turkey day deals

These 10 Austin eateries trot out the best Thanksgiving turkeys and more

Thanksgiving, thanksgiving dessert, pecan pie

The clocks are ticking and those pies aren't going to bake themselves. Or will they?

Photo courtesy of Goodstock

Thanksgiving is only two weeks away – how are those dinner preparations going? Let's try to focus on being thankful...that we have all these guests to stress over. With these last few days to prep, Austinites might consider studying up on wine pairings or blowing off some steam during an early Friendsgiving.

If you need some pre-Turkey Day help, or plan on forgoing cooking altogether, here are 10 options to make that a reality ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. We might even add more as we hear more, so stay tuned for more ideas.

Thanksgiving to-go

El Raval
This Spanish- and North African-inspired to-go meal will be a hot topic at many Thanksgiving tables. El Raval's ready-to-eat holiday meal serves four to six people, and includes a whole roasted turkey and one serving each of pan con tomate; jus; a side salad with apples, pears, and fennel; roasted potatoes; and grilled cauliflower with cardamom-sofrito, tamarind chutney, and oxtail cannelloni. A whole basque cheesecake is also included in the meal, and select wines can be added at an extra cost. Orders for El Raval's Thanksgiving to-go meal ($300) must be placed by 5 pm on November 20, and pickups will take place between 9 am and 6 pm on November 22. Orders can be made via elravalatx.com.

Goodstock by Nolan Ryan
From fully cooked whole smoked turkeys to cajun-style seasoned and honey glazed spiral hams, there are plenty of ways to make Thanksgiving a lot less stressful, thanks to Goodstock's holiday meal prep offerings. If turkey and ham aren't on the menu this Turkey Day, you can choose between perfectly prepared brisket, tenderloin roast, and rib roast. Three different quiches are available for sides: ham and cheddar, spinach and mushroom, and quiche Lorraine. Texas Pie Company will lend a hand for dessert, including rich pie flavors like chocolate fudge, classic pumpkin, dutch apple, key lime, and southern pecan. To-go items can be ordered online and picked up in-store at Goodstock's Round Rock location from November 15-22 between 11 am and 6 pm.

Garbo's Lobster
Austin's neighborhood lobster shack has several holiday to-go offerings throughout November and December. Diners can choose from three different pies (pumpkin, key lime, or piña colada), add on a quart of Garbo's signature lobster bisque ($50), order a nine-inch lobster pot pie ($48), or purchase a DIY lobster roll kit that can serve between two and eight people ($44-$176). Items must be ordered 48 hours in advance and will be available at the North Lamar and Mopac locations. Orders can be made by emailing hello@garboslobsteratx.com or by calling 512-887-7244.

The Violet Crown Wine Bar and Coffee Shop
Who says Thanksgiving dinner can't include charcuterie? The Violet Crown is preparing gourmet charcuterie boards for any holiday parties and get togethers. Options include cheese-only boards, meat-only boards, and combination meat-and-cheese boards. A three-wine pack (two red wines and a sparkling wine) or a six-wine pack (two white wines, two reds, an orange wine, and a sparkling wine) can be added at an extra cost. Charcuterie party packs can be ordered online via The Violet Crown's website, and will be available for pickup from November 21-22 from 2-6 pm.

Open on Thanksgiving Day, November 23

Luminaire at Hyatt Centric Austin
Luminaire will serve a special three-course Thanksgiving meal all day long from November 23-25, in addition to its regular menu options. The first course consists of a chicory salad with lady apples and marcona almonds. The main course is a chayote squash casserole with heirloom turkeys (locally and organically raised from Bastrop's Countryside Farms), and smoked parsnips. A "tres leches" olive oil cake with Texas pecan sea salt gelato will round out the third and final course. The Thanksgiving meal is $55 per person, and reservations can be made via OpenTable.

Carpenters Hall
On Thanksgiving Day from 11 am to 3 pm and 5-8:30 pm, Carpenters Hall will serve a three-course feast with all of the holiday classics with a few twists on the side. A butternut squash bisque will begin the meal, followed by the traditional turkey with a potato parsnip puree, cranberry orange relish, green beans, stuffing, and gravy. Dinner is never complete without dessert, which will be served with your choice of pumpkin pie or holiday sorbet. Optional wine pairings can be provided for $30 per person. Most Thanksgiving options will also be available a la carte throughout the day. The prix fixe menu is $65 per person, and reservations can be made via Resy.

Nido at The Loren
Family-style meals are the tradition around this time of year, and Nido will offer its own special meal from 12-7 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Besides the roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, guests will also get to try Nido's chestnut soup, Brussels sprouts, Parker House rolls, and a pumpkin panna cotta for dessert. As a note, the restaurant's regular menu will not be available on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.

Diner Bar
Thanksgiving food does not have to come from one of the 13 colonies; James Beard Award-winning chef Mashama Bailey is putting a Southern spin on the classics with a four-course, family-style prix fixe. The hotel restaurant (part of the Thompson Austin) has not shared a Thanksgiving menu yet, but it is sure to offer some homey dishes in the upscale space; Some of Bailey's best-known creations are dirty rice and popsicles. Reserve ($85) on Resy.

Desserts to-go

SusieCakes
This Westlake bakery is whipping up the sweetest seasonal desserts for Thanksgiving, including a delectable pumpkin cheesecake, turkey-shaped sugar cookies, a cranberry orange cake, and more. SusieCakes will also have its classic array of pies (pumpkin, pecan, and apple crumble) available for pre-order. All Thanksgiving desserts that are pre-ordered by November 21 can be picked up on November 22. Orders can be placed online via susiecakes.com or by calling 737-637-2253.

Bakery Lorraine
Thanksgiving dessert pre-orders are also available at Bakery Lorraine until November 17. Shoppers can pick from a wide range of mouthwatering pie flavors: roasted pumpkin with a shortbread maple leaf topping; Jack Daniels-infused whiskey pecan; Dutch apple topped with cinnamon streusel; and apple cranberry (also topped with cinnamon streusel). All Thanksgiving pies can be ordered online or in-store, and will only be available for pickup from Bakery Lorraine's location at The Domain on November 22. A special advent calendar featuring 24 handmade treats is also available for pre-order to begin the Christmas season. Advent calendars must be pre-ordered online before November 19, and can be picked up in-store or shipped beginning November 22.

restaurants austin thanksgiving holidays thanksgiving meals dinner sponsored section2240818515

Election Day Dealas

Election deals and parties in Austin to make November 5 go by faster

Getty Images

Save that sticker.

Whether voting fills you with emotion or a sense of mundane obligation, there are immediate rewards after the ballot box.

Austin bars and restaurants who either want to inspire civic feelings or capitalize on the newsy moment have prepared treats for voters — or just people who want to watch the outcome be announced together. They know you might have voted early, so stickers aren't always required.

Voters don't need to feel passionate about the president to get out there, either. If a free slice of pizza, a chance to choose a mayor, or a pick for railroad commissioner (who oversees the oil and gas industries) are enough motivation, Tuesday, November 5 is the last day to head to the polls and follow this list to the deals.

An interactive map of Travis County polling places can be found here. Voters can visit any location in the county where they are registered.

Aloft Hotels
109 E 7th St.
This is one of the few election events that actually don't address the race; this "No Watch Pawty" invites people to escape the election madness with a local animal shelter (this national brand under Marriott doesn't mention which) for some free stress relief starting at 5 pm.

Bambino
979 Springdale Rd. Ste. 153
Folks who can stand to witness the full scope of reactions in person as results start rolling in can get that experience at pizza joint Bambino, which will be offering $1 slushy shots each time a state is called. For Kamala Harris, the deal will be for piña colada shots; for Donald Trump, it'll be for orange dreamsicle shots. (Do these choices feel personal? Absolutely.) A tenth of the night's proceeds will benefit TX Gun Sense and the Lilith Fund.

Black Star Co-op
7020 Easy Wind Dr #100
Black Star Co-op has been in the watch party game for years, and has even had a busy cycle of hosting debate watch parties, too. It promises "Food & Beer Specials all night. Good people. Good vibes."

Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River St
Organized by (and benefitting) civic engagement platform Democrasexy, this "carnival of care" from 6 pm to midnight includes performances by drag artists, burlesque dancers, comedians, and more, plus an acknowledgment that regardless of the outcome, there's work to do at the state legislature in January.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 & 1421 S. Congress Ave., 501 E. 53rd St.
One of Austin's most popular pizzerias is bringing back its longtime election incentive, where customers can wear their “I Voted” sticker for a free slice. The promotion started with early voting on October 21 and is running through Election Day.

Hotel Vegas and Volstead
1502 E 6th St.
These music venus are famous for their South by Southwest parties, but this time they're steeping into politics with a watch party starting at 5 pm. They'll show analysis inside, with a DJ on the patio, themed cocktails, games, and tacos throughout the night.

Kerbey Lane Cafe
All locations, including 3003 S. Lamar Blvd. and 13435 US-183 Ste. 415
Austinites in need of comfort food can get some at Kerbey Lane Cafe, which is giving out a free pancake to anyone who brings their "I Voted" sticker; it can be saved from early voting. This deal is for dine-in only.

Rosen's Bagel Co.
11101 Burnet Rd. Ste. A100
The first 100 people in line at the Burnet location of Rosen's Bagel Co. will get a free bagel with Violife coconut-based cream cheese in two flavor choices: Texas Pecan Pie or roasted lime, poblano and scallion. "I Voted" stickers are not required, but an openness to trying vegan cream cheese is.

Star Bar
600 W 6th St.
Star Bar has endorsed its candidates: UT Longhorns Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Guests can pick up some merch declaring their support (buttons for $3, hats for $20), plus enjoy $3 red and blue jello shots all day.

Tillery Street Plant Company
801 Tillery St.
Austinites with the compulsion to nurture something after the election can present their "I Voted" sticker at Tillery Street Plant Company for a freebie: either a four-inch herb or vegetable starter (excluding lavender) or a two-inch succulent. Both come with a Tillery sticker.