No time to cook a holiday turkey? No problem!
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be quite a chore. Of course, with all the wonderful restaurants that abound in our community, you always can go out for the feast — if the restaurants are open on the holiday.
But eating at a home is the most likely Thanksgiving scenario for most of us, and that usually involves much time spent planning, shopping, preparing, cooking and baking. As an alternative, you can just as easily pick up the phone and call one of these local grocers or restaurants who have conveniently prepared everything for you!
So, if you find yourself just wanting to relax and leave the cooking to someone else, here are a few local ideas:
Opened just five months ago, Sprouts at 1302 S. La Brea Ave. and San Vicente Blvd. is offering several different dinner selections that will appeal to every hungry family member’s tummy. As of press time, prices were still being finalized, but based on previous years’ pricing, here’s what you can expect: Dinner for two ($29.99) includes a cooked turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread, a vegetable, stuffing, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. The family meal, which serves six to eight people, includes a 10- to 12-pound pre-cooked turkey, plus all the same sides as the two-person order ($59.99). For those who want something a little different, Sprouts also offers a Thanksgiving feast with ham or prime rib ($69.99). For dessert, don’t forget to snatch up the fresh pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie!
Jenny Mendez, Sprout’s deli manager at the S. La Brea location, has ordered the feasts for over a decade.
“I’ve been working here for 12 years, and I buy one of these meals for my family every year,” she reveals.
To order, go online to Sprouts.com, or call the store directly at 323-801-7510.
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Not far up the road, you’ll find Trader Joe’s at 263 S. La Brea Ave. Instead of pre-orders, the grocery will be offering “grab and go” items. All of the mains and sides you would expect will be offered throughout the month: Pre-cooked turkeys, creamed cauliflower, macaroni & cheese, corn pudding, mashed sweet potatoes, four-cheese scalloped potatoes, fresh turkey gravy and several holiday pies, as well as kosher turkeys (big birds and little birds).
“Most turkeys don’t come pre-brined, but ours do,” says store manager Garrett Williamson. “We’re known for that.”
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Directly across the street at 260 S. La Brea Ave. is Ralphs grocery, which will be offering a slew of holiday choices. Shoppers can choose from a boneless ham or turkey dinner for four to six people, which includes stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato soufflé, mashed potatoes, gravy, Kings Hawaiian Rolls and a 10-inch pumpkin pie.
For parties of six to eight, Ralphs will be offering a prime rib dinner or bone-in choices of a seven to nine pound ham, 10- to 12-pound turkey or 10- to 12-pound smoked turkey with all of the aforementioned sides and desserts.
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At the time the Chronicle went to press, prices had not yet been published. Stop by the store or go online (Ralphs.com) to order.
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The Fairfax Whole Foods Market at 6350 W. Third Street will be selling a traditional Thanksgiving meal as well. As of press time, details were unavailable, but we’re told that Sat., Nov. 16 will be the date customers can begin ordering online (wholefoodsmarket.com). Then, starting Thurs., Nov. 21, customers can walk into the store to place in-person orders at the holiday table, usually toward the meat section.
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In addition to grocery stores, Du-Par’s Restaurant and Bakery at the Original Farmers Market, as well as Wilshire Blvd.’s new Eleven City Diner, also will be offering Thanksgiving options for cooking-averse customers.
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At Du-Par’s, the mouth-watering options are abundant. Both dine-in and take-out orders include fresh roasted turkey, served with house-made butternut squash soup, homemade garlic mashed potatoes and stuffing, glazed carrots, green beans amandine, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. The Whole Turkey Feast ($225), serving eight to 10 people, comes with two pies, while the Small Turkey Feast ($155), serving four to six people, includes one pie. Guests can also order individual Thanksgiving dinner plates for $29.50 or a child’s plate (three to 11 yrs.) for $17.95. Individual holiday pies include cherry, blueberry, pumpkin, peach, boysenberry, apple, raspberry, mincemeat, sweet potato and pecan, ranging in price from $14.95 to $15.95.
Du-Par’s Thanksgiving feasts, both for dine-in and take-out, are incredibly popular, so if you want to order or make a dine-in reservation, don’t wait!
“We sell out and start distributing on the Monday of Thanksgiving week,” reminds Frances Tario, president and CEO of Du-Par’s Restaurants and Bakeries.
To order, email Frances at frances@dupars-psr.com or call 323-933-8446, 323-933-8447 or 323-933-8440.
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Eleven City Diner, one of the Miracle Mile’s newest eating establishments (5400 Wilshire Blvd.) will be closed for Thanksgiving, but is offering three spectacular pre-order dessert options for pick up.
“We will be taking orders for three cakes, which have been a super hit, for pick up the day before the holiday, on Wed., Nov. 27,” says owner Bradley Rubin.
The three cakes available are the To-Die-For Chocolate Three Layer Cake for $60, the Juniors NYC Cheesecake (14 slices) for $75, and the Crazy Delish Carrot Cake, a three-layer extravaganza with cream cheese frosting for $60. All orders must be placed no later than Mon., Nov. 25. Call 323-761-1211 to place your order.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, and bon appétit!
By Sondi Toll Sepenuk
Category: Entertainment
