The Main Course

Fresh Turkeys

Almost all of these establishments will have some fresh turkeys available on the shelves, but calling and reserving one guarantees that you get one in the size range you prefer.

Central Market: Free range, $1.49 per pound (also available cooked with a two-day lead-time, 12-14lb. average, for $79.99). get both CM addresses & phones

Sun Harvest: Natural, $.99 per pound; six days’ notice to reserve. 2917 W. Anderson, 451-0669; 4006 S. Lamar, 444-3079

Whole Foods: Natural, $1.49 per pound; organic, $2.49 per pound. Prefer one day’s notice to reserve. West Sixth and Lamar, 476-1206

Fresh Plus: No price set at press time; they will have some available on the shelf, or can be reserved. 1221 West Lynn, 477-5574; 408 W. 43rd, 459-8922

Fiesta: No price set at press time; will stock some on shelves; can be reserved. 3909 N. I-35, 406-3900

HEB: $.99 per pound. Will stock some on shelves; prefer 3-4 days’ notice to reserve. Various locations

Albertsons: $.99 per pound. Will stock some on shelves; prefer 3 days’ notice to reserve, should be picked up by Tuesday night. Various locations

Randalls: No price set at press time. Will stock some on shelves; prefer 3 days’ notice to reserve. Various locations

Smoked Turkeys

Pok-E-Jo’s Smokehouse: Friday, Nov. 22 is the deadline to reserve — 14-16lb., $29.95; smoked breast, $9.49 per pound; $18 charge to custom-smoke a turkey. 1202 N. I-35 (Round Rock), 388-7578; 9828 Great Hills, 338-1990; 1603 W. Fifth, 320-1541; 2121 W. Parmer, 491-0434

Ruby’s BBQ: 10-12lb., $40; 12-14lb., $45; 8-10lb. bone-in breast, $45

Green Mesquite: Custom-smoked turkeys, $.99 per pound; call for deadlines. 1400 Barton Springs Rd., 479-0485; 7010 W. Hwy. 71, 288-8300

John Mueller’s BBQ: Orders in by Thursday, Nov. 21: whole birds $1.89 per pound; also available, smoked hams (15lb. average): bone-in, $3.69, spiral cut, $3.99 1917 Manor Rd., 236-0283

Slab Shack: Order by Nov. 23, and pickup Wednesday: smoked or Cajun-fried, $2.49 per pound (raw weight). 11501 Manchaca, 282-0614

Meats and Hams

Cooper’s Meat Market: Cajun-fried turkey (14lb.), $36; smoked turkey (14lb.), $35; Turducken (a stuffed chicken inside a duck inside a turkey), $58; spiral hams, $4.99 per pound; plus all of their usual prepared meats will also be available.

HEB: Spiral hams, $2.99 per pound

Albertsons: Spiral hams, $1.99 per pound

Whole Foods: Pederson’s natural spiral hams, $4.99 per pound

Sun Harvest: Pederson’s natural spiral hams, $3.69 per pound

Fiesta: Will stock, no price set yet at press time.

Honeybaked Hams: Three sizes, all $5.49 per pound; smoked or roasted turkey breasts, $19.99; also offering side dishes and complete meals. Call ahead for pricing and to reserve any of their products. 9029 Research, 835-7925; satellite pickup site: Hwy. 71 at Hwy. 290

Hickory Honey Hams: Spiral hams, $5.39 per pound; smoked whole turkeys, $2.59 per pound; smoked turkey breast, $7.29 per pound; one- to two-day reservation requested, but not required. 1204 W. 38th, 459-4267

This article appears in November 22 • 2002.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

Mick Vann is a retired Austin chef who is a food writer and restaurant critic, cookbook author, restaurant consultant, and recipe developer. He moonlights as a University of Texas horticulturist with a propensity for ethnic eats and international food, particularly of the Asian persuasion, but he also knows his way around a plate of soul food or barbecue.