Best On a Budget ($) |
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Dig Inn (West End/Georgetown) |
One of my favorite fast-casual restaurants is offering scratch-made trays of turkey, stuffing, homestyle mashed potatoes, chili-lime brussels sprouts, and sides of cranberry compote and gravy for groups of 4 to 30 (30!!). The prices come out to under $18 per person. ($95 feeds 4-6, $525 feeds 28-30) |
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BBQ Thanksgiving is highly underrated. Grab a whole smoked turkey breast or wagyu brisket and add sides like mac and cheese, plantains, and banana pudding. I plan on grabbing a box of their brisket tamales to bring to Friendsgiving. (Price varies) |
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Bring an island flair to the traditional turkey dinner with sides like pastelón, congri rice and beans, and guava BBQ chicken. I also recommend grabbing a box of empanadas on the side. ($335 feeds 10) |
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Ellē (Mt. Pleasant) |
A great option for smaller groups as dishes are sold a la carte and serve two. Turkey, mushroom stuffing, green bean chutney, whatever the heart desires. Don’t skimp on the pie! (Price varies, a la carte) |
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 | Peking duck Thanksgiving fest from Chang Chang. (Courtesy of Chang Chang) |
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The Goldilocks Thanksgiving ($$) |
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Sichuan culinary god Peter Chang is offering a holiday menu centered on Peking duck. It also includes dry-fried brussels sprouts, green beans with ya cai, dry-pot baby potatoes with pork belly, and vegetable fried rice or lo mein. ($158, feeds 4) |
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Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s new spot has been all the rage this fall. Start with blue cornbread and berbere honey, then a chicken with roasted carrots and tarragon jus, and roasted sweet potato with creme fraiche and berbere. Lastly, a chocolate cobbler and pumpkin cake with spiced cream. ($125, feeds 2-4), Add-on dessert (+$38) |
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Pick up a box with mole-brined turkey with chipotle butter and adobo rojo (c’mon!), plus sides like camote tatemado, frijoles negros, and flan de cafe for dessert. ($275, feeds 6) |
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Slightly bougie, but “The Feast” from this modern Southern restaurant is unmatched. With zaatar turkey roulade, goat butter mashed potatoes, cranberry soda bread, candied lemon brussels sprouts, and more. Add on a chocolate pecan pie for dessert. ($300, feeds 5-6) |
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 | A Marcus DC Thanksgiving. (Courtesy of Marcus DC) |
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Only The Best ($$$) |
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Chef Kevin Tien is whipping up a full take-home tasting menu this Thanksgiving. The box comes with turkey with gumbo gravy, white pepper and miso mashed potatoes, crawfish cornbread stuffing, green beans with sausage XO. Plus, a sweet potato pie with tamarind dulce de leche from pastry chef Susan Bae. ($296, feeds 4) |
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Choose between a wild mushroom Wellington or a Prime Roots “turkey” as a main then load up on the sides like vegan mac and cheese, green bean casserole, and apple sage stuffing. The meat eaters will not be complaining, trust. ($340, feeds 4-6 or $530, feeds 8-10) |
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Brasero Atlántico’s menu reimagines Thanksgiving through an Argentine lens, featuring a whole roasted and grilled turkey marinated with Argentine spices, served alongside chimichurri, salsa criolla, roasted red bell peppers, garden salad, baked sweet potatoes, and quince chutney. ($312, feeds 4–6) |
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This feast includes a whole 12 to 14-pound local turkey, two freshly baked loaves of bread and six sides, including ciabatta-chestnut stuffing, braised collard greens, butter whipped potatoes, and maple-glazed yams with walnut crumble. Plus, apple and pumpkin pies for dessert. ($595, feeds 6-8) |
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☝️ Don’t Forget About Dessert |
If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to cook at all, but you really don't want to get stuck making dessert. Here are a few bangers that will make everyone forget you skimped out on your part of the potluck. |
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