Skip the messy cooking and cleanup and enjoy a stress-free holiday this year at one of the many Chattanooga restaurants opening their doors and greeting diners on Thanksgiving Day.
Whether you want the creativity found at a chef-driven restaurant or prefer one of your favorite chains, restaurants will be doing their best to treat you to a memorable meal. Menu items will include all of the traditional favorites like turkey, stuffing sweet potatoes and the like, while others will add a few interesting touches to a traditional Thanksgiving repast.
And, of course, creative pastry chefs will be doing their best to enjoy your meal with a feast of sweet treats. Most places have limited supplies and resources, so get your orders in as soon as possible. The sooner you make a reservation, the better chance you'll have of getting your preferred time and a good seat or getting the turkeys, side dishes and yummy desserts you want for takeout.
Here's a list of what some Chattanooga restaurants will be offering this year.
› Acropolis Grill, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd. Whether you're feeding a crowd or just the two of you, Acropolis has you covered. Order a 20- to 22-pound turkey, a 14- to 16-pound bird or 2 pounds of carved turkey. Spiral hams are also available, as are numerous side dishes and desserts. Orders must be placed by Nov. 18 online at acropolisgrill.com or call 423-899-5341.
› The Bakery, 9408 Apison Pike, Ooltewah. This artisanal, vegan/vegetarian bakery has an online order form at thebakeryintn.com. Or call 423-498-3100.
› Bluff View Art District, 411 E. Second St. Let the team at Bluff View do the cooking for you. As in years' past, it's Thanksgiving To Go menu is up and running at bluffviewartdistrictchattanooga.com or call 423-321-0235, ext. 4. Order a complete turkey dinner with all the fixings or just a few dishes to fill the table. The deadline to place orders is 4 p.m. Nov. 21.
› Bread & Butter Bakery, 3955 Dayton Blvd. This all-natural bakery in Red Bank specializes in croissants, sourdough breads and baked-from-scratch pastries and will add "pies and other holiday specials like quick breads" for the next few weeks, says co-owner Victoria Capdevielle. Pecan pies will be available for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, she says. Deadlines are Nov. 17 for Thanksgiving orders and Dec. 15 for Christmas. Use the order form at butterthebread.com.
› Bridgeman's Chophouse at The Read House, 827 Broad St. In addition to its plentiful menu of steaks and seafood, the much-loved steakhouse will have Thanksgiving offerings added to its regular menu. Reservations: 423-266-4121 or online at bridgemanschophouse.com.
› Cashew, 149 River St. Go vegan this Thanksgiving with dishes on your table from Cashew. The menu includes mac and cheese, stuffing, green bean casserole, vegan gravies, quiche, veggie and "chicken" potpies, dessert pies, pumpkin cheesecake and apple spice cake. Orders need to be in by no later than Nov. 18. For orders, call 423-355-5486 or online at CashewChattanooga.com.
› City Café. The three locations -- 901 Carter St. and 7641 Lee Highway in Chattanooga, 919 25th St. NW in Cleveland -- are open 24/7, so sit down to a different kind of Thanksgiving with a big platter or nachos of an Irish Benedict with corned beef and poached eggs on an English muffin blanketed with Hollandaise.
› Cracker Barrel. All locations are ready to serve you this Thanksgiving with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. You can have it made to-go or eat it in-house from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
› Dairy-Dip, 302 W. Villanow St., LaFayette, Ga. This family-style restaurant takes custom orders for its entrees, sides and desserts by phone at 706-638-3274.
› Feed Co. Table & Tavern, 201 W. Main St., has a Thanksgiving take-and-bake menu. There's a choice of two proteins -- ham or turkey with gravy -- priced at $7 per pound; seven sides, $10-$30, ranging from green bean casserole to cranberry relish to dinner rolls with herb butter; and three desserts, $10-$20, including banana pudding. Sides feed 8-10 people. Orders must be placed by noon Sunday, Nov. 20, for pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 23. To make it easy, Feed will offer drive-thru pickup at the event space behind the restaurant from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Go to feedtableandtavern.com and click on Feed Blog to find the complete menu.
› Fernando's, 5308 Ringgold Road, East Ridge. Fernando's buffet will be all about Thanksgiving with roasted turkey, fried turkey, baked ham, chicken and dressing, chicken and dumplings, traditional sides, cakes and pies. Dine in or get it to go. Adults: $18, children: $9. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
› Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 2017 Gunbarrel Road, will feed the whole family with its Thanksgiving feast for six. You can choose from turkey, ham or a combination as your entree. They come with coordinating sides, as well as dessert, for $160. You can add on extras, such as lobster mac and cheese or baked French toast, for an additional fee. Orders should be placed by Nov. 19. Pickup is available Nov. 22-23. chattanooga.firebirdsrestaurants.com
› FoodWorks, 205 Manufacturers Road. This North Shore hot spot is ready to serve your family on Thanksgiving Day, so get ready to gobble till you wobble. The buffet will be filled with every possible Thanksgiving dish and more. Pricing is $40 per person, $18 kids under 12. Seatings are at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Reservations: 423-752-7487.
› Forge Restaurant at The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. The Thanksgiving buffet will be filled with traditional fare that's been given a creative edge, such as turkey with pear-sage stuffing, honey-glazed brisket, smoked gouda mac and cheese, sweet potatoes with Brussels sprouts and candied pecans, numerous salads and a table overloaded with sweet temptations. Price: $65 (adults), $17 (children 12 and under). Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 423-756-3400 or opentable.com.
› Hair of the Dog, 334 Market St. This downtown hot spot will be serving American and British favorites, such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, fried chicken, meatloaf and more. Thanksgiving hours are 11 a.m.- 3 a.m.
› IHOP, 5814 Brainerd Road and 5113 Highway 153. Both locations will serve from the regular menu, which includes a turkey dinner, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
› Jim n' Nick's, 2040 Hamilton Place Boulevard, Suite 150, will be adding to its lineup of smoked meats and celebrate Thanksgiving with a takeout feast. Orders for its smoked turkey breast or smoked country ham need to be placed by Nov. 20. And while you're at it, order some collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese, green beans, sweet potato casserole or cornbread dressing to round out your meal. Orders may be placed at jimnnicks.com. The same offerings will be available for your Christmas feast, too. Just make sure orders are in 72 hours in advance because the folks at Jim 'n Nicks need time to get smokin'!
› Main Street Meats, 217 E. Main St. The cafe will be offering three styles of turkey to go: Joyce all-natural free-range turkeys brined, ready for you to bake or they'll smoke it for you; organic turkey breasts brined and ready or already smoked; and Black Heritage turkeys brined and ready to bake, or smoked in-house for you to take home. Sides and desserts will also be available. Phone: 423-602-9568. Deadline for orders: Thursday, Nov. 17.
› Mindy B's Deli, 828 Georgia Ave. You roast the turkey and let Mindy B's take care of the rest. This year's take-and-bake Thanksgiving menu will feature dressing, sweet potato casserole, spinach casserole, green bean casserole, mac-and-cheese along with the deli's popular broccoli salad. Also, take home a Butterfinger or peanut butter pie, apple crumb pie or potato whiskey pie. Call 423-521-7932 to place your order.
› Puckett's Restaurant, 2 W. Aquarium Way. Sit down to a meal served family-style at Puckett's featuring turkey, green beans, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, cranberries, salad and pecan or pumpkin pie. Adults: $40, children 6-12 $20, children 5 and under are free. Or place takeout orders for roasted, smoked or fried turkeys, smoked brisket, sides and desserts no late than Nov. 19. Puckett's will be open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations: 423-708-8505.
› Rodizio Grill, 439 Broad St. This Brazilian steakhouse will have Thanksgiving specials in addition to its regular meaty menu. Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The Hamilton Place location will not have Thanksgiving specials.
› Ruth's Chris Steak House, 2321 Lifestyle Way. A three-course Thanksgiving meal of soup or salad; roast turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry relish; a choice of sides and dessert will be served. Adults: $44, children $15. Hosting at home? Take-home dinners and sides to go are available starting at $35. Reservations: ruthschris.com or 423-602-5900.
› Smokey Bones, 2225 Gunbarrel Road. Get your turkey to go, as well as all the sides and dessert, too. Turkey Feast will feature a smoked 12- to 14- pound turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cornbread with pecan butter, pumpkin pie and apple pie. Availability is limited, so when it's gone, it's gone. Get your orders in ASAP by emailing catering@smokeybones.com or call the Chattanooga store at 423-893-7850.
› Whitebird at The Edwin, 102 Walnut St. Thanksgiving dinner will be served family-style from 4 to 8 p.m. with a wide range of choices. Select four side dishes per table and one main entrée -- turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce, prime rib with classic accompaniments, crispy pork belly with butternut squash and roasted apples, or roasted chicken with spiced rice and mushroom stuffing. Also, choose one dessert: pumpkin pie or chocolate-walnut pie. Reservations: 423-269-8539. Also, Whitebird offers a ready-made meal with the same dishes as dine-in, plus a few extra desserts. Orders must be placed by Nov. 18.
› Finally, if you're looking for a scenic drive, six Tennessee state parks will be serving up Thanksgiving meals, including Cumberland Mountain, 24 Office Drive in Crossville, and Fall Creek Falls, 2536 Lakeside Drive in Spencer. The Restaurant at Fall Creek Falls will be open noon-6 p.m. CST Thanksgiving Day, serving turkey, ham and catfish as entrees and an array of sides and desserts. Cost is $29 for adults, $15 for children 6-12. Call 423-881-5241 to reserve priority seating. Cumberland Mountain's Homestead Harvest Restaurant will have an all-you-can-eat buffet, with oven-roasted turkey and honey-baked ham as the centerpieces, available 11 a.m.-5 p.m. CST on Thanksgiving Day. Cost is $24 for adults, half price for children 6-10. Reservations are not required. Beverage, tax and gratuity are not included in the cost of the meals. Find more information at tnstateparks.com/blog.
If you know of another restaurant open for Thanksgiving, email Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com to be included in continuing coverage.