I got Thanksgiving takeout one time, and I’m never going back. Avoid the stress and mess of cooking in a small apartment AND get to try specialty items from D.C.’s best chefs? Count me in.
For Your Thanksgiving Feast:
MITA (U Street Corridor)
This vegetable-forward Thanksgiving meal includes a vegetable wellington with celery root gravy, sides like stuffing and brussel sprout casserole, and a pumpkin cheesecake. ($245, feeds two ppl, $385, feeds four ppl).
Unconventional Diner (Penn Quarter)
This homey feast includes all the greatest hits without breaking the bank. The box has roast turkey, cornbread, mushroom-sage stuffing, cast-iron brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, AND pumpkin pie. ($99, feeds 2 ppl).
The Duck & The Peach (Capitol Hill)
Slightly bougie, but “The Feast” from this modern southern restaurant is unmatched. With zaatar turkey roulade, goat butter mashed potatoes, cranberry soda bread, candied lemon brussel spouts, and more. Add on a chocolate silk pie for dessert. ($300, feeds 5 - 6 ppl)
Cranes (Penn Quarter)
Choose from braised veal shank or crispy roasted suckling pig, each served with sides like double-buttered mashed potatoes, and roasted apple, fennel, and pear purée. Top it off with burnt pumpkin cheesecake. ($150, feeds two ppl, $225, feeds four ppl).
Peking duck Thanksgiving spread from Chang Chang. (Courtesy of Chang Chang)
Chang Chang (Dupont)
This holiday menu is centered around Peter Chang’s famous Peking duck rather than turkey. On the side, you’ll get dry fried brussel sprouts, green beans with ya cai, and potatoes with pork belly and garlic shoots. ($148, feeds 4 ppl).
Moon Rabbit (Penn Quarter)
Chef Kevin Tien is offering classics with a Vietnamese twist like turkey with duck andouille, pho-spiced gravy, and sweet potato with chili glaze. Don’t forget the miso sweet potato pie with whipped white chocolate and caramel-curry pecans. ($296, feeds 4 ppl).
2Fifty Texas BBQ (Penn Quarter/Hyattsville)
BBQ isn’t just for summer. This Thanksgiving combo from 2Fifty gets you a pound each of smoked turkey and brisket, two sausages, cornbread, and two large sides (sweet potato mash, fried plantains, mac and cheese, or coleslaw). ($99, feeds 4 ppl).
Hiraya Café (H Street)
Hiraya’s Thanksgiving kit features a choice of smoked Lechon Turkey or a whole roasted duck, with sides like Hiraya’s buko Pie, ube pandesal rolls, and dirty heirloom garlic rice. ($150, feeds 4 - 6 ppl).
Paraíso (Capitol Hill)
This upscale Mexican spot has several take-home Thanksgiving options, including one with grilled turkey breasts and blue cornbread, and another with a Mexican street corn casserole and roasted salmon. Pair it with a 32 oz margarita. ($160-$190, feeds 4 ppl).
Buzz Bakery Pumpkin Pie. (Courtesy of Buzz Bakery)
For Pies and Sweets:
Henry’s Soul Cafe (U Street Corridor)
You come here for only one thing: the sweet potato pie. At just $15, it’s stunningly sweet and tender, and could easily pass for being homemade. ($15 each)
Buzz Bakeshop (Alexandria)
Choose from pumpkin pie, pecan pie, Dutch apple pie, and the indulgent French silk pie. Plus, grab some whipped cream on the way out. ($38 each)
Sweet Crimes (Capitol Hill)
This small gluten-free bakery offers all the classic pies and pastries you could ever want, minus the wheat. They also offer vegan options and plain pie crusts if you want to make your own. ($39 - $50 each)
Pie Shop (H Street Corridor)
Pie Shop is stacked with dozens of non-traditional pie flavors like samoa cookie pie, salted caramel french toast pie, and chocolate chip pancake pie. ($40 each)
