There’s a lot to look forward to about Thanksgiving: gatherings with loved ones, turkey dinners and (hopefully) an extra helping of pumpkin pie. Less appealing, however, are the mountains of dishes and hours spent over the stove.
To simplify your life this Thanksgiving, consider leaving the cooking to the pros. Local businesses are offering options from buffets to a-la-carte menus, take-and-heat turkeys and even specialty desserts.
Buffets and dine-in options
The Hotel Leo in downtown Bellingham will serve its Thanksgiving Day feast from noon to 7 p.m. The affair is a sit-down meal with community seating, obligatory roasted turkey, sides and even a self-serve dessert display. $70 per person, with beverages sold separately.
The Lighthouse Grill at the Hotel Bellwether also has a Thanksgiving buffet from noon to 8 p.m. The menu features a “carving station” with beef, turkey and salmon; a seafood display featuring fresh oysters, prawns and local smoked fish; chilled sides and salads; and “festive” sides ranging from cornbread stuffing to brown butter almond green beans. $125 per person; $85 for 65-plus seniors; $65 for children 10 and under; kids 4 and under eat for free.
B-Town Kitchen and Raw Bar has a five-course Thanksgiving Day menu from noon to 5 p.m. Highlights include crispy fried mac and cheese with onion bacon jam, turkey with fig and sausage stuffing and bourbon pumpkin bread pudding. $52 for adults; $47 for seniors.
Carnal is taking Thanksgiving reservations from noon to 7 p.m. The Bellingham restaurant’s culinary team puts a refined spin on holiday classics: turkey with smoked bone jus, duck leg confit with sage sabayon, roasted acorn squash with lemongrass and pumpkin seed, coconut cranberry pie and more. $75 for adults; $35 for kids 12 and under.
Skylark’s Hidden Cafe in Fairhaven is reviving its “Hot Thanksgiving Feast” from noon to 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. The dinner includes turkey or ham with green beans, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy and stuffing, whole cranberry sauce and an Avenue Bread dinner roll. Folks also have the option to add on starters and/or a slice of pie. Thanksgiving dinners are $39; additions are $8 apiece.
Last but not least, in Anacortes, The Majestic Inn and Spa will host Thanksgiving buffets at noon and 4 p.m. Meals are $39 per person and reservations are required.
To-go dinners
Several businesses are accepting pre-orders for take-home Thanksgiving dinners — perfect for folks who want a no-prep meal, but don’t want to dine out. Penny Farthing does meals for eight to 10 people for $199, which include an apple cider-brined turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and all the fixings (plus bourbon pumpkin pie for an extra $19). Pickup is available noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 and 8–11 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.
Lombardi’s Italian is whipping up some (very un-Italian) Thanksgiving dinners, which include either a brined or smoked half-turkey, candied yams, green bean casserole, stuffing and gravy. Brined turkey dinners are $139, and smoked turkey dinners are $149.
To keep things simple, The Skagit Table prices Thanksgiving meals per person ($60). One serving includes roasted turkey, honey spiral ham, buttermilk mashed potatoes, green bean and sweet potato casseroles, house-made rolls, plus all the classic sauces and stuffing. Pies are available whole or by the slice.
Grocery stores like the Community Food Co-op and Whole Foods are offering premade Thanksgiving dinners. The Co-op’s $126.99 meal bundle serves four and includes maple sage turkey breast, plus sides like apple and cranberry stuffing and maple-glazed delicata squash. They also have options available a la carte. Whole Foods has multiple options depending on party size, and orders can be placed until Nov. 26.
If you’re forgoing meat (and dairy, and eggs) this Thanksgiving, Sammies Vegan is whipping up $60 Thanksgiving meals for two with rosemary roasted garlic seitan, smoky mac and cheese, roasted veggies and curry sweet potato soup. Additional items, including biscuits with whipped herb butter, are available a la carte. Plant-based holiday loaves are also available a la carte from the Community Food Co-op.
Sweet treats
As usual, Pure Bliss Desserts is offering a wide range of Thanksgiving treats — “Friendsgiving” cupcake boxes, chocolate hazelnut orange tortes, pumpkin cheesecake and even a “Thanks-vegan” box including goodies like peanut butter brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Pre-orders are open through Saturday, Nov. 23 for pickup Nov. 27.
Antler Baking Co. also has a range of goodies available for pre-order, including pumpkin mascarpone pie, bourbon pecan pie bars and even take-and-bake cinnamon rolls. Pre-orders are open until noon Monday, Nov. 18.
If it’s pumpkin pie you’re after, Boundary Bay Brewery’s iconic Drunkin Pumpkin Pie is available for pre-order for $15 through Friday, Nov. 22. This indulgent tradition is infused with Boundary’s own Imperial Oatmeal Stout — and with Boundary set to close in September 2025, this might be your last year to get it.
Pegasus Pie Co. in Mount Vernon is also taking pie pre-orders, but pumpkin is just the tip of the flavor iceberg. Seemingly every variety of fruit and cream pies is available in 5- and 9-inch sizes; I’m particularly intrigued by the maple bourbon pecan and chocolate silk.
Free community meals
There are several ways to ensure all community members can enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, regardless of income level. Lighthouse Mission hosts a free community Thanksgiving each year. This year’s meal will take place from noon to 2 p.m. in their new facility, located at 1312 F St. For information on how to donate or volunteer, visit thelighthousemission.org.
Blaine CAP is accepting monetary donations for its yearly Thanksgiving baskets. Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church is partnering with Kimball Elementary School to provide students in need with Thanksgiving meals; monetary donations can be made online.
Finally, PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center is aiming to provide 850 Thanksgiving meal baskets to community members this year. Donations can be made either online or via payroll donations for PeaceHealth employees.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
