. Guests are advised to use the restaurant's online wait list option, as locations can reach capacity and certain time slots may be unavailable.

Harborside

Harborside in Winter Haven is accepting reservations for its annual Thanksgiving three-course meal in addition to an a la carte menu for groups of two to 10 people from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The holiday menu will be served while supplies last, limited a la carte and children’s menu available all day.

Sizzling Grill 

Sizzling Grill in Lake Wales will be serving up a special holiday menu Thanksgiving Day until 6 p.m. The menu features a range of traditional options from roast turkey or chicken to lamb chops and filet mignon. There’s a full seafood menu and a children’s menu is available.

  • Address: 21400 U.S. 27, Lake Wales

  • Cost: Depends on dish ordered

  • Website: sizzlinggrillfl.com

  • Call: 863-676-4898

Terrace Grille at the Terrace Hotel 

The Terrace Hotel’s Terrace Grille will host its annual Thanksgiving Grand Buffet on Thanksgiving with four seating times: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. A credit card is required to hold the reservations but cancellations are allowed up to 72 hours before the event.

Takeout options

Bob Evans

Bob Evans restaurants offer the opportunity to pre-order several different Farmhouse Feast, serving  four to 10 people, additional side dishes or pies for dessert.

  • Locations: Four in Polk – Davenport, Lakeland, Lake Wales and South Lakeland

  • Website: www.bobevans.com/farmhouse-feast

  • Order by: While supplies last

  • Pick up: Available for delivery, curbside pick-up or take out

Cracker Barrel 

Cracker Barrel is offering a range of fully prepared Thanksgiving options that can be pre-ordered: a Heat ‘N Serve that feeds eight to 10 people or a Family Dinner serving four to six people. Pre-orders must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Elite Catering Company 

Elite Catering Company is offering hot, ready-to-eat Thanksgiving Dinner packages that will feed eight to 10 people at a price of $199. The package includes a choice of smoked ham or turkey (fried or smoked) as a main entrée with four side dishes, dinner rolls, sweet potato pies and choice of drink. There is the option to purchase just the main entrée ranging in cost from $59 to $69.

Fred’s Market 

Fred’s Market will be closed this Thanksgiving but is offering the option to pre-order a Family Holiday Feast, priced at $139.99, estimated to feed about eight people. It features a sliced, roasted turkey breast with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, corn pudding and more. A list of optional a la carte add-ons is available.

Nutwood  

Nutwood in Winter Haven is offering a Thanksgiving pick-up menu with the option of two main courses: a bone-in ham with maple glaze at $68 for 10 pounds or a heritage turkey brined and ready to cook with gravy, at $60 for 16-18 pounds. Traditional and Southern side dishes are available at $30 a piece with a selection of cakes and pies ranging from $20 to $32.

Polk City BBQ  

Polk City BBQ is offering a Thanksgiving Family Meal expected to feed eight to 10 people that features root beer glazed ham, smoked turkey and a choice of four side dishes with gravy and a dozen dinner rolls for $179.99. There’s the option to add additional dishes a la carte for an additional cost.

  • Website: www.polkcitybbq.com

  • Order by: Nov. 10

  • Pick up: Nov. 21, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., or Nov. 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Contact: 863-874-4740

Publix 

Publix Supermarkets has your family covered this Thanksgiving with a variety of full holiday meal options that feed from two up to 18 people, depending on the options chosen. Prices for fully catered dinners range from $49.99 to $139.99. The supermarket also offers a variety of side dishes and holiday desert that can be pre-ordered.

  • Website: publix.com 

  • Order by: At least two days in advance

  • Pick up: scheduled via website

4 Rivers Smokehouse  

One of Lakeland’s latest barbecue additions, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, is offering a menu of traditional holiday meats, a la cart side dishes and desserts to allow customers to assemble their own Thanksgiving feast. Main dishes include smoked turkey, boneless ham, angus brisket and smoked salmon.

Smokin’ Jim’s 

Smokin’ Jim’s House of Barbecue in Auburndale has the main entrée ready for your table. It’s offering an 8-pound turkey breast, 14- or 22-pound turkey and a ham for pick-up.

Is your restaurant open for Thanksgiving or your business offering a holiday catering menu? Contact swalsh@theledger.com to be added to the list.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: These Polk County shops will do the Thanksgiving cooking for you