8 Places to Grab Thanksgiving Dinner To-Go in CLE

Thanksgiving is the ultimate comfort food holiday. And, after the wild ride that’s been 2020, we could all use a little — okay, a lot — more of that. Social distancing probably rules out a traditional celebration with far-flung relatives packed around the table, so why not skip the long hours toiling over a hot stove and support some of Cleveland’s best restaurants instead?

Place a takeout order and watch that holiday stress melt away. Think about it: No tower of dirty dishes piled up in the sink. A Thanksgiving morning spent watching the parade instead of prepping a turkey. No judgmental side-eye from the out-of-towners when you snag the last piece of pie. It’s all about finding the bright side, people.

And, if nothing else, we can all be thankful that 2020 is almost over.

1. Wagner’s of Westlake

Not even a global pandemic can derail this party landmark’s signature Thanksgiving Day meals. Try their family pack takeout option (serves four), which includes oven-roasted turkey, baked ham, creamy whipped potatoes and a mountain of side dishes — including Wagner’s famous sticky buns.

2. The South Side

As members of the CLEAN COMMITTED pledge to ensure Cleveland’s safe reopening, this Tremont hangout takes your health very seriously. Case in point: Their to-go Turkey Dinner comes in zero-contact packaging with instructions for reheating. Chow down on sliced turkey breast, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and stuffing knowing that safety comes first at The South Side.

3. LockKeepers

Grab a Thanksgiving Feast To Go and gorge in the comfort of your own home. You can’t go wrong — meals include roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, herb stuffing and candied yams. If that sounds like too much food, just remember: leftovers are for quitters.

4. The Capital Grille

Unleash #FeastMode on this full turkey dinner complete with all of the traditional holiday trimmings. Just save enough room for a slice of pumpkin cheesecake. For the first time ever, The Capital Grille’s mouthwatering Thanksgiving sides are available for takeout. Bring home some brioche stuffing, cranberry-pear chutney and pecan-crusted sweet potatoes (served with hot honey) to add just the right touch to your meal.

5. Cleveland Vegan

Seitan “turkey” — wheat gluten with the taste and texture of meat — is the star of this show. While the CLEAN COMMITTED Lakewood cafe will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, they’re accepting catering orders until November 20 for a fresh, plant-based take on this most classic of meals. Try the Thanksgiving Bowl, packed full of seitan “turkey”, cheesy mashed potatoes, corn and gravy.

6. The Welshfield Inn

Get your turkey on in Amish country, the comfort food capital of the world. The Inn rolls back the clock for an old-school Thanksgiving dinner complete with oven-roasted turkey or glazed ham, cranberry preserves, mashed potatoes, green beans and yams (carryout meals are available, but limited, so get your order in soon).

7. Mitchell’s Fish Market

A seafood joint might seem an odd fit for Thanksgiving, but Mitchell’s in Woodmere serves up a traditional lineup of roasted turkey breast with cranberry relish, herb stuffing, whipped potatoes and seasonal veggies. Take the holiday home with a to-go feast that feeds 10-12 (with a smaller option available, too).

8. The Sweet Fix Bakery

What would this holiday be without pies, desserts and all that other baked goodness? (Shudder) We don’t want to think about it. Cap off Turkey Day with a sweet treat from this aptly-named Cleveland Heights bakeshop. Our pick? Seasonal fave Sweet Potato Pie. Robert and Allison Craig (Craig’s Divine Desserts) co-own the bakery with Chef Eric Rogers (Black Box Fix) — that’s a lot of culinary talent under one roof.