Thanksgiving Day finds more people forgoing a family meal at home, opting instead to gather at a local restaurant and let someone else do the cooking.
Here's a look at what some Chattanooga restaurants have on today's Thanksgiving menu. Call ahead for reservations, where noted, to make sure all seatings haven't sold out.
» Bluff View Art District: Bluff View Art District's annual Thanksgiving brunch buffet includes many traditional offerings, from turkey and dressing, prime rib and sour-cream mashed potatoes to green bean casserole. You'll find the unexpected, too, such as Asian salad with chicken and udon noodles, shrimp with bowtie pasta, challah French toast and assorted quiches. A wide assortment of breads, pastries and house-made desserts also will be served.
Price: $34.95 adults, $17.94 children ages 12 and younger. Prices do not include tax, gratuity or alcohol. A full bar is available, but soft drinks, tea, coffee and orange juice are included. Reservations: 423-265-5033, ext. 4. Hours: 11 a.m-4 p.m.
» The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. From a traditional meal to one that offers something different from turkey and dressing, The Chattanoogan has it all. The buffet spreads across the ballroom to include numerous salads and other cold items from greens to cheeses, veggies and dips.
Entrees and sides include turkey, ham, dressing and green bean casserole, but there will also be a shrimp-and-grits bar, braised beef short ribs, butternut squash ravioli and an irresistible array of desserts, such as caramel apple cheesecake, white chocolate pumpkin pie, mini s'mores pies and pumpkin rolls with brown-butter cream cheese frosting.
Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meal is complimentary for children ages 4 and younger. The cost for children ages 5-12 is $20 and adults are $45 per person (price includes mimosas for those 21 or over, tax and gratuity). Reservations: 423-424-3700.
» Ruth's Chris Steak House, 2321 Lifestyle Way. On Thanksgiving Day, Ruth's Chris becomes known for more than its steaks. The menu will feature roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, cranberry relish, a salad or soup choice, a side dish choice and dessert - all for one price: $39.95 adults, $12.95 children. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: 423-602-5900.
» Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant, 2 W. Aquarium Way. This popular downtown eatery offers a down-home Thanksgiving featuring smoked turkey and ham, fried chicken and pulled pork, along with sides such as corn pudding, mashed potatoes, dressing, sweet potato casserole, green beans, Tennessee Caviar Black-Eyed Pea Salad and mashed potatoes. For dessert? Pumpkin and pecan pies, along with peach cobbler.
Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $27.99 adults, $13.99 for ages 12 and younger. Reservations: 423-708-8505.
» Terminal Brewhouse, 1464 Market St. While the popular restaurant will not be serving a special Thanksgiving menu, it will be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. If you want to celebrate Turkey Day with a burger, pizza or other tavern fare alongside a good craft beer, here's the place to find them. Phone: 423-752-8090.
» Five, at One North Shore, 200 Manufacturers Road. This popular North Shore restaurant continues its tradition of offering a traditional Thanksgiving meal at no charge to anyone, but donations to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen will be accepted and appreciated.
Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: None. Reservations: Not accepted, but Five does ask that if you are bringing a large crowd of eight of more, let them know. Call 423-777-4120.
» FoodWorks, 205 Manufacturers Road. FoodWorks will open its doors Thanksgiving morning for a feast of soups and salads, breads, roasted turkey and other meats, sides and homemade desserts.
FoodWorks' Thanksgiving buffet will be served 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. at a cost of $32 ages 12 and older, $15 for children under 12. Reservations: 423-752-7487.
» Beast + Barrel Gastro Smokehouse, 16 Frazier Ave. Thanksgiving will feature a bountiful buffet of assorted cheeses, sausages, deviled eggs, dips, soups, salads, a carving station with turkey and other roasted meats and a full spread of homemade desserts. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: $39.95 adults; free for kids 10 and younger. Reservations: 423-805-4599.
» Herman's Soul Food, 3821 Brainerd Road. For Turkey Day, Herman's is offering a special meat-and-three menu with lots of choices ranging in price from $12.99 to $15.99. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For reservations, call 423-624-5715.