Talking turkey

Whether you want the turkey and all the trimmings, prefer tofurkey (or a squash turkey, as pictured) or just want to skip all the hoopla altogether, Xpress has a suggestion for how to have a local holiday. In this post, you’ll find a list of independent restaurants open on Thanksgiving. We’ll continue to update throughout the week. Please note any additions in the comments field. Happy food-centric holiday!

Looking for a pie? We’ve got a few sources. Still don’t know where to find your turkey? We can help you there. Want to get the whole canned ham and kaboodle made for you so you don’t have to lift a finger? We’ve got suggestions for that, too. We’ll keep adding to this list as we find out more, so remember to check our website often.

Where to buy all the trimmings:
From Sunday, Nov. 20 through Thanksgiving, Short Street Cakes will offer four of the shop’s most popular cake flavors at a reduced price and available for pickup without an advance order. Dozens of medium-size (2-layer 8”) Mexican chocolate, Italian cream cake, strawberry Short Street and pumpkin-spice cakes will be on-hand every day during Thanksgiving week at $28 each. The regular menu will also be available at regular prices with minimum two days’ notice. Short Street Cakes will also offer cheesecakes by Rachel’s Delectables by advance order. Place your order by phone (505-4822) or in person (225 Haywood Road) by 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov 20.

Luella’s Bar-B-Que offers holiday meals — you can even get an entire smoked turkey — with all of the trimmings, including gravy, Andouille cornbread stuffing and pie. Here’s the online order form. Yum!

12 Bones Smokehouse offers a turkey, four sides, pie, and rolls for $145. That’s a smokin’ good deal (sorry, we couldn’t help it).

Moe’s Original BBQ on Sweeten Creek Road is also getting into the Thanksgiving game. The barbecue eatery has a bit of a family value meal going that includes 1.5 pounds of smoked turkey and a slew of sides and trimmings for $40. The meal feeds four to six people.

Blue Mountain Pizza is holding an annual community Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday, Nov 24, from noon until 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited, especially those who may be alone this season or who may not be able to afford a whole table full of food. A traditional Thanksgiving meal will be served.

Not a turkey fan? Head over to the Chop Shop Butchery. The Chop Shop has a wide selection of cuts available, as well as an assortment of charcuterie and condiments. Prefer seafood? Bluewater Seafood is located right next door.

On Tuesday, Nov. 22, Asheville Middle School will offer pies scratch-made by the students in their FEAST cooking classes using local pumpkins and apples. All proceeds from the sales go to teach more hands-on FEAST classes where students learn how to prepare healthy food from fresh ingredients. The classes empower students to take control of what they eat and teaches them that all people can eat well, regardless of their income level. Pies are $10 each and will be available for pickup from 2 to 4 p.m. at Asheville Middle School on Tuesday, Nov 22. Email cathycleary@gmail.com for order information.

Veggie Love is also offering a special holiday menu for Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. Veggie Love offers gluten-free and vegan hors d’oeuvres, desserts and entire meals. View the full menu on the Veggie Love website.

Veggie Love’s Alison Murphy 

Last week we suggested pairing Pies in Disguise pies with Hop Ice Cream Cafe creations. We think it bears repeating. And, speaking of the Hop, the cafe is currently taking orders for holiday Yule logs.

The Artisan Gourmet Market in Black Mountain has a limited supply of North Carolina fresh turkeys available for Thanksgiving. Call ahead to reserve; there’s a limited supply: 357-5500.

And while we’re talking turkeys, Earth Fare and Greenlife still have free-range birds available in their deli cases.

If you choose to avoid all of the Thanksgiving hoopla altogether, here’s a list of restaurants that will be open. Availability tends to go quickly, so it’s always a good choice to call ahead and double-check. Make reservations if they’re available. Click on the restaurant name for contact and further information.

Bier Garden
Bistro 1896
Blue Ridge Dining Room
Fiore’s*
Frankie Bones*
Grovewood Cafe*
Horizons*
LAB
Never Blue (Hendersonville only)
Pack’s Tavern*
Olive or Twist*
Red Stag Grill at the Grand Bohemian
Restaurant Solace*
Roux Hilton
Sazerac
Square One Bistro
Storm
Sunset Terrace
Thai Basil
*marks special holiday dinner. Contact restaurant for more information.