(At) home for the holidays: our favorite local options for carryout Thanksgiving feasts
For many of us, this year’s Thanksgiving is going to look a whole lot different than the large family gatherings we’re used to: obviously, due to COVID-19, many of these get-togethers will be sliced dramatically in size or nixed outright.
But don’t worry—Columbus restaurants have you covered. With a wide range of options from full dinner boxes, to a la charge dishes, and even help with flowers or other table decorations, let’s take a look at some of the city’s top options for a take-out Thanksgiving.
Note: this is by no means an exclusive list, so make sure to reach out to your favorite restaurants for their Thanksgiving options as well.
Cameron Mitchell Premier Events.
Since 2010, Cameron Mitchell Premier Events, a catering arm of the city’s lauded restaurant group, has been offering take-home Thanksgiving boxes (referred to as Thanksgiving in a box) that contain everything you need for the perfect turkey day.
The standard box—which runs for $299– contains everything you need to feed a family of 10. According to Melissa Johnson, managing director for CMPE, these are Thanksgiving-sized portions. “In a lot of cases, you’re going to have leftovers the next day,” she said. “We know a lot of people like to have turkey sandwiches at the end of the evening, and we try to design it this way.”
According to Johnson, because of COVID-19, CMPE has seen a 40% spike in box sales. Due to the increased demand, they’ll be offering a special Thanksgiving box that serves 6-7 people. Details on both boxes can be found here.
Cameron Mitchell Premier Events can also provide a la carte food items, wine, floral arrangements, and according to Johnson, even linens (if you call and ask). “We’re really trying to become a one-stop-shop for people this year,” she said.
But don’t delay, the last official day to pre-order your Thanksgiving in a box is Nov. 16.
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Der Dutchman
While this Plain City mainstay can be a hike depending on where in Columbus you live, the Amish-themed eatery is jam-packed just about every weekend for good reason: the food is fantastic.
Their extensive heat and serve Thanksgiving carry-out menu offers three different “Family Feast” options, serving 5 ($75), 10 ($135.99), and 20 ($234.99). All feasts offer your choice of roast turkey or ham, a variety of delicious sides, and dinner rolls.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to order from their regular menu for Thanksgiving carry out as well, which features down-home favorites like fried chicken, ham, and roast beef (also heat and serve).
(At) home for the holidays: our favorite local options for carryout Thanksgiving feastsRay Ray’s Hog Pit
If you thought you were going to get out of here without recommendations for Thanksgiving with a barbeque twist, you thought wrong
These beloved Columbus pitmasters just recently released their Thanksgiving preorder menu, so if you haven’t caught word of this yet, that’s probably why. You can check it out here.
Ray Ray’s is serving not only entire Thanksgiving packages for the whole family (starting at $260), but a handful of a la carte sides in addition to what we all came for: meat.
They’re offering smoked pit ham ($80), a smoked turkey breast ($100), and even a smoked rib tray (3 slabs for $72).
Berwick Manor Restaurant
Known in part for their Thanksgiving buffet, the Berwick—open since 1955 on the city’s southeast side—the Berwick is offering multiple takeout options, including both hot and cold Thanksgiving boxed meals ($14 person hot; between $12 and $12.50 for cold options), with fun, still heavy-handedly Thanksgiving options such as a dijon turkey sandwich and a cranberry pecan chicken salad.
They’re also offering both take-out and delivery Thanksgiving choices from a full, traditional holiday menu, complete with turkey, a host of delicious sides, and multiple dessert options. Like their Thanksgiving boxed meals, these can be ordered either hot or cold.
Columbus Fish Market
If you’re feeling dangerous this Thanksgiving, the Columbus Fish Market has you covered.
In addition to a more traditional three-course Thanksgiving day menu for dine-in patrons and a full take-out feast, the Columbus Fish Market also offers a full menu of holiday seafood platters. And while many of these aren’t specifically Thanksgiving themed, don’t let that steer you away if you feel like mixing things up this year.
Their holiday catering platters (you’re encouraged to order at least a full day in advance if possible) include cold dishes like a 20-piece jumbo shrimp cocktail, and hot options such as crab-stuffed mushrooms, miniature crab cakes, and even bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Lindey’s
We’ll pivot into something a bit more traditional now for all the Thanksgiving purists out there now.
And if you’re talking traditional, few Columbus restaurants fit the bill more than Lindey’s, the German Village institution that’s been serving up some of the absolute best steaks and entrees in a sophisticated (but not stuffy) setting.
Lindey’s is offering a to-go Thanksgiving dinner box that includes tried and true favorites like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, plus a pumpkin pie and a pecan pie. For $280, their Thanksgiving box feeds 10 people.
Carfagna’s Italian Market
One of the city’s most beloved family-owned markets is getting in on the Thanksgiving takeout game, and you probably don’t want to miss out.
True to their mantra of fresh and often handmade food, Carfagna’s is offering a full Thanksgiving dinner that features a precooked, free-range Ohio turkey, savory celery herb dressing, whipped potatoes, turkey gravy, Carfagna’s own green beans, Carfagna’s creamy coleslaw, one dozen dinner rolls, and your choice of apple of pumpkin pie.
The dinner feeds 8-10 people and costs $89.95.
Cameron Mitchell pies and cakes
Here’s a little dessert for you as well, because this one definitely deserves its own entry.
In addition to their full dinner boxes through Cameron Mitchell Premier Catering, the Columbus restaurant group is also offering a litany of mouth-watering pie and cake options at many different Cameron Mitchell restaurants.
The full list is too long to print, but it encompasses a handful of different CMR spots and features options such as Dutch apple, chocolate pecan pie, and chocolate caramel cake. Check out the full menu here.
Cherry Valley Hotel
While the idyllic Cherry Valley Hotel is in nearby Newark and not Columbus proper, they’re offering a Thanksgiving you won’t want to pass up if you find yourself East of the city on turkey day.
With family dinner for 4-6 people ($149) and 10-12 people ($269), you’ll be able to feed both a single family or larger gathering.
And you’ll be able to feed them with great food as well.
With hearty dishes that include everything from pumpkin bisque and bacon soup to garlic mashed potatoes, apple chestnut stuffing, slow-roasted Turkey, and green bean amandine, you may consider making the trip out to Newark anyway.
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