Roasted pork from Tally's in Des Moines is a main dish you can pre-order in case your out-of-town in-laws make an unexpected visit.
(Credit: Eric Rowley/Metromix)
For those who do not want to cook a Thanksgiving meal, there are three ways to go.
First, try to get invited to the home of someone who is cooking.
Second, consider dining out at a restaurant. Many local restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, but there are a few eateries that are serving. (If you know of an option not included here, please e-mail desmiones@metromix.com.) Among them:
401 Locust St. -
Des Moines
515-284-1267
$16 for adults, $12 for ages 5-12: Mixed greens with assorted topping and dressings, cranberry relish, roasted tom turkey and stuffing, traditional mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, baked yams, fresh seasonal vegetables, baked rolls and butter, selection of freshly baked pies.
From 5-10 p.m. enjoy plated turkey and trimmings for $14.
1301 NW 114th Street -
Clive
515-222-3129
Open on Thanksgiving from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A dinner buffet will be offered for $10 and the regular menu will be available. Reservations accepted at (515) 222-3129. Go to www.mybrickhouse.biz .
5030 N.E. 14th St. -
Des Moines
515-262-9802
A special buffet featuring turkey, ham and other trimmings beginning at 11 a.m. The price is $12.99. Call (515) 262-9802.
8350 Hickman Road -
Clive
515-278-6718
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner with roast turkey and dressing, potatoes and gravy, cranberries, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie for only $6.95.
Then sit back and enjoy some football with a cold one and relax. The doors open at 11 AM, and we will be serving turkey dinner from noon to 5 PM or 'till it's gone. Of course you can order from our regular menu if turkey isn't your thing. Show your military ID and dinner is free! Happy Thanksgiving to all.
1000 Tradition Drive -
Polk City
515-984-9440
Adults: $19.95 adults, $9.95 for ages 6-12, $4.95 for ages 5 and younger for a traditional Thanksgiving Buffet.
316 Main St. -
Ames
515-232-0553
Sage dressing, fresh fruit and a "festive fall dessert" are among the extras with the carved turkey dinner. Served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
2712 Beaver Ave. -
Des Moines
515-279-2067
All-you-can-eat buffet. The cost is $26.99 for adults, $4.50 for 10 and under, free for children five and under. Also, customers can pre-order main dishes and sides for their own parties. Prices all vary depending on size needed. Orders must be place at least three days in advance of pick-up time. Tally’s will be open at 9:30 a.m. Thanksgiving day, so orders may be picked up the day of your event. Call (515) 508-9950 or go to www.tallysbeaverdale.com.
309 First St. -
Grimes
515-986-9013
$14.75 adults, $7.25 for ages 12 and younger: Turkey, cranberry sauce, roast beef, soup and salad, ham, fresh bread, dressing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie.
1 Prairie Meadows Drive -
Altoona
515-967-1282
Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet seatings. There will also be a special Meadows Ballroom brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for $17.95. Reservations beginning at 11 a.m. will be accepted for parties of 11 or more. For information call, (515) 967-8575.
410 S. Ankeny Blvd. -
Ankeny
515-965-7802
Greek spiced turkey, manicotti al forno, steak de burgo, pizza, salad.
Other local options: If you're driving down the interstate past a Cracker Barrel (such as the location at 11701 University Ave., Clive), the high-volume roadside restaurant will begin serving its Thanksgiving menu at 11 a.m. Nov. 26, $8.99 for adults or $4.49 for children. (Order a dinner to go for six, at least 48 hours in advance, for $49.99.)
And outside the Des Moines metro: Stone’s Restaurant, 507 S. Third Ave., Marshalltown will be open on Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (641) 753-6400.
The third option is to buy everything precooked and serve it at home.
Hy-Vee stores offer fully prepared Thanksgiving dinners that range in price from $34.95 to $99.95. These dinners can be ordered online — go to — or by contacting a Hy-Vee store. It is best to order sometime this week. The meals must be picked up prior to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Local Dahl’s Food Stores will also pre-cook a turkey and trimmings. The price for the meal, which includes a 12 to 14-pound bird is $79.95. Since Dahl’s is not open on Thanksgiving Day, everything must be picked up the day before.
Both Gateway Markets also offer special holiday meals. These range in price from $40 to $140. The traditional meal featuring turkey is $110. The meal must be ordered by Saturday and picked up prior to 9 p.m. on Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving because both markets are closed on Thanksgiving. Call 422-5108 (Downtown) or 343-5678 (West Des Moines).
