Many High Desert residents plan to eat out, order food on Thanksgiving Day

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·4 min read
With Thanksgiving Day nearly upon us, many High Desert residents will turn to restaurants to supply their holiday meal.
With Thanksgiving Day nearly upon us, many High Desert residents will turn to restaurants to supply their holiday meal.

Eric Moreno will join millions of Americans who plan to have a restaurant supply their Thanksgiving meal.

A family tradition for the last 20 years, Moreno and his family will celebrate the Turkey Day around a table at Denny’s, then catch a movie.

“My birthday always falls close to Thanksgiving," Moreno said. "Everyone in the extended family wants to be home with their families and not travel. We’ve hosted a shindig on Saturday after Thanksgiving.”

New mom, Tessa Schutz, who gave birth earlier this month, said she’s thinking about ordering a small take-out Thanksgiving dinner.

“It will just be the three of us this year," she said.

Amy Wendell admitted that she “hates cooking” and dealing with a house full of people, which is why she and her husband, Art, will be eating Thanksgiving dinner at Sizzler in Hesperia.

“After our kids moved out of state, we decided to start eating out,” said Amy, who lives in Victorville. “Last year, we ate at Denny’s. This year, we’ll order turkey with all the fixings at Sizzler.”

Others told the Daily Press that they’ll eat their holiday dinner at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Victorville or Golden Corral in Hesperia.

On the road

Some said they’ll eat their meal at an amusement park, or a resort, while camping or will skip it altogether.

Russ and Barbara Little said they’ll eat Thanksgiving dinner at a beach resort near the Colorado River.

“The Emerald Cove RV resort is doing Thanksgiving dinner for everyone in the park," Barbara said. "I won’t be cooking at all, which seems very weird to me but I’ll take it."

Valerie Forker said she and her family will spend the holiday at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park.

“It’s a fun change of pace and they have holiday cooking,” the Apple Valley woman said. “The other bonus is no cooking and no clean up.”

Ordering and eating out

A recent survey by Popmenu revealed that this year, half of all Americans will order from, or dine at a restaurant for Thanksgiving.

Inspired by convenience and cost savings, 32% of survey respondents plan to order takeout/delivery for Thanksgiving dinner this year, while 17% plan to dine in person at a restaurant, the survey found.

Consumers under the age of 35 are the most likely to lean on restaurants with 42% planning to order takeout/delivery and 20% planning to dine on-site.

Top reasons to eat out on Thanksgiving:

  • 64% said it's just easier

  • 35% don't feel like cooking

  • 35% prefer professionally cooked food

  • 24% estimate that it's cheaper to order from restaurants than to buy all the ingredients needed to cook Thanksgiving dinner.

What’s on the menu?

While turkey is still the star of the main course meal for 77% of survey respondents, some will turn to other options such as:

  • 42% - ham

  • 27% - steak

  • 27% - fish

  • 20% - vegetarian options

Restaurants open Thanksgiving Day

Based on company press releases and social media posts, here is a list of some restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day.

Call ahead to verify offers and hours of operation.

  • Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will serve a traditional Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressing Meal, complete with roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing and gravy, country green beans, sweet potato casserole topped with pecans, cranberry relish and more. Enjoy in-store or to-go for only $16.49 starting at 11 a.m. on Nov. 23.

  • Denny’s is inviting customers to enjoy their Turkey & Dressing Dinner which includes tender carved turkey breast, savory stuffing, turkey gravy and cranberry sauce. Served with two sides and dinner bread. Regular menu is also available.

  • Golden Corral will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Guests can enjoy the endless holiday buffet with seasonal specials alongside traditional homestyle comfort foods.

  • IHOP in Hesperia and Victorville will be open on Thanksgiving Day. Pancakes for dinner, why not?

  • Johnny Carino’s will serve turkey and Thanksgiving sides for dine-in or to-go.

  • Red Lobster will be open at select locations.

  • Sizzler in Hesperia will be open.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Many plan to eat out, order food on Thanksgiving Day