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How to Do Thanksgiving in Athens Without Cooking a Thing

Here’s your annual guide to where to order Thanksgiving food if you can’t or don’t want to cook it yourself, as well as some day-of options should you need a place to go. 

Athens Farmers Market will hold its yearly pre-Thanksgiving market in the parking lot of Heirloom Cafe in Boulevard on Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., if you want to buy the ingredients to cook your own meal. Heirloom will also be open for brunch and drinks that day.

Big City Bread has rustic apple tart ($27), pumpkin pie ($20), pecan pie ($25), pear-almond frangipane tart ($28; gluten-free), each of which serves eight, as well as orange-cranberry bread ($16.50), cranberry pecan batard ($7.50), challah ($8.25) and pull-apart rolls ($5.25 for seven rolls). Call 706-353-0029 to order by Nov. 23 for pick-up Nov. 27 by 3 p.m.

Butcher & Vine, in Watkinsville, is making Thanksgiving charcuterie boards for pick-up on Nov. 26 or 27 between 11 a.m.–3 p.m. All boards will have three meats and three cheeses, plus crackers and bread. They feed eight to 10 people, cost $100 a pop, include the fancy cutting board they come on and are limited to 10 total. Call 706-705-1466 or DM on Facebook to reserve. You can also order a couple of kinds of turkeys (uncooked), prime rib, veal or rack of lamb by Nov. 20 (50% deposit required; pick up Nov. 27, between 11 a.m.–3 p.m.) at eatbutcherandvine.com.

Butt Hutt is smoking turkeys for $55 each (16–18 pounds). Call 706-850-8511 to order by Nov. 22.

Cabin Creek BBQ is offering orders at 706-757-2267 or cabincreekbbq199@gmail.com with a deadline of Nov. 22. You can pick up either cold (Nov. 27 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.) or hot (Thanksgiving Day from 9–11 a.m.), and your choices include boneless smoked turkey, half or whole, for $9.99 per pound; cornbread dressing, squash casserole and sweet potato soufflé at $30 for a half pan and $60 for a whole pan; mashed potatoes and green beans at $24 and $48; and giblet gravy at $10 per quart. Half a pan feeds about 15 people, while a whole pan feeds 30.

Chops and Hops is doing mains, sides, appetizers, desserts, etc. through an order form you can pick up at the restaurant. Deadline is Nov. 23, and pick-up is Nov. 27.

Donderos’ Kitchen has loads of choices, including gluten-free roasted whole turkey (10, 14, 18 or 22 pounds for $4.95/pound) and the following sides at $11 to feed two to four people or $24 to feed eight to 12: herbed dressing with sausage or pecans, which you can also get gluten-free, herbed roasted sweet potatoes (GF and vegan) and mac and cheese. There’s also mashed potatoes ($13/quart, GF), mashed rutabagas and Swedish turnips ($13/quart, GF), Southern collards ($13/quart, GF and vegan), sweet and sour red cabbage with apple ($13/quart, GF and vegan), red wine gravy ($8/pint; $15/quart, plus $2 if GF), cranberry sauce ($8/pint; $15/quart, GF and vegan), six rolls from Independent Baking Co. ($5.34), apple pie ($18), pumpkin pie ($15), sweet potato pie ($17) and pecan pie ($17). Fill out the order form at donderoskitchen.com by Nov. 22 (Nov. 21 for turkeys) and pick up Nov. 26 from 4–5:30 p.m. or Nov. 27 from 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Eden’s Cafe has vegan options, which you can order at edensvegancafe.com/holiday-ordering by Nov. 24 for pick-up by Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. Prepayment is required. Choices include mushroom gravy or cranberry sauce ($8/8 ounces or $16/16 ounces); vegan mac and cheese and sweet potato casserole in an 8-by-8 pan ($30); six sweet potato biscuits with vanilla whipped coconut butter ($14); apple-pecan stuffing, also in an 8-by-8 pan ($25); 32 ounces of winter squash soup or Three Sisters Stew (squash, pumpkin, black beans, corn, tomato; $35); pumpkin or apple pie ($30); chocolate silk pie or a pan of berry oat bars or pumpkin oat bars ($25); cheesecake ($50); and cookies by the dozen—almond ($25), chocolate chip ($20) or turmeric ginger ($20).

Five Bar is doing its annual Thanksgiving Feast on the actual day from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The meal is free, but donations are accepted to benefit Project Safe. They also take volunteers.

George’s Lowcountry Table is offering Thanksgiving platters, including squash casserole, oyster stuffing and mac and cheese. Call 706-548-3359 or email georgeslowcountrytable@gmail.com for details.

Heirloom is taking orders at heirloomathens.com/holiday-order-form through Nov. 24 at 10 p.m. for pick-up Nov. 27 between 11 a.m.–8 p.m. For savory stuff (each serves four), there’s green bean casserole ($13), root vegetable hash ($14), sweet potato soufflé with pecan crumble ($12), cornbread-based stuffing with apples and sausage ($13), Southern-style braised greens ($8/quart), cranberry orange relish ($7/pint), turkey gravy ($6/pint) and cornbread ($6). Sweets include chocolate bourbon pecan pie, pumpkin pie, sour cream apple crumb pie and sweet potato pie with maple cream ($30 each).

Home.made is doing sides that serve six at $22 each: tomato pie with savory crust, basil, parmesan, cheddar and ricotta; onion pie with Swiss cheese custard and cracker crust; roasted fall vegetables with fresh herbs and pecans; and mac and cheese with brown butter breadcrumbs. You can also get cranberry pepper jelly ($5/8 ounces), ready-to-bake brown butter yeast rolls ($6 per 24-roll tray), pimento cheese ($12/pint) and chicken salad ($12/pint). Order at homemadeathens.com/shop by Nov. 23 at noon.

Kiki’s Bakeshop has pies (classic golden apple, pumpkin with candied pecans, bourbon pecan, chocolate pecan pie and Key lime), plus peach cobbler for $15.99 ($17.99 GF); cakes (pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap cookie crust, GF flourless chocolate cake made with Belgian chocolate and carrot cake with cream cheese buttercream) for $34.99, plus spiced bundt cake with maple glaze for $24.99. There’s also quiche (white cheddar honey ham, apple-smoked bacon and cheddar or baby spinach portobello mushroom and swiss) for $15.99, plus buttermilk biscuits, sweet potato biscuits and yeast rolls for $7.95/dozen. Order by Nov. 23 at noon at 706-769-6766, but there will be extras in the shop if you procrastinate.

Lindsey’s Culinary Market has the full meal: roasted turkey ($5/pound), breast ($6/pound), gravy ($14.50/quart); sourdough and cornbread dressing, creamy mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with chai-spiced mascarpone and cranberry, sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping, squash casserole, green bean casserole and roasted autumn vegetables ($12–$50 each, depending on size); and cranberry-orange compote ($9/pound). Bourbon pecan, apple and pumpkin pies and chocolate cobbler are $20 each. Order at lindseysculinarymarket.com for pick-up Nov. 26 or 27.

Maepole has family-size sides of roasted tomatoes, shaved brussels sprouts, broccoli salad, cauliflower salad, mac and cheese, green beans and Vidalia onions, acorn squash and beets that feed six to eight for $16. Order at maepole.com

Mama Jewel’s Kitchen has both individual components of your meal or a “family dinner” option that serves eight to 10. Casseroles are available in two sizes, a small that feeds four and a large that feeds eight to 10: sweet potato soufflé ($26/$36), cornbread dressing ($27/$37), scalloped potatoes ($29/$39), mac and cheese ($29/$39), squash casserole ($23/$33), creamy corn casserole ($26/$36), green bean casserole ($23/$33) and broccoli rice casserole ($23/$33). Other sides include collard greens ($16), marinated vegetable salad ($24), giblet gravy ($18), deviled eggs ($18/dozen), ambrosia ($32), cranberry relish ($24), roasted brussels sprouts ($19/28) and dirty rice ($18/25). Also: cornbread muffins, biscuits (regular and pecan with a maple glaze), sweet potato pie, pecan pie (regular and chocolate), pumpkin cake with caramel buttercream, peanut butter pie and bread pudding with caramel sauce. Call 706-850-9797 to order by 2 p.m. Nov. 23 for pick-up by 2 p.m. Nov. 27. They can also make your order in your own casserole dishes—just let them know. The family dinner includes tea, cornbread muffins, roasted turkey breast, giblet gravy, three casseroles, one side and two desserts for $195.

Marti’s at Midday has smashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar and parmesan, roasted brussels sprouts tossed with housemade pesto, Southern squash casserole, Grammy Schimmel’s cornbread dressing and fresh green beans with pecans. There’s also gravy, pies, rolls and more. Order at catering@martisatmidday.com or 706-543-3541. 

Normal Bar will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight on Thanksgiving Day, if you just can’t take it anymore.

Off the Vine Produce has chicken or turkey and dressing casseroles for $28–$40; sides, including mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, squash casserole, sweet potato soufflé with marshmallows and pecans, green bean casserole, stuffing/dressing, cornbread (pan or muffins), corn casserole, hash brown casserole and roasted vegetables in three sizes for $12–$35; pies (sweet potato, pumpkin, coconut, pecan, apple or custard) for $15; and cakes (carrot, coconut, chocolate, spice, hummingbird, German chocolate) for $25–$30, plus cookies and other sweets. Call 706-899-0400.

Opa Robby’s is hosting a pop-up from Julie Willis’ Rise Baking Co. on Nov. 27 from 2–6 p.m. Order things including naturally leavened sourdough (regular, cinnamon raisin, pumpkin spice, black pepper cornmeal or olive oil and rosemary), butterscotch pecan pie, apple pie with cheddar crust, pumpkin pecan tart and autumn-spiced buttermilk pie for $12–$30 at risebakingco.ecwid.com.

Pulaski Heights BBQ has 14–16-pound smoked turkeys with gravy for $75; if you just want turkey breast with gravy, $65 gets you 5 pounds, and smoked shoulder hams at 5–7 pounds are $11/pound. For an extra $75, you can get a full meal with cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce and two sides (smoked cauliflower, mac and cheese, baked beans, squash casserole, potato salad, collard greens, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or vinegar lime slaw), feeding 10 to 15 people. Barbecue packages are available, as well, but space on the smoker is limited, so reserve your spot ASAP. Pick up on Thanksgiving Day between 11 a.m. and noon or any day before. Call 706-583-9600 for details or to order.

Rashe’s Cuisine is doing jerk turkeys with three third-pans of sides for $50, or you can order turkey, jerk chicken or sides separately, choosing among collards, green beans, cabbage/mixed vegetables, sweet potatoes, roasted potatoes, rice and peas, mac and cheese, zucchini/squash, stuffing and rolls/cornbread. Vegan options are available. Order at rashecuisine.com by Nov. 22 to pick up at Ebenezer Baptist Church from Nov. 23–27, or get your food delivered on Nov. 27 for an extra $5.

Saucehouse is doing catering for $14 per person ($22 for full service). That includes turkey or ham, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, two sides (choose from mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole or sweet potato casserole) and Sister Schubert’s rolls and tea or lemonade; $2 each for peach cobbler, pumpkin pie, bread pudding or banana pudding, or $1 for brownies/cookies. Ham or bird only will run you $65. Call 888-978-7948 or email catering@saucehouse.com to order.

VTasteCakes is offering vegan holiday pound cakes in pumpkin spice, old-fashioned vanilla, maple walnut spice, red velvet, gluten-free chocolate, double chocolate or Key lime for $22. Order at vtastecakes.com/holiday-pound-cake-pickup by Nov. 23 and pick up at the UGA Innovation Center on Broad on Nov. 25 from 4–6 p.m.

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