Restaurant Review: Thanksgiving Day Feasts under $100 per person in Chicago
The Thanksgiving holiday honors early settlers and Native Americans who came together to have a historic harvest feast in 1621. That first meal, according to National Geographic for Kids, consisted of deer, corn, shellfish, and roasted meat.
But, according to National Geographic, it wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln declared two national Thanksgivings; one in August to commemorate the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War, and the other in November to give thanks for “general blessings. In the centuries since, Thanksgiving has become a day when families and friends get together in celebration.
Chicago offers many reasons not to cook this Thanksgiving, on Thursday, November 23. As per Dean’s Team Chicago tradition, we have compiled a short list of area restaurants serving sumptuous feasts for under $100 per person that still have reservations available. This is, by no means, all that are available, but we made sure to include the restaurants offering the best variety for the price.
Reserve your Thanksgiving feast at the Gold Coast’s Brass Tack,11 E. Walton, and indulge in a three-course, traditional American brasserie fare for $85 per person. Start with fresh-made Parker House rolls, followed by your choice of Butternut Squash Bisque accompanied by roasted pepitas and spiced crema, or Green Bean Salad with burrata, tomato, Marcona almonds, frisée, and mint, drizzled with sherry vinaigrette. Entrees include their classic BT Turkey Dinner with brown sugar-bourbon glazed turkey, poblano mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread dressing, pineapple-cranberry chutney, and savory gravy. Or, their Prime Prime Rib, served with creamed spinach, loaded Hasselback potatoes, and au jus. Ora King Salmon is accompanied by turnips, salt-baked onions, and orange miso.
Save room for their Cognac Pumpkin Cheesecake with a chocolate crust, candied walnuts, and a drizzle of salted caramel. For reservations, click here.
From 11 am until 8 pm, all Francesca’s locations—River North, Lakeview, and suburbs, will host a Thanksgiving Feast Buffet “with an Italian twist.” Chicago Food Magazine notes that you and your family can treat yourselves to an unlimited spread of turkey, ham, artichoke stuffing, rigatoni vodka, salads and a variety of sides. The $49.95 per adult and $14.95 for children aged 12 and under are among the lowest prices we’ve found. Their location on Chestnut has availability through early afternoon as of Tuesday, Mia Francesca’s in Lakeview is still wide open. To make reservations on Open Table, click here.
River North’s Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash, is offering an $85 per person, three-course menu “with a French accent.” They are featuring a traditional Roasted Farm Turkey Breast served with chestnut stuffing, garlic pomme puree, glazed orange cranberries, haricot vert and verjus sauce. Catch of the Day, Prime Beef Short Ribs, and homemade Vegetarian Tortellini. Appetizers include a choice of Veloute of the Day, Terrine of the Day, Artisanal Smoked Salmon Salad or the Chioggia and Yellow Beet Salad. Desserts include a ‘traditional’ Thanksgiving Dessert, the French Lemon Tart or Chocolate Hazelnut Bars. They note that “The Regular Menu is NOT available!” For reservations, click here.
At Swedish-inspired Ann Sather, their three locations in Lakeview and Edgewater are serving a Thanksgiving Dinner for $30.95 per person, including Chicken Vegetable Soup, Roasted Turkey and Dressing, Mashed Potatoes and Giblet Gravy, Fresh Seasonal Vegetables, Cranberry Sauce, Assorted Homemade Breads, and Homemade Apple or Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream. They start serving dinner at 11am. Their 909 W. Belmont location is open 7am–5pm, 3415 N. Broadway is open 7am–3pm, and their 1147 W. Granville Avenue location is open 7am–3pm. No reservations are accepted. For more information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
