Austin Thanksgiving In July

July 12, 2007

So if you’re anything like me, you’re already planning for the upcoming holidays.  “Upcoming?” you ask… YES, upcoming! 

Let’s start with Thanksgiving.  Some of you study Martha Stewart dilligently as I do, and others want to make reservations to ensure no kitchen fires this year.  Either way, Austin is a great place for Thanksgiving- UT Football, great mild fall temperatures and an array of grocers specializing in your needs.

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Making Reservations?  The following restaurants traditionally accept reservations on Thanksgiving Day and Eve:

Threadgill’s- head on down to a Texas favorite and plump up until 10pm!  We normally order Chicken Fried Steak, but we’ll make an exception on this special day!  (6416 North Lamar Blvd, 78752, call 512.451.5440)

Hudson’s on the Bend- I grew up in the Lake Travis area and called the owner’s daughter my best friend for many years.  We had 13th birthdays there and were probably laughed at by the more sophisticated patrons.  I had the pleasure of watching Hudson’s grow into this legacy, and Jeff Blank is an amazing chef (especially off the clock!).  Bring your wallet and your appetite- you’ll need both!  Make your reservations early- like now. (3509 RR 620 North, 78734, call 512.266.1369)

Four Seasons Cafe- the ballroom is gorgeous and your entire family will enjoy a holiday buffet.  If your family will be joining you from out of town, why don’t you have them stay at the hotel and make a reservation for yourself to stay the night after you stuff your face? (98 San Jacinto Blvd, 78701, call 512.478.3117)

Driskill Grill- visit this historical setting and make reservations for the scrumptious Thanksgiving brunch buffet. (604 Brazos St, 78701, call 512.474.5911)

Main Street Grill- this is the upscale gem of Round Rock- get some Turkey made perfectly!  If you’re up north, you don’t have to drive downtown, just head over to Round Rock! (118 E. Main Ave, 78664, call 512.244.7525)

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What?  You can’t cook AND you don’t want to wear pants?  Make the turkey come to you- catering can be an easy and often inexpensive options!

Slab Shack- Order your cajun-fried turkey, a big fat smoked turkey, or a Turducken (not related to turd, rather related to a stuffed chicken inside a duck inside a turkey- mmm).  (11501 Manchaca, 78748, call 512.282.0614)

EatOutIn- normally we use EatOutIn when I’m too lazy or busy to cook, or we can’t stop a meeting to leave the office.  Any day of the year, EatOutIn picks up food from any restaurant on their roll for a small delivery fee… even for your Thanksgiving fiesta!!! (eatoutin.com or call 512.346.9990)

Portabla-I hear they have great tapas (and Turkey) and will prepare an awesome spread for your Thanksgiving meal, just give them 2 days’ notice! (1200 W Sixth St, 78703, call 512.481.8646)

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Shopping for that special ingredient?  Aiming for a healthy feast?  Impressing your friends with an alternative meal?

Whole Foods- get your tofurkey here or your umm… sugar-free guava juice?  I am not even a health food nut, but even the kids love walking around this multi-story palace!  (525 North Lamar Blvd, 78703, 512.476.1206)

HEB- can you say Combo Loco?  Just walk into any HEB store and look up front for the “buy a turkey, get all the sides and a kitten for free” Combo Loco coupon in beautiful yellow paper.  Last year, Thanksgiving was nearly free thanks to the good folks at H-E-B! (go to heb.com to find the location nearest your home)

Central Market- if you don’t have the Food Network, don’t worry- Central Market provides classes above the restaurant, you can search for your gourmet ingredients and catch some live music on Fridays and Sundays!  Get a map up front- this giganto place is a maze. (4001 North Lamar Blvd, 78756, call 512.206.1000)

Fiesta Mart- everyone knows that a cayenne-rubbed Turkey makes everyone say, “gracias”!  Many cultures move to Austin and seek spices or ingredients that are usually found only online, but click “buy” no more- just head over to IH35!  (3909 N IH 35, 78722, 512.406.3900)

Wheatsville Co-Op- if you carry your own recycled cotton bags to your grocer and you focus on local labels, bulk material (of course to save on packaging), and wear recycled hemp sandals, you’ll love it here!  Go green! (3101 Guadalupe St, 78705, 512.478.2667)

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Deserts can be the most difficult part of preparing for Thanksgiving, so just cut out the hassle and order your cakes or pies in advance- they’ll probably taste better, they’ll save you hours AND they’ll be gorgeous!

Sweetish Hill Bakery-head over to this sexy part of town and experience the luscious tastes of Sweetish Hill!  (1120 W. 6th St, 78703, 512.472.1347)

Upper Crust Bakery-mmm- Gateau Maria is the BEST!  Yellow cake with cream cheese frosting topped with fresh picked strawberries?  You can’t go wrong. Call well in advance because Upper Crust is a gorgeous addition to any feast! (4508 Burnet Rd, 78756, call 512.467.0102)

Tiff’s Treats-you will NOT get a better chocolate chip cookie anywhere in town than this UT original!  If you’re out of their delivery area, demand to pick a few dozen up!  In college, I survived on Tiff’s Treats many nights!  (order at cookiedelivery.com or call 512.473.2600)

1886 Bakery-this is the cafe inside the Driskill and it is absolutely beautiful!  I’m pretty sure the devil is waiting outside their doors for when you bite into their decadent chocolate cake… beware!  (604 Brazos St., 78701, call 512.474.5911)

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Now, if you don’t live in Austin, you have time before the Thanksgiving season starts to get here.  If our specialty grocers and award-winning bakeries haven’t convinced you, let’s try something else…
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Thanksgiving is a time of sharing and it is always a great kickoff to the Christmaka (yes, that’s Christmas+Hanukkah) season.  Austin has always had a great sense of camaraderie- you name the month and there are countless charity events.  You would think in Austin that we all have great calves, given all of our 5k runs that are never short of runners.  So here are our picks for the Thanksgiving season:

Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade- 11/24 at 11am-noon, starting at 11th and Congress (the Capitol grounds).  Bring a toy- Santa’s Helpers will help spectators donate their toy which will be distributed by Operation Blue Santa to a child in need!  You’ll love the floats, bands, cars and inflatable balloons!  OH, don’t forget Santa- he’ll be there!  (chuysparade.com for more details)

Thundercloud Turkey Trot- 11/22 all day!  This is the largest 5k in Texas!  This year marks the 17th Annual Trot and features a Kid’s Walk, a Weelchair 5k, a traditional 5k, and for my taste- the 1k!  There’s a K for everyone on Thanksgiving day- what an awesome way to work off the Turkey fat! (thundercloud.com for more info)

Austin MS Walk-11/11 from 7:30am- 2pm.  Raising money for Multiple Sclerosis is great motivation for this Walk held at the Dell Diamond for all ages.  Not a runner?  I can relate- they need volunteers too!  (wlktxh.nationalmssociety.org for all upcoming walks)

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Okay everyone, your November calendar is officially full with food, fun and 5Ks!  ENJOY!

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Hen Pecked by Lani, Asset Director | Filed Under About Austin, Austin Events, Austin Real Estate Blog, Other Stuff 

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