Have you been noticing a larger-than-average amount of Butterball turkeys on display at your grocery store of choice? If so, there’s a very good reason behind it. Thanksgiving is on the way! Let’s face it, though. Many of us have busy, stressful lives, and would like a little help when it comes to preparing that expected gigantic holiday feast. Whether you’d like to leave all the cooking up to someone else and sit down at a restaurant that has Thanksgiving fare on the menu, or you’d rather purchase pre-cooked bulk items from roasted meats to steamy sides to decadent desserts, Calhoun County has got you covered. There are multiple restaurants and other food producers that will set you up for an unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving Dinner Out

So you admit it. You don’t want to do a lick of cooking on Thanksgiving. There’s no shame in that, and thankfully (no pun intended), there are several good options for eating out on Thanksgiving Day. 

Hubbards Off Main

Hubbards Off Main has already created a buzz in Calhoun County for its outstanding Sunday buffets. If you were hoping they’d cook up something special for Thanksgiving, you won’t be disappointed. They are pulling out all the stops in a buffet that will feature items like Turkey, Ham, Chicken and Dressing, Squash Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, Broccoli Salad, BLT Salad, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and more. Their hours that day will be 11am to 3pm, and reservations are required to ensure you’ll get to enjoy this feast.

• Adults $29
• Children 12 & under ½ price

To make your advance reservation, call (256) 403-0258

Location: Hubbards Off Main, 16 E Chocolocco St., Oxford, AL

Classic on Noble

This established fine-dining restaurant in the heart of downtown Anniston has a stellar reputation for creating decadent displays of hot and cold items that locals have enjoyed for decades. By reservation only, you can take part in their Thanksgiving Day feast. The buffet will feature carved meats like Ham, Turkey, and Roast Beef. Sides will include Mashed Potatoes, Dressing with Giblet Gravy, Sweet Potato Casserole, and Green Beans. And if you still have room, dive into a dessert like Pecan Cobbler, Carrot Cake, Caramel Cake, or Chocolate Cake.

• Adults $35
• Children 5-10 ½ Price
• Children 4 & under Free

They fill up quickly, so make your reservation now by calling (256) 237-5388

Location: Classic on Noble, 1024 Noble St., Anniston, AL

Western Sizzlin

If you’re not so keen on a more formal dining experience, there’s a great, affordable option waiting. From 11am to 3pm Thanksgiving Day, you can eat till you drop at Western Sizzlin in Oxford. They’ll be offering a buffet with a variety of traditional items that will make your mouth water. 

• Adults $14.99
• Seniors $14.59
• Children 10 & under $7.99

For questions call (256) 835-2500

Location: Western Sizzlin, 200 Hamric Dr. West, Oxford, AL

Thanksgiving Take-Out

You always overcook the Thanksgiving turkey. Why not buy one with glistening brown skin, teeming with juices? Do you want some help with the sides? There are multiple places in Calhoun County where you can buy an entire Thanksgiving meal that feeds the whole family, or a la carte items to plug the holes in your pre-planned menu.

Rosie’s Gourmet 2 Go

Rosie’s Gourmet 2 Go is an expert when it comes to take-out. They rest a lot of their business on just that model and have made it a success. For Thanksgiving this year, they have a menu where you can have select items prepared for you. They do require that you contact them by November 16, and pick up the items you ordered by November 22. Their menu is as follows:

• ¼ Ham $20/½ Ham $50/Whole Ham $100
• ¼ Pan $15 or ½ Pan $35 of the following items: Chicken & Dressing, Squash Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Mac & Cheese
• Sides by the Pint/Quart (prices vary): Cranberry Sauce, Chicken Gravy, Potato Salad, Chicken Salad, Pimento Cheese, Spinach Dip
• Desserts: Cherry Tart ¼ Pan $15, ½ Pan $35; 9-inch Pecan Pie $28; 9 inch Peanut Butter Pie $25

Take advantage of this terrific option by calling (256) 342-5294.

Location: Rosie’s Gourmet 2 Go, 3337 Henry Rd, Anniston, AL

Betty’s BBQ

Betty’s Bar-B-Q has been a staple in the Oxford/Anniston area for years, serving up delicious homestyle cooking that any mother (or grandmother) would love. They are offering a full take-out dinner with all the fixin’s that is designed to feed 10-12 people. For $140, you’ll receive Turkey Breast, Dressing w/Gravy, Green Beans, Sweet Potato Souffle, and Rolls.  

To place your order, call (256) 237-1411

Location: Betty’s Bar-B-Q, 401 South Quintard, Anniston, AL

Saucy Swine BBQ Oxford

This place is not your everyday restaurant. Saucy Swine BBQ Oxford describes itself as a competition BBQ team! That scores high on our list of folks who can deliver up outstanding Thanksgiving food. They provide take-away options for special holidays, and for this one, they’ve shared that food is sold by order only with no Cash & Carry. Advanced orders are required and pick up is November 22. 

Meats (butts always served pulled with sauce):

• Smoked Ham $55.00 
• Smoked turkey $55.00 
• Fried Turkey $65.00 
• Whole smoked Butts 8-10 lbs $45.00 

Homemade Sides:

• Chicken & Dressing 1/4 $20.00 1/2 pan $35.00 whole pan $50.00
• Green Bean casserole1/4 $15.00 1/2 pan $25.00 whole pan $40.00
• Mac and Cheese 1/4 $25.00 1/2 pan $40.00 whole pan $55.00

For Dessert:

• The Real Deal Banana Pudding 1/2 pan $35.00
• Whole Homemade Cheesecake $60.00
• Red Velvet Cheesecake $75.00

To contact them with your order, call (757) 592-3388

Cooter Brown’s Rib Shack

Another restaurant in Calhoun County that has a long-standing reputation when it comes to barbecue, especially ribs, is Cooter Brown’s Rib Shack in Jacksonville. If you like your Thanksgiving a little bit “smokey,” why not take advantage of their take-out Smoked Turkey Breast or Smoked Ham? The last day for orders for their meats is November 15, so don’t delay in placing your order. 

• Turkey Breast $45 (3-3 ½ lbs feeds 8-12)
• Ham $50 (6-6 ½ lbs feeds 15-20)

To secure your main course, call (256) 435-1514

Location: Cooter Brown’s Rib Shack, 8464 Alabama Highway 204, Jacksonville, AL

Johnson’s Giant Food (Jacksonville)

There’s more than one reason Johnson’s grocery store is a “giant” in its realm. Their deli is out-of-this-world when it comes to serving up tasty take-out any day of the week. But they’ve pulled out all the stops to ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner goes over without a hitch. Check out their amazing menu below.

Meats:

• Chicken & Dressing 6lb $27.99/16lb $54.99
• Giblet Gravy 2lb $5.99/4lb $10.99
• Baked Spaghetti 6lb $35.99
• Pulled BBQ Pork 5lb $49.99

Veggies by the 5lb (prices vary):

• Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, Speckled Butterbeans, Collard/Turnip Greens, Cream Style Corn, Pinto Beans, Squash Casserole, Boiled Potatoes, Great Northern Beans, Green Beans, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Blackeyed Peas
• Fried Okra/Onion Rings/Corn Nuggets/Squash/Potato Wedges

Deserts by the 4.5-5lb (prices vary):

• Apple/Peach/Blackberry/Strawberry Cobbler, Candied Yams, Sweet Potato Casserole, Sweet Carrot Souffle, Banana Pudding

For more information call (256) 600-2900

Location: Johnson’s Giant Food, 815 Pelham Road S. Jacksonville, AL 35965

Shell’s Downtown

Can I get an A-Ham? You sure can, if you are local to Piedmont, where Shell’s Downtown is offering so many take-out Thanksgiving options that it will make your tail feathers spin! Below is a breakdown of their meal packages that will feed the entire crew at a reasonable cost.

Shell’s Downtown will also be selling Thanksgiving dinner items a la carte, listed below.

Meats:

• Fried or Smoked Turkey $35
• Ham $35
• Dressing & Gravy w/Meat $30/$50
• Dressing & Gravy no Meat $24/$44

Premium Sides priced at $28/$45 include:

• Mac & Cheese
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Green Bean Casserole
• Mashed Potatoes
• Squash Casserole

Sides at $22/$28 include:

• Green Beans
• Corn Fried Okra

Extras:

• 18 Devilled Eggs $18
• Cole Slaw $15.99
• Cranberry Sauce $12
• Rolls per oz $9

Desserts:

• Pecan Pie $17.99
• Pumpkin Pie $14.99
• Brownie Triffle $25.99
• Cheesecake $25.99
• Coconut Cake $25.99

For more information on placing an order call (256) 645-3073

Location: Shell’s Downtown, 105 N Center Ave., Piedmont, AL

Western Sizzlin

We mentioned Western Sizzlin earlier as a place to eat on the big day, but they are also offering a to-go plate option. For $16.99, you can take home a plate of food with the following items:

• Sliced Turkey with Giblet Gravy
• Sliced Honey Glazed Ham
• Chicken & Dressing with Giblet Gravy
• Mac & Cheese or Sweet Potato Casserole
• Green Beans
• Cranberry Sauce
• Yeast Roll or Cornbread

Orders are required in advance so call (256) 835-2500

Location: Western Sizzlin, 200 Hamric Dr. West, Oxford, AL