Thanksgiving is a special time of the year when loved ones gather together to prepare and enjoy delicious meals. However, with busier work schedules, not everyone may have the time or energy to cook and may opt to order a Thanksgiving dinner from a restaurant. However, this can be costly, and no one wants to be left with a subpar catering experience. Here are a few tips for choosing the right restaurant to ensure a successful Thanksgiving meal.

Narrow down local options
Several websites might offer some of the best turkey dinner packages that might look quite appetizing. But before settling on one option, it is important to do a little research.

While some specialty foods are easy to get, it might cost a significant amount to cover the distance between the establishment and one’s home. One of the ideal ways to enjoy a good Thanksgiving dinner is to look for restaurants in the locality. One can use online maps to find potential options in their vicinity and call to confirm whether they are offering holiday catering packages. Also, make sure to ask if the restaurant has a pick-up only policy or if they deliver the food. Shopping locally can help small businesses and make the Thanksgiving occasion even more special.

Determine portion sizes
Not all Thanksgiving packages are created equal.

Some restaurants that offer a wider range of dishes may add tiny quantities of each, while a more abbreviated menu may offer larger portions. Most restaurants that cater Thanksgiving meals will tell potential customers the quantity of food they serve. So, while doing the research, one should ask the food house how the portion sizes are calculated. Sides are usually weighed in cups for volume. Meat is provided in a range of pounds, with an estimated 1.5 pounds per person for Turkey on the bone. However, some restaurants may estimate full or half aluminum catering trays, in which case, one can check review sites and their photos to draw a picture of the quantity. One could also order some extra portions if not convinced.

Calculate the amount for potential savings
Bulk shopping is often touted as a money-saving strategy, but it may not always be cost-effective, particularly for food items. While some restaurants may charge the same amount per piece irrespective of the order size, others might charge more for large catering orders as it requires additional effort and resources. Additionally, buying in bulk may result in purchasing unnecessary quantities of certain items that may go to waste. For instance, buying 10 pounds of sweet potato casserole or catering designed for ten people when only 2-3 people are going to eat it may not be the best option. In such cases, it is advisable to purchase multiple standard-size portions of each dish. One should carefully calculate their savings and avoid spending where it doesn’t count. Preparing certain dishes at home, like pecan pie, cranberry sauce, or green bean casserole, can also help in avoiding over-ordering.

Ask for customizations
If one’s not satisfied with the catering packages offered by a particular restaurant, one doesn’t have to settle for them. One can always talk to the establishment about customizing the catering for Thanksgiving. Though it might cost a little more than expected, it’ll likely provide one with the best meal for the family. With proper planning, one can also save a few dollars. If the catering service has a regular Thanksgiving menu, one should inquire about the a la carte prices of the items and create a personal package that gives more control over the menu and the budget. Some restaurants may offer deals on double portions for less. However, it’s important to ensure that the requests are reasonable. For example, while a restaurant may provide a second helping of mashed potatoes in exchange for the stuffing, one may not be able to get extra turkey instead of the sautéed vegetables.

Don’t forget the supplies
While ordering a Thanksgiving dinner is easy, one can easily forget about the necessary serving supplies such as plates, cups, napkins, disposable cutlery, and serving utensils like tongs and spoons. Depending on the location, these items may be included in the price as complementary or can be added as a convenient add-on that can be excluded to save a couple of dollars. However, one should only purchase supplies that are required to avoid wastage. It’s also a good idea to check for fresh serving supplies left over from previous parties that can be used for the Thanksgiving dinner.

Consider visiting popular restaurants
One can also consider booking a catering reservation with some of the most popular restaurants to celebrate the occasion with family or friends. Some of the top places that one may find in their state or area include Seasons 52, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Capital Grille, Fleming’s, and Yard House. These are suggestions based on customer inputs from popular review websites.