One of the holiday side options on Bubba’s Thanksgiving menu is their deviled eggs, topped with crispy bacon. Order a dozen for $15, then pick up your ready-to-go table contribution the night before for a stress-free holiday.
Writer: Karla Walsh
Be honest: When was the last time everyone around your Thanksgiving table was really able to enjoy the day from start to finish? At least one or two family members often spend most of the day (and sometimes the week prior), slicing, dicing, roasting, mashing, baking and more. All of that means a lot less time to count our blessings and enjoy our company.
To make it an easier and more stress-free experience, a handful of restaurants are stepping up so we can outsource morning brunch, a side dish or two, or even the full feast.
Fully catered: Catering By Cyd
Dig into what veteran caterer Cyd Koehn describes as a “tried-and-true Thanksgiving feast.” Designed to accommodate any size of party—and in true Koehn form, sure to leave you with plenty of leftovers—the menu includes salad, garlic knots, roast turkey breast with gravy, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie with fresh vanilla-bean cream. This entire spread can be yours for just $35 per person for pickup at Catering by Cyd; add $50 per order for home delivery. Order via Catering by Cyd’s online shop.
Semi-homemade: Bubba
If your family has a beloved turkey recipe and swears by a couple of Grandma’s best sides, whip them up, then fill in the gaps with some Southern flair. Bubba is offering pre-orders for sides, desserts (I have my eye on the pumpkin bread pudding), and cocktails. Peek at the menu on Facebook, then order by calling 515.257.4744 before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Pick up runs Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 12 to 4 p.m.
Brunch: Creme
Start the holiday morning or fuel up for Black Friday shopping in style by pre-ordering a batch of Sammy Mila’s brand-new milk bread cinnamon rolls. Available in six- or 12-packs, cooked or take-and-bake style, just add a fruit salad and skillet of scrambled eggs and you’re set. Order online by Saturday, Nov. 19, for pickup Tuesday or Wednesday before the big day.
Dine-in carnivore-style: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Available on Thanksgiving day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., this steakhouse’s three-course menu starts with your choice of salad or lobster bisque, includes three classic sides to share, and ends with your choice of pumpkin-cranberry cheesecake or caramel-drizzled carrot cake. The price per person is based on your choice of entree: roast turkey and gravy ($65), 8-ounce filet mignon ($68) or 20-ounce bone-in rib-eye ($78). See the full adult and kids’ menu here. Book a reservation on the West Des Moines Fleming’s website.
Dine-in with more diet-diverse options:Mulberry Street Tavern
Prefer dining downtown—or sharing the holiday with plant-based eaters? Consider Mulberry Street Tavern, the restaurant in the Surety Hotel. Chef Rateb Aburas is offering a $55 prix fixe ($35 for kids) three-course menu with shareable sides (potatoes, chili-glazed broccolini, andouille and mushroom stuffing, rolls) on Wednesday through Friday. Start with a winter squash and Brussels sprouts salad, slice into turkey breast roulade or smoked cauliflower with maple-carrot puree, and end on a sweet note with pumpkin tart (vegan variation offered). Book a reservation on OpenTable.
