After a couple of decades of the annual cook-a-thon known as Thanksgiving, most hostesses and hosts get to the point where they question whether or not they can do it again. Hey, it’s ok – take a break this year and get back to it next Thanksgiving.
Luckily, you live in Madison, where you can find take-and-bake alternatives, a lovely sit-down dinner where someone waits on you for a change (and cleans up after as well!) and even Thanksgiving brunch.
Read on for our alternatives to the crazy-making cooking marathon that will happen all over the country this November 24, 2016.
Take-out Thanksgiving dinner in Madison
Union South is offering Thanksgiving to Go, with a pre-cooked feast that includes all the traditional holiday favorites. These include bourbon roast turkey, gingersnap mustard glazed ham, sage stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows, cranberry orange relish and for desert, pumpkin, pecan and fudge bottom pie.
Ordering is easy; you can do it online and get the pickup details there as well. They’re only taking orders until Friday, November 18, so get a move on.
Whole Foods Market in Madison is offering several different options for Thanksgiving meal takeout including just the roast turkey (in a variety of styles) or a basic turkey dinner for four ($69.99), organic turkey dinner for six ($169.99), a ham dinner that serves from six to eight people ($119.99) and more. See the full selection and get details online here.
If you’re looking for additional vegetarian or vegan options, check out Willy Street Co-Op’s catering menu. They’re offering traditional, vegan and gluten-free Thanksgiving meals.
Do Thanksgiving brunch instead of dinner
While the Capitol ChopHouse’s Thanksgiving brunch menu isn’t extensive, what is on offer looks tempting. There will be pastries for the table to share and then you can choose from chicken and a biscuit, eggs campagna, pumpkin French toast (with candied pecans!), a breakfast “Sammy” and what they’re calling a Thanksgiving Meatloaf Brunch Dish of Power (roasted turkey meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, bread pudding and an egg.
There will be lots of side dishes to enjoy as well. The price is $28 for adults and kids 10 and under (wait. . .an 11-year old is an adult?) will pay $12. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. You’ll find the full brunch menu online here and the restaurant at 10 E Wilson in Madison.
Brunch in the Grand Ballroom at The Edgewater sounds lovely. Serving from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. you can dine on traditional brunch favorites as well as Thanksgiving turkey, ham and more. In fact, there’s a lot of food on this menu and you can pig out for $48 per person. The Edgewater is located at 1001 Wisconsin Pl. in Madison. Make reservations by calling 608-535-8200.
Quivey’s Grove in Fitchburg has been serving up Thanksgiving meals for 36 years now so they probably know a thing or two about how to do it right. And, although it’s being served during what we consider brunch hours, the menu offers typical T-Day dinner items. Enjoy turkey, prime rib, crown roast of pork loin, roast duck, salmon and even a squash entrée for the non-meat eater.
Dinner is served from 10:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. and reservations are required (make them at 608-273-4900 for reservations.) Find prices and the entire menu online here. Quivey’s Grove is located at 6261 Nesbitt Rd. in Madison.
Yes, some are serving Thanksgiving dinner in Madison
Essen Haus promises to offer a turkey that you carve at the table, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and the rest of the trimmings for a traditional turkey day feast. You can even take the leftover turkey (but not the sides) home with you!
Dinner is served from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and the price is a lot lower than you’ll find at many other Madison eateries, only $21.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids ages 6 to 10 and the wee ones, age 5 and under eat free. See the menu online here, then call 608-255-4674 to make reservations.
The Green Owl hasn’t forgotten our vegan friends andthey’re serving an all-vegan feast to prove it. From starters, such as grilled sweet potato baba ganoush, an amazing sounding mixed green salad and Thai curry pumpkin-coconut soup to entrees that include citrus-garlic basted tofu turkey, mashed potatoes with porcini-port wine gravy, roasted vegetable medley, green bean casserole and pear cranberry sauce. Get details and pre-pay for the meal online here.
Green Owl is located at 1970 Atwood Ave. in Madison
Posted by Jolenta Averill on