Don’t want to cook on Thanksgiving? These SLO County restaurants offer meals, takeout
Worried about putting a Thanksgiving meal on the table this year?
Between planning, grocery shopping and cooking, the idea of preparing a big holiday dinner can seem downright daunting.
Don’t stress: You can still feast on turkey and all the trimmings without laboring in a crowded, hot kitchen all day.
San Luis Obispo County restaurants and shops offer various options for singles, couples and families looking for dine-in and takeout Thanksgiving meals.
Here’s where to go:
Where can I eat out on Thanksgiving in SLO County?
These are some of the San Luis Obispo County restaurants offering special holiday menus on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28:
1865 Craft House and Kitchen, 1865 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo, will have a Thanksgiving buffet from noon to 8 p.m. It costs $67 per person or $23 for children. Kids ages 2 or under eat for free. Diners can choose from a grazing table with meats and cheeses, a salad station and carving table, along with traditional sides and fresh baked desserts. You can make reservations online.
Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House, 100 Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo, is serving a Thanksgiving meal from noon to 10 p.m. The holiday dinner costs $50 for adults and $30 for children. You can enjoy roast turkey, baked honey cured ham or roast duck. Thanksgiving sides include fresh dinner rolls, snap peas, whipped potatoes and candied yams. Call 805-784-2469 to make a reservation.
Cambria Pines Lodge Restaurant, 2905 Burton Drive in Cambria, will host an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet in its garden dining area from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. The meal costs $70 for adults and $35 for children 12 or younger; it’s free for kids 5 and under. The menu is full of holiday favorites, including turkey, prime rib, ham, shrimp cocktail, scalloped potatoes, butternut squash soup, green beans and desserts. Reservations must be made ahead of time online.
Cello Ristorante and Bar, 2700 Buena Vista Drive, No. 102, in Paso Robles, will offer a three-course Thanksgiving meal for $78. Diners can choose from a butternut squash bisque or a cello salad for the first course. The main course features white and dark meat turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, Brussels sprouts, ginger honey carrots and a dinner roll. Assorted pies à la mode, including apple, pumpkin and pecan, will be available for the final course. Make a reservation by calling 805-369-2503.
Granada Hotel and Bistro, 1126 Morro St. in San Luis Obispo, will serve a three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner special from 4 to 9 p.m. for $75 per person. In addition to smoked and confit turkey, the menu includes a shaved apple salad, hamachi crudo, pan-seared salmon, roast beef and pumpkin panna cotta. You can make a reservation on the restaurant’s website.
Lido Restaurant and Lounge, 2727 Shell Beach Road in Pismo Beach, offers a three-course Thanksgiving prix fixe menu for $95 per person. Feast on a salad with roasted beets and pear, followed by a roasted free-range turkey breast, garlic whipped potatoes, haricot verts, butter-and-herb stuffing and a pecan-pumpkin torte. You can reserve a table online.
Luna Red, 1023 Chorro St. in San Luis Obispo, is rolling out a holiday buffet from 1 to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The meal will cost $68 for adults, $35 for children ages 8 to 12 and $24 for ages 3 to 7. Options include slow-roasted turkey with all the trimmings, plus crispy Brussel sprouts, classic stuffing and prime rib. You can also find a few non-traditional offerings, such as bacon-wrapped dates, a made-to-order taco bar and a chilled shellfish station. There will be options for vegan and vegetarian diners. You can make reservations online.
Lunada Garden Bistro, 78 North Ocean Ave. in Cayucos, will serve a three-course Thanksgiving meal from 1 to 7 p.m. for $75 per person. Options include roasted pumpkin bisque, Caesar salad, a traditional turkey dinner, slow-roasted prime rib, a rack of lamb or lobster stuffed king salmon. Dessert is homemade pumpkin pie or New York-style cheesecake with a sea salt caramel sauce and fresh berries. Reservations can be made online or by calling 805-900-5444.
Mirazur Restaurant, 1365 Second St. in Los Osos, will offer a $75-per-person three-course dinner from 1 to 7 p.m. The traditional Thanksgiving menu includes herb-roasted turkey breast, homemade stuffing, candied yams, scalloped potatoes, green beans almondine and more. Reservations can be made online or by phone at 805-439-0058.
McPhee’s Grill, 416 South Main St. in Templeton, will serve a Thanksgiving meal for $42 per person. The menu includes turkey, cranberry-orange sauce and rice pilaf with butternut squash, golden raisins and pistachios. Also featured are apple cider gravy, grilled scallion mashed potatoes, herb-roasted sweet potatoes and sourdough, sausage and pecan stuffing. A $15 turkey dinner is available for kids 12 years old and younger. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling 805-434-3204.
Piadina, 877 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo, is serving a classic Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Prices are $75 per adult or $37.50 for children. The menu features rosemary roasted sous-vide turkey breast, sage-and-onion brioche stuffing and creamy macaroni and cheese, as well as a pizza station and a dessert board with pumpkin cheesecake, lemon meringue tarts and more. You can reserve a table online.
SeaVenture Restaurant, 100 Ocean View Ave. in Pismo Beach, will have a Thanksgiving meal for $75 per person. The three-course meal will offer options including sweet potato croquettes, lobster mac and cheese and roasted turkey breast with all the traditional sides, plus a few pies and cakes. Reserve a seat at the restaurant’s website.
Where can I get takeout Thanksgiving dinners?
Apple Farm Restaurant, 2015 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo, is offering a special Thanksgiving buffet for $50, as well as a $29 to-go option from noon to 5 p.m. If you’re in a rush, you can take a single trip through the buffet and fill two takeout containers. Menu items range from slow-roasted turkey, wild mushroom stuffing and creamy mac and cheese casserole to an assortment of pies. To make reservations, call 805-544-6100.
Phil’s Catering, 8030 Santa Rosa Road in Atascadero, has a take-and-heat Thanksgiving feast. A four-person meal is $125. It includes light and dark turkey meat, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and stuffing. Orders must be placed online by midnight Sunday, Nov. 24.
Vons has Thanksgiving dinners starting at $69 that feed six to eight people. Contact your local store for more information.
Whole Foods has multiple options for Thanksgiving meals to go. Check your nearest Whole Foods and order online.
