Our family’s Thanksgiving tradition now involves a beach house and someone else’s turkey.
With family scattered across the country, we’ve more recently become coastal Thanksgiving people: meet somewhere by the water, pick up dinner, and spend a little less time in the kitchen.
I’m not a Cracker Barrel regular, but their Thanksgiving dinners? On point.
Maybe you’re the person who makes everything from scratch. Maybe you used to be, and this year you’d rather pick it up. Maybe it’s a full house, a Friendsgiving potluck, or dinner for one.
However your table looks this year, you get to decide what’s worth the effort and what to hand off. Make Thanksgiving your own.
In this guide, we’ve got some options to simplify it.
South Denver Thanksgiving
You don’t have to wear yourself out this November.
And if you’re hosting, cooking, still doing it all yourself, we’ve still got something for your table: a few conversation starters to keep things fun.
Let’s get into it.
—Grace Hody
Editor, The Ranch Scoop
Pick Up Dinner. Keep the Credit.
Want Thanksgiving at home without spending time shopping or cooking? Pick up the feast, set your own table, and leave room for a little lounging.
Tony’s Market | Centennial
→ Order here
$274.98: Serves 10–12 adults | Order by: Noon Nov. 20 | Pickup: Nov. 24–25. Feed a crowd with an oven-roasted turkey and seven sides, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and rolls.
Eddie Merlot’s | Englewood
→ Order here
$249 for five $475 for ten | Pickup: Nov. 25 or Thanksgiving morning. Bring home a three-course turkey dinner with traditional trimmings.
Coast2Coast Culinary | Castle Rock
→ Order here
$285 for 4–6 $545 for 7–10 | Order by: Nov. 19 | Pickup: Nov. 25, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Turkey and braised short ribs, plus an appetizer, sides, and two desserts.
Perry’s Steakhouse | Lone Tree/Park Meadows
→ Order here
$189 for four · $59 individual with 15% handling fee | Pickup: Nov. 25 cold or Nov. 26 hot, 11 a.m.–close. Smoked turkey breast with soup or salad, gravy, five traditional sides, and homemade bread. Add pumpkin cheesecake for four for $32.
Editor’s Sleeper Pick
I stand by it. My family’s Thanksgivings at the beach has made me a believer. Turkey, the fixings, and considerably less work. Two Denver-area Cracker Barrel locations:
📍Denver/Central Park: 9111 E. 40th Ave.
📍Northglenn: 350 W. 120th Ave.
Choose a dinner for 4–6 or a feast for 8–10. Pickup runs Nov. 21–29; meals require reheating. Check stores and locations to confirm.
Eat Out on Thanksgiving.
Want a feast without the cleanup? We’ve got options whether you’re here for the turkey or happily skipping it. Reserve a table, bring your appetite, and let someone else handle everything else.
For the those who want the traditional meal
Eddie Merlot’s | Englewood
🍂 $55 adults / $30 children. · Thanksgiving Day, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. · Reserve a table
Keep the traditional dinner; skip the cleanup. Three courses include a starter, roasted turkey with stuffing and two sides, and dessert.
Perry’s Steakhouse | Lone Tree/Park Meadows
🍂 $59 from 4–9 p.m. · Thanksgiving Day · 11 a.m.–9 p.m. · Reserve a table
Settle into a steakhouse Thanksgiving with Perry’s holiday menu, served 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Prefer prime rib? That’s available too.
For the those who’d like to take a pass on turkey
Rodizio Grill | Denver Tech Center
🍂 $59.99 per person. · Thanksgiving Day · Opens at 11 a.m. · Reserve a table
Make it a Brazilian steakhouse Thanksgiving. The expanded holiday spread includes ribeye, beef ribs, traditional sides, and seasonal desserts, with turkey available for anyone who wants it.
Fleming’s | Englewood
🍂 Thanksgiving Day · Opens at 11 a.m. · Reserve a table
Your Thanksgiving centerpiece can be steak. Choose filet mignon or bone-in ribeye from the holiday prix fixe menu, or order from the full dinner menu.
Pass the Potatoes. Start Something Fun.
You’ve figured out the food. Here’s a little reminder to steer the conversation away from politics and toward healthy connection. Toss a few questions into a bowl and let people draw between bites. Answer, debate, or pass:
Which Thanksgiving dish would you defend in court?
What’s a family story the younger generation hasn’t heard?
What’s the most ridiculous thing you believed as a kid?
Everyone here enters a talent show. Who wins from doing what?
You can bring back one discontinued food, store, or restaurant. What is it?
After some fun, don’t forget to circle the table and let everyone share what they’re grateful for this year.
Make Plans Beyond the Table.
Dinner’s covered. Now, what should we do with everyone the rest of the weekend?
I’ve rounded up local outings, holiday lights, and things to do around South Denver throughout November whether you’re showing company around or making plans for yourself.
November 26 doesn’t have to look traditional to be a Thanksgiving you enjoy. Hopefully, you’ve got the day off, something good on your plate, and room to relax. A little connection, a few good laughs, and whatever boundaries help you enjoy the day belong on the menu, too. Make it yours.
Did I miss a great Thanksgiving option? Send me your recommendations as I’d love to hear what belongs on the list.
Don’t forget to subscribe and share the Scoop. I’m thankful you found it!
—Grace