What's open in Wilson County on Thanksgiving Day: Restaurants, take-home, church, stores

Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean
·3 min read

Editor's note: Times may be subject to change. Before making the trip out on Thanksgiving Day, call the restaurant to confirm their hours.

Several on-the-go and sit-down restaurants will remain open for Thanksgiving Day in Wilson County, but specific store hours may vary between locations.

Here's where you can go if you don't want to cook:

Shoney’s, 814 S. Cumberland Street, Lebanon: An all-you-can-eat buffet that includes turkey and dressing is usually one of the biggest days of the year for the restaurant. Cost is $14.99 and includes a free slice of pumpkin pie. Open 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

IHOP, 520 Pleasant Grove Road, Mt. Juliet: Will be open from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Thai Samurai, 401 S. Mt. Juliet Road, Suite 250: Will be open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., with no lunch specials.

The Cracker Barrel store in Mt. Juliet.
The Cracker Barrel store in Mt. Juliet.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Locations at 350 S. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet and 635 S. Cumberland Street in Lebanon will be open.  Hours will be 7 a.m.-9 p.m., for the Mt. Juliet location and 7 a.m.-10 p.m., for the Lebanon restaurant. Starting at 11 a.m., the Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressing Meal will include roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing and gravy, green beans, sweet potato casserole, buttermilk biscuits or cornbread, a refillable beverage and pumpkin pie while it lasts starting at $15.99. A child’s meal is available for $8.99.

Cracker Barrel will also offer heat and serve meals to preorder for take home that include:

  • Thanksgiving Heat n' Serve Turkey Feast: Serves 8-10 people for $154.99.

  • Thanksgiving Heat n' Serve Turkey Feast: Serves 4-6 people for $104.99.

The Heat n' Serve meals are available for pickup Nov. 18-25.

Waffle House: The 24-hour restaurant remains open on Thanksgiving Day. Wilson County locations include 380 Highway 109 N., Lebanon, 819 S. Cumberland Street, Lebanon, and 326 S. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet.

Whataburger: Lebanon’s two locations at 630 S. Cumberland Street and 439 Highway 109 N., are open 24 hours and includes Thanksgiving, which is typical of all Whataburger restaurants. Christmas Day is the only day Whataburger closes, a spokesperson said. It wasn’t certain at deadline for this story when a future Whataburger in Mt. Juliet at Lebanon Road and North Mt. Juliet Road would open.

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint Thanksgiving Spread Turkey Breast.
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint Thanksgiving Spread Turkey Breast.

Big Bad Wolf Smokehouse Grill, 189 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet: The restaurant will offer preordered Thanksgiving meals available for pick up. They include: Choice of roasted or smoked Tom Turkey with choice of sides and desserts for about 10 people ($200). There is also an option for glazed honey ham as a substitute for the roasted or smoked turkey for an additional $10 or sliced turkey breast for an additional $60. A half order for about five people is available for $100. Other specific options are also available. Deadline to order packages with turkey or ham is Nov. 18. Deadline to order other items is noon, Nov. 20. Pickup deadline is 9 a.m., Thanksgiving Day. Call 615-773-2258 or email stageleftinc@aol.com.

109 Church of Christ: A free Community Thanksgiving dinner is planned at 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., at the church located at 3320 Highway 109 North, Lebanon. A traditional Thanksgiving meal with games, watching football and making crafts will be free. Designed for anyone who can't be with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day.

RSVP is requested to plan for food at https://109.church/thanks.

Stores that are open

Kroger: Wilson County has three locations that will all be open Thanksgiving Day. Hours are:

  • 1418 W. Main Street, Lebanon: 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • 401 S. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet: 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • 4120 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Dollar General: Stores are open. Hours may vary by location and are available on the Dollar General website or app.

Big Lots: The store at 1031 W. Main Street in Lebanon will be among those open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Wilson County Listings: Restaurants, stores open on Thanksgiving Day