Dining out for Thanksgiving can be a welcome break (and if you’re interested in that, see Minh T. Truong’s excellent list of restaurants open for the holiday). However, for many people, this special holiday is all about welcoming family and friends into their homes with full glasses and laden tables. With all the tidying, decorating, shopping and cooking though, it’s a lot of work. Choose your battles wisely, and outsource the rest. (Are you most proud of your crispy-skinned, tender, Thanksgiving turkey, your Garlic-Chipotle Mashed Potatoes or your pies that get demolished even when everyone is cradling their full tummies?) Restaurants all over Houston and its outlying suburbs and towns are now taking orders for practically anything needed to round out a beautiful holiday table. This list gathers many top-notch places offering Thanksgiving to go. 

Places only offering sides, tamales, Thanksgiving desserts and breads are listed towards the end of this article. Also, if you want to add a smoked, fried or stuffed turkey to your table, or just want to supplement your spread with sides or even some Texas barbecue, be sure to check out Mario-Sebastian Berry’s list of impressive Thanksgiving to-go options from Houston-area barbecue joints. 

Note that some order deadlines are coming very soon, so if you see something you want for your holiday table, don’t procrastinate. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of restaurants and other food purveyors offering Thanksgiving dishes to go in Houston and the surrounding area. We can’t possibly include them all here, but if you are looking for something specific near you, feel free to send us an email and we’ll try to help. 

(If your business did not get included in this list — you’re welcome to ask but, again, we can’t include everyone. Consider supporting our local journalism by advertising your offerings, and in the future, be sure and email us about what you’re doing for the holidays. It increases your chances of being included.) 

Cypress

Galiana’s Tex-Mex and Agave Bar, 24110 Northwest Freeway: Through its catering branch, Grupo Herrera Catering & Events has designated this restaurant as the pickup point for its Thanksgiving to-go meal. It sports an 18- to 20-pound turkey along with all the traditional trimmings: sautéed green beans, mashed sweet potatoes, cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and a dozen freshly baked dinner rolls. The meal feeds 10 to 12 people and costs $169. To order, call (832) 653-6853. The deadline is Tuesday, November 21 at 5 p.m. 

Galleria

Musaafer, 5115 Westheimer: Get a turkey dinner worth talking about from this incredibly elegant Houston restaurant. The Tandoori Turkey Tray includes not only a fully cooked Tandoori-marinated turkey with baby potatoes, banana shallots and rainbow carrots, but also 10 sides. Those are Mushroom Bacon Brussel Sprouts, Cranberry Chutney, spiced cherries, Sweet And Sour Butternut Squash, Truffled Cumin Potato Mash, Haricot Beans With Sofrito, makhini (masala butter) sauce and six pieces of brioche. The cost is $200 and warming instructions are included. Order by calling (713) 242-8087 no later than Monday, November 21. Pickup is available from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22 and noon to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 23. 

TRIBUTE at The Houstonian, 111 North Post Oak Lane: Get a Thanksgiving meal crafted by the chefs of The Houstonian, a gorgeous floral centerpiece for the table from onsite flower shop Sage & Bloom — or both. The upscale feast feeds four adults and includes a 12- to 14-pound herb-roasted turkey with both orange-cranberry sauce and sage turkey gravy, cornbread dressing, French green beans with caramelized shallots, Yukon Gold whipped potatoes, four honey butter yeast rolls and for dessert, your choice of Texas pecan, pumpkin or chocolate icebox pie. The meal is packaged cold and comes with easy reheating instructions. Pick up on Wednesday, November 22 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The meal costs $189 plus tax and a 20% service charge, and can be ordered online. 

Don’t forget to dress not only the turkey but also the table. If you’ve ever noticed the stunning flower arrangements in the lobby of The Houstonian, then you’ve already seen the work of Sage & Bloom, the onsite florist. It’s offering a floral Thanksgiving centerpiece bedecked with sunflowers, roses, snapdragons, chrysanthemums and fall foliage for $150. The arrangement is approximately 16 inches long, 9 inches wide and 8 inches tall. Order online no later than Friday, November 17 for pick up on Wednesday, November 22 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Urbe, 1101 Uptown Park: Chef Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught’s Mexican street food restaurant is practically turning into a one-stop shop for celebratory food and drink to go. There are three types of tamales: brisket, pork in adobo and mushroom. The cost is $24 per dozen. That’s just the beginning, as there are also main-course proteins such as turkey breast, carnitas and barbacoa, campechana and guacamole by the quart, and festive sides like elotes and Esquite de Coliflor, a whole roasted cauliflower. Oh yeah, and you can also get margaritas and other cocktails by the gallon. Go online to view all of the offerings. The order deadline is Sunday, November 19; at that time, you’ll schedule your pickup on Wednesday, November 22. Order on the website or call (713) 726-8273. 

The Warwick, 5888 Westheimer: The restaurant is offering Thanksgiving dinner packages featuring deep-fried turkey, Hawaiian glazed ham and brisket. The side-dish choices are cornbread dressing, Garlic Truffle Mashed Potatoes, grilled asparagus, Poblano Mac And Cheese, Smoked Turkey Collard Greens or Southern-style green beans. For dessert, choose from carrot cake, sweet potato pie or caramel bread pudding. Depending on the selections, the meals can serve from 5 to 16 and cost from $250 to $485. The order deadline is Saturday, November 18 at 5 p.m., and pickups must be made on either Tuesday, November 21 or Wednesday, November 22 by 5 p.m. Go online to view the choices and order. 

Heights/Oak Forest/Timbergrove

Harold’s Bistro, Bar & Market, 330 West 19th Street: There were big changes recently for this long-running Heights restaurant, but it’s still up, running and offering Thanksgiving to go. Order a classic Thanksgiving meal with a whole turkey, turkey breast or beef tenderloin — or order Thanksgiving dinner by the serving for $25.95 per person. The side dishes for the turkey dinners include cornbread dressing, green beans, gravy, cranberry sauce, a dozen Harold’s homemade biscuits and a choice of sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes. You can add batched cocktails and charcuterie with cheese to your meal order, too. View all the dinner options and order online. 

Rainbow Lodge, Ella: Make your holiday feast special with this enduring restaurant’s hearty meats and side dishes. The entrée choices include a 20-pound roasted turkey with gluten-free giblet gravy that serves 8 to 12 for $145 (slicing available upon request; specify whether you want your bird hot or chilled), 44 Farms beef tenderloin for $200, four-pound bison tenderloin for $349, dijon mustard and garlic-rubbed rack of lamb that serves two for $89, grilled North American elk tenderloin for $239, Texas quail (two per order) for $16, Maple Leaf Farms duck breast for $16 and whole roasted duck for $55 (serves two). Sides are $16 each and include French green beans with shallots, buttery mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic and Calabrian chiles, just to name a few. (We highly recommend also getting a quart of the Smoked Duck and Andouille Gumbo.) The dessert options are a half-pan of croissant bread pudding with whiskey sauce that serves 12 for $55 and chocolate bourbon pecan pie, which serves six for $32.

Also, one of Rainbow Lodge’s most endearing annual offerings takes care of those who may have dined out for the holiday or went to a friend’s house and had no leftovers, or those who didn’t get to attend a holiday feast at all. Order the Late Night Snack Pack for $6 and get turkey, dressing and gravy — enough to make a perfect Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich. Place Thanksgiving orders to go with selections from either the holiday menu, regular dinner menu or both. To order, call (713) 861-8666 no later than 48 hours ahead of your planned pickup time. 

Katy

Phat Eatery, 23119 Colonial Parkway: Chef and owner Alex Au-yeung is bringing back his popular Malaysian-influenced, Thanksgiving to-go meal which comes with not one, but two covetable entrée choices: Wagyu Beef Rendang Wellington and a four-pound Honey-Glazed Turkey Breast. The meal feeds six or more and also includes Malaysian Seafood Fried Rice, two quarts of the phenomenal lobster bisque (with generous chunks of lobster), a quart of creamy whipped Idaho potatoes, a pint of Ginger-Cranberry Sauce, Garlic Stir-Fried Green Beans and a pint of turkey gravy. The package cost is $320. If that’s more than you’re looking for, it’s well worth noting that the Wagyu Beef Rendang Wellington can also be ordered individually for $52. To order, go to the homepage, scroll down and click on the pickup time you want: on Thanksgiving Day between 11 a.m. and noon or 4 and 5 p.m. The order deadline is Sunday, November 19. 

Montrose

Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd: For Thanksgiving entrées, this longstanding restaurant is offering Whole Apricot & Mustard-Glazed Spiral Ham or roasted turkey breast for $115. Accompaniments include half-gallons of wild mushroom or butternut squash soups that serve six to eight for $40, pans of Cornbread and Andouille Sausage Dressing, Loaded Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Gratin that serve four to six for $30 (eight-serving sizes also available), and Wine-Poached Pears stuffed with blue cheese and dried fruit that cost $36 for six. A few of the dessert choices are Pumpkin Pie With Meringue Topping for $32, Backstreet Fruitcake for $39 and Orange Pound Cake for $18. View all of the selections and place orders online or by phone at (713) 521-2239 no later than Sunday, November 19 for a scheduled pickup on Wednesday, November 22. 

Bludorn, 807 Taft: Chef and owner Aaron Bludorn’s namesake restaurant is known for its showstopping Lobster & Pot Pie, and the restaurant is making a variation — a Lobster & Turkey Pot Pie — available for Thanksgiving to-go orders. This is no ordinary pot pie; it’s also made with fresh black truffles and crème fraîche. It comes in an oven-proof baking dish and is ready to just pop into the oven and bake at home. (Hey, if you want to say you “made it”, we’re not going to judge.) The cost is $150 and orders must be placed online no later than Friday, November 17. Pickup is on Wednesday, November 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Northwest Houston

Comfort Foodies, 8128 North Sam Houston Parkway: Liven up your Thanksgiving spread with an injection of soul food and Caribbean flavors. Comfort Foodies holiday offerings include an off-the-beaten-path entrée: pernil, a Spanish-style roasted pork shoulder, which costs $80. You can also get a whole fried Cajun turkey for $98. Side selections include collard greens, candied yams and Southern Baked Mac & Cheese. You can also add beef, chicken or spinach empanadas, Shrimp & Crawfish Pasta or a one-liter bottle of cojito to your order. There are several other options, so go online to view the full menu, then fill out this form to place your order. 

River Oaks/Upper Kirby

Bari, 4444 Westheimer: Have a romantic Thanksgiving and take your pick of one of five different dinners for two from this Italian restaurant in River Oaks District. The least-expensive one is Package #1 for $140. It includes a free-range deboned chicken, house salad, mushroom risotto, roasted butternut squash, sautéed spinach, mushroom medley and, for dessert, chocolate mousse with marinated raspberries. On the higher end is Package #4 for $250. With that one, you get a 20-ounce chateaubriand (beef tenderloin) and two Indonesian prawns along with starters and sides of the house salad, asparagus and potato pavé. For dessert is torta caprese, a flourless chocolate and almond cake, and mixed berries. 

 All five Thanksgiving packages, as well as an à la carte dessert selection, are available to view online. To place an order, call Bari at (832) 415-9222 by the deadline, which is Monday, November 20. Orders will be ready for pickup on Wednesday, November 22 from 11 a.m, to 6 p.m. 

Central Market, 3815 Westheimer: This grocery store wonderland for gourmands has pretty much anything needed whether you plan to cook at home or bring in a prepared Thanksgiving feast. For the latter, there are six different prepared meal offerings. On the low end of the price scale is a vegetarian meal for two for $34.99. It includes Broccolini & Butternut Squash Lasagna, Cauliflower Florets With Sticky Garlic Sauce, mixed greens and Roasted Carrots & Feta Salad. (Note that the minimum for preorders is $50, so you’ll need to add something.) On the larger side of the scale, feed 12 to 14 people for $369.99 with a hickory smoked ham with apricot-ginger glaze, oven-roasted turkey and a plethora of sides that include cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, cheesy potato casserole, whipped Yukon mashed potatoes, green beans with toasted almonds and more. 

To view the full details on these and the other four holiday meals, as well as order, go online, select the Houston store and place your order no later than Sunday, November 19. Those looking to supplement their own dishes can order sides à la carte and can also find tamales and five different types of Brie en croûte. 

Central Market also has expanded hours for Thanksgiving Week. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, November 20 through Wednesday, November 22. On Thanksgiving Day, the store is open for those pesky last-minute needs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Verandah Progressive Indian Restaurant, 3300 Kirby: Enjoy Thanksgiving with an Indian twist through chef Sunil Srivastava’s holiday to-go special. The centerpiece of the feast is a 14- to 16-pound Masala-Style Roasted Turkey. It’s accompanied by Baby Roasted Potatoes With Black Cumin and Cilantro; Prunes, Apricot and Cranberry Rice; Red Onion, Eggs and Cheese Stuffing; cranberry sauce and spicy gravy. In addition, take your pick of broccoli, beans or stir-fried mixed vegetables seasoned with garlic, cracked pepper and cumin. The cost is $175 and will feed 10 to 12 people. The meal is fully cooked and will come with reheating instructions. A smaller meal for two is also available. Call (281) 501-0258 to order and schedule your pickup by Thursday, November 16. 

The Woodlands

Amrina, 3 Waterway Square: Order this meal, and you can tell your friends that it’s from a chef who recently won “Chopped.” Chef Jassi Bindra’s Royal Turkey Offering includes an 8- to 12-pound Rum-Glazed Turkey. Alongside comes eight side dishes, which include crispy Brussels sprouts with Parmesan, creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and cornbread and sausage stuffing. The full meal costs $350, but you can also order just the rum-glazed turkey for $200 or only the sides for $150. 

Guests can also just order the whole roasted turkey for $200 or only the sides for $150. Go online to view the full menu, then call (415) 858–3672 and place your order by November 19.   

Multiple Locations

BB’s Tex-Orleans: For a splurge-worthy turkey, look to the holiday menu of this long-running Houston institution for Cajun classics. Turkeys come either Cajun fried for $69.99 or boudin-stuffed for $74.99. There are side-dish selections, too, including Cajun Rice Dressing, collard greens, Chalmette Mac & Cheese (with jalapeño cheese) and sweet potatoes with coffee-pecan crème. You can also liven up the table with classic Cajun dishes such as red beans and rice and shrimp or chicken gumbo. The dessert options are a half-pan of bread pudding, Pecan Royale Cheesecake and Key Lime Cheesecake for $49.99 each. Order online from your location of choice no later than Tuesday, November 21 by 4 p.m. 

Hungry’s, 2356 Rice Boulevard and 14714 Memorial: This long-running restaurant with locations in Rice Village and Memorial can take the vast majority of the cooking off of your hands — or just supplement your menu with some hors d’oeuvres. Its holiday menu is available from November 1 through New Year’s Eve and can serve from 4 to 10 people. The holiday family feast for 10 with oven-roasted turkey includes sides of cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes with poblano mushroom sauce, cranberry sauce and more. Other à la carte dishes, including honey-glazed ham for $85, are available, too. Thanksgiving orders are due no later than Tuesday, November 21 at 3 p.m., as 24-hour notice is required and the last pickup is Wednesday, November 22 at 3 p.m. Go online to look at the menu, then call your location of choice to order.

Lotus Seafood, multiple locations (scroll to the bottom of the homepage to see them): The Crack Sauce has made a lot of fans, and this year, the local restaurant chain is offering a deep-fried, Crack Sauce-Infused Turkey that’s also injected with Cajun garlic butter seasoning. Each turkey weighs from 13 to 16 pounds and feeds an equivalent number of people if you figure one pound per person. Preorders go live on Wednesday, November 15. Only 200 will be available and cost $120 each. Half will be available for pickup the day before Thanksgiving and the other half on Thanksgiving Day. 

In addition, on Monday, November 20 from 9 to 11 a.m., Lotus Seafood is giving away 300 turkeys to families in need at its newest location at 2903 South Main in Stafford. First-come, first-served; no pre-registration is required. 

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille: With locations in Houston and many of its suburbs, this is a convenient to-go option for many. This year, Perry’s is offering its Thanksgiving meal as either individual servings for $49 per person or as a family-style package for four for $149. It includes an appetizer choice of Honey Crisp Apple Salad with dried cherries, walnuts and maple syrup vinaigrette or butternut squash soup. The entrée is sliced, smoked turkey breast with pan gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean almondine, sausage and sage dressing, cranberry relish and homemade bread. Add pumpkin cheesecake for dessert for $9 a slice. Call your closest location on Thanksgiving Day to order, or you can order in advance starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22. 

Thanksgiving Sides, Tamales, Desserts & Breads

Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, 3601 Kirby: This has long been a go-to spot for holiday tamales, helped in no small part by the convenient drive-up tamale stand. The Norteños style weigh three ounces, are wrapped in corn husks and comes in six kinds, including pork in red chile, chicken in red chile and black bean and cheese. The cost is $12 for a half-dozen and $24 for a dozen. The Oaxaqueños style are six ounces and wrapped in banana leaves, and a few of those selections are chicken in black mole and portobello mushroom. The cost is $22.50 for a half-dozen and $45 for a dozen. 

In addition, Picos has Pumpkin Flan and four different cheesecakes to go: coconut, brownie, pumpkin and dulce de leche. The order deadline is Monday, November 20 for pickup on Tuesday, November 22. View the full menu online, then call (832) 831-9940 to order. 

Badolina Bakery, 5555 Morningside: The Thanksgiving dessert options at this bakery will let you offer guests something more unexpected than pumpkin pie (not that there’s a thing wrong with pumpkin pie). Select Maple Cake for $15, Orange Cake for $24 or go decadent with a Basque cheesecake. Call the bakery at (832) 649-5909 or simply drop by to order ahead. Pickups are available on either Wednesday, November 22 or Thanksgiving morning. Badolina is also open until 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day — so keep it in mind for last-minute bread or dessert needs or for a coffee break (and a brief respite from any drama-inducing relatives). 

Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith: Start your Thanksgiving meal off with stellar sides and desserts from this beloved Texas-Creole restaurant. Starters for a crowd include the famous Turtle Soup for $30 for a quart (also available by the half-gallon and gallon), Seafood Gumbo for $35 a quart, boiled shrimp for $25 a pound and a half-loaf of garlic bread (12 pieces) for only $6. Some of the side dish options are a small pan of Sorghum Glazed Brussels Sprouts that serves four to six, Bacon-Braised Mustard and Collard Greens for $25 and candied sweet potatoes for $25. (Large pan sizes are also available.) The desserts are Brennan’s Pecan Pie for $32, lemon meringue pie for $60 and Creole Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce for $30. These are just a few of the selections; go online to view the entire to-go menu, order and select a pickup time on either Tuesday, November 21 or Wednesday, November 22. 

Dandelion Cafe, 5405 Bellaire: This café, which got some national-level exposure this year when it was featured on Good Morning America, has four different types of pie for Thanksgiving: pumpkin, orange cardamom, chocolate caramel and pecan. The sizes range from traditional 10-inch pies priced from $34 to $43 to personal pies for $11.50 each. Order online no later than Thursday, November 17 at 4 p.m., and pick up during normal business hours on Tuesday, November 21 or Thursday, November 22. 

French Gourmet Bakery, 2250 Westheimer: The beautiful Thanksgiving selection of breads and pastries can take you from holiday breakfast through dinner and snack time. Start the day with coffee or tea and apple-cinnamon bread, banana bread, jalapeño-cheddar bread or toasted brioche. Keep guests entertained while you’re cooking or making last-minute preparations with platters of festive iced gingerbread or sugar cookies in turkey and pumpkin shapes. At the table, serve the popular dinner rolls, then move into dessert with pumpkin, apple, pecan or chocolate-pecan pie. Go online to order. The last day for pickup will be on Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Hamsa, 5555 Morningside: The notable Israeli restaurant is offering its starters and dips, or salatim, and side dishes to go. Orders are accepted starting on November 1 with pickup no later than the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 22. Salatim options include Carrot Harissa, baba ganoush and squash tahini, while side dish choices are Turmeric Potatoes, Haim’s Rice, Israeli Salad and Cauliflower Couscous. 

Kolache Shoppe, multiple locations: The idea of getting a box of kolaches for a holiday morning breakfast is not a tough sell, but this acclaimed bakery also has a few specials for Thanksgiving. The Holiday Sweet Roll Loaves are essentially the Kolache Shoppe’s popular cinnamon rolls turned into a sweet bread. The cost is $10 a loaf and also come in a Poppy-Pecan variety. This is also the time of year when the dinner rolls are available for $7 a dozen. Order online; a 48-hour notice is required.