Happy Thanksgiving!
- The Guide's Grab Bag
- Nov 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 26
Gobble, Gobble, Friends! OOPS! Did something derail your Thanksgiving Day plans? Bad weather, flat tire, broken oven…whatever the culprit, if you’re finding yourself in a pickle, there are still some fantastic holiday meal options for you in Manchester and the surrounding area!
This year, my family and I are doing something we have never done before: going out to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner! Traditionally, we spend a couple days preparing dishes ahead of time, brining the turkey overnight, and taking turns hosting at our house or one of our parents’ homes. Not this time! Last year, we didn’t get to spend the day with my in-laws in Schenectady, NY as planned because of a big snow storm, and we had to improvise on the spot, thankful that our local grocery stores had some open hours to supplement the appetizers and side dishes we’d already prepared to bring.
I always wondered what it might be like to just go out with my family to a restaurant and have a wonderful meal. No days-long prep, no troubleshooting, and no mess to clean up. The downside? No leftovers, but that can easily be rectified over the weekend when I pop a turkey breast and some of my husband’s sausage and cornbread stuffing into the oven for a stress-free, low-key, ready whenever we want, mini-Thanksgiving dinner for just the 3 of us.
Matt’s stepmother, Ginger, is an artist through and through. Her potato and gourd turkey sculptures are always fun, every Thanksgiving we spend with her. I’ll miss those, too, but maybe she’ll bring one to the restaurant to grace our table!
The Manchester Business Association (MBA) has curated a super handy list of local dining options for Thanksgiving Dinner (and thinking ahead to Christmas!) Be sure to make a reservation for tomorrow, 11/27, as availability allows. If it’s too late, there are other options (and plan to hit one of these places up next year!) Check out all the options here.
Please note that the pre-order, take-home dinner order deadlines have passed.
In addition, the Mount Anthony Country Club is also serving a dinner buffet on Thanksgiving Day.
No reservations available? No sweat. These area grocery stores are open today, Wednesday, November 26 and on Thanksgiving Day for last-minute appetizer and dinner items, some ready made:
Hannaford Supermarket, Bennington, VT: 7am to 3pm
Shaw’s Supermarket, Manchester, VT: 7am to 3pm
Wayside Country Store in Arlington, VT: 8am to 2pm
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