Emergency Thanksgiving Chicago pick-up

November 26, 2013 4:45 AM

I was wondering if anyone knew of some place in Chicago that was still offering Thanksgiving pick-up that's somewhere in the vicinity of the lake or the loop. Everything I'm finding is way out west which isn't going to work for me, or sold out. Alternatively, given that it's just the two of us, is it better to just go to a restaurant? If so, any recommendations?
posted by bleep to Food & Drink (13 answers total)

Apparently Ditkas does a whole Thanksgiving thing.
posted by susiswimmer at 4:49 AM on November 26, 2013

I was walking up Clark yesterday and noticed that there was a Thanksgiving menu sign in the window at Native Foods. I only half glanced at it, but: Thanksgiving, Loop, perhaps an option if you want vegan.
posted by phunniemee at 6:26 AM on November 26, 2013

I personally would go to Ann Sather up on Belmont or Clark.

A few other recommendations previously.
posted by gueneverey at 6:46 AM on November 26, 2013

Best answer: My brother works at the South Loop Whole Foods. They're open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. on Thanksgiving. He says you could still get the individual components and probably a smoked turkey, but the ordering window has passed so you might have to cook the turkey yourselves. But they have a crapton of hot sides and stuff on a normal day, so I'm sure you could make a great meal.
posted by Madamina at 7:15 AM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

Native Foods is amazingly good, but they appear to be sold out of pick-up Thanksgiving meals, and their only Chicago-area Thanksgiving buffet is in Wicker Park.

If you're OK with vegan food, Chicago Diner in Boystown (Halsted & Roscoe) has pick-up dinners available on Wednesday from noon to 7PM and Thursday from 9AM to noon. I can attest that their classic Thanksgiving meal is absolutely phenomenal.

And as of Friday, Karyn's on Green had a couple of reservations available.

Otherwise, this list might help!
posted by divined by radio at 7:18 AM on November 26, 2013

Response by poster: That time out chicago list is the reason I asked... overwhelmingly long, and after the first few I clicked were all out west and/or sold out I was like...ugh, someone do this for me.

Thanks for the replies but vegan/vegetarian options aren't for me this time.
posted by bleep at 7:29 AM on November 26, 2013

Response by poster: But I'm sure there is something here I can work with, thanks for your help everybody.
posted by bleep at 7:30 AM on November 26, 2013

Another option is to pick up chickens, and just get as many pre-made sides as your grocery store has.

Even a turkey breast and thigh (sold apart from the whole turkeys.) Will work.

Also, Boston Market should have. As does the Honeybaked Ham store.

2815 N. Ashland
Chicago, IL 60657
PH) 773-880-8400
Fax) 773-880-8420

I've got a turkey and ham from them. The turkies are fully cooked and frozen. Just thaw in the fridge for 2 days, then warm in oven for a couple of hours.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:16 AM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

My brother (Whole Foods) adds, "We've got small smoked breasts about four pounds, bone in. Ready for reheat."

(He's a butcher there; if you go tomorrow, say hi!)
posted by Madamina at 1:50 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

I can't totally make sense of the "THANKSGIVING MENU WILL BE AVAILABLE IN STORES
FROM TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 TO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1" thing, but it looks like you may be able to grab stuff from Goddess and Grocer without a catering order.
posted by macrowave at 9:08 PM on November 26, 2013

Also, from what I understand, inns/hotels/bed & breakfasts in the city are required to keep their food service open on holidays, so maybe you could try to zone in on hotel restaurants.
posted by macrowave at 9:13 PM on November 26, 2013

Response by poster: Oh that "Goddess and Grocer" thing turned out to be a total lie, they're not actually selling turkeys any more. "Yes, we're selling the entire Thanksgiving menu first come first served" over the phone turned into "We stopped selling turkeys last week. We might have some sliced turkey...I'm going to pretend I'm busy and not talk to you anymore because I think you're going to be difficult about this." when I got there. I don't know what kind of Thanksgiving menu doesn't include turkey breast, but whatevs.

I think we're gonna do Whole Foods, but probably the one in Evanston (closer, easier). And start thinking about this in advance next year.
posted by bleep at 5:59 AM on November 27, 2013

O man! Sorry about G&G. What a bunch of asshats :(
posted by macrowave at 8:02 AM on November 27, 2013