https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2004-11-19/the-stress-free-thanksgiving-2004/

The Stress-Free Thanksgiving 2004

Let the hotels, restaurants, and markets take care of it

By Virginia B. Wood, November 19, 2004, Food

Note: These listings are from 2004. For updated information, check out our Thanksgiving Dining page.

Cooking for Thanksgiving not your idea of a good time? No problem. There are plenty of people willing to cook the feast and serve it up to you or pack it for you to take home to your hungry family.

Hotels

Cafe at the Four Seasons: 11am-8:30pm; full buffet. $60 per person; SOLD OUT; make your reservations for next year at 478-4500.

Driskill Hotel (Sixth & Brazos, 474-5911): Seating on the mezzanine every half-hour, 11:30am-2:30pm; full buffet, including breakfast items, traditional Thanksgiving dishes, desserts. $48 per person; kids 6-12, $24; under 5, complimentary; reservations necessary.

InterContinental Stephen F. Austin (7th & Congress, 457-8800): Seating in both ballrooms, 11am-3pm; full buffet with hot and cold breakfast items, traditional Thanksgiving spread, desserts. $44.95 per person; kids 3-12, $12.95. Reservations suggested.

Mansion at Judges' Hill (1900 Rio Grande, 495-1800): Seating noon-7pm; three-course a la carte menu with desserts. $48 per person; kids, $20. Reservations suggested.

Omni Austin Hotel Downtown (700 San Jacinto, 476-3700): Seating in the Atrium Cafe, 11am-3pm; full buffet with hot and cold breakfast, traditional Thanksgiving spread, desserts. $39.95 per person; $34 for seniors; kids under 12, $9. Reservations suggested.

Omni Austin Hotel Southpark (4140 Governor's Row, 448-2222): Seating in Onion Creek Grille, 11am-2pm; full brunch buffet with hot and cold breakfast, traditional Thanksgiving spread, desserts. $31.95 per person; kids, half-price. Reservations suggested.

Renaissance Austin Hotel (9721 Arboretum Blvd., 343-2626): Seating in the Trattoria Grande, 11am-2pm, 5-9pm; Four-course a la carte menu. $44 lunch, $49 dinner. Reservations suggested.

Hilton Downtown (500 E. Fourth, 493-4901): Seating in Liberty Tavern, Finn & Porter, 11am-4pm; full buffet with hot and cold breakfast, traditional Thanksgiving spread, desserts. $42 per person; kids under 12, $20. Reservations suggested.

Hyatt (Town Lake, 477-1234): Seating in La Vista, noon-9pm; Thanksgiving brunch buffet with appetizers, choice of entrée, dessert station. $26 per person plus tax and tip. Reservations suggested.

Restaurants

Hoover's Cooking (2002 Manor Rd., 479-5006): Select holiday menu; $12.95 per person. Full family or individual meals or dishes available for takeout. Orders taken from today through Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving Day pickup.

Threadgill's (6416 N. Lamar, 451-5440; 301 W. Riverside, 472-9304): Select holiday menu with all the trimmings to eat in both restaurants; full family or individual meals and dishes for takeout. Order today through Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving Day pickup.

Katz's Deli (618 W. Sixth, 472-2037): Full Thanksgiving Day feast for the 25th year in a row. $11.95 per person, all day, all night.

Luby's, Marimont, Furr's Cafeterias (multiple locations all over town): Thanksgiving Day spread to eat in or take out.

La Madeleine (all three Austin locations): Take-home turkey feast that serves four to six, $74.95. Order now for pickup Nov. 23-24.

Portabla (1200 W. Sixth, 481-8646): Complete holiday meals (entrée, stuffing, gravy, two side dishes, salad, dessert, bread) for $18.99 per person or platter serving four to five for $58; all dishes available a la carte, as well. Order now for pickup Nov. 24 till 8pm, Nov. 25 until 10am.

Chez Zee (5406 Balcones Drive, 454-2666): Made to order Apple, Pumpkin Praline, or Pecan Bourbon pies in glass pie pans; Crème Brûlée French Toast Loaves. Order now for pickup until Nov. 24, 10pm.

Upper Crust (4508 Burnet Rd., 467-0102): Apple, Cranberry-Apple, Pecan, and Pumpkin pies, tea breads, cakes, breads, and rolls. Order now for pickup through Nov. 24.

Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q (all three Austin locations): Smoked turkeys and turkey breasts. Order now for pickup through Nov. 24.

Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits (several Austin locations): Call to order Cajun Fried Turkeys for pickup through Nov. 24th.

Grocery Stores

While it used to be that grocery stores only sold the raw ingredients for your holiday repast, these days, Austin stores will do the shopping and the cooking, and all you have to do is order your meal and pick it up. The following stores each have different menu packages, so call to find out just exactly what is available to fit your tastes and budget.

Central Market (North Lamar, 206-1044; Westgate, 899-4332): Five different custom menus with desserts; 21 different side dishes to complement your own holiday preparations. Order now through Nov. 24.

Whole Foods Markets (476-1206): Full meals, side dishes, vegetarian and vegan options, breads, desserts by the serving or ordered in advance for pickup Nov. 24.

Wheatsville Co-op (3101 Guadalupe, 478-2667): Full meals, side dishes, vegetarian and vegan options, whole pies. Available by the serving or ordered in advance for pickup on Nov. 24.

Randalls (locations all over town): Full dinner menus and individual items, order to pick up Nov. 24-25.