Can I get a whole, cooked, hot Thanksgiving turkey delivered in NYC?
October 20, 2022 2:09 PM Subscribe
Are there places where can I order a full Thanksgiving dinner for 6 people delivered to my apartment in Manhattan NYC on Thanksgiving Day?
Actually, there will be 6 of us, but only 5 will eat the turkey.
Where I've researched and it's a NO GO: Whole Foods (pick-up only), Wegman's (pick-up only).But that's the idea -- if they delivered. I DID find a place, can't remember the name now (one four-letter word), and with delivery dinner for "4-6" would be around $500. Nuh-uh.
Idea here is not to have to heat up a turkey and other dishes ON the day. BUT I do not want to order separate restaurant meals. Not only is it very expensive, it'll look weird to my guests (trust me). The idea is more "picnic" than ordering in from a restaurant, which they'll feel obligated to pay me back, etc., Just AWK-ward (trust me; I don't know 2 of these people well, they're coming from out of town, long story, etc.)
.(side question: how many pound-turkey if I have to buy it raw and cook it? for just 5 people? that may be what I have to do that day. I can make side dishes in advance, freeze, and just heat everything up that day IF my question can't be answered. )
(why not just cook the dinner? because I might not be in the best physical condition then, I really am not sure. Long story. Trust me. I might be fine though. I want an insurance policy here.)
Actually, there will be 6 of us, but only 5 will eat the turkey.
Where I've researched and it's a NO GO: Whole Foods (pick-up only), Wegman's (pick-up only).But that's the idea -- if they delivered. I DID find a place, can't remember the name now (one four-letter word), and with delivery dinner for "4-6" would be around $500. Nuh-uh.
Idea here is not to have to heat up a turkey and other dishes ON the day. BUT I do not want to order separate restaurant meals. Not only is it very expensive, it'll look weird to my guests (trust me). The idea is more "picnic" than ordering in from a restaurant, which they'll feel obligated to pay me back, etc., Just AWK-ward (trust me; I don't know 2 of these people well, they're coming from out of town, long story, etc.)
.(side question: how many pound-turkey if I have to buy it raw and cook it? for just 5 people? that may be what I have to do that day. I can make side dishes in advance, freeze, and just heat everything up that day IF my question can't be answered. )
(why not just cook the dinner? because I might not be in the best physical condition then, I really am not sure. Long story. Trust me. I might be fine though. I want an insurance policy here.)
(I just want to toss in that in Seattle, $500 for what you're looking for would not be an insane price (all-in). I can't imagine it'd be any cheaper in NYC. HTH.)
posted by tristeza at 3:12 PM on October 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by tristeza at 3:12 PM on October 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
A 12 - 14 lb turkey would do nicely, with not too much left over. Stuffing can be made the day before and put in the oven, potatoes can be peeled, ready to mash, most people actually prefer jellied cran, squash can be be bought peeled, ready to be roasted or mashed with butter. Mashed squash is sold frozen in blocks sometimes, and is quite good; I add vegan butter. Or frozen Brussels sprouts can be roasted, ideally with pancetta, but miso and olive oil is good. I am fussy about gravy, and have not found an adequate jarred or prepared version. Pies can be purchased. Whipped cream in a can is not awful, the real thing is hella easy.
Cleaning the house and using nice dishes is a chore, but cleaners can be found. I'll bet you could find someone to someone to come over the day before and prep things, possibly the day itself. A lot of people love a reason to avoid family drama. If I lived closer, I'd do it.
I wonder if you could hire an Uber to pick up at WF?
posted by theora55 at 3:51 PM on October 20, 2022
Cleaning the house and using nice dishes is a chore, but cleaners can be found. I'll bet you could find someone to someone to come over the day before and prep things, possibly the day itself. A lot of people love a reason to avoid family drama. If I lived closer, I'd do it.
I wonder if you could hire an Uber to pick up at WF?
posted by theora55 at 3:51 PM on October 20, 2022
Response by poster: Ideefixe, DISH is exactly the place I found, that's so expensive (if you include their delivery charge).
Now thinking more of cooking, doing stuff way ahead except the (small) turkey, roasting lil' bird and heating up my own pre-cooked, frozen "sides." Guests are making desserts and bringing drinks.
This is doable, I believe (I do have help already, just angsting in advance, as is my way)
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:10 PM on October 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
Now thinking more of cooking, doing stuff way ahead except the (small) turkey, roasting lil' bird and heating up my own pre-cooked, frozen "sides." Guests are making desserts and bringing drinks.
This is doable, I believe (I do have help already, just angsting in advance, as is my way)
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:10 PM on October 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Re your part A: are you looking to have this food delivered to you hot the morning of, or are you prepared to receive the food the day before and reheat/finish cooking it in your kitchen? The latter will be significantly cheaper; I'd expect ~$50/person *plus* delivery fee based on previous experience in both SF and Boston, modify as necessary for NYC. The former is where I'd expect to hit the $80-$100/person price point for 6 people. However, my experience with prices for this are all pre-pandemic; I would expect 2022 inflation to have done a ringer on these numbers as well.
Part B, if you go with DIY:
1. For the turkey, you want 1-2 lbs of turkey per person; 1 if you're going to lean more heavily on sides, 2 if you want enough for leftovers.
2. You can definitely make and freeze things ahead of time if spreading out the work will help you and you have sufficient freezer space! Stuffing, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, gravy, veggies, pies, all the traditional stuff will freeze and thaw just fine.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 4:44 PM on October 20, 2022
Part B, if you go with DIY:
1. For the turkey, you want 1-2 lbs of turkey per person; 1 if you're going to lean more heavily on sides, 2 if you want enough for leftovers.
2. You can definitely make and freeze things ahead of time if spreading out the work will help you and you have sufficient freezer space! Stuffing, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, gravy, veggies, pies, all the traditional stuff will freeze and thaw just fine.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 4:44 PM on October 20, 2022
FYI it is generally more difficult to find a small turkey. If you decide to roast one, you'd need about a 12 - 13 lb, I believe (a lot of the weight is in the bones). Order early. On the up side, turkey has a lot of mystique, but it's pretty easy to cook. A meat thermometer will reduce stress greatly.
You can probably find side dishes at WF and elsewhere you can reheat and serve in your own beautiful dishes and nobody will know you didn't prepare them all. When your guests ask what they can bring, maybe suggest an appetizer!
I would suggest you buy generous amounts, as it's a tradition to offer leftovers.
Pie is Thanksgiving's traditional dessert, and good pies are for sale at all kinds of groceries around Thanksgiving. Add vanilla ice cream and you have dessert covered.
You can do this!
posted by citygirl at 8:16 PM on October 20, 2022
You can probably find side dishes at WF and elsewhere you can reheat and serve in your own beautiful dishes and nobody will know you didn't prepare them all. When your guests ask what they can bring, maybe suggest an appetizer!
I would suggest you buy generous amounts, as it's a tradition to offer leftovers.
Pie is Thanksgiving's traditional dessert, and good pies are for sale at all kinds of groceries around Thanksgiving. Add vanilla ice cream and you have dessert covered.
You can do this!
posted by citygirl at 8:16 PM on October 20, 2022
You don't need an entire turkey for 5 people. You can get turkey breasts in 3-4 pound size, either fresh, frozen, or precooked.
posted by soelo at 10:26 PM on October 20, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by soelo at 10:26 PM on October 20, 2022 [4 favorites]
Fresh Direct does pretty good Thanksgiving food, but like the others, it’s delivered cold (and not on Thanksgiving Day), and needs to be reheated. I’ve used them several times and find it very easy. It’s not cheap, but it’s far far less than $500.
posted by saltykitten at 12:58 AM on October 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by saltykitten at 12:58 AM on October 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
I've come up with some shortcuts over the years to make painless holiday meals when faced with limited cooking implements and limited time.
I'm loathe to admit this, but Bob Evans mashed potatoes are an unhealthy guilty pleasure of mine and would work really well for this. You can buy 2-3 of the large tubs (usually in the refrigerated prepackaged meats sections) They are really good, they have some lumps and would easily pass for homemade. Avoid the brand called Simply Potatoes, they taste too much like instant. Ot make your own mash and freeze ahead. Alternatively, Trader Joes used to have some frozen mashed potatoes in bags that were also good, they were out of stock the last few times I checked but may have come back. Trader Joe's might have ample sides in the frozen food section to save you some labor on the day. I would just make sure to familiarize myself with them first to make sure they're what you expect as TJ's quality is all over the map.
Eating at my SIL's house one year she did a simple thing with microwaveable steam in the bag string beans (sold fresh in the steam bag in the produce section, frozen beans can have texture issues), and while still hot tossed them in a bowl with chunks of butter, salt, a couple of dashes of onion powder and diced up fresh mint and it was surprisingly tasty and easy prep. Over the years I've given frozen peas this same treatment with success using dill instead.
Another quick trick recipe I use for sweet potato mash would work just as well on the frozen squash mentioned above: shake in powdered onion and garlic and salt and pepper to taste once it's heated up and then add roughly torn pieces of fresh basil. It's very good. I've added red pepper flakes at times and I've also subbed out the basil with cilantro and it's equally delicious, so other herbs should work as well.
If you roast your own bird I think if you can get away with making the gravy early and freezing it that would save you some stress on the day. Most markets sell cheaper turkey parts and innards that you can brown up and use for the base for the gravy.
posted by newpotato at 2:29 AM on October 22, 2022
I'm loathe to admit this, but Bob Evans mashed potatoes are an unhealthy guilty pleasure of mine and would work really well for this. You can buy 2-3 of the large tubs (usually in the refrigerated prepackaged meats sections) They are really good, they have some lumps and would easily pass for homemade. Avoid the brand called Simply Potatoes, they taste too much like instant. Ot make your own mash and freeze ahead. Alternatively, Trader Joes used to have some frozen mashed potatoes in bags that were also good, they were out of stock the last few times I checked but may have come back. Trader Joe's might have ample sides in the frozen food section to save you some labor on the day. I would just make sure to familiarize myself with them first to make sure they're what you expect as TJ's quality is all over the map.
Eating at my SIL's house one year she did a simple thing with microwaveable steam in the bag string beans (sold fresh in the steam bag in the produce section, frozen beans can have texture issues), and while still hot tossed them in a bowl with chunks of butter, salt, a couple of dashes of onion powder and diced up fresh mint and it was surprisingly tasty and easy prep. Over the years I've given frozen peas this same treatment with success using dill instead.
Another quick trick recipe I use for sweet potato mash would work just as well on the frozen squash mentioned above: shake in powdered onion and garlic and salt and pepper to taste once it's heated up and then add roughly torn pieces of fresh basil. It's very good. I've added red pepper flakes at times and I've also subbed out the basil with cilantro and it's equally delicious, so other herbs should work as well.
If you roast your own bird I think if you can get away with making the gravy early and freezing it that would save you some stress on the day. Most markets sell cheaper turkey parts and innards that you can brown up and use for the base for the gravy.
posted by newpotato at 2:29 AM on October 22, 2022
Bob Evans mashed potatoes are an unhealthy guilty pleasure of mine
Seconding these - our grocery store puts them at the edge of the meat section with other sides like mac and cheese. I'd make 2 packs as directed, then throw them into a baking dish with extra butter and sour cream, stir up, and keep warm in the oven. They might get some crispy spots on top but that will add to the homemade feeling.
posted by soelo at 8:54 PM on October 22, 2022
Seconding these - our grocery store puts them at the edge of the meat section with other sides like mac and cheese. I'd make 2 packs as directed, then throw them into a baking dish with extra butter and sour cream, stir up, and keep warm in the oven. They might get some crispy spots on top but that will add to the homemade feeling.
posted by soelo at 8:54 PM on October 22, 2022
I know Agata & Valentina used to do this but I’m not seeing anything about Thanksgiving 2022 on their website now. Might be worth calling and asking, though.
posted by yarrow at 12:10 PM on October 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by yarrow at 12:10 PM on October 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Are you still looking for this? A caterer I know is taking orders for full meals - delivery range is Upper West Side and Upper East Side plus Riverdale.
posted by Mchelly at 7:50 PM on November 21, 2022
posted by Mchelly at 7:50 PM on November 21, 2022
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