Every year, the city of Tucson harbors a cornucopia of tasty options for Thanksgiving.
2020 has been different in all shapes and forms, but that doesn’t mean local restaurants have stopped providing delicious dishes to enjoy anywhere you desire.
The following list should help you out this year if you’re hoping to skip that stack of dishes in the kitchen sink. More importantly, you can order whatever you’d like to eat instead of choking down your Uncle’s famous ambrosia salad that he’s dropped off at your doorstep.
Some of the meals are for dining in, to-go only, and even meat-free — perfect for “Friendsgiving” or Thanksgiving dinners.
Additional meals are always popping up, so we’ll keep the list updated.
Blue Willow Restaurant & Gift Shop
2616 N. Campbell Ave.
Chocolate “Birthday” Cake at Blue Willow (Photo by Jackie Tran)
The restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving, but they’re offering meals to-go. You’ll need to order by Saturday, November 21, either online or by calling (520) 327-7577, and then pickup is Wednesday, November 25 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thanksgiving Feast
Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast (half pound for $9 and full pound for $18)
Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes (pint for $8 and quart for $16)
Stuffing with Sage Sausage (pint for $8 and quart for $16)
Mashed Potatoes (pint for $8 and quart for $16)
Turkey Gravy (pint for $8)
Three Sisters Succotash (pint for $8 and quart for $16)
Cranberry, Apricot, Apple Compote (half pint for $8)
There’s a lot happening Casino Del Sol this Thanksgiving. Take a look at each of the offerings below — perhaps there’s more than one special deal you’d like to take part in.
Roasted Turkey Platter – with stuffing, cranberry, mix seasonal veggies, stuffing, a roll topped with turkey gravy, and your choice of pecan or pumpkin pie
Thanksgiving Sandwich (deal available throughout November)
Oven-Roasted Turkey – with brie cheese, cranberry spread, arugula, tomatoes, onions, croissant, and served with a choice of side, beverage, and a mini pumpkin pie
Roasted Turkey Platter – with stuffing, cranberry, mix seasonal veggies, stuffing, a roll topped with turkey gravy, and your choice of pecan or pumpkin pie
For more information about any of the Thanksgiving specials at Casino Del Sol, visit casinodelsol.com.
Charro Steak and Del Rey
188 E. Broadway Blvd.
Roast Turkey (Photo Credit: Tuchodi on flickr)
Let the feast begin.
Both restaurants are offering a delicious Thanksgiving meal at home or for dine-in at one of the restaurants. For dine-in, they’re serving the legendary “Día de Gracias” feast from 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 and Thursday, November 26.
Reservations are required, seats are $39 per person, $14.95 for kids under 10 years old, and the full menu can be found online.
Take-home Full dinners start at $175 each and can feed up to six guests. All orders need to be placed by Wednesday, November 25.
Take-home Thanksgiving Dinner menu
A medium-sized fully cooked Turkey
Stuffing made with local Barrio Bread and Charro Tamale
Chef Gary’s Ancho Smoked Gravy
Chef Gary’s Poblano Mashed Potatoes
Charro Family Esquites — Mexican Street Corn
Six Chef Carlotta’s Pumpkin Tamales with Cranberry Chutney
Chef Carlotta Flores has created a pretty tasty holiday feast this year and it’s completely plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Also, you can get half-off select bottles of wine during “Plantsgiving Week.”
Dinner is $22.95 per person — dine-in or takeout. All orders and reservations can be placed online or by calling (520) 779-1922.
Choice of Entrée:
Vegan Chorizo Stuffed Crispy Portobellos in a Mushroom and Poblano Crema Gravy
Beyond Carne Piccadillo Enchilada
Both Served With Sides of:
Vegan Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon, Cranberry & Pepita Garnish
Pickled Nopalito Salad
Hola Hemp Vegan Gluten-Free Tamale Stuffing
Dessert:
Chef Carlotta’s Dulce Pumpkin Tamales with Cranberry Chutney
The cafe at Hotel Congress is offering a three-course prix fixe dining experience on Thanksgiving, or the option to purchase a Thanksgiving dinner to-go.
If you’d like to dine-in on Thanksgiving, you’ll need to make a reservation. They’ve got spots available from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and it’s $55 per adult and $25 for kids, 10 years old and younger. You can take a peek at the menu online.
The Thanksgiving dinner to-go feeds up to six people and is $275. You must make your order by Monday, November 16, and pick up is on Wednesday, November 25.
Let The Dutch and Atlas Catering do all the shopping and prep work this year.
They’re offering a fully-cooked meal or one that you can heat and serve at a later time — perfect for any Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving dinner you’re planning.
Place your Thanksgiving orders early because they’ve been known to sell out, and pick up is on Wednesday, November 25. You can make your order online or by calling (520) 792-6684.
Take and Bake Thanksgiving Dinner ($140) (serves six people)
The brewery, formerly known as Sentinel Peak Brewing Company, is smokin’ turkeys this year.
If you’d like to order one before your Thanksgiving feast at home, call (520) 777-9456 and choose “option one.” There’s a limited quantity so order it soon rather than later.
Here’s an easy way for small groups to enjoy an elegant multi-course “farm to table” Thanksgiving dinner at home. Beginning at $295, the dinners will provide food for up to eight people.
Guests can choose either a locally raised Turkey from Top-knot farms or a Red Bird Free Range Turkey from Colorado. All turkeys are brined and coated with salt and fresh herbs and then roasted with onions, herbs, and garlic in the cavity.
All orders must be placed by Friday, November 20 by calling (520) 884-5033.
Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Stuffing – made with rustic bread, apples, squash seeds, pecans, roasted garlic, onions, and lots of fresh herbs, sage, parsley, and more
Mashed Potatoes – creamy potatoes roasted, mashed with butter and cream
Gravy – with pan drippings, browned flour, and stock sweet potatoes caramelized in an oven with a bit of olive oil
Fresh Vegetables – tender long beans, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and roasted with a bit of garlic or herbs
Bread – Heritage grain bread from Barrio Bread with plugra butter
Cranberry Sauce – fresh cranberries, ginger, and orange.
Pecan Pie – made with local honey instead of corn syrup
Magdalena Squash Pie – spiced just like a traditional pumpkin pie and served with fresh whipped cream
Facade at Govinda’s Natural Foods Buffet (Credit: Jackie Tran)
They’re celebrating with an all-vegan feast with live music and an appearance from the local pet turkey on the grounds from noon – 6 p.m. The holiday meal is $16.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids 5 – 12 years old, and anyone younger than that can eat for free.
Prepared meals at the Tasteful Kitchen (Credit: Jackie Tran)
The Tasteful Kitchen is offering a vegan and gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner to take home. The “Thanksgiving Package” is available until 8 p.m. on Friday, November 20.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Dinner Menu
Wild Rice, Mushroom and Lentil Loaf with Roasted Sweet and Russet Potatoes
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Savory Quinoa with Cranberries and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Sides are Braised Red Cabbage and Sauteed Greens
Seasonal Organic Garden Salad
Butternut Squash Soup
Pumpkin Custard Pie with Almond, Date Crust, and Candied Pecan Topping
Cinnamon Spice Apple Raisin Crumble with Toasted Oat Topping
Deliveries are Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25, and then pickup will be on Wednesday as well from 3 – 6 p.m.
Trident Grill III on Craycroft will be open on Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and will be serving their full menu along with a special plate for the holiday.
Thanksgiving Specials
Roasted turkey, mustard glazed ham, green bean casserole, brown butter sweet potatoes, Boursin mashed Yukon golds, Andouille sausage stuffing, Cranberry sauce, and Turkey gravy ($16)
Pumpkin pie and whipped cream ($3)
Thanksgiving options will be limited so you’ll want to make a reservation by calling (520) 561-8083.
At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
