If you can’t do the big family gathering this year and don’t want to cook or clean up, there are many restaurants giving you options!

Even if you’re not comfortable going out to a restaurant that follows proper COVID-19 protocol and safety precautions, you can usually place a carry-out order a few weeks or even days before, so you can have Thanksgiving right at home.

Pro tip: just remember to double check with the restaurants beforehand to confirm any differing hours, and to make sure they haven’t decided to close on the Thanksgiving holiday at the last minute.

1. STARBUCKS

Although you can’t grab a turkey dinner at the coffee-joint, Starbucks, which is open during select hours on Thanksgiving, is the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee to help power you through a full day of cooking. Store hours vary, so call ahead to your local Starbucks or check the website to double check if and when your local chain is open.

2. POPEYES

Who wants turkey when you could have finger-licking good fried chicken? Head on over to select Popeyes that are open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

3. BOB EVANS

You can always count on Bob Evans to be open on Thanksgiving. Head in to get a truly traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings.

4. SONIC

Score a burger, fries, and a tasty milkshake at Sonic on Thanksgiving, now that select stores will be open during the regular hours of 6 a.m. and 1 a.m.

5. SUBWAY

In case you want to skip the traditional Thanksgiving meal all together, select Subways will be open to satisfy your sandwich needs on the holiday. Call your local stores to see if they are one of them.

6. GOLDEN CORRAL

Enjoy a delicious buffet-style Thanksgiving meal at Golden Corral, which will be open during its regular hours from 11 a.m. through 10 p.m.

7. BUFFALO WILD WINGS

Who says you need to eat turkey on Thanksgiving? After calling your local Buffalo Wild Wings just to double-check that they are indeed open, head to this game-day restaurant to get your boneless chicken wing fix.

8. CRACKER BARREL

Exciting news for anyone who dreams of Cracker Barrel’s mouthwatering biscuits: All locations across the country are expected to be open to bring you their Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressing Meal, complete with gravy, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato casserole.Just make sure you call to confirm that their regular hours haven’t changed before heading on over to eat.

9. APPLEBEE’S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR & GRILL

With Applebee’s yummy selection of appetizers and its Two for $20 deal, it’s easy to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at this kid-friendly restaurant for cheap. Just be sure to call ahead for exact hours in your location.

10. DENNY’S

“American’s diner is always open” isn’t this chain’s slogan for nothing. Fuel up for Black Friday shopping with heaping plates of pancakes, eggs, and home fries at any point during your Thanksgiving day since Denny will be open from 7 a.m. until midnight.

11. RUBY TUESDAY

All Thanksgiving dinners should have a salad bar of Ruby Tuesday’s caliber. Call ahead for exact hours, as the chain’s operating hours differ from location to location.

12. TGI FRIDAY’S

Just because Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday doesn’t mean you can’t pop by Friday’s. Call ahead for hours, as operating times vary per location.

13. WAFFLE HOUSE

Good news for anyone who loves breakfast for dinner: All Waffle House locations are open 24/7, so you know for sure you can score a delicious holiday meal if all else fails, or if you simply just didn’t feel like cooking.

14. MCDONALD’S

You can always depend on Micky D’s to be open when you most need it. The smile that spreads across your kids’ faces as you pull into the parking lot says it all. While most McDonald’s are open on Thanksgiving, call ahead before to make sure yours isn’t the exception.

15. IHOP

They may be known for their pancakes, but breakfast foods aren’t the only items listed on this chain’s Thanksgiving menu. From omelettes to burgers, even the pickiest of eaters can find something to feast on between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving day.

16. BUCA DI BEPPO

Open at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Buca di Beppo will serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal complete with pumpkin pie for dessert. Not in the mood for turkey? There are plenty of Italian dishes to choose from too.

17. MORTON’S STEAKHOUSE

Morton’s will start serving dinner at 12 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. And while you’re more than welcome to order off its traditional menu, Morton’s will be serving a surf and turf deal you’re not going to want to pass up.

18. HARD ROCK CAFE

They are expected to be open Thanksgiving, but hours will vary so call beforehand.

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