Will there be anything or anywhere to eat on Thanksgiving Day in Lexington if you would like to leave the cooking (and maybe the cleanup) to someone else?
Yes, there will be, and we’ve compiled a sampling for 2018. Thanksgiving is early for 2018 — falling on Thursday, November 22 — but many restaurants are also offering Thanksgiving themed menus in the weeks leading up to the actual turkey day. 
Thanksgiving Themed Menus:
Alfalfa’s is having a vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 15 from 5 pm to 9 pm. Reservations accepted, but not required.
Vegan Nepal is hosting a Friendsgiving Saturday, November 17 from 11 am to 1 pm at Centered Lex.
Good Foods Co-Op is hosting a sampling event November 17, 11 am to 2 pm.
What restaurants will be open in Lexington on Thanksgiving Day?
Cracker Barrel is open regular business hours on Thanksgiving Day and will serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal beginning at 11 am.
Cru Food and Wine Bar at The Summit at Fritz Farm will be serving a prix fixe three course Thanksgiving menu from 12 pm to 9 pm on Thanksgiving Day. By reservation only.
Distilled at Gratz Park is serving a three course Thanksgiving menu from 11 am to 3 pm. Advanced reservations are required.
Good Foods Co-op is offering a hot buffet with turkey, sides, and no-meat options from 10 am to 4 pm on Thanksgiving Day.
Bigg Blue Martini at the downtown Hilton is open from 3 pm to 1 am with food service until 11 pm.
The Hyatt Regency Downtown is serving a Thanksgiving brunch featuring a carving station, a hot buffet, a seafood station and more from 11 am to 2 pm. Reservations are required.
Jean Farris Winery & Bistro will offer a three course dinner from 1 pm to 7 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Advance reservations are required.
Le Deauville will offer their regular dinner menu along with Thanksgiving specials from 12 to 6 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Call to make reservations.
Lockbox (inside 21c on Main) is hosting a Thanksgiving feast on Thanksgiving Day from 1 pm to 7 pm. By reservation only. Their hours on Thanksgiving Day are 7 am to 12 am.
Both Ted’s Montana Grill locations (one is in Hamburg and one is at The Summit) will be open special hours on Thanksgiving Day with a featured Thanksgiving menu.
Texas de Brazil will open at 11 am on Thanksgiving Day serving traditional Thanksgiving favorites along with their regular dinner menu.
Triangle Grille at the downtown Hilton will offer brunch 6:30 am to 11 am and a special Thanksgiving menu from 11 am to 3 pm.
What if you are having guests, but don’t want to spend all your time in the kitchen? Here are a few order-ahead, grab and go options for Thanksgiving menus in Lexington for 2018:
Bayou Bluegrass Catering is cooking turkeys, hams, smoked brisket, and sides for Thanksgiving this year. Call or email to place orders.
Blue Door Smokehouse is offering smoked turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving 2018, available for pickup the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving (including boneless turkey, bone in turkey, and spiral ham). Call ahead to order.
Cracker Barrel offers Heat n’ Serve Holiday meals available for pickup between November 17-25. Fresh baked pies are also available until December 24. 24-hour notice is recommended for orders.
Critchfield Meats is offering Thanksgiving sides to take home. Order online or by phone.
Dad’s Favorites Deli is offering call-ahead catering for Thanksgiving. Catering is located at the Lane Allen Road location in the Garden Springs Shopping Center.
The Fresh Market lets you handle Thanksgiving from the comfort of your laptop. Their menu, which can be found on their website, features fully cooked turkeys ranging from 10-24 lbs. There are also full dinner specials, including sides like petite spiral ham, Yukon gold potatoes, cranberry relish, green beans with bacon and more. Order online or in-store until November 21. Stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 am to 3 pm.
J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar is cooking smoked turkey and hams along with holiday sides to be picked up the day before Thanksgiving and cooked at home. Deadline to order is November 17 and pick up is November 21. Call to order.
The Kitchen at A. S. Eats (in Chevy Chase) is offering grab and go Thanksgiving sides that you can order ahead and pick up in advance, like brussels sprouts and corn pudding.
La Bonne Vie Personal Chef is a new entry in the Thanksgiving prep scene for 2018. Options include a Thanksgiving package, a pre-brined classic turkey, an herb and butter turkey, and an array of sides. Gluten-free, organic, and vegan options are available. Ordering deadline is Nov 12 and pickup and delivery options are available Thanksgiving week.
Le Deauville will be open for Thanksgiving Day from noon to 6 pm, and will serve a turkey dinner in addition to their regular menu.
Lyles BBQ offers a Thanksgiving catering menu.
Local Feed in Georgetown has a Thanksgiving pick up menu available.
Martine’s Pastries offers holiday dessert specials for pick up for Thanksgiving.
The Midway Bakery offers fresh, scratch-made Thanksgiving desserts, including Kentucky Heritage pies, dinner rolls, cookies, and more. Fresh pies include chocolate pecan, pecan, peanut butter mousse, pumpkin, chess, coconut cream and lemon cream pie. Order online or by phone.
Minton’s is offering meal and dessert pickups during the week of Thanksgiving.
Missy’s Pies is taking Thanksgiving orders until Sunday, November 18. Orders can be picked up until November 21.
Proud Mary BBQ is cooking turkeys and offering Thanksgiving sides and desserts. All orders must be placed and prepaid by November 20. Orders can be picked up November 21 from 2-4 pm or Thanksgiving Day from 9 am to 12 pm.
Ramsey’s offers Heat ‘n Eat Thanksgiving dinners including sliced turkey with gravy, corn bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and four veggies. All orders must be placed by the Sunday prior and picked up on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Season’s Catering is offering a Thanksgiving menu to serve 10. Deadline for ordering is Monday November 19 and will be available for pickup Thanksgiving morning.
Texas de Brazil will offer flame-grilled meats, hot dishes, and fresh sides by the pound. Whole cakes are also available for purchase. A 24-hour notice is required on all orders.
Wallace Station Deli prepares a takeout Thanksgiving menu including roast turkey breast, old-fashioned dressing, real mashed potatoes and gravy, creamy spinach casserole, cranberry relish, rolls and for dessert, pecan or pumpkin pie. Deadline for ordering is November 19. Orders must be picked up on November 21 from 9 am to 6 pm.
Willie’s Locally Known will be smoking turkeys for pickup. Orders must be placed by November 16. Options to add sides is available.
Wild Thyme offers an a la carte menu & pick up as late as 6 pm the day before Thanksgiving. Place orders by November 17.
Whole Foods is offering holiday meals including both roasted and uncooked turkeys along with many sides to choose from for pickup this Thanksgiving. A vegan holiday meal is also offered. Pick up dates are November 14-23. Online ordering is available.
Just wanting a little help with the turkey?
Double H BBQ, will deep-fry your turkey on Thanksgiving Day. The turkey must be thawed, dressed and weigh 18 pounds or less. They will be accepting toy and cash donations to benefit the Lexington Firefighters’ Toy Program. Drop off and pick up times are Wednesday, November 21 from 4 pm to 8 pm, or Thursday, November 22 from 8 am to 2 pm at Double H BBQ.
Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving?
No worries, whether you run low or forget a few ingredients, here are a few stores open on Thanksgiving.
Cooking at home? Where to recycle the grease from your Thanksgiving deep-fried turkey? Redwood School will host Lexington’s annual Gobble Grease Toss on Friday, November 23 from 10 am to 2 pm.
In charge of making the turkey this year or wanting a new idea for a side dish? Check out Chef Tom’s tips for butterflying a turkey, how to make a double chocolate Pumpkin Tart with Autumn Pastry Leaves, seven perfect Thanksgiving sides, and how to deep fry corn.
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