Best Places For Take-Out Thanksgiving Dinner In Chicago
Mercat a la Planxa
638 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 765-0524
www.mercatchicago.com
This South Loop restaurant may be known for its tapas, but it also has one of the best Thanksgiving to-go menus in town. That's because you can have a less traditional, but just as delicious, Thanksgiving dinner with a whole suckling pig. The fully-cooked pig also comes with sides that are sure to help fill you up, such as grilled green onions, rosemary white beans, fingerling potatoes and espinacas a la catalana. All of this can feed a group of eight to 12 people for $440. Throwing a smaller party of six to eight? Then go for the half pig for $220.
Goddess and the Grocer
1646 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 342-3200
www.goddessandgrocer.com
As a deli and grocery store, this shop -- with multiple locations in Chicago -- is also known for its delicious and fresh catering. Come holiday season, it also offer special menus. This year, Goddess and the Grocer will offer a plethora of options, including starters, sides, entrees and desserts. Most options are quite traditional turkey day dishes, like roasted whole natural turkey and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, to the less traditional, such as Australian beef tenderloin and harvest vegetable pot pie. Many options can be bought on a per-pound basis. Alternatively, get a full spread for 12 people for $375.
Sixteen Restaurant
401 N. Wabash Ave. (Trump Tower)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 588-8030
www.sixteenchicago.com
Experience a two-star Michelin-rated meal in the comfort of your own home with a spread from this popular Near North restaurant. There's also a Thanksgiving brunch during the day on the 16th floor of the Trump Tower, where this restaurant is located. Or you can just get this amazing meal to-go, but only for dinner (the restaurant will be offering its regular menu at night on Thanksgiving day).
Related: How to Have a Chicago Thanksgiving To-Go
Prairie Grass Cafe
601 Skokie Blvd.
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 205-4433
www.prairiegrasscafe.com
Run by James Beard award-winning chef Sarah Stegner, this suburban Chicago restaurant was once named one of the top restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner by Bon Appetit magazine. But you don't have to dine in to enjoy this feast. Place your order by November 20 for a number of appetizers -- including butternut squash soup and a mixed green salad -- including Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts, turkey and stuffing and, last but not least, plenty of dessert. Serving sizes for the many different options vary from two to six people, except for the turkey. For that main feast, a whole delicious turkey serves 10 to 14 people. Pick up your feast on Thanksgiving between noon and 3 p.m.
Di Pescara
2124 Northbrook Court
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-4321
www.di-pescara.com
From appetizer to dessert, Chef Mychael Bonner has you covered for your Thanksgiving feast this year. While known for its seafood (as the restaurant's name implies), steaks and Italian specialties, the Thanksgiving carry-out is pretty spectacular too. In past years, Di Pescara has boxed up roasted Vermont turkey served with giblet gravy as well as fresh sage stuffing and homemade pumpkin pie, just to name a few delicious, contemporary dishes. The carry-out is $29.95 per person; call ahead to order.
Related: Guide For Thanksgiving Weekend Visitors to Chicago
Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she's writing about a variety of topics for numerous websites and blogs, and working part-time at a culinary vacation company based in the Windy City. Some of her work can be found at Examiner.com.
