For those not in the mood to cook Thanksgiving dinner, takeout is a popular alternative.
Whether you need the entire turkey with all the trimmings or just a few sides and pies, many restaurants, caterers and hotels have you covered.
Last year the takeout trend exploded as more people stuck closer to home due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year, many establishments are following suit with to-go offerings. Although, some restaurants are noticing a robust return of diners to holiday buffets, brunches and dinners.
On the downside, expect to shell out more money for this year’s feast, whether you’re cooking from scratch, dining out or ordering carryout.
Turkey prices are expected to hit record highs, while the cost of most foods has sharply increased. Reasons vary from supply chain issues and the labor crunch to inflation and poor weather in some key growing areas.
The following are a few picks to get you started with your to-go Thanksgiving plans:
Just like last year, the restaurant at the Hilton Harrisburg at 1 N. Second St. has all the bases covered with a compatible takeout/dine-in menu. It encompasses carved turkey, cranberry relish and gravy with family style sides such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans with mushrooms, shredded potato casserole and cranberry apple crisp. Price is $37 per person plus tax. Order online or by calling 717-237-6419.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
As in the past, Cracker Barrel is selling Thanksgiving Heat n’ Serve Feasts in several sizes as well as whole pies. The meals include turkey and all the fixings such as cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry relish and sides. Smaller meals feed about 4 to 6 people and start at $38.99 while bigger meals for between 8 and 10 guests are priced at $139.99. A la carte items such as carrots, cornbread stuffing, fried apples, cranberries and rolls are also available.
The Hershey restaurant at 27 W. Chocolate Ave. is selling Thanksgiving sides and desserts. Order lobster mac n’ cheese, creamed corn with white cheddar bacon, butternut squash with sage brown butter, whipped Yukon gold potatoes and lobster bisque. Desserts include Hershey’s chocolate velvet cake, pumpkin cheesecake and vanilla bean cheesecake. Prices start at $26. Call 717-508-5460 by Nov. 21. Pick up is Nov. 23-24.
The barbecue joint at 283 E. Main St. in Hummelstown sells Thanksgiving foods to-go every year. This year smoked turkey and bacon-wrapped pork loin are on the menu along with sides such as buttermilk mashed potatoes, country herb gravy, baked sweet potatoes, brioche and herb stuffing and roasted root vegetables, among others. Mix-and-match your menu or order a whole meal for 8-10 people for $230. Orders due by Nov. 19. Call 717-566-6666 or email forrestsfeedco@gmail.com.
The Palmyra restaurant at 664 W. Main St. is selling a family to-go meal in two sizes. Roasted turkey with gravy and sides including mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, Dutch stuffing and green bean casserole for 4-5 people is $85. A larger size that feeds 8 to 10 people is $160. Add $4 per person for slices of pie or cake. Orders due Nov. 22. Pickup is Nov. 23 and 24. Call 717-838-1611.
The Hotel Hershey is selling dozens of la carte options from sides to pies. The traditional dinner package serves 6-8 people for $329. It includes a 20-pound slow roasted turkey, butternut squash soup, Caesar salad, whipped potatoes, sage stuffing, peppercorn gravy, Brussels sprouts with applewood smoked bacon and brown sugar, cranberry orange relish, potato rolls with sweet cream butter and two pumpkin pies with whipped cream. Order online by 9 p.m. Nov. 17 for curbside pick up on Nov. 24.
The restaurant at 801 E. Chocolate Ave. in Hershey is accepting Thanksgiving pre-orders through Nov. 15. The menu includes carved turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry relish, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, green beans and carrots, sweet potato casserole, rolls and pumpkin pie. Price is $35 per person plus tax. Pickup is Nov. 24. Call 717-533-7505 to order.
Karns is selling a complete oven-ready meal to go for Thanksgiving that feeds 4-6 people. It includes choice of boneless ham or turkey breast with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole baked corn, filling and dinner rolls for $68.99. A smaller dinner to-go option for two includes sliced turkey breast and sides for $24.99. For those who just want sides, there’s an option to buy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, baked corn, stuffing, rolls and pumpkin pie for $45.99. Shoppers also can pre-order a variety of pies such as pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan, pumpkin pecan and apple.
The barbecue restaurant at 4916 Louise Drive in Lower Allen Township is selling smoked turkeys and whole dinners. A 14-17 pound turkey is $90, while 18-21 pound turkeys are $110. Whole dinners include the turkey and sides - mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, sweet creamed corn, green bean casserole and choice of apple or pumpkin pie. Price is $170 for 8-12 people and $240 for 14-18 people. Orders due before Nov. 20. Pick up is Nov. 24. Call 717-550-7995.
The Carlisle area diner at 1803 Harrisburg Pike is selling several Thanksgiving meal takeout options. Each meal is enough to feed 4-5 people and include sides. Choices include roasted turkey white and dark meat for $69.99, turkey breast and baked ham combo for $79.99 and homemade chicken pot pie for $65.99. Call 717-241-2021.
Simply Turkey & More has been preparing Thanksgiving to-go meals for more than 20 years. Place your order online for whole turkeys and hams as well as side dishes.
This year whole turkeys and spiral glazed hams are priced at $109.95. For an additional $50 throw in four sides such as mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, garlic and redskin mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, spiced apples or cole slaw. Orders can be scheduled for pickup. Stores are open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 25.
4455 Front St., Harrisburg, 717-909-2013 and 30 Erford Road, East Pennsboro Township, 717-730-9805.