The Best & Worst Chain Restaurant Thanksgiving Dinners

[@MashedFood]

What do you do for Thanksgiving?

[@ascent8487]

I worked at Mimi’s while in college. People went crazy for our thanksgiving. Both what they could order to bring home and the dine-in meal. Hopping busy that day. This one older chap who was a regular came in on thanksgiving alone. We were so heartbroken to know he was by himself on the holiday that my boss actually gave his favorite server an hour off to sit and eat with him. We just all picked up her tables no complaints. Another customer who came in every morning passed while I was still there and his family came in to tell us how much we all meant to him and invited those of us who could make to the funeral. Our boss rearranged our schedules just so those of us who knew him best could make it. Again no complaints from the others. That’s not something you see at chains. I miss those guys. Sorry I know it’s not related. Just thinking of it is all.

[@daviddoleman7851]

As a former server i completely understand

[@ettaplace6716]

Don’t know why Mimi’s went downhill by changing their menus 😢 we used to love it and I really miss the atmosphere !!

[@tinasan3870]

I actually ENJOY making Thanksgiving dinner since I always have the day off. I roast a stuffed Butterball, homemade mashed potatoes, orange cranberry sauce, homemade gravy, 7 layer salad, rolls and off course Pumpkin and Pecan pies.....My dinners are wonderful !

[@gingerdurbin2726]

Once we did Golden Corral on Thanksgiving because we were traveling and it was wonderful. We were there a half hour before it opened and by the time we left there was a two hour wait.

[@acbc3543]

As a single Brazilian-American citizen here in Texas I’ll try Fogo on Thanksgiving since I’m an only child and I have zero kids to my name and no parents . Best part ? I’m not gonna do the dishes !

[@steveskouson9620]

I'll be going to Golden Corral, this Monday. My meal will be free. It will be the Veteran's day deal. I go to the Golden Corral, a few times a year. I know what to expect, and am never disappointed. For the Veteran's day meal, they ALWAYS pull out all the stops. They serve stuff I'm not usually seeing. Sorry, can't bash the GC. steve

[@mitskiisoursavior]

not you signing your comment like a letter 😭😭😭

[@Samstar369]

@@mitskiisoursavior Problem?

[@mitskiisoursavior]

@@Samstar369 not you replying on steve's behalf 😭😭😭

[@CatBuchanan]

I have had a number of bouts of mild to moderate food poisoning at GC - different locations. So I just don't go ever. The last time was for my dad at Veterans Day at his request. He saw the effect and never asked me to go again. I'm not saying food handling is bad at every GC ... maybe it's just that I am overly sensitive - which is more than possible.

[@edwardpate6128]

Hope you like standing in line a lot.

[@thenebbish7709]

Looks like "the Gobbler" at Wawa didn't make the cut

[@bcaye]

Just wanted to mention that a few years ago some coworkers and I got an entire catered Thanksgiving dinner from Hy-Vee for about $15 each. Fully cooked. I went and picked it up that morning (we worked nights), carved the turkey and everyone could fill their plate and reheat it when they had time for a break (healthcare, have to be flexible). We got all the traditional main dishes and pie. I also brought crudites and dip. It was very tasty and we had enough for 7 people and leftovers. I got the carcass for picking it up and bringing veggies and made delicious turkey noodles with that and the leftover carrots and celery. I think everyone else took at least one plate home. It's a good option if you have to work.

[@lauramiller751]

Most of these dinners are probably double the prices mentioned in the video now.

[@ZoKitchen]

Hmm i go join my neighbors they invited me and i will cook some food for everyone 🎉 happy thanksgiving 🍁

[@CatBuchanan]

The best Thanksgiving dinners are collaborative affairs.

[@aliciamack9323]

Like golden corral but love boston market. Theirs not enough cracker barrel here in new york

[@Bobrogers99]

Some years ago a relative took us to an expensive restaurant for Thanksgiving. Parts of the meal were fine, but the turkey was what I call "deli" turkey, sliced from one of those plastic-wrapped blobs formed from turkey slurry that we see in every delicatessen. Given the impossibility of any restaurant oven-roasting enough real turkeys to satisfy a Thanksgiving crowd, I think this is what most people will get if they eat out on Thanksgiving Day. The texture is entirely different from natural meat.

[@stacystoltz8722]

Happy Thanksgiving dinner Sweetpie

[@josephkim007]

tbh, more than boston market, marie calendars was actually really good. their pie was the highlight but the price and saved effort was definitely worth it. buca di beppo was a surprise for me. didn't know they served thanksgiving food. if it's anything like their food...then...i won't be expecting much. they usually always go quantity over quality..

[@CatBuchanan]

Turkey cooking is not that difficult. Forget basting it. Put the turkey in the oven and DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR until the turkey is cooked. I cook it every year and it has crispy skin (olive oil with rubbed in salt, pepper and garlic powder) and white meat that nearly falls off the bone. The dark meat ALWAYS falls off the bone. I've never eaten out at Thanksgiving. But I was married to a man who was half Sicilian for a time. Tradition for Italian families is to have the turkey plus trimmings AND pasta with gravy (I did lasagne with my homemade gravy). If you can't feed an army you didn't prepare enough food.

[@edwardpate6128]

Agreed, I only baste near the end when I untent the foil off the turkey to crisp up the skin.

[@mr.h1389]

damn sizzler still around

[@Ghoulstille]

It usually depends on the location. If you know the location has a bad rep the holiday meals are probably gonna be just as bad.

[@jeffpatterson8119]

Fogo vs Denny's and Golden Corral doesn't feel like a fair fight

[@jonmiguel]

Sizzler still exists?????

[@jefferypardue7509]

Yes sizzler is limited locations nationwide but they're hanging on just like Sears

[@timoaksproductions]

@Jeffery Pardue wow sears still open?

[@baconbap]

Lots of them in California.

[@techmaester]

Buca di Beppo misspelled as Bucca! Also, in Italian, means Joe’s Basement or Basement of Joe.

[@Kaijuus]

For $9.99 what do people expect? Lol. People have crazy expectations for Golden Corral.

[@squishykrishy_]

Bob Evans or Tim Hortons?

[@ludaswifey101]

I had Cracker Barrel's Thanksgiving Heat n' Serve and it was disappointing.

[@terrancechilds3049]

Popeye Turkey is pretty good some people get more than one and I didn't get one I really wanted it

[@martinzenor7449]

Several of these chain restaurants are defunct. At least in my area.

[@aroad2788]

Can we not make food service employees work a holiday as big as thanksgiving though? As someone in food service we lose enough holidays with the family already. We don't need to lose thanksgiving too. Luckily I'm at a burger joint currently and we close but I feel so bad for the employees dealing with everyone ordering the same items so much that they run out early and customers get pissed off at them. You'd think they'd be nice but customers on holidays are just as bad as every other day

[@rigeur071]

Ordering the same items so much that they run out early? What, do most people want turkey and mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner? What next, too many restaurant diners wanting eggs for breakfast?

[@aroad2788]

@@rigeur071 oh look, found one of those oddly pissed off customers in the wild. Learn to have respect.

[@rosiebateson4498]

Some people like to work on holidays because they have no family, so they’d just be sat at home with a sad frozen turkey dinner. It’s work but at least they’re not alone

[@aroad2788]

@@rosiebateson4498 but many restaurants aren't keeping enough employees per shift to make a holiday optional. If they are open, you are working. It's also unfair to the management. Most places require at least one manager at all times and there's even less management than other crew so they have no choice in it either. What we need is what other countries do. Paid holiday leave for anyone who works 30 hours or more at any non-emergency jobs. If they work less than that it's usually pretty simple to just adjust what days they work around it.

[@bcaye]

@@rosiebateson4498, I have to mention that even if I don't have to work I don't eat a sad meal. And if I do work I make extra sure to have a nice meal. Your choice doesn't have to be a full feast or a frozen meal. They sell less than full on turkeys-breast, legs, tenderloin. All the other stuff is readily available. However, the big advantage is that working holidays pays better.

[@MrLookitspam]

Northern Michigan, gobblers!

[@Jms3424]

Dennys can’t even boil water

[@jchow5966]

True!!!

[@leekshikapinnamneni4835]

I think that the point of Thanksgiving is to spend time with your family preferably at home. I know that’s not possible for everyone but I think that will definitely change our perspectives about what to expect. My advice is that even if it’s not turkey and it’s something else entirely, Thanksgiving should be about spending time with loved ones and not forcing businesses to open if they don’t have to. I don’t want to go to a restaurant on Thanksgiving or Christmas. I have many other days to do that if I would like. I will actually give the same advice for Easter, Independence Day, etc.

[@bcaye]

What you don't consider is people who work jobs that don't always allow you to do that like police, firefighters or healthcare provider s. A couple of years ago, my manager insisted I have Christmas off because I worked Thanksgiving. So I was scheduled Christmas Eve, had Christmas day off and then had to work the 26th. My nearest family lived an hour away. Forgot to mention I worked 12 hour night shifts. I asked her wth I would do with that one day off. The stupid part is, when I proposed she work the Mon and have Christmas day off instead (so I could spend the weekend with my family and she could spend Christmas with her grown children) she started arguing with me. A senior manager who shared her office intervened and made her see the logic. Now, I get your point about people having holidays to spend with family. But there are exceptions to that scenario. Working holidays can pay good money. If your only plan would be eating a frozen turkey dinner or earning double time, what would you do? For many years I lived too far from family to be with them on holidays and I always opted to work holidays so coworkers with families could have those days off, especially if kids were involved. That said, I am traveling 12 hours to be at my cousin's house for Thanksgiving and my mother's birthday this week. Should be wonderful.

[@leonardshapiro3660]

the top three places do not have a location within 500 miles of me

[@christopherfelker5524]

One thing that bothers me about this video... except for people that don’t have a place to spend the holidays with friends and family in homes.. this promotes the loss of everyone to go easy and complain it doesn’t does not take like home. This is sad😢

[@annecollins1741]

I have to admit the Marie Callander's Thanksgiving dinner taste just like the frozen Thanksgiving dinner..It wasn't good in the least..

[@Surferjo]

a lot of them are gone at least in florida.......

[@donise8406]

One thing I have found on reviewers, is Karen has eaten there

[@jchow5966]

Golden choral -gross.

[@lynnshaw5068]

I guarantee it was all turkey loaf😢

[@brianreyes5141]

Lol I’m not even sure I wanna eat thanks giving this year I rather eat a steak nd fried chicken unless someone smoking the bird

[@bcaye]

What's the problem with that? I have had people be astonished that I would eat turkey and stuffing any other time than a holiday! My family was very traditional on holidays when I was young but once my grandfather died it got a lot different. Lasagna, beef stew, chili, lots of things much easier than a roast turkey. Btw, Thanksgiving isn't a meal, it's an arbitrary holiday.

[@briantimberlake8723]

If you want good service, maybe skip holidays meals where people making minimum wage. They probably do not want to be there.

[@hnlpharmd]

Thanks for the input, hero. I'm sure all the minimum wage skanks will line up to suck you off now...or not.

[@donaldfreeman2307]

Who the heck wants stuffing. It has to be cornbread dressing

[@leonardshapiro3660]

cooking a twenty pound turkey is easy.

[@mt_gox]

3:36 Gotta have a fawning White serving a buncha dindoos