Updated: Gobble Up All that Atlanta is Offering this Thanksgiving

Retailers are busily jingling bells and making malls merry for December's holiday rush. Atlanta chefs know that Thanksgiving comes first, stuffed with long-standing menu traditions and future traditions in the making to be gratefully shared with friends and family. Stop rushing. Live in the moment and savor Thanksgiving at these Atlanta gathering spots, or retreat after a Black Friday shopping spree. Of course, you might want to make reservations first.

Thankful for their communities, Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland and Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna are both planning Thanksgiving Day meals to pass that feeling of contentment on to their guests. Starting at 5 p.m. on November 22, the Virginia-Highland location offers meals at $22 for adults, $15 for young adults and $10 for children 10 and under (tax and gratuity not included). The restaurant offers a choice of entrée between Big Green Egg smoked turkey breast or braised pork shoulder with sides of green bean casserole, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry Gran Marnier compote and sweet potato biscuits. Dessert includes pumpkin cheesecake or southern pecan pie. The Smyrna location serves the Thanksgiving feast at 4 p.m. and is feeding adults for $20, $15 for youth and $8 for children 10 and under (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations are recommended for both locations. Call Atkins Park in Virginia Highland at 404-876-7249 and Atkins Park in Smyrna at 770-435-1887. 

Atlantans who want to host Thanksgiving dinner at their home without the hassle of cooking it all can place orders with Buckhead Barbecue Co.  Offering  selections for any size party, the restaurant is cooking  classic, take-home  entrees such as hickory honey and cracked pepper smoked turkey, apple-brandy and brown sugar smoked ham and all-natural, Black Angus brisket.  Sides feed between 12 to 15 people and include squash casserole, cornbread dressing, sweet potato soufflé and macaroni and cheese. Pies and cobblers finish the holiday meal, like the Buckhead cobbler (peach, apple, blueberry, blackberry and chocolate) or a traditional pumpkin pie, also all feeding 12-15 people. Buckhead Barbecue Co. is currently taking orders for the holiday meal until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20. Customers can stop in or call 404-792-9388 to place orders. 

Chicken and the Egg is spreading the Thanksgiving spirit this holiday by serving up a traditional Southern meal. From 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the Marietta restaurant is offering a menu for guests to choose an entrée, three sides and a dessert. Choices of entrée include either roasted turkey with cornbread dressing or glazed ham. A few side items being offered are mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and green bean casserole. For dessert, choices are pecan pie, pumpkin pie or apple cobbler. Included with the meal are rolls with butter, cranberry relish, soft drinks, iced tea or coffee. The meal is $24.99 for adults, $11.99 for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations are recommended; call 678-388-8813.

Ormsby’s, located in Atlanta’s West Midtown neighborhood, is celebrating turkey day early on Wednesday, November 21 until 3 a.m. Guests seeking relief from the day after Thanksgiving shopping craze can take advantage of special deals offered at the restaurant on Black Friday. Ormsby’s is located at 1170 Howell Mill Road. For more information, guests can call 404-968-2033 or visit www.ormsbysatlanta.com.  

On the busiest shopping day of the year, RA Sushi Bar Restaurant is giving weary deal hunters a reason to take a break and relax. Escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds for some “RA Retail Therapy,” and enjoy all day happy hour at RA on Friday, November 23. Celebrate Black Friday at RA by ordering from more than 35 sushi, appetizer, and tapas selections, plus a wide variety of beer, wine and signature cocktails ranging from $2 to $7. Popular dishes include Tootsy Maki, Viva Las Vegas Roll, “RA”ckin’ Shrimp, Spicy Sesame Chicken Wings and creative cocktails such as the Saketini, Red Lotus or Shiso Naughty. RA Sushi’s food specials are typically available from 3 to 7 p.m., but on November 23, food specials will be extended from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with drink specials available all day. Stop in to RA Sushi for some Retail Therapy at 1080 Peachtree St., Suite 8. For more information, call 404-267-0114 or visit www.RAsushi.com.

Southern hospitality by the plateful is yours as you focus on friends and family on Thanksgiving Day at South City Kitchen Midtown and South City Kitchen Vinings. Each person at your table can build their own three-course meal by selecting an appetizer, entrée and dessert from a feast-worthy menu. Dine from 12-8 p.m. at the Midtown location and from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Vinings location. Cost is $42 for adults and $21 for children 12 and under (tax and gratuity not included). Start with choices such as fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and sweet red pepper coulis or house-made pimento cheese with toasted corn crackers, butter pickles and celery hearts. Main courses include roasted turkey breast with giblet gravy, cornbread dressing, collard greens, whipped potatoes and orange cranberry sauce or buttermilk fried chicken, garlic sautéed collards, smashed bliss potatoes and honey-thyme jus. Save room for desserts such as caramel pumpkin cheese tart and Southern chocolate pecan pie. Reservations are recommended at both locations. Call South City Kitchen Midtown at 404-873-7358 and South City Kitchen Vinings at 770-435-0700.

If you want to celebrate turkey day in the comfort of your own home without the fuss of cooking, Ray’s at Killer Creek is taking Thanksgiving feast to-go orders through Friday, November 18th. The fare includes a boneless roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and pumpkin and apple pies. The price is $125 and serves four to six people. What are you waiting for? Place your order by calling 770-649-0064.