Next Thursday, you could make dinner at home. (We’ve got recipes for singles and first-timers.) You could volunteer to feed those in need. (Below, you’ll find a suggestion.) You could donate a meal or two. (See below for two options.) You could also take the easy road (no judgment) and order local takeout. Whichever way you choose to observe the holiday, here are 12 Denver Post editor-approved options.
One is as low-key as a turkey-and-all-the-fixin’s “French dip” sandwich.
Make sure to order ASAP and plan to pick up your meal ahead of Thursday.
American Elm (Highland)
The Highland neighborhood restaurant will prepare a whole 14- or 20-pound turkey with biscuit stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, green bean casserole and optional pumpkin pie with whipped cream and salted caramel sauce. The meal ranges from $125 for two to $350 for five or more, and wine and dessert cost extra. amelm.com/amelm-store/thanksgiving-feast
Broadway Market (Golden Triangle)
Have everything you need for Thanksgiving at home this year? Consider donating a meal to someone less fortunate. At Broadway Market, chefs Taj Cooke, Jesusio Silva and their teams are planning to feed 2,000 Denverites on Nov. 26. You can help them by volunteering your time or donating; $7 pays for a single meal. The menu includes sides such as candied pumpkins, roasted veggies and mac and cheese alongside jerk chicken and roasted turkey. firesideatfive.com/thanksgiving
Chook (Park Hill and South Pearl)
The fast-casual chicken shop with two Denver locations is offering a screaming $59.95 family-sized meal all week long over Thanksgiving. That price will get you a whole rotisserie chicken, three large sides like stuffing and sweet potatoes, a salad and a choice of pie. You can then add on more sides, hot toddies, mulled wine, extra gravy, dinner rolls and more. chookchicken.com/menu#holiday
Empire Lounge (Louisville)
This $80 meal will serve a family of four to six on Thanksgiving. It includes a bacon-wrapped turkey, Italian sausage stuffing, Empire mashers, whipped bourbon candied pecan sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, citrus and Grand Marnier cranberry sauce, Parker House rolls with cinnamon apple butter, a baby lettuce salad and optional ice cream and pie ($20 extra). Bonus: You can also add on platters of shrimp cocktail, meatballs, deviled eggs, even cinnamon rolls for $15-$25. direct.chownow.com/order/23676/locations/34709 (Find Thanksgiving under Family Dinners.)
Le French (DTC)
For a French twist on Turkey Day, try this south Denver restaurant’s confit duck legs with Champagne sauce ($45-$65) and add on a selection of sides in 12, 14 or 48 ounces ($7-$21). Dishes range from duck fat potato confit to haricots verts with bacon, potato and sweet potato puree, and roasted vegetables. lefrenchdenver.com/ Go to Online Order.
Lou’s Italian (Cole)
If you’d rather tackle the turkey yourself, you can find the rest of the meal for $65 at Lou’s Italian. You’ll get apple, fennel and chicken sausage stuffing, turkey gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, cauliflower gratin, bacon roasted Brussels and $5 off your choice of pie ($16-$24). toasttab.com/lous-italian-specialties-catering/v3
Morin (LoDo)
For the most versatile take-home option, there’s Morin. The French restaurant that has remained closed during the pandemic is offering this one-night-only meal starting at $40 per person. The menu can include sous-vide turkey breast and smoked and maple-glazed turkey legs, or just the side dishes of potato puree, sage and raisin dressing, roasted root veggies, herbed creamed greens, Parker House rolls, pie and cranberry sauce. Then see the fun add-ons, like shrimp cocktail and Old Fashioneds. exploretock.com/morin/
Narrative (Cherry Creek)
At The Jacquard hotel in Cherry Creek, a whole four- to six-person feast will set you back $160. It comes with a garlic and thyme-rubbed turkey breast, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, sherry black truffle gravy, sangria cranberry sauce, kale and beet salad, chorizo cornbread stuffing, Brussels sprouts and root veggies with a cider glaze and parmesan-rosemary drop biscuits. Wine pairings are optional. Email chris.willers@thejacquard.com
Pony Up (LoDo)
Here’s a T-Day alternative: Why not relax on Thursday and get a little wild early in the week with a Thanksgiving samosa pop-up or a turkey French dip? At Pony Up, the house French dips get a twist this time of year with sliced turkey, sage and sausage stuffing, cranberry mayo and a gravy dip ($15). You can also check out the restaurant on Nov. 23-24 where a special menu will feature pumpkin coconut curry ($11), and turkey, sweet potato and cranberry samosas ($12). ponyupdenver.com/
Rioja (Larimer Square)
Chef Jennifer Jasinski’s appearance on The Food Network’s Thanksgiving Challenge prepped her well for this take-home meal. For $45 per person, she’ll prepare you a pomegranate, apple and endive salad, stuffed turkey legs and oven-roasted breast, moscato and rosemary glazed vegetables, pine nut-sage bread pudding and a bourbon pecan pie. Bottles of wine, bottled cocktails and more sides and desserts can also be added. exploretock.com/riojadenver/event/201694/thanksgiving-dinner
Root Down, Linger and El Five (LoHi)
Denver’s Edible Beats restaurants, located in Lower Highland, have combined forces for a Thanksgiving at home celebration. For $41 per person, you’ll get turkey two ways (brined and roasted breast and pulled confit leg with giblet gravy), with options of potato-cauliflower mash or pretzel-crusted sweet potato, maple roasted carrots or charred green beans, cornbread and chorizo stuffing, kale and shaved Brussels salad and cranberry-pomegranate relish. Whole pies, cocktails, beer and wine can be purchased separately. exploretock.com/rootdowndenver/
Steuben’s (Arvada)
Steuben’s reopens for Thanksgiving service in Arvada with a special that matches every meal purchased for takeout with a meal donated to the Arvada Community Table. For $175, you and your family of four to six will get a turkey, sourdough and cornbread dressing, grandma’s sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, buttermilk whipped potatoes, cranberry relish and pumpkin-spiced cobbler. You can also add on a bottle of red or white wine for an extra fee. exploretock.com/steubensfoodservice/
Did we miss your favorite? Please add it in the Comments Section below!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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