Thanksgiving is right around the corner. That means grocery stores will be swamped with shoppers looking for ingredients and leaving a trail of empty aisles behind them. If you don’t want to weather the grocery store storm, or maybe just want to try something new this year, there are a host of places around Madison that will cook for your Thanksgiving.
In-Person Options
All of the Great Dane Pub locations are open on Thanksgiving. The downtown and East side locations are open 3 p.m.-8 p.m. The pubs in Fitchburg and Hilldale are open from noon until 8 p.m. The restaurant will serve a limited menu with items like a turkey dinner, root vegetable pot pie, and prime rib.
The Statehouse will be open for brunch on Thanksgiving Day as well as for Thanksgiving dinner. Reservations are required and limited.
Augie’s Tavern will be open on Thanksgiving serving its à la carte bar menu and a special Turkey plate from 12 p.m.- 8 p.m. No reservations. First come, first served.
The Fitchburg brewery will host its fifth annual community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. The event is free to attend (and donations are accepted) but tickets are required to reserve food. The first 150 people to call or register online will be first in line for food, everyone else will be admitted after they have gone through the line.
The taproom will be open from 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Food will be served from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. All leftovers will also be donated to Briarpatch's shelter kitchen.
The downtown German-inspired restaurant will serve up a buffet full of holiday favorites including turkey, mashed potatoes, and an array of pies from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations are required.
To-Go Options
Got a family to feed? Heritage is offering a Thanksgiving feast for five to go, complete with maple candied sweet potatoes, Willow Creek Farms Italian Sausage and Door County Cherry stuffing, a roast turkey, and more. Additionally, Heritage Tavern is having its annual meat sale if you want to prepare a locally-raised, free-range turkey yourself.
Build your perfect Thanksgiving dinner with Pasture and Plenty’s take-and-bake kits. Whether you need one of everything or just a side or two, the near west side spot has a locally sourced solution.
For the vegans and vegetarians out there, Green Owl Cafe is offering a take-and-bake “November Feast,” featuring a tofu “Turkey” loaf, seitan “ham,” mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin cheesecake.
