Thanksgiving to-go

By Deborah Allard Dion

Thousands of local diners slide on their stretchy-waist pants and make a reservation, rather than a grocery list, for Thanksgiving dinner each year.

This Turkey Day? Maybe not so much.

But, that doesn’t mean the pandemic should squash your plans of filling up on turkey and fixin’s prepared in someone else’s kitchen. So don’t yank the dusty roasting pan out from the bottom cabinet just yet.

In fact, ordering takeout turkey from local restaurants (or dining-in if it’s allowed and meets your comfort level) is a great way to support their efforts and bottom line, and make sure they’re still around in 2021.

It also helps you enjoy Thanksgiving with minimal fuss and mess. For those who want to roast their own turkey or ham, consider restaurant-made stuffing and sides to take the tired out of your turkey day.

Keep your eyes peeled to social media for upcoming Thanksgiving menus, or call your favorite restaurant and ask about their plans. Here are some favorite South Coast spots that know their way around their giblets.

Bittersweet Farm 438 Main Road, Westport 508-636-0085 bittersweetfarmwestport.com

Known for its rustic charm and cozy tavern atmosphere, Bittersweet opened up outdoor dining and entertainment over the summer, showing its ability to think outside the box – and front door. Bittersweet is known for its yummy meals, including its Thanksgiving dinner. On the menu last year was turkey and prime rib, sides, desserts, and even its own house-smoked salmon.

LeBaron Hills Country Club 183 Rhode Island Avenue, Lakeville 508-923-5700 lebaronhills.com

A beautiful private club with public dining at Lilly’s on the Green, LeBaron’s offered complete turkey meals to-go last year that served up a whole family. The meal included an entire cooked turkey with gravy plus sausage, apple and cranberry stuffing, and all the sides, all ready to be picked up on Thanksgiving Day, either hot or with heat-and-serve instructions.

Magoni’s Ferry Landing Italian Restaurant 681 Riverside Avenue, Somerset 508-674-4335 magonisrestaurant.com

What’s turkey dinner without a little lasagna? Luckily you won’t have to find out when ordering from Magoni’s. The restaurant is known for its classic cuisine, like meatloaf with gravy, open-faced hot turkey sandwich, and spaghetti and meatballs – and of course, its cinnamon sticks. Magoni’s is sure to be ready this Thanksgiving holiday with its traditional roast turkey dinner. A side of lasagna anyone?

McGovern’s Family Restaurant 310 Shove Street, Fall River 508-679-5010 mcgovernsonthewater.com

This well-known restaurant and banquet facility overlooking Laurel Lake usually packs them in for a large buffet on Thanksgiving Day. The menu typically includes traditional turkey dinner with Paul’s stuffing, butternut squash, prime rib, ham, and much more. The restaurant has been offering dine-in and takeout, including its locally famous corned beef and cabbage, for 50 years. Here’s a protip: if you can’t wait until Thanksgiving for a roast turkey dinner, you don’t have to – it’s on the regular menu.

Merrills on the Waterfront 36 Homers Wharf, New Bedford 508-997-7010 merrillswaterfront.com

This favorite restaurant and function facility sits on the waterfront overlooking the busy fishing port. But if fish isn’t your thing on traditional turkey day, be sure to keep watch for their holiday offerings. Last year, Merrill’s served up turkey and prime rib, all the sides like apple sage stuffing, and sweet corn and polenta ravioli, plus pies galore.

The Pasta House 100 Alden Road, Fairhaven 508-993-9913 thepastahouse.net

If their Pumpkin Patch Old-Fashioned (now on the bar menu) doesn’t get you inside, nothing will. Luckily, you can find a recipe in the sidebar for this drink and serve it with your Thanksgiving dinner takeout

The Pasta House served up a spread last year that included turkey dinner, ham dinner, fillet mignon, braised short rib, and more. Currently, pickup and delivery is available from the regular menu, including their apple cider sangria to go. We’ll just have to wait and see what they dream up for Thanksgiving.

The Wharf Tavern 215 Water Street, Warren 401-289-2524 thewharftavernri.com

While stuffed quahogs nibbled by the water may not be a Thanksgiving tradition, the Wharf Tavern, established in 1955 on the historic wharf that dates to the 1700s, isn’t all about summer. Last year they served up a feast of turkey, roast prime rib, sausage stuffing, and more. The restaurant currently offers dine-in and takeout, including some oven-ready dishes like seafood casserole and stuffed lobster.

White’s of Westport 66 State Road, Westport 508-675-7185 shop.lafrancehospitality.com

White’s has been offering family-style takeout and curbside meals pickup for months, so when Turkey Day comes around, it’s a good bet they’ll have a handle (or rather a drumstick) on that too. Currently, the restaurant is offering meal packages and platters like its “Taste of New England” that comes with chowder, quahogs and clam cakes or its Italian package of salad, lasagna, meatballs and breadsticks. Both meals serve six. Also available are dinner-for-two meal packs like fish and chips, lobster rolls, bourbon beef tips, and even kid-sized pasta and meatballs for two. With more than 60 years in the hospitality industry, White’s is accustomed to cooking for a crowd.

Pumpkin Old-Fashioned

First you’ll need to concoct cinnamon syrup. Mix ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and a three-inch cinnamon stick in a small pan. Bring it just to a boil, turn off the heat and let it cool. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard or use it to garnish the cocktail if you like. The syrup will last for three weeks in the fridge.

To make the cocktail, fill a shaker halfway with ice. Combine ¼ cup pumpkin puree with three ounces bourbon, two ounces maple syrup, ¼ ounce cinnamon syrup, one ounce orange liqueur, and two dashes orange bitters. Shake well. Fill two old fashioned glasses with ice, pour in the strained cocktail and garnish with a twist of orange peel and a cherry.

EST. 1900

TRY OUR PIES! Pork • Meat • Chourico • Chicken Buffalo Chicken • Chili • Salmon Also try Stuffed Quahogs and Desserts

HOURS: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 7am-3pm 1729 South Main St. Fall River, MA CALL 508-676-8605

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Delicious Custom Cakes, Cupcakes and Desserts

265 Walnut Plain Road Rochester, MA 508-763-4905 artisanbakeshop.com

OPEN FOR TAKEOUT

Monday - closed • Tue-Thu 11:30am-9pm Fri-Sat 11:30am-9:45pm • Sun 12-9pm 177 Columbia St. • Fall River, MA (508) 675-7018