It’s that time of year where we are grateful for many things - including restaurants that can make figuring out the family Thanksgiving meal a little simpler. If you are looking to get out of dirtying the dishes and spending hours (or days) in the kitchen, there are options around Greater Des Moines that will help you host or even play host, on the most delicious holiday of the year. 

Dine Out 

Opa! Italian and Greek
When: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., November 23
Menu: roasted turkey, Greek rice, fried shrimp, gyro meat and chick souvlaki, ham, meatballs, pasta diablo, mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken marsala, and dessert.
Price: $22.99
Reservations: Recommended 

AJ’s Steakhouse
When: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., November 23
Menu: Starters: chicken corn chowder, pepper jack steak and potato soup, holiday salad, shrimp cocktail, or peaches and pork. Chef’s features: slow roasted, brown sugar and maple-glazed turkey breast, filet mignon, AJ’s prime rib au jus, walleye almandine, or cheese ravioli. The Grand Finale: individual pecan pie tart, pumpkin cheesecake, or AJ’s chocolate fantasy cake.
Price: $60 per person, $19 for children 11 and under
Reservations: Recommended, (515) 957-3535

Fleming’s
When: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., November 23
Menu: Starter: Fleming’s salad or lobster bisque. Entrée: mixed-herb roasted turkey breast and turkey gravy, prime bone-in ribeye, or fillet mignon. Sides to share: mashed potatoes, cinnamon orange cranberry sauce, and green beans with apricots and onions. Dessert: harvest New York cheesecake or carrot cake.  

Cooper’s Hawk
When: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., November 23
Menu: butternut squash soup, slow-roasted turkey, traditional stuffing, roasted green beans and carrots, Mary’s potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin praline cheesecake.
Price: $34.99, $14.99 for kids 12 and under
Reservations: Recommended. Reserve here. 

Bravo! Italian Kitchen
Menu: Caesar or chopped salad, sliced white meat turkey, homestyle gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, seasonal vegetable, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Additional menu items are available.
Price: $39.99
Reservations: Recommended

Proudfoot and Bird 
When: 2 – 8 p.m., November 23
Menu: Starters: roasted squash and apple soup or prosciutto and melon salad. Main course: Proudfoot and Bird smoked turkey dinner. Dessert: pumpkin pie tartlet or French Silk tartlet.
Price: $75 per person. Add a wine pairing to each course for an additional $25.
Reservations: Make your reservation here. 

Mulberry Street Tavern
When: November 22 – 23
Menu: arugula salad, turkey breast, brussels sprouts, garlic whipped potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, cranberry mandarin sauce, french onion stuffing, parker rolls, pumpkin tart.
Reservations: Make your reservation here. 

Hibachi Grill
When: 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., November 23
Menu: Buffet
Price: $18.99 for adults, $9.99 for children ages 7 – 10, and $6.99 for children ages 3 – 6
Reservations: No 

To Go 

Cracker Barrel
Menu: oven-roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole with pecans, choice of side, and sweet yeast rolls. There are two meal options available serving 4 – 6 people and 8 – 10 people.
Price: $104.99, $154.99
Order: 24 hours in advance, pick up November 18 – 25.

Gilroy’s
Menu: turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, cheesy Parmesan scalloped potatoes, Gilroy’s blueberry salad, macaroni and cheese, rolls and butter, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, and apple crisp.
Price: $190
Order: Must be placed by 10 p.m. on November 17, pick up is from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on November 22. 

Smokey D’s BBQ
Menu: Holiday meal deal including three three-pound packages of meat with mashed potatoes, gravy, choice of two sides, and dinner rolls and butter. Holiday bundle with a choice of whole smoked turkey, half of a honey glazed boneless ham, or choice of two three-pound packages of meat with mashed potatoes, gravy, choice of two sides, and dinner rolls. Holiday meats, sliced holiday meats, lasagna, and individual meals are also available.
Price: Varies
Order: Orders must be placed by close on November 19. 

Whatcha Smokin' BBQ + Brew
Menu: Choose from a variety of meats such as: turkey, ham, brisket, pulled pork, and pork loin. Side and dessert options: cheesy potatoes, campground beans, coleslaw, mac and cheese, carrot souffle, garden salad, apple bread pudding, peach cobbler, brownies, and cornbread.
Price: Varies, see prices here.
Order: Order by November 18 at 8 p.m., pickup November 21 – 22.

Main Street Café
Menu: roasted turkey, stuffing, cheesy au gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, Autumn salad, and pumpkin dinner rolls. Dessert options: six in three-layer cake (pumpkin, chocolate, almond), six cake trifles (chocolate and pumpkin), stuffin goodie box, or small cookie decoration kit.
Price: $99.95
Order: Order as soon as possible, pick up is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on November 22. 

Cooper’s Hawk
Menu: pretzel bread and butter, butternut squash soup, traditional stuffing, Mary’s potatoes, roasted green beans and carrots, slow-roasted turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, Eli’s pumpkin praline cheesecake.
Price: $199.99
Order: Order by November 17 

Gateway Market
Menu: full turkey. Full holiday catering is also available and can be ordered here.
Price: $4.49 per pound, add $10 to have it brined.
Orders: Order by November 17, (515) 422-5114 

Bravo! Italian Kitchen
Menu: sliced white meat turkey, homestyle gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Italian sausage stuffing, seasonal vegetables, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Two sizes are available.
Price: Varies
Order: Available through Thanksgiving 

Desserts: 

Chacha’s Hiland Bakery
Menu: Variety of pies, cheesecakes, cookies, and rolls
Price: Varies
Order: Order by November 16