Nothing makes you realize how much you have to be thankful for quite as much as seeing the whole family gathered around the Thanksgiving table. That is, unless you have to cook it. This year, why not give Mom a break, too, and take the whole family out for Thanksgiving Dinner? Here are a few of the best options in the Metro Detroit area. Why not make your reservations today?
In Macomb County:
Aspen Restaurant and Bar will offer a Grand Buffet consisting of roast turkey, glazed ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, green bean medley, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, salad, breads and desserts. Children 10 and younger will be able to get chicken strips. Prices are $17.99 and $8.99 for children 6 to 10. If you’re 5 or younger, or 90 or older, you eat free. Hours are noon to 6 pm. The restaurant is located at 20333 Hall Road, Macomb Township, phone 586-226-8838.
The Best Western Sterling Inn Banquet and Conference Center will provide appetizers, salad, carving stations, side dishes, and a dessert buffet from noon to 5 pm. The entrees include baked salmon, roast chicken, fried chicken, and beef brisket. Side dishes are macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, and bread pudding. Prices are $24.95, and $9.95 for children 4 to 10. Children 3 and younger eat free. The Center is located at 34911 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, phone 586-979-1400.
Ernie’s will be offering a Thanksgiving Day All-You-Can-Eat Buffet with more than 65 items from 12:30 to 7 pm. The price is $23.95, and $9.95 for children aged 6 to 11. Children 5 and younger are free. Ernie’s is at 16655 Nineteen Mile Road, Clinton Township, phone 586-286-8435
Gino’s Surf Banquet Center will have a Thanksgiving Buffet from noon to 6 pm, featuring traditional Thanksgiving items as well as a salad bar and dessert station. They will also take omelet orders from noon to 2 pm. The cost is $20.95 for adults, $10.95 for children aged 4 to 10. Gino’s is located at 37400 Jefferson, Harrison Township, phone 586-468-2611.
J. Baldwin’s Restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving buffet featuring smoked salmon, calamari, fruit salad, Caesar salad, roast turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, stufing, green beans amandine, glazed carrots, and cranberry relish. Dessert choices include chocolate mousse cake, pecan pie, and pumpkin cheesecake. They’re open from noon to 6 pm, and are located at 16981 Eighteen Mile Road, Clinton Township, phone 586-416-3500. Cost is $24.99 and $12.99 for children aged 5 to 11. Children 4 and younger eat free.
Juliano’s Restaurant will offer a Thanksgiving Buffet with roast turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, candied yams, pumpkin pie, and other traditional favorites. If you prefer, you can also order from a select menu featuring New York strip steak, lake perch, and prime rib. They will be open from 1 to 6 pm. The cost for the buffet is $15.99, and children under 10 eat for half price. Prices for the menu items will vary, depending on the entree chosen. Juliano’s is located at 27380 Van Dyke, Warren, phone 586-754-8383.
Loon River Cafe will have a Thanksgiving Dinner Platter for $13.99 adult, $5.99 for children 10 and younger. The menu includes turkey and ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable medley, yams, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. There is an additional charge for your beverage. The restaurant is located at 34911 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, and will be open from noon to 8 pm. Their phone number is 586-979-1400.
Roger’s Roost will provide an all-you-can-eat turkey dinner with roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, assorted salads and bread sticks. They will be open from 11 am to 7 pm. Prices are $16.99, and $8.99 for children aged 5 to 10. Children 4 and younger eat free. The restaurant is located at 33626 Schoenherr, Sterling Heights, phone 586-979-7550.
Waves Chill and Grill will serve a buffet of herb-roasted turkey, shrimp and crab Alfredo, prime rib, sauteed pork. baked cod, whipped potatoes, apple-cranberry relish, vegetables, salad and dessert from noon to 6 pm. The price is $19.95, $8.95 for children 5 to 10. Children 4 and younger are free. Waves is located at 24223 Jefferson Avenue, St. Clair Shores, 586-773-3840.
In Oakland County:
Brookshire Restaurant at Royal Park Hotel will offer a menu of traditional and restaurant favorites including roast turkey with stuffing, maple-glazed salmon, and roast prime rib. Salads, cold foods, and dessert are included. They will be open from 11 am to 4 pm. The price is $45, and $25 for children aged 5 to 12. Children 4 and under eat free. Brookshire is located at 600 E. University Drive, Rochester, phone 248-453-8732.
The Holly Hotel Comedy Club will be serving a Victorian Thanksgiving Dinner, including soup, salad, dessert, and your choice of entrees. Entrees include turkey, roasted pork, and native trout. They will be open from noon to 7 pm. The price is $32, or $25.50 if you’re a club member. Children aged 8 to 12 eat for $15, and children 7 and younger are free. The location is 110 Battle Alley, Holly, phone 248-634-5208.
Lily’s Seafood will provide a Thanksgiving dinner of Southern deep-fried turkey, ham, smoked salmon, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce and desserts. The meal is served family style and costs $22.99, and $10.99 for children aged 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger eat free. The restaurant will be open from noon to 8 pm, and is located at 410 S. Washington, Royal Oak. Their phone is 248-591-5459.
The Rugby Grill will give you your choice of Norwegian salmon, smoked prime rib, or traditional roast turkey. They open at noon, and are located at 100 Townsend, Birmingham. The price is $65. Their phone is 248-642-5999.
Steve and Rocky’s will offer a menu including roast turkey with all the trimmings, glazed baked ham, prime rib, rainbow trout, and filet mignon, among other offerings. They will be open from noon to 8 pm. Prices will vary, depending on entree chosen. They are located at 43150 Grand River, Novi, phone 248-374-0688.
The Toasted Oak Grill and Market will provide a family-style dinner with roast turkey, Michigan salad, butternut squash soup, buttered turnips and green beans, and spiced pumpkin bread pudding for $35 per person. The restaurant is located at the Baronette Renaissance Hotel, 27790 Novi Road, Novi, and will be open from 11 am to 8 pm. Their phone number is 248-227-6000.
In Wayne County:
Bourbon Steak at the MGM Grand will be serving a three-course meal that includes potato leek soup, pumpkin salad and dessert, along with a traditional turkey dinner. $50 tasting menu. They’ll be open from 5 to 10 pm, and are located at 1777 Third, Detroit. Call 313-465-1777 for reservations.
The Dearborn Inn will serve their Edison’s Thanksgiving Day Brunch, with omelet, waffle, and carving stations, veal scaloppini, grilled salmon, quiche, hot appetizers, salads, and desserts. They will be open from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Prices are $55, or $27.50 for ages 6 to 12. Also at the Dearborn Inn, the Ten Eyck Tavern breakfast buffet will be open from 6:30 am to 2 pm. Prices for this one are $16, or $8 for ages 4 to 10. The Dearborn Inn is located at 20301 Oakwood, Dearborn, phone 313-271-2700.
Fratello’s will have a Thanksgiving Buffet from 11 am to 7 pm. The price is $18.95, $9.95 for children aged 4 to 10. Children 3 and younger eat free. Fratello’s is located at 4501 Fort, Trenton, phone 734-692-1730.
Herc’s Prime Beef and Seafood will provide a menu including turkey, ham, potato or vegetables, soup or salad bar, homemade rolls, and dessert — cheesecake, pumpkin pie or apple pie. The price is $13.95, and $8.95 for children aged 4 to 12. They’ll be open from noon to 9 pm, and are located at 36685 Plymouth, Livonia, phone 734-425-1830.
The Hill Seafood and Chop House will serve a turkey dinner with soup or salad, baked sweet potatoes, sour cream and chive whipped potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. There are also additional menu items available. They will be open from 2 to 7 pm, and are located at 123 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, phone 313-886-8101.
The Palette Dining Studio will offer a menu including roast turkey, pineapple glazed ham, cranberry and walnut stuffing, sweet potato bake. grilled snapper, spinach salad, lobster ravioli and pecan or sweet potato pie. The charge is $32. They will be open from 11 am to 11 pm, and are located at 1777 Third, Detroit, phone 313-465-1777.
The Wolfgang Puck Grille will have a choice of three appetizers, and a choice of desserts such as triple-layer pumpkin pie, cranberry compote, and Chantilly cream. Available entrees are roasted turkey breast, sauteed salmon, and rib-eye steak. The meal will cost $40, with an additional $21 for a wine pairing. They’ll be open from 3 to 8 pm, and are located at 1777 Third Street, Detroit, phone 313-465-1648. Reservations are required.
Rocky’s of Northville will offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, whipped sweet potatoes, fresh vegetables, and cranberry-orange relish for $16.95, and $7.95 for children aged 10 and younger. They also have available other entrees: roasted chicken, roasted pork loin, grilled salmon, braised short ribs, and shrimp and lobster fettuccine. (Prices on the other entrees will vary.) The restaurant is located at 41122 Seven Mile Road, Northville, and is open from noon to 8 pm. Their phone number is 248-349-4434.
The Senate Coney Island and Restaurant will be having a Thanksgiving buffet featuring turkey, ham, meatballs, chicken marsala, along with sweet and mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and desserts. They’ll be opening at noon. The cost is $19.95, and $12 for children aged 10 and younger. They’re located at 22375 Ecorse, Taylor, phone 313-292-1861.
The Sportsmen’s Den Restaurant and Lounge will offer a buffet featuring roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, baked chicken, mostaccioli, stuffing, green beans amandine, corn, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, fruit, and pumpkin pie. The charge is $14.99. and $7.99 for children aged 2 to 10. A limited menu is also available, at varying prices. They’ll be open from noon to 7 pm, and are located at 15001 Sibley, Riverview, phone 734-479-4800.
Sweet Lorraine’s Cafe will be having a menu that includes roasted turkey, prime rib, an omelet station, along with salads, soups, and a variety of side dishes. For the kiddies there’ll be a mini buffet with chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese. the price is $32.95, and $9.95 for children aged 5 to 12. (Their regular men is also available from 7:30 to 11 pm, if you’d prefer.) The Thanksgiving menu will be available from 1 to 6 pm, and the restaurant is located at 17100 N. Laurel Park Drive, Livonia, phone 734-953-7480.
TRIA – An American Brasserie will provide a family-style dinner including roast turkey, prime rib of beef, garlic whipped potatoes, stuffing, habanero cranberry sauce, candied yams, fried green beans with marinated grape tomatoes, Michigan and Caesar salad, rolls, and dessert. It will cost $35, and $20 for ages 6 to 12. They’re open from 11 am to 4 pm, and are located at 300 Town Center, Dearborn, phone 313-253-4475.
Farther Afield:
If you’d like to go a bit outside of the Tri-County area, you might consider having your Thanksgiving dinner in Frankemuth.
The Bavarian Inn will be serving their family style all-you-can-eat Bavarian Frankenmuth-style chicken dinner, and their all-you-can-eat Frankenmuth-style chicken and roast turkey dinner. Other menu items are also available; prices will vary. They’re open from 11 am to 9 pm, and are located at 713 S. Main, Frankenmuth. Their phone number is 800-228-2742.
The Bavarian Inn Lodge will be having a Thanksgiving Day Harvest Buffet which includes scrambled eggs, pancakes, Frankenmuth chicken, roast turkey, roast beef, red-skin potatoes, whipped potatoes, fruit bowl, Black Forest torte, and more. Prices are $20.95, $11.50 for children aged 9 to 12, and $9.50 for children aged 5 to 8. They’ll be open from 11 am to 4:30 pm, and are located at 1 Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth. Their phone number is 989-652-7200.
Plan your Thanksgiving dining today, and remember that most of these restaurants encourage you to make reservations, and some require them. Prices quoted do not include taxes or gratuity. Have yourself a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!