Where to eat in Pueblo on Thanksgiving Day without having to cook

There are often sparse options for people seeking a good meal on Thanksgiving without having to clean, prepare, and cook it themselves.

But for people in Pueblo seeking a hearty dinner on Thanksgiving Day without attending a large gathering or having to get their hands dirty, there are still a handful of local options, including many Thanksgiving staples like turkey, glazed ham, cranberry sauce, stuffing, potatoes, pumpkin pie and more.

Here are five places in Pueblo you can grab a meal for Thanksgiving.

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel, at 4735 Elizabeth Street, will be open on Thanksgiving Day, serving a simplified menu.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to the chain's website.

Included in the Thanksgiving menu is a "homestyle turkey and dressing meal" for $16.99, which includes turkey and dressing with gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole with pecans, green beans, dinner rolls, and pumpkin pie.

They also offer sides of chicken and dumplings and a country vegetable plate, for $9.79 and $9.99, respectively. Each comes with dinner rolls.

Cracker Barrel also offers a variety of pre-cooked meals that can be simply reheated and served at home. They offer options including turkey, ham, and prime rib with a variety of traditional sides. Prices range from $114 to $154, available while supplies last with 24 hours notice of pickup required.

Golden Corral

Golden Corral, at 3400 N. Elizabeth St., will also be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, serving a Thanksgiving buffet. Buffet entry for adults is $17.99, not including drinks.

The holiday buffet includes carved roasted turkey, carved holiday glazed ham, and carved holiday beef roast along with traditional holiday sides like stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin, and pecan pie.

Golden Corral also offers whole holiday meals to go, both serving six to eight people and meals for individuals.

Black Eyed Pea

Black Eyed Pea, at 801 U.S. Highway 50, will be serving a Thanksgiving menu on the holiday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Options include turkey, pot roast, or ham, each served with traditional sides, as well as pecan pie, pumpkin pie, or cherry cobbler with ice cream. Adults are $24 a piece and a kids menu version is $10. Wine is also available by the glass.

Safeway and Albertsons

Safeway at 1017 North Market Plaza and Albertsons at 1601 U.S. 50, are offering pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals to be picked up and reheated. Choices are a 7-8 pound spiral ham with scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, spiced apples, and Hawaiian rolls; or a 10-12 pound whole turkey with mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, and Hawaiian rolls. Each meal costs $79 and is fully cooked. The website cautions to allow two to three hours of home cooking time for each meal. The last day to pick up is Thanksgiving.

HoneyBaked Ham Company

Honey Baked Ham Co. in Pueblo, is closed for the holiday itself, but offers pre-cooked meals which can be picked up through Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Prices vary from $41.79 for a "take and bake slider meal" to $162 for a 9-pound turkey and holiday ham feast.

Honey Baked Ham also offers mashed potatoes, casseroles, gravies, potatoes, cakes and pies.

Orders can be placed online and usually picked up same day.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day 2023