Thanksgiving meals: Restaurants to enjoy a holiday feast

When I think back on my favorite Thanksgiving meals, there’s a blur of family, friends and food. There is one story that sticks out…

It was the year after my mom and step-dad married and the first year that all the families would be sharing a holiday together. My mom announced early on that she would not cook for 22 people without a dishwasher. As the big day neared and the dishwasher still hadn’t arrived, Mom stated simply that she would just have to serve the Thanksgiving meals on paper plates. Dad was shocked that she could even suggest it. And the new dishwasher? Well, it arrived Thanksgiving morning.

Everyone has their own idea of the “perfect Thanksgiving” and for some that means not having to do the dishes! For those that prefer eating in a restaurant or picking up a catered dinner to take home, Long Beach has many restaurants willing to take care of all the cooking.

Places to Dine Out on Thanksgiving Day

Here are some local restaurants serving Thanksgiving meals, just be sure to call ahead.

Thanksgiving Meal with a Latin Flair

Fuego at Hotel Maya is set to feature not one, but two Thanksgiving meals on Thursday, Nov. 24 beginning with the famous Fuego Thanksgiving Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that includes endless sparkling wine or cider and a delicious Thanksgiving Prix Fixe menu served from 3-9 p.m. featuring traditional trimmings – both served to the cool sounds of live Latin jazz. Executive Chef Victor Juarez leads Fuego, the modern, Latin infused indoor-outdoor restaurant and lounge at Hotel Maya. Fuego offers a unique setting at the water’s edge featuring open-air views of the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach skyline and the Queen Mary. Fuego Thanksgiving brunch costs $48.95 per adult and $24.95 children (under 12). Fuego Thanksgiving Prix Fixe three-course dinner costs $38 per person. Thanksgiving brunch and dinner reservations are strongly encouraged, please call 562-481-3910. Hotel Maya is located at 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802. For additional information, visit http://www.hotelmayalongbeach.com

Thanksgiving Harvest at an American Favorite

What better way to celebrate the bounty of American cooking than at Lasher’s – An American Restaurant, which is well known for their regional American Cuisine of classic comfort favorites like cranberry-glazed meatloaf, fresh roasted turkey (year-round!) and prime steaks and seafood. According to their website, the restaurant is prepping menus for a holiday season filled with special events. The Thanksgiving menu will be posted soon, so keep an eye on their website for details or call (562) 433-0153. http://www.lashersrestaurant.com

Take your Thanksgiving Meals on the Patio

The Marriott Long Beach is encouraging thankful diners to make reservations for their locally-famous annual Thanksgiving Brunch event. The Marriott will serve both a brunch buffet (10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and a dinner buffet (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.).  Diners can eat inside or outside on the patio where there will be live entertainment. Prices for the brunch are $39.95 for adults, $32.95 for seniors and $18.95 for ages 5-12. For dinner: $32.95, $29.95 and $16.95. Located at 4700 Airport Plaza Drive in Long Beach. Reservations are suggested. Call (562) 425-5210.

Stress-free Thanksgiving Lunch for the Whole Family

You’ll discover over 11,000 animals from the world’s largest ocean, and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving buffet in the Aquarium’s Café Scuba. Sit down to a Thanksgiving buffet with all the trimmings in the Aquarium’s Café Scuba, and then stroll through the galleries to meet over 11,000 animals. Watch as the Aquarium’s animals gobble up their food during the daily feeding shows at the Sea Otter Habitat, Tropical Reef exhibit, Seal & Sea Lion Habitat, Shark Lagoon, and the Blue Cavern Habitat. Served from 11am -5pm, the cost is $35/adult, $27/child and includes admission to the Aquarium. Located at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. Call (562) 590-3100 for reservations and information or visit http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/thanksgiving_lunch/.

Thanksgiving To-Go

Johnny Reb’s Southern Roadhouse is busy in the kitchen preparing a take-home Thanksgiving feast 0f Smoked Turkey and fixin’s. Customers will be able to host a holiday dinner without spending hours in the kitchen — just order, pick up and reheat. The made-from-scratch dinners include: smoked turkey, savory sage and mushroom dressing, mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, rolls and your choice of pie: key lime, pecan, pumpkin or sweet potato. Orders can feed either 4-6 ($82) or 10-12 ($105) persons. You can also order just the turkey for $45 or add a spiral ham to any meal for $44. The cold-packed Thanksgiving dinners will be ready for pick-up the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at one of Johnny Rebs’ has 4 locations. Visit their website at http://johnnyrebs.com/food-drink/ or call their Long Beach restaurant at (562) 423-7327 to place your order.

All Aboard for a Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch

Traditional holiday fare is added to the Grand Salon buffet’s usual international selections, plus a special children’s buffet. Meals served from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $49.95 for adults, half price for children 5-11, under 5 Free. The Queen Mary will also serve Thanksgiving meals at Sir Winston’s, The Chelsea and The Promenade Café. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802. For information call (562) 435-3511 or visit www.queenmary.com.

Three-Course Harvest Dinner at Parkers’ Lighthouse

Parkers’ Lighthouse is offering a no-hassle, stress-free harvest dinner. The special harvest menu is a three-course meal and guests may choose from a traditional Thanksgiving fare which includes creamy whipped potatoes, sage-apple stuffing, cranberry sauce and roasted garlic gravy, or a non-traditional meal, such as mesquite grilled Atlantic salmon with colusari red rice and tri-color orzo pasta, a 7-oz. Certified Angus Beef Filet Mignon with herb roasted potatoes, or Vermont maple-glazed prime pork flat iron with roasted spaghetti squash. Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. with the last reservations taken at 8:30 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended.The cost is $45 for adults and $8 for kids. Call (562) 432-6500 for information.

Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch with a View

The Reef will serve traditional holiday turkey and all the trimmings on a buffet featuring more than 100 entrees and side dishes, and accompanied by free-flowing champagne. This restaurant sits on the water of Long Beach Harbor and Queensway Bay with a great view of the Long Beach skyline. Buffet meals served from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., $37.95 adults, $17.95 for children. The Reef is located at 880 Harbor Scenic Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802. Call (562) 435-8013 for details.

Is your restaurant serving Thanksgiving? If you want to be added to this list, send us a message with details about your event.