Let’s face it — nobody wants to cook the turkey (big props to my in-laws for always taking this on!). And if you live in NoVA, there’s no reason you have to spend November 23 in the kitchen. We rounded up some of the best restaurants and grocery stores where you can grab a complete feast this year. Now, that’s something to be thankful for!
Founding Farmers
This regional chain not only keeps its restaurants open on Thanksgiving day, it offers heat-and-eat Thanksgiving meals to go at most locations. Grab sides, desserts, or a complete dinner for four. Choose from a ready-to-roast spatchcock half turkey, veggie loaf, maple-apricot glazed salmon, or herb-crusted prime rib. A healthy assortment of sides comes with the feast: cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, sweet potatoes, french-cut green beans, and roasted vegetables. Add a key lime or cream pie for $10 more or a cheesecake for $20. Order by noon on November 17. Pickup November 22. Multiple area locations, $159–$249, serves four
Lechonera DMV
Kick up the flavors of your Thanksgiving fare with a carryout meal from this Puerto Rican wood-fired barbecue spot. Meals include a wedge salad, your choice of roasted pork or turkey, sides of rice with pigeon peas and root vegetable succotash, maple sage gravy and papaya relish, and cornbread. For dessert, choose a pumpkin spice or traditional tembleque (a Puerto Rican coconut pudding). Order by calling 240-756-5359 or messaging Lechonera’s accounts on Facebook or Instagram. The last day to order for Thanksgiving-day pickup is November 19. 1325 Old Bridge Rd., Woodbridge, $150 for four, $280 for eight
Alexandria Restaurant Partners
This NoVA restaurant group is offering Thanksgiving to-go meals to be picked up at Vola’s Dockside Grill on November 22 or 23. It includes a 20-to-22-pound apple cider–glazed roasted turkey with sage gravy for up to 12 people; housemade cranberry sauce; sides like ratatouille, corn maque choux, and praline-baked sweet potatoes; and pumpkin or pecan pie with whipped cream for a dessert that feeds up to six people. You can double the sides for $55 or add a second pie for $35. Orders can be placed online until November 17. 101 N. Union St., Alexandria, $279, serves six to 12
Sfoglina Pasta House
Want to really impress your relatives or your sweetheart? Pick up a Thanksgiving at-home box at this Italian pasta house. Inside you’ll find butternut squash caramelle with brown butter, sage, and toasted walnuts; rosemary olive oil loaf; a traditional herb roasted turkey; whipped potatoes; arugula and parmigiano salad; pan gravy; cranberry compote; sage stuffing; sauteed green beans; cookies; and an individual pumpkin pie with vanilla chantilly. Order by noon on November 20. Pickup November 23. 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, $145 for two, $275 for four
Ambar Clarendon
Get a great deal on a takeout meal for two from this Balkan hotspot. It comes with homemade cornbread, creamy pumpkin soup, poached pear salad, roasted turkey with rosemary and garlic butter, gravy, cranberry chutney, truffled mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, raspberry cake, and chocolate cake. November 21 is the last day to order. Pickup November 23. 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, $79, serves two
Seasons 52
This American chain specializing in seasonal ingredients is offering a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to go. You’ll get a salad with organic greens, a roasted turkey with savory pan gravy, mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, green beans, mashed butternut squash, cranberry relish, and pumpkin pie “mini indulgences” — a combination of pumpkin mousse, pumpkin cake, whipped cream, and ginger snaps — for dessert. Pickup November 22. 7863L Tysons Corner Ctr., Ste. N11L, McLean, $225, serves four to six
Ahso Restaurant
Dining for one? Here’s an excellent option. For the sixth year in a row, this Brambleton New American restaurant is offering Thanksgiving dinner to go. Included is a Whiffletree Farms turkey roulade (with white and dark meat and cornbread turkey-sausage stuffing), heirloom squash soup with pepitas, roasted beet and butternut squash salad, roasted brussels sprouts with smoked pork shank and caramelized onion, cranberry-orange compote, mashed potatoes and shallot gravy, sweet potato casserole with pecans, a dinner roll, and apple crisp. Pickup November 22 or 23. 22855 Brambleton Plz., Ste. 108, Brambleton, $75 per person
Lebanese Taverna
Not everyone loves the taste of turkey, which could be why many of us eat it only once a year. At this popular local chain, you can opt for a leg of lamb, complete with spiced rice, toasted nuts, and three-herb sauce ($180 for eight to 10 people), or an organic whole chicken ($39 for two to three people) if you don’t want turkey. Flavorful sides are priced à la carte and include za’atar potatoes, bulghur pilaf, and arnabeet. For dessert? A baklava-crusted pumpkin cheesecake. Pickup November 22. Multiple locations
Joon
Our favorite new Northern Virginia Persian restaurant (check out food critic Alice Levitt’s review) is offering two Thanksgiving dinner options — both complete with a spatchcock brined and roasted turkey. The American version comes with sides like sweet potato casserole, crispy fingerling potatoes, and corn pudding. The Persian version’s sides include stuffing with walnuts, almonds, prunes, and apricots; fava bean and dill rice; and spinach borani. You can add dessert (pumpkin spiced roulette with glazed apples and bourbon dulce de leche) for $50 or a bottle of wine for $33. Meals may be ordered online now for pickup or delivery on November 22. 8045 Leesburg Pk., Ste. 120, Vienna, $240, serves five to six.
Roberto’s Ristorante Italiano
This meal curated by James Beard Award-winning chef, Roberto Donna, lets you choose between herb-filled turkey breast ($55 per person) or roasted angus prime rib ($75 per person). Included in both options are sausage chestnut dressing, rosemary gravy, spinach flan, cranberry orange sauce, baked cheese tortellini, focaccia, and pumpkin tiramisu. Order online by noon on November 18. Pickup November 22. 144 Church St. NW, Vienna, $55-75 per person
Whole Foods
Get the quality of your favorite high-end grocery store without the hassle of shopping. Simply go online and pick from a selection of Thanksgiving spreads like the classic whole roast turkey meal for four, complete with sides ($99.99) or the Thanksgiving extravaganza for 12 that comes with a selection of appetizers like a grilled shrimp platter and truffle-and-chive deviled eggs ($539.99). You can order a la carte and add desserts, making the meal completely customizable. Pickup November 17–23. Multiple locations
Wegmans
More of a Wegmans than a Whole Foods person? You’re in luck. The supermarket offers a hand-carved turkey dinner with all-natural, free-range turkey, herb stuffing, whipped potatoes, seasoned green beans, gravy, cranberry orange relish, and roasted butternut squash ($175 for six, $299 for 12). A signature ham dinner and customizable sides are available, and an individually packaged turkey meal is only $16. Pickup November 18–23. Multiple locations
Feature image by Brent Hofacker/stock.adobe.com
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