Let’s talk turkey. Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 23, 2023) is traditionally a family affair. But who says the affair can’t be catered? Or, treated as a night out?
[Note: This list was revised on November 15, 2023]
An urban Thanksgiving can easily be a restaurant pilgrimage with family and friends. Downtown San Diego has a heaping helping of eateries open this holiday. Go out for a traditional spread featuring the conventional big bird on a platter. Or, maybe this is the year for turkey ravioli, turkey tacos or andouille stuffed turkey roulade.
Here’s a San Diego Sun starter suggestion: The Father Joe’s Villages’ Run for Hope. It’s a casual, morning 5K Turkey Trot in Balboa Park. At night, take the gorged gang bowling at East Village Tavern & Bowl. Lanes open on Thanksgiving at 6 p.m.
Sandwiched between those AM-PM cardio capers, make the bird the word at one of these downtown eateries:
Bencotto Italian Kitchen. Howsabout turkey ravioli with parmesan cream sauce and glazed chestnuts in Little Italy? Plus, the beloved cheese wheel preparation will feature red beet shell pasta in gorgonzola cream sauce with sausage and butternut squash. More info: Bencotto
El Chingon. Spice up the holiday in the Gaslamp Quarter with a Thanksgiving dinner taco. Featuring a corn tortilla filled with ground turkey, green beans, cranberry sauce, lettuce, avocado, El Chingon cheese blend and house crema. It’s served with a side of sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows. More info: El Chingon
Barleymash. Get to-go or dine-in meals from the heart of the Gaslamp. Three-course offerings are $54.95/person; $25 for kids. Starts at 3 p.m. Second course is andouille stuffed turkey roulade with Wild Turkey brown-butter gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, biscuit stuffing, corn pudding, farmhouse vegetables and habanero cranberry jelly. More info: Barleymash
Huntress. Nontraditional takes abound at this high-end steakhouse, including turkey truffle roulade, pumpkin agnolotti and green bean en croute. More info: Huntress
Slater’s 50/50. The Thanksgiving Burger is a juicy, herbed turkey patty oiled up with brioche dressing, turkey gravy, house-made cranberry sauce and garlic-sage aoli. Come to Liberty Station for a pumpkin pie shake to wash it down–or make it a pumpkin spike with a shot of vodka. More info: Thanksgiving burger.
Meze Greek Fusion. Opa on Sixth Avenue! Put a Greek twist on traditional Thanksgiving dishes with a holiday platter featuring a Greek turkey, fiery feta mac ‘n’ cheese and sautéed vegetables. More info: Mezé Greek Fusion
Havana 1920: Styled after an award-winning Cubano, check out a dinner sandwich loaded with roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, Swiss cheese, Roma tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise stacked between sourdough bread and served with a side of mac ‘n’ cheese. More info: Havana 1920
Monello. Offering two featured dishes in Little Italy for Thanksgiving: oven-baked butternut squash ravioli; and a cheese wheel preparation with house-made tagliatelle pasta served in a taleggio cream sauce adorned with chestnuts and bacon. More info: Monello
City Cruises. Two if by sea. So San Diego. Book either an afternoon or evening brunch cruise on San Diego Bay. The two-hour morning excursion and the two-and-a-half-hour dinner outing offers a buffet meals and free-flowing Champagne. More info: Morning Cruise or Evening Cruise
Bronze Bird. The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter hotel’s ground floor resto is serving a traditional, three-course dinner from 5-10 p.m. There’s a choice, but you gotta go for the roasted turkey breast with brown butter sage stuffing, gravy, maple-cranberry compote, Yukon gold duchess potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. More info: Bronze Bird
Rustic Root. Rooftop dining for turkey day? Okay: from 2 to 8 p.m.. The herb-roasted turkey breast comes with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and cream corn. More info: Rustic Root
LAVO. Classics and holiday faves will be available from 3 to 9 p.m. in the Gaslamp. Reservations suggested. Or pick up a to-go Complete Thanksgiving Diner (plus endless takeout options) for 4 people. Order by November 17. Reservations: LAVO Classic
STK. The bird is the word from November 23 through 26 at this Gaslamp steakhouse. All weekend, the free-range turkey comes with cornbread and sage stuffing. cranberry orange chutney and spiced pumpkin pie. More info: STK birds
Kansas City Barbecue. In the Marina District, the site of the “Top Gun” piano bar scene is offering a smoked turkey dinner free to active duty military. Thank you for your dinner service. More info: KC Barbecue
Juniper & Ivy. Take it home with you and feed anywherer from 4 to 12 guests. Your to-go order includes a 22-pound brined and trussed bird, sweet potato casserole, Brussels sprouts and glazed carrots, pumpkin and pecan pie, and more. To reserve: Juniper & Ivy
Spill the Beans. Okay, a snack. The November flavor of the month is a stuffing bagel (celery salt, carrots, onions, and herbs de Provence) paired with cranberry habanero cream cheese. Available at both downtown coffee shop locations in the Gaslamp and Seaport Village. More info: Spill the Beans
Prohibition. Finally, a nightcap. This underground Gaslamp speakeasy will honor the holiday with an Old Fashioned Family Fight, a combination of Elijah Craig bourbon, Curious Juniper Pumpkin + Spice Syrup, lemon, egg white and R&D House Bitters ($10). More info: Prohibition. SDSun
