Asheville 2023 Thanksgiving guide: Restaurants, grocery stores open, takeout meals
ASHEVILLE - Gather around the dining table with family and friends with a Thanksgiving feast expertly and deliciously prepared and provided by Asheville restaurants.
For 2023, some eateries will keep their doors open to welcome dining room guests on the holiday while others are offering ready-made meals for customers to pick up early and serve at home.
Many grocery stores are keeping with tradition and taking orders for catered meals that take some of the pressure off hosts on the holiday.
Consider adding these dishes to your table for this year’s Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23.:
Check back for updates and additions. Submit your restaurant’s Thanksgiving Day offerings to tkennell@citizentimes.com.
More: Popular Asheville pizzeria, brewery, movie theater up for sale
All Day Darling
All Day Darling is offering fresh-baked, festive pies and dinner rolls for preorder.
Classic Hawaiian dinner rolls are available by the dozen for $20. Holiday pies are $40 each. The flavors include pumpkin with browned butter and sage crust, bourbon pecan and spiced apple (available vegan and/or gluten-free upon request).
Preorder via Instagram direct messaging @alldaydarlingasheville. Payment will be processed at pickup, available Nov. 20-22 at 102 Montford Ave.
Arete Hemp
Arete Hemp will host its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 20 at Sage & Spice, 1056 Patton Ave. The company plans to give away more than 300 uncooked turkeys (11-14 lbs) to people in need. For more, visit aretehemp.com.
Bargello
Bargello, at 7 Patton Ave., will be open on Nov. 23, serving a family-style prix fixe menu from 12-8 p.m.
The menu features heirloom squash hummus, red wine rigatoni, and turkey with gravy, cranberry gastrique and melted leeks, plus haricot vert, Italian sausage and sage stuffing, whipped potatoes and Brussel sprouts. Dessert options are pumpkin cake and dark chocolate tart.
The cost is $89 per person and $49 per child ages 10 and under. Make a reservation by calling (828) 774-5564 or book online via OpenTable. View the menu at bargelloavl.com.
Benne on Eagle
Benne on Eagle, of The Foundry Hotel, will host "Thankful on the Block" Thanksgiving Day dinner from 12-6 p.m. on Nov. 23 at 35 Eagle St.
The menu includes brined and herb roasted turkey breast, red wine braised short ribs, braised collard and mustard greens, cornbread stuffing and coconut cake.
The cost is $50 per person. Reservations are encouraged at least three days prior and may be made at benneoneagle.com. The regular brunch menu will be available, too.
Black Bear BBQ
Black Bear BBQ, at 800 Fairview Road, is offering a special take-home Thanksgiving menu that features starters, entrées, sides and desserts in 6-10 person serving sizes and proteins sold by the pound. Menu highlights include a cranberry-chipotle goat cheese ball with graham crackers, half and whole smoked turkey or chicken with gravy, Chinese 5 spice pork belly, smoked veggie barbecue, Grandma Betty’s broccoli casserole topped with Cheez-It crackers, fresh cranberry relish, berry cobbler and sweet potato pie. Pick-ups are scheduled for Nov. 21-22 with reheating instructions provided. Place orders at familymeal.com/4BQAVL. For more, visit blackbearbbqavl.com.
The Blackbird
The Blackbird, at 47 Biltmore Ave., will serve a Thanksgiving Day dinner for $75 per person and $25 per child, plus a 20% gratuity on the final check.
The three-course menu options include local candy roaster bisque, sage-brined smoked local turkey with sides, seafood stuffed flounder, goat cheese corn pie, Southern custard coconut cake, and pecan pie bread pudding with brown honey sugar sauce.
Wine pairings are available at an additional cost.
The kids' meal consists of turkey, potatoes, green beans, pan gravy and cranberry sauce.
Make a reservation on OpenTable or theblackbirdrestaurant.com.
Blue Mountain Pizza
Blue Mountain Pizza, at 55 North Main St. in Weaverville, will host its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner that provides a free meal "for all of those who are alone or in need or just want someplace to go for a great meal without all the hassle." The menu will include turkey, ham and sides. Service will be from 12-3 p.m. Nov. 23. Dine-in only. For more, visit bluemountainpizza.com or call 828-658-8778.
City Bakery
City Bakery is offering preorders for rolls, stuffing bread and pies until Nov. 18, available for pick-up on Nov. 22 at 88 Charlotte St. The six-pack bags of rolls are offered in the flavors of cranberry sage, sourdough, yeast and potato rosemary for under $5. The French loaf with herb stuffing bread costs $6.25. The 10-inch pies are offered in apple streusel, salted caramel, apple, pumpkin, pecan and peanut butter for $23-27 each. Order online at citybakery.net.
Gospel Ice Cream/ Pastry Chef Beth Kellerhals
Gospel Ice Cream and Pastry Chef Beth Kellerhals collaborating to provide holiday desserts from classic pumpkin pie to vanilla bean ice cream for Thanksgiving Day.
Gospel Ice Cream’s artisanal ice creams are available for preorder in a variety of classic and signature flavors, like panna cotta, cold brew Stracciatella and Vermont maple. Kellerhals is offering handmade mini biscuits and pies in flavors including salted caramel pecan, cardamom apple crisp and maple custard. Combination packages are offered.
Pick-ups will be on Nov. 19, 21 and 22. Limited quantities are available. Order online at pieandicecream.square.site.
Guajiro
Guajiro's holiday catering menu features Cuban dishes, such as lechon asado, vaca frita, ropa vieja, boiled yucca and flan Cuban custard.
Pre-paid orders only. Orders must be placed at a minimum of four days before the scheduled pickup.
Guajiro food truck's permanent address is 122 Riverside Drive at Asheville Cotton Mill in the River Arts District. View the menu and place orders at guajiroasheville.com.
Ingles
Ingles is offering holiday dinner packages starting at $44.98.
The meals range from turkey and cornbread stuffing and homestyle gravy to an old-fashioned pit ham with green beans, mashed sweet potatoes and Southern-style cole slaw.
Order online at ingles-markets.com.
Luella’s Bar-B-Que
Luella’s Bar-B-Que is accepting preorders for take-home Thanksgiving meals. The family-sized meal packages serve 12-14 diners. The menu features cider-brined smoked turkey, sliced chile-rubbed beef brisket, savory cornbread and smoked sausage stuffing and Luella's banana pudding.
Orders may be scheduled for pick-up on Nov. 20, 21 or 22 at Luella’s Bar-B-Que's North location at 501 Merrimon Ave. or South location at 33 Town Square Blvd., Suite 110. Meals may be picked up hot or cold with reheat instructions. View the full menu and order online at luellasbbq.com.
Luella’s Bar-B-Que will be closed on Nov. 23.
OWL Bakery
OWL Bakery is offering a menu of pies, tarts and bread for preorder. Pickups will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 22 at the West Asheville location, 295 Haywood Road.
The menu features spiced apple and cranberry crumb pie, a wheatless "gingerbread" chocolate torte, maple pecan pie and rosemary sweet potato rolls.
For more, visit owlbakery.com.
Pack’s Tavern
Pack’s Tavern will offer a traditional Thanksgiving spread on Nov. 23. The Thanksgiving Buffet will be from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. with dishes including herb-roasted turkey and dressing, maple and brown sugar glazed ham, Southern collard greens and maple whipped sweet potatoes. The desserts will be pecan pie, Granny Smith apple crisp and pumpkin pie. Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan items will be available.
The cost is $49.99 per diner and $24.99 for children ages 10 and under. Seating and multiple buffet stations will be available on all three floors and walk-ins are welcome. Reservation seating ends at 6 p.m. A limited Tavern menu will be available downstairs. Pack’s Tavern is at 20 South Spruce St., in downtown Asheville. View the full menu at packstavern.com.
Red Fiddle Vittles
Red Fiddle Vittles is accepting preorders for Thanksgiving meals until Nov. 17, or while supplies last.
The menu features an oven-roasted Joyce Farms whole turkey (average size of 12 lbs.) with rich herb gravy for $125, and a half-turkey for $65. Other menu items include slow-roasted Hickory Nut Gap beef tenderloin with wild mushroom-red wine jus; stuffed baby pumpkins with wild rice, cranberries, shitake mushrooms and herbs; sausage and chestnut stuffing with fresh sage; and chocolate bourbon pecan pie with whipped cream.
Order pick-up with be on Nov. 22 at the gourmet catering company and market at 1800 Hendersonville Road. Reheat instructions will be provided.
The dish portions are for 6-8 servings. The 2-3 serving size dishes will be available as a weekly take-home special on Nov. 21-22. View the menu and place orders at redfiddlevittles.com/holiday-pre-orders.
More: Asheville South Slope restaurant plans to close after 8-year run
Rendezvous
Rendezvous will be open on Thanksgiving Day and serving a traditional, French-influenced prix fixe dinner at 184 New Haw Creek Road. One of the first course offerings is an autumn squash soup made with sherry crème fraiche and spiced pumpkin seed. In addition to the traditional butter and thyme roasted turkey dinner, diners may choose between the pan-seared halibut or braised short ribs with a variety of sides to accompany each dish.
The dessert menu includes Chef Ben’s chocolate pie, pumpkin spiced cake and a lemon raspberry sorbet champagne float. The cost is $75 per person.
Reservations are required with seating times offered from noon to 5:45 p.m. RSVP at Resy.com or through the restaurant’s website, ashevillerendezvous.com. For parties of six people or more, call (828) 348-0909 or email darrell@ashevillebouchon.com.
Bouchon, its sister restaurant in downtown, will be closed on Nov. 23.
Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack
Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack is accepting preorders for appetizers, side dishes and desserts through Nov. 19. The orders will be available for pickup Nov. 21-22 at either of the restaurant's two locations, 1455 Patton Ave in Asheville and 3749 Sweeten Creek Road in Arden.
Menu highlights include pimento cheese dip, deviled eggs with candied bacon, collard greens, corn pudding, mac and cheese, squash casserole, roasted chicken gravy, butterscotch pudding and Coca-Cola cake. View the full menu and order at rockyshotchickenshack.com/thanksgiving-preorder/.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Ruth’s Chris Steak House will be open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 23 at 26 All Souls Crescent.
The menu will offer holiday classics and regular opens and sides to-go. The Thanksgiving Day special will include three courses, including a traditional oven-roasted turkey dinner with giblet gravy accompanied by mashed potatoes, honey-glazed baby carrots, sausage and herb stuffing, and Ruth’s cranberry relish. Starters are to include a mixed green salad or chicken andouille sausage gumbo. Other menu items will include a chilled seafood tower and bone-in New York strip and specialty seasonal cocktails.
The Thanksgiving menu is available for dine-in guests only. Sides to-go are available for carryout while the regular dinner menu is for dine-in or carry-out.
To book a reservation for Thanksgiving Day and review the holiday menu, visit ruthschrisphg.com.
Sovereign Remedies
Sovereign Remedies will serve a Thanksgiving Day dinner at 29 N. Market St. with reservations available for tables of 2-6 diners.
The menu ranges from warm bread service to pumpkin pie, pecan pie and apple butter ice cream with gluten-free crumble desserts. Bacon-wrapped dates, deviled eggs and pickled shrimp hors d'oeuvres will precede a soup/salad course. The traditional entrée and sides include Joyce Farms turkey and Cheshire Farms Honey glazed ham, sweet potato casserole and herb stuffing.
The cost is $160 per person ― $125 for food and welcome drink, plus $35 tax and gratuity. View the menu and reserve a table at sovereignremedies.com/thanksgiving-dinner-2023.
More: Fall color: Restaurants, bars, breweries with scenic nature views
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market is accepting orders for premade meals for pick-up Nov. 17-23.
Orders must be placed a minimum of 48 hours ahead of the pickup date and time.
The offerings include full meals for four to 12 servings and a la carte entrées, sides, appetizers and desserts and wine bundles. Vegan dishes are available. Order online at wholefoodsmarket.com.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville 2023 Thanksgiving: Restaurants open, preorder takeout meals
