It’s that time of year! The time when family and friends reunite to eat way too much food, watch football, enjoy a parade, and most importantly, celebrate everything they have to be grateful for. And with the help of our 2018 Thanksgiving Guide, you’ll be more than prepared to enjoy all the festivities Philadelphia has to offer.
Dining Out for Thanksgiving Day Dinner
Leave the cooking to the pros and have a relaxing meal at one of these Philly restaurants.
The Twisted Tail
509-511 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 558-2471
The team at The Twisted Tail has put together a family-style dinner welcoming anyone who wants a delicious, social meal without the hassle of cooking. For $49 per person ($25 for children under 10), each guest will choose an entrée (traditional turkey, herb-crusted prime rib, braised short rib, honey-BBQ glazed salmon or pineapple-glazed ham), which will be carved in the kitchen and then brought to the table with a variety of sides to share. With favorites like cornbread stuffing, crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, there’s something for everyone. To complete the meal, each table will receive one whole mini pie for every two people to share.
Scarpetta
210 W. Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 558-4199
www.ldvhospitality.com/brands/scarpetta/
Scarpetta will be doing a traditional Thanksgiving meal with a few Italian touches. The 4-course meal ($68) includes choices such as chestnut soup, sweet potato gnocchi, pancetta-wrapped turkey and espresso budino. A limited a la carte menu will also be available. Scarpetta is located in the Rittenhouse Hotel.
Bank & Bourbon
1200 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 231-7300
http://www.bankandbourbon.com/
Enjoy a special Thanksgiving buffet created by Chef Joe Thomas Jr. and his talented team. There will be fresh oysters and seafood displays, carved local turkey and prime rib and appetizers and sides such as roasted squash salad, brioche-sage stuffing and roasted vegetables. Be sure to save room a multitude of pies. This Thanksgiving feast is $65 for adults with an optional $35 wine pairing and $22 for children 12 and under. Bank & Bourbon is located in the Loews hotel.
Smokin’ Betty’s
Smokin’ Betty’s
116 S. 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-6500
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
1426-1428 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 246-0533
www.delfriscos.com/steakhouse/philadelphia
Leave the caring to the experts at Del Frisco’s. The Thanksgiving prix fixe menu is $59 for adults and $24 for children. If features traditional favorites such as slow-roasted turkey breast with all the trimmings, butternut squash soup, and pumpkin cheesecake. Or, order from Del Frisco’s regular menu and choose one of their signature dishes like the dry-aged steak or Wagyu tasting.
London Grill
2301 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 978-4545
This favorite Fairmount spot comfortably balances being both a laidback pub and fine dining. London Grill will celebrate the holiday with its annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet. Let them do all the work, while you and your group enjoy a special all-you-can dinner of traditional favorites such as roasted turkey, sweet potato casserole and sausage cornbread stuffing. The buffet will be served from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and cost $45 per adult and $22.50 for children under 11 years. You can also opt for the $25 platter in the bar area with five items, soup and dessert.
Urban Farmer
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 936-2788
www.urbanfarmerphiladelphia.com
Urban Farmer’s Thanksgiving Day feast will be offered from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at $75 per person (1/2 price for guests under 12). Choose your own first course and entrée, with options including honey-roasted turkey, roasted pork loin, mushroom risotto and mushroom-crusted prime rib. Sides such as roasted squash, cornbread stuffing and mashed potatoes will be served family-style to the table. Finish your meal with a dessert like pumpkin bourbon cheesecake. Urban Farmer is located in the Logan Hotel.
Jones Restaurant
700 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 223-5663
Known for comfort food just like your mom would make, Jones is the perfect spot for your Thanksgiving meal. While Jones actually offers “Thanksgiving Dinner” year-round, this traditional meal of turkey, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, haricots verts, stuffing and cranberry sauce for $19 is all the more special when you’re enjoying it on the actual holiday. Jones will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Local Thanksgiving Turkeys
Serve your family a local farm, fresh turkey dinner from one of these local farms.
Guinta’s Prime Shop
Reading Terminal Market
1100 Filbert Street, Philadelphia
(215) 627-6175
Guinta’s is considered one of the top meat and poultry purveyors in the area. In addition to a full line of meats, fresh poultry is also available year-round.
Godshall’s Poultry
Reading Terminal Market
51 North 12th Street, Philadelphia
(215) 922-7589
Godshall’s poultry is locally raised, free-range and delivered straight from the farm to the stand every day.
Bolton’s Farmers Market
1005 E. Main Street
Silverdale, PA 18962
215-257-6047
www.boltonfarmmarket.com
These locally raised turkeys are available whole, in sizes from 10-40 lbs. This year, turkeys will not include giblets, but they are available upon request at the meat counter. Bolton’s turkeys are minimally processed and never frozen so you are taking home 100% turkey: no salt, no added water, no fillers, and you are saved the hassle of thawing! Fresh turkeys are packed in ice so they stay fresh until your holiday meal; this makes them cook faster than a traditional frozen turkey. Fresh turkeys are $3.79 per pound and must be picked up Tuesday or Wednesday if being used on Thanksgiving Day. Pickup times are Tuesday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Wednesday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Necessity Farms & Dairy
202 Green Hill Road
Telford, Pa 18969
267-382-0556
necessityfarmsanddairy@gmail.com
www.necessityfarms.com
These turkeys are free-range and non-GMO. They also have free-range non-GMO chickens, local fresh dairy products and homemade, added sugar free fruit butters like a pumpkin butter and apple cider sauce! Contact the email below to place your order for this Thanksgiving!
Merrymead Farm
2222 S. Valley Forge Road Lansdale, PA 19446
(610) 584-4410
Merrymead sells turkeys from Weaver’s Turkey Farm in Lancaster. These birds are all natural turkeys- never frozen, with no growth hormones or artificial ingredients. Birds are available from 10 to 32 lbs. ($3.69 per pound) and turkey breasts 6 to 10 lbs. Call the farm to place your order by Wed. Nov. 14th. Merrymead will accept orders for freshly baked pies as well.
Quarry Hill Farms
620 Quarry Rd., Lower Salford Township, PA 19438
(215) 513-1514
Quarry Hill Farms organically raises their own birds to be soy-free and pastured. This year they are offering two breeds of turkeys. Both are $8 per pound. The Standard Bronze has a traditional round shape and is a variety that originated by breeding native wild eastern turkeys with domesticated birds brought from Europe by the early settlers. The Bourbon Red is the result of combining three breeds. It is shaped like a wild turkey and is enjoyed for its dark meat. Place your order online at this link. A deposit is required.
Deep Roots Valley Farm
1047 Irish Creek Rd., Mohrsville, Pa 19541
(610) 926-0517
Deep Roots Valley Farm, just north of Reading, PA, will deliver their pasture raised turkeys to the Phoenixville Farmers Market for pickup on Sat. Nov 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They can also be picked up at the farm on Tuesday, November 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The farm is raising broad breasted whites this year. The birds are fed locally grown whole grain non gmo seed and are provided with a fresh supply of bugs and greens. They are antibiotic free. Orders must be placed in advance, and a $25 deposit is required.
Thanksgiving Week Events
McGillin’s during the holidays is a sight you don’t want to miss. (Photo provided by McGillin’s)
Thanksgiving Eve at McGillin’s
When: Wednesday, November 21 at 9 p.m.
Where: McGillin’s Ole Ale House, 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia
The night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest party nights of the year, and McGillin’s celebrates it big. Karaoke will start at 9 p.m. and there will be plenty of drink specials such as $5 house wines and well liquors, $2 pints ($7 pitchers) of Pabst Blue Ribbon, $9 pitchers of Bud Light and Miller Lite, and even 2 tacos for $1. The tavern will already by decorated for the holidays with 3,000 lights, 1,000 feet of garland, 350 ornaments and 150 bows. Guaranteed to get you in a festive state of mind.
6ABC/Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade
When: Thanksgiving Day, November 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: 20th and Market Streets, Philadelphia
America’s first Thanksgiving Day Parade is celebrating 99 years! Ushering in the Holoday Season, this beloved Philly tradition includes favorite characters, giant balloons, fancy floats, marching bands and more. Don’t miss Santa at the end!
Comcast Holiday Spectacular
When: Opens Thanksgiving Day
Where: Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia
This 15-minute super high-res LED show runs daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (every hour on the hour, except 5 p.m. on weekdays.) It combines the Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a flying sleigh ride over the city and rousing sing-along fun.
(Photo by Dave Lakatos)
Christmas Village
When: Opens Thanksgiving Day
Where: LOVE Park, John. F Kennedy Boulevard and North 15th Street, Philadelphia
Returning for its 11th year, this German-style market features 80 wooden booths with local and international merchants. You’ll find unique gifts, delicious food and drinks and plenty of festive entertainment.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
When: Opens Friday, November 23
Where: 101 S. Christopher Boulevard
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this season, this winter wonderland along the Delaware River features a majestically-lit holiday tree, chalet-style lodge with food and drinks, cozy warming cabins, fire pits, and a game room. And the main attraction is an Olympic-sized ice skating rink with a view of the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Christmas Light Show at Macy’s
When: Opens Friday, November 23
Where: Macy’s, 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia
A tradition for many Philly families, this free show has been running since 1956! The musical light show features the famous Wanamaker Organ and is narrated by Julie Andrews. IT runs every two hours during store hours.
Philadelphia Turkey Trots
Face to Face Germantown Turkey Trot
When: Thursday, November 22 at 9 a.m.
Where: Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Park, 200 W. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia
Twenty-six years ago, Jim and Frannie Maguire (along with their 9 kids) held a 5-mile run to benefit Face to Face. Every Thanksgiving since then, the race had celebrated giving back to the impoverished in Germantown that Face to Face serves. Registration is $40 for the 5-mile run and $30 for the Fun Run. Children 12 and under can participate in either race for $10. Runners receive a Dri-Fit Race shirt. Awards are given for male and female 1st through 3rd place overall along with 1st place age bracket awards. Celebrate at the after-party held at MaGerk’s Pub & Grill from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Click here to register.
Fairmount Park Turkey Trot
When: Thursday, November 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia
The 18th Annual Fairmount Park Turkey Trot is a 5-mile run on a certified 5-mile loop flat course. It starts and finishes at Memorial Hall. Registration and packet pickup is in the Carousel House. All registered runners will receive a long-sleeved t-shirt. Registration is $40. On-site registration opens at 6:30 a.m. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. Click here to register.
