Thanksgiving guide: Where to dine out, order turkeys, sides, pies & more in Lexington

Janet Patton
·14 min read

Thanksgiving, and the extended holiday season, is nearly upon us.

Before you go into panic mode, here’s a guide and list of places to go for holiday help, whether you are looking for an open restaurant to dine in, someplace to buy from that will cook the entire meal for you to take home, or you just need someone to handle the turkey or the pie.

And if this is your first time handling the cooking yourself (or if you just want to know lots of ways to do things easier), check out Lexington cookbook author Barbara Harper Bach’s updated Turkey Clinic. It’s chock full of holiday recipes and meal planning tips. It’s available online at bluegrasscookingclinic.com and at the My Favorite Things, 2721 Old Rosebud Rd. in Hamburg.

If you’re looking for places to buy local turkey, ham, veggies, breads and more, check out the vendors at Lexington Farmers Market before Thanksgiving.

Lexington restaurants open on Thanksgiving



▪ Distilled On Jefferson, 157 Jefferson Street, will be open with a three-course Thanksgiving feast with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for $75 per person. Call 859-255-0002 for reservations.

▪ Le Deauville, 199 North Limestone, will be open from noon to 6:30 p.m. offering the regular dinner menu as well as a Thanksgiving special with turkey and all the trimmings. Call 859-321-7191 for reservations.

▪ The Brown Barrel, 204 N. Gratz St. in Midway, will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. serving a Thanksgiving buffet with turkey, dressing and baked ham, plus traditional sides and desserts for $29.99 for adults, $24.99 for seniors 65 and older, $16.99 for kids 10 and under. Call 859-403-2003 for details and to make reservations.

▪ Heirloom, 125 E. Main St. in Midway, will be open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. serving a three-course Thanksgiving feast for $75 per person. Call 859-846-5565 or go online at heirloommidway.com to make reservations.

▪ Lockbox at 21c Museum Hotel Lexington, 167 West Main St., will offer a prix fixe menu from executive chef Nick Fisherkeller available from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The three-course menu starts with shareable platters including Lockbox’s warm skillet cornbread with apple butter; Lockbox pimento cheese with country ham, pickles and house crackers; deviled eggs with ham crisp and chives; and a simple green salad with crisp apple and a lemon thyme vinaigrette, served family style. For entree, the table can reserve prime rib for $68 per person, roasted turkey for $62 per person or stuffed squash for $58 per person; four side dishes will arrive at the table family style, including buttermilk whipped potatoes, pimento mac n cheese, sausage and apple stuffing, and Southern style green beans; and for dessert you can pick pumpkin pie with whipped mascarpone, or chocolate spice cake with bay leaf ice cream. Reserve your preferred time slot at lockboxlex.com or 859-899-6860.

▪ Hall’s on the River, 1225 Athens Boonesboro Rd., Winchester, will serve a buffet on Thanksgiving Day with seatings at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. For reservations call 859-527-6620. It’s $49.99 for adults, $19.99 for kids. Buffet includes turkey, ham, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn pudding, cranberry relish & dinner rolls, and a salad bar. For dessert there’s blackberry cobbler, cheesecake and pumpkin pie. Call 859-527-6620 or email med@hallsontheriver.com for reservations.

▪ Good Foods Co-op, 455 Southland Drive, is bringing back its buffet this year with turkey, vegetables, sides and no-meat options from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.The store isn’t doing pre-orders this year but will have a full grab-and-go section with sides and pies.

Looking for Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant? The spread at CRU Food & Wine Bar has three courses for $55 with lots of options.
Looking for Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant? The spread at CRU Food & Wine Bar has three courses for $55 with lots of options.

▪ CRU Food & Wine Bar, 107 Summit at Fritz Farm, will host Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 9 p.m., three courses for $55. Kids 12 & under $28. Menu includes Chef’s Amuse of Butternut Squash & Burrata Bruschetta, Lobster & Saffron Risotto, Pumpkin Ricotta Tortelloni for starters, roasted turkey breast with all the fixings or the popular Barolo Braised Short Rib, salmon with jumbo lump crab, as a main and pumpkin cheesecake or apple streusel pie for dessert. Call 859-971-9463 for reservations.

▪ Texas de Brazil, 151 La Rue, will open at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving day for full rodizio-style menu including the 50-item salad area and churrasco grilled meats. It’s $49.99 per person. Call 859-559-4000 for reservations.

▪ Everest Nepalese & Indian Cuisine, 1801 Alexandria Dr #192, will be open 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Nov. 23, with full menu available as well as carryout/catering orders. Order online at everestlex.com.

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▪ Hyatt Regency Downtown, 401 West High Street, is open but serving a regular menu.

▪ Triangle Grille in Hilton downtown, 369 West Vine, will serve a Thanksgiving buffet with seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. with a carving station including roasted prime rib of beef au jus and country smoked ham with brown sugar glaze; buffet includes oven roasted turkey with giblet gravey, apple almond dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, smashed sweet potatoes with maple syrup and brown sugar, medley of fall roasted vegetables, salads, bakery display and desserts a la carte. It’s $35 for adults, $17 for children 6 to 12. Reservations recommended; call 859-281-3773 or trianglegrille.com.

▪ Bob Evans, 2566 Richmond Road and 121 Marlene Drive in Nicholasville, will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for dine in or carry out. You can also pre-order the Farmhouse Feast, a fully cooked Thanksgiving dinner, packed cold, ready to heat and serve, with your choice of one of three entrée options, including signature turkey, slow-roasted pot roast, or hickory-smoked ham, to take home. Order online at Bobevans.com/menu/farmhouse-feast at least 24 hours in advance; available through Nov. 22.

Cracker Barrel stores will have Thanksgiving dinners you can order ahead to take home, or eat at the restaurant.
Cracker Barrel stores will have Thanksgiving dinners you can order ahead to take home, or eat at the restaurant.

▪ Cracker Barrel, 2220 Elkhorn Road, 1927 Stanton Way and 4089 Lexington Road in Nicholasville is always busy. But Thanksgiving is the chain’s busiest day of the year. The restaurants will serve a special holiday meal 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. including roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing and gravy, country green beans, sweet potato casserole topped with pecans, cranberry relish and more in-store or to-go starting at $16.49.

Lexington restaurants with Thanksgiving takeout meals, feasts

▪ Cracker Barrel, all locations. Besides dine-in dinner, you can also pre-order the Heat n’ Serve Thanksgiving Feast, feeds 10 for about $150. Or dinner for 4-6 for about $100. The dinner can be picked up Nov. 18-Nov. 25, stored in your refrigerator and baked at home. It will be ready in two hours or less, according to Cracker Barrel. Feast includes two oven-roasted turkey breasts, dressing, turkey gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, a choice of two sides,rolls, a pumpkin pie and a pecan pie. Dinner includes one turkey breast, dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, one side and rolls. Order online at crackerbarrel.com/thanksgiving. A la carte turkey breast and sides also available.

▪ The Empanada Queen will have a holiday bundle with roast pork, Spanish rice, savory empanadas and dessert empanadas for $160. You can also order individual items including separately. Order by Nov. 15; pick up Nov. 22. Call or text 859-787-6399.

▪ La Bonne Vie Personal Chef and Catering, 1060 Chinoe Rd. Suite 108, will have Thanksgiving meals of all kinds, including organic, allergen friendly and special diet-friendly options, including individually packed dinners. You also can get a ready-to-bake turkey or have it pre-cooked and sliced, individual sides and desserts. Order online at lbvcooking.com/turkeyday. Deadline to order is midnight Nov. 15.

▪ Seasons Catering, 333 North Ashland Avenue, will do a complete meal for 10 people for $325. That includes a whole roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, gravy, country-style green beans and more, including a choice of two pies. You can also have your turkey carved and can add a ham or other special sides. Deadline for orders is noon on Nov. 20. Pick up at Seasons any time before 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving day. To place an order, email kellie@seasonsevents.com or call 859-266-6661.

▪ Wallace Station Deli, 3854 Old Frankfort Pike, just outside Midway, is taking orders for its annual takeout Thanksgiving dinner. The menu includes roast turkey breast, old-fashioned dressing, real mashed potatoes and gravy, creamy spinach casserole from Chef Ouita Michel’s grandmother’s recipe, cranberry relish, Midway Bakery rolls and pumpkin pie. Reheating instructions included. Cost is $59.99 for dinner designed to serve two. Orders may be picked up any time 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 at Wallace Station or Zim’s Cafe. To order online, go to Hollyhillinn.com/thanksgiving-2023; call 859-846-5161 for more information.

▪ The Fresh Market, 3387 Tates Creek Rd., will do several options from the Ultimate Holiday Meal to serve up to 14 for $199.99, smaller options for fewer people also include a Prime Rib Meal for two for $49.99, and a Holiday Turkey Market Meal Kit for two for $19.99. A la Carte turkey, ham and sides also available for ordering in advance through Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. Order online at thefreshmarket.com/our-products/holiday-meals. Order pick up in-stores Nov. 20-23.

The Fresh Market has several Thanksgiving Day meal options including the Ultimate Holiday Meal including turkey and trimmings for up to 14 people for $199.99. Order online.
The Fresh Market has several Thanksgiving Day meal options including the Ultimate Holiday Meal including turkey and trimmings for up to 14 people for $199.99. Order online.

▪ Bayou Bluegrass Catering, 861 South Broadway, will do turkeys, including Cajun fried, pecan-smoked and traditional baked; brown-sugar-glazed hams; smoked barbecue beef brisket; sides including corn pudding, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, country-style green beans, cornbread dressing, yeast dinner rolls, turkey gravy, Creole mayonnaise; and desserts including pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cinnamon apple crisp and New Orleans bread pudding with bourbon sauce. All items are available a la carte, priced by quantity, at bayoubluegrass.com. Order by email, tock@bayoubluegrass.com or call 859-523-7915. Pick up hot or cold Nov. 20-Nov. 25; if ordering a turkey hot, please bring an insulated cooler for transport.

▪ Ramsey’s Diners has full heat-and-eat dinners (for four or more); for $29.95 per person you get sliced turkey breast with gravy, cornbread stuffing fresh cranberry sauce and dinner rolls with your choice of three veggie sides. Individual pans of veggies to serve four or more available for $17.95 each; for six or more $24.95. Sides include honey mustard carrots, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potato casserole, country style green beans, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, cole slaw and broccoli casserole. Deadline for ordering is Nov. 19. Pick up after Nov. 22. Call 859-252-7926 to order.

▪ Minton’s, 760 N. Limestone, is preparing whole-meal, a la carte appetizers and dessert pickups for Nov. 22. You can get herb-roast turkey breast, brown butter and sage stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, brown sugar and pecan sweet potato casserole, Southern green beans, turkey gravy, honey-glazed orange carrots, cranberry orange chutney and Cheddar Bay buttermilk biscuits for four people for $150, or for eight people for $265. Appetizers include baked brie en croute, bourbon pecan cheese ball and charcuterie board for eight. Desserts include apple pie, pumpkin pie, coconut cream pie, bourbon chcolate chip pecan pie, Reeses Peanut Butter Cake and assorted cookie platter. Call 859-948-1874 to place an order. Deadline for order is Nov. 19.

▪ Whole Foods Market, 4059 Finn Way, has a Vegan Meal for Two for $39.99. Traditional Thanksgiving items are available as pre-cooked or oven-ready feasts are available; orders must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Pick up Nov. 17-23; order deadline is Nov. 21. You can also get just a turkey, either baked or smoked, and other items a la carte; pre-order online at WholeFoodsMarket.com. The store also will be open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

▪ Kroger.com. You can order fully cooked ham, turkey and prime rib online, as well as holiday sides and complete dinners at Kroger.com/order-ahead. All items are fully cooked and packaged cold at time of pickup. Reheating instructions are included.

Lexington restaurants for Thanksgiving turkey, sides, desserts, more

▪ NannyBee’s, 428 Southland Dr., is offering desserts for Thanksgiving including Reese-cup inspired cheesecake, $60; pumpkin pecan cheesecake, $60; pumpkin spice cake layered with cream cheese icing, $48. Call or text 859-629-9071 to place orders by Nov. 20. Pick up on Nov. 21-22.

Martine’s has a variety of pies, including chocolate buttermilk as well as chocolate-dipped gingerbread turkeys for Thanksgiving. Order ahead and pick up on Tuesday or Wednesday; closed on Thanksgiving.
Martine’s has a variety of pies, including chocolate buttermilk as well as chocolate-dipped gingerbread turkeys for Thanksgiving. Order ahead and pick up on Tuesday or Wednesday; closed on Thanksgiving.

▪ Martine’s, 400 E. Third St., has pies, pastries, cakes and savories available for pre-order or walk-in on Nov. 21-22. You can get apple, pumpkin, pecan, cherry streusel, chocolate buttermilk, blueberry streusel, brown butter cookie, French coconut and chess/transparent pie. Pumpkin rolls, chocolate-dipped gingerbread turkeys, iced sugar cookies also available, as well as a cookie box with lemon drops, pistachio cranberry, pfeffernusse, mini confetti and mini triple chocolate cookies. Call 859-231-9110 to pre-order.

▪ Blue Door Smokehouse, 226 Walton Ave., will offer whole smoked bone-in turkeys for $70, whole boneless turkeys for $75, and smoked hams for $65. Call 859-252-4227 to place orders. Order early to ensure you get one; pick up Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Because Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, there’s also ham. J. Render’s will do one for you, if you don’t feel like cooking.
Because Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, there’s also ham. J. Render’s will do one for you, if you don’t feel like cooking.

▪ J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar, 3191 Beaumont Centre Circle, will do a smoked turkey for $75, a smoked ham for $60 and pans of holiday sides for $35. Each pan serves 24-25. Sides available include hashbrown casserole, broccoli casserole, sweet potato casserole and Mary’s corn pudding. Other sides priced $16-$30 include mashed potatoes, green beans, smoked mac & cheese, sweet molasses baked beans, creamy cole slaw, Render’s potato salad, sweet jalapeno cornbread and Brussels sprouts. Desserts for $30 include banana pudding, bourbon & cola glazed chocolate cake, bourbon bread pudding and peach cobbler. Call 859-533-9777 to order. Deadline to place orders is Nov. 15. Pick up is Nov. 22.

▪ Critchfield Family Market, 398A Southland Dr., has sides including broccoli casserole, green bean casserole, corn pudding and sage dressing, pies, cakes, cranberry relish and loads more to go with cooked whole turkey, cooked breast or uncooked whole turkeys. (The turkey gravy goes quickly, so order early.) Or order a baked country ham or a tray of country ham on rolls. Beaten biscuits also available. Whole cooked meals also available. Order online at Critchfieldmeats.com or call 859-276-4965.

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▪ Proud Mary BBQ, 9079 Old Richmond Road, will do a smoked or fried turkey for $65; honey ham, smoked brisket, pork roast with gravy, whole prime rib, whole smoked beef tenderloin, and side dishes including jambalaya, sweet potato casserole, mac-n-cheese, green bean casserole, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, cranberry salad, collard greens and desserts also are available. Or you can order a family meal of turkey, gravy, dressing, and fresh cranberry salad, two sides, bread and a dessert for $175. Call or text 859-913-5611 to order or go to proudmarybbq.com. Pick up orders Nov. 22-23 8a.m. to noon.

▪ Staxx BBQ, 11 Carson Place in Frankfort, is accepting orders for smoked hams and turkeys, fried turkeys. Call 502-352-2515 to place orders by noon on Nov. 17.

You don’t have to do it all yourself for Thanksgiving. You can order pies from Missy’s Pies, turkey or ham from Critchfield and sides from Ramsey’s, or you can eat at a restaurant. But order or make reservations now.
You don’t have to do it all yourself for Thanksgiving. You can order pies from Missy’s Pies, turkey or ham from Critchfield and sides from Ramsey’s, or you can eat at a restaurant. But order or make reservations now.

▪ Missy’s Pies, 502 E. High St., is taking orders for holiday pies. Call 859-253-0449. Order soon before cut off limit is reached. Pies can be picked up Nov. 21-22. Pies include chocolate brownie, peanut butter, combination of the two, chocolate cream, coconut cream, butterscotch, cherry, black bottom banana, Maryday, pecan, key lime, sugar-free apple, apple, and pumpkin.

▪ The Midway Bakery, 510 South Winter Street, Midway, has a variety of pied including chocolate bourbon pecan, peanut butter mousse, cookies and cream, coconut cream, sour cream apple, as well as dinner rolls, mini butter biscuits, fresh bread, muffins and cinnamon rolls. Call The Midway Bakery at (859) 846-4336 or order online at themidwaybakery.com/order-for-pickup/.

▪ Peach Cobbler Factory, 561 S. Broadway #145, has whole cobbler pans (any flavor) for $45, whole pudding pans (any flavor) for $45, party 12-pack combinations of puddings and cobblers for $45. custom packages of cinnamon rolls, cookies and brownies available. Order online at peachcobblerfactory.com/catering. Order 24 hours in advance.