Where to Order the Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner in Chicago

Let the pros do the work.

Flannel weather is changing to puffy jacket weather as we speak, and that means that you’re pretty much already out of time to prepare food for the 18-person Thanksgiving celebration you, in your infinite hubris, decided to host this year. Luckily, there are plenty of last-to-very-last-minute Thanksgiving offerings and experiences from Chicago’s best chefs to help bail you out of this entirely avoidable scenario. Kick back, order up, and then bask in the glow and acceptance of your family and friends as you take credit for someone else’s hard work. After all, isn’t that the true meaning of the holiday?

For a truly unique Thanksgiving experience, City Cruises Chicago has you covered with a variety of seabound turkey day packages. Shove off from Navy Pier and enjoy a two-hour cruise along Lake Michigan, complete with a live DJ. Lunch packages include a holiday buffet including three cheese baked macaroni, roast turkey, and hand-carved, USDA choice strip loin, while the dinner package includes a fancy three-course holiday dinner featuring your choice of a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings, braised beef short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli, and much more.
Cost: Packages range from $65 to $115 before optional add-ons
How to order: Book online here

I|O Godfrey

The Loop

Chicago’s favorite rooftop bar, restaurant, and lounge offers you the ability to take some of the atmosphere home with you this Thanksgiving. Elevated takes on holiday classics like bourbon-glazed carrots, bacon collard greens, and cornbread stuffing share a spot alongside more unconventional sides like beets with goat cheese, but the star here is the perfectly cooked roast turkey, and the fact that they’re only charging $25 to add a wine pairing to your order. In-person dining reservations for the Thanksgiving buffet have sold out, but if you simply must take in the beautiful rooftop view while you eat, the waitlist is here.
Cost: Thanksgiving-to-go options are a la carte: turkeys are $199 and feed eight to ten, sides and wines are $25
How to order: Order your to-go feast on Tock by November 23 for pre-Thanksgiving pick-up

Over in Streeterville, executive chef Massimiliano Campagnini wants to add a little Italian pizzazz to your holiday celebration with a variety of a la carte Thanksgiving offerings, from a hearty Tuscan ribollita, to homemade asparagus and ricotta ravioli smothered in perfect-for-fall butter-thyme sauce, butternut squash, prosciutto, and mushrooms, to a feast featuring braised lamb shanks, mushrooms, and gnocchi. Of course, they also have a traditional turkey dinner on offering, complete with sweet potatoes, house-made cranberry sauce, brussels, and more.
Cost: All items a la carte, a traditional turkey dinner for one is $30
How to order: Reserve a table for Thanksgiving Day via Yelp

For the second year running, Goddess and the Grocer has sold out of their Thanksgiving preorders by the second week of November. That said, the offerings are so tantalizing that we recommend trying your luck for day-of walk-ins on the 23th and 24th. Diners can choose from pre-arranged packages like the couple-tastic “Turkey for Two,” the mid-sized “Family Matters” set, or the epic “All In The Family” platter for 12 as well as a slew of la carte dishes, wines, cocktails (pumpkin spice martinis!), pies a’plenty, and a plethora of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options ensure a happy and healthy holiday for all.
Cost: Starting package prices range from $75 to $395 (serves two to twelve); all menu items available a la carte
How to order: Preorders are sold out, but select offerings will be available on a first-come basis on-location on the 23rd and 24th

PB&J

West Loop

Looking for a delightful Thanksgiving meal, but have a bank account that’s looking more Diner Grill than Alinea these days? PB&J is here to help. Their $35 three-course meal includes soup, a heaping helping of turkey with all the fixings, and a slice of pumpkin pie, with wine pairings available as well. If that’s not enough, the pizza kitchen will be open as well. Live your best life.
Cost: $35 per person
How to order: Reserve your spot on OpenTable, they sold out last year

Longman & Eagle

Logan Square

Longman & Eagle is going all out this turkey day, as head chef Brian Motyka has put some signature twists on a classic Thanksgiving spread. Your ticket will get you a feast fit for even the most discerning glutton, featuring mouth-watering sides like mashed potatoes with foie gras gravy, a spin on green bean casserole featuring mushroom veloute and crispy onions, and stuffing made with bone marrow and confit wing meat. Homemade rolls, bourbon cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie all support the main attraction, a perfectly-roasted turkey breast and duck fat confit turkey leg. Need we say more?
Cost: $90 per ticket
How to order: Make reservations via Resy

The Publican

West Loop

Publican and Publican Quality Meats have joined forces this year to create the ultimate locavore feast. A choice between roasted ham or three different all-natural, pasture-raised turkeys kicks things off, followed closely by an onslaught of tasty, home-cooked sides (think: sage maple sausage dressing, buttermilk mashed potatoes, roasted brussels, and a delicious cranberry mostarda) plus optional treats like wine and cocktail pairings, pies, homemade pimento cheese spreads, and fresh breads. They even offer brine kits to ensure your bird is as tasty as possible!
Cost: Whole turkeys start at $77 (feeds four to six); a la carte sides start at $22 (feeds two to four)
How to order: Customize your spread and schedule your pre-Thanksgiving pick-up via Tock, while supplies last.

Daisies

Logan Square

This Logan Square charmer is keeping the good vibes flowing with a drama-free, easy to heat up feast this Thanksgiving. Eat your way through succulent sous vide turkey, marshmallow sweet potatoes, roasted brussels, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and midwestern green bean casserole. Several different wine packages act as a worthy addition as do a bevy of a la carte cocktails. Don’t forget to add on some fancy tinned fish from Preserved States to kick off the meal.
Cost: Packages start at $300 (feeds four)
How to order: Head to Tock to order for pick-up on the 23rd

Alinea
Photo courtesy of Alinea

Alinea

Lincoln Park

After the year we’ve had, you deserve to dig into a three Michelin-starred Thanksgiving Dinner in the comfort of your own home. Let Alinea’s legendary chef Grant Achatz tempt you with a flock of eight to 14 pound organic, free-range turkeys with compound butter, herbs, spices, and foolproof cooking instructions from the chef himself. Top shelf starters and sides like shrimp cocktail, butternut squash soup, gelled cranberry and orange rind compote, sage & roasted garlic stuffing, and classic pumpkin pie plus extras like French winter truffle mac and cheese and an assortment of champagnes, chardonnays, and cabernet sauvignons handily accompany the main attraction. We, however, recommend ordering the bottled brown butter old fashioned from The Aviary while you’re checking out.
Cost: Starting package prices range from $245 to $544 (feeds four to eight)
How to order: Get all the details on Alinea’s website before placing your order and scheduling your pre-Thanksgiving pick-up time via Tock

Tanta Chicago
Tanta | Photo by Mistey Nguyen

Tanta Chicago

River North

The traditional Thanksgiving rigamarole gets a lively Peruvian makeover at this colorful River North crowd-pleaser. Tanta’s Pollo To Go! prix-fixe leads parties of four through several invigorating courses, from fingerling potatoes roasted to perfection alongside sausage gravy to corn cakes stuffed with tender raisin-flecked beef to a three-pound roasted Amish chicken, marinated for a full 24 hours in Peruvian spices. Then, the grand finale, a pumpkin-laced tres leches cake guaranteed to have you licking the plate. Pre-mixed cocktails, empanada platters, and other choice additions only increase the madness.
Cost: Packages start at $120 (feeds four)
How to order: Reserve your take-home fiesta via Tock while supplies last for pick-up on November 23

Siena Tavern

River North

It’s called Turkey Day, but many of the best Thanksgiving meals don’t center around America’s favorite large, ornery, round bird. For those of you looking for a change of pace, Siena Tavern’s to-go Thanksgiving dinner for two centers around a beautiful porchetta stuffed with gremolata, flanked by a traditional lasagna bolognese, butternut squash arancini, whipped potatoes with chive, and many more Italian spins on classic Thanksgiving fare. You’ll be glad you’re in the privacy of your own home so that you can, without embarrassment, kiss your pinched fingers just like the chef on that pizza box you still need to throw away.
Cost: $65 per person
How to order: Reserve your bounty via Tock by November 20th for pre-Thanksgiving pick-up

Momotaro

West Loop

Think outside the turkey this Thanksgiving and opt instead for lauded Chef Gene Kato’s inventive spin on the classic holiday lineup featuring duck breasts glazed with Japanese whiskey, duck confit fried rice, scallion pancakes, lettuce wraps, garlic ssanjang, and their signature tzatziki sauce. Or buck tradition completely and opt for the Sushi-copia, featuring 12 pieces of chef-selected nigiri alongside Momomaki rolls (a blend of spicy octopus and bigeye tuna) and Negi Hamachi maki rolls (with yellowtail and Tokyo scallion) served with edamame and miso soup. Don’t forget to add on a box of pastry chef Jessica Vazquez’s molasses doodle cookies for dessert.
Cost: Meal packages are $100 and feed two
How to order: Snag your kit and schedule a pre-Thanksgiving pick-up via Tock by the 22nd

All Together Now

Ukrainian Village

Everyone’s favorite neighborhood wine bar is at it again with their smile-inducing Food For Holiday Gatherings care package program. Build-your-own bundles for four include entree choices like braised beef short ribs, confit turkey roulade, and grilled salmon with roasted blood oranges, alongside a bevy of sides (aka sourdough with cultured butter, winter veggie stuffing, Cabot cheddar biscuits) and inventive desserts like butterscotch pudding pie, with a hazelnut crust.
Cost: Packages are $165, and include 1 entree, 2 sides, and 1 pie (feeds four). A la carte options are available as well.
How to order: Pick your poison via Tock ASAP for pickup between Nov. 21 - 23

Bub City

River North

River North’s top BBQ slinger is back in action this Thanksgiving, dishing up a slow-and-low take-out experience fit for a country-fried king, both a la carte and in bundles. Hickory smoked turkey, served whole or as a half portion, rides in on its trusty steed, followed by a herd of stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet corn spoonbread, cranberry sauce, and more, purchased as a unit or a la carte. And if you really want to go for it, they’re allowing you to add BBQ to your order, by the pound You know you want to.
Cost: Baseline packages range from $100 to $370 (feeds two to eight)
How to order: Saddle up and trot on over to Tock by November 21 to grab your grub and schedule a November 23 pick-up slot

Get back to basics with a heap of homestyle comforts from this polished River North chophouse. Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast snuggles in next to Leg and Thigh Confit, blanketed by unctuous Pan Gravy and bolstered by fresh Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Butternut Squash, Cranberry Relish, and Pumpkin Chiffon Pie. They’ll also be offering their standard menu as well if you feel like riding the Thanksgiving-style surf ‘n’ turf wave.
Cost: Dine-in menus run $64.95 per person; a la carte menu prices vary
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.

Meredith Heil is the Editorial Director of Thrillist Travel.
Sam Greszes is a contributor for Thrillist.