2026 Thanksgiving Day Restaurant Openings, Catering Options, & More in the Champaign-Urbana Area
This list will continue to grow and change, so please let us know what we're missing by emailing our Director of Marketing at CristyG@experiencecu.org.
Thanksgiving can be a full day—whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, neighbors, or flying solo. If you’re dining out, ordering catering, or just craving a holiday treat, here’s your guide to local spots ready to help you enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving.
Open for Thanksgiving
Champaign
Neil St. Blues
Neil St. Blues will be open for their 7th Annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet 11am–5pm, with an all-you-can-eat Southern-style dinner—$40 for adults, $20 for children under 12. Call 217-531-1150 for more information or to make reservations.
Amy’s Place
Regulars are part of the Amy’s Place family! If you’re spending Thanksgiving away from loved ones or don’t have holiday plans, join Amy’s Place for a cozy Friendsgiving with familiar faces from 6 to 10pm. This gathering is for regular customers—a little thank-you for making Amy's Place feel like home.
Savoy
Smoky’s House BBQ
Let Smoky’s do the cooking on Thanksgiving Day! From 11am to 9pm, enjoy their full menu plus holiday specials like smoked ham, smoked turkey legs, BBQ turkey egg rolls, and pecan pie. Call 217-355-2272 to reserve your table or order takeout (large order deadline is November 23 at 7:30pm).
Paxton
They will be open on Thanksgiving Day, 6am–2pm. Specials include turkey dinner, ham dinner, prime rib dinner, and jumbo shrimp dinner. Reservations aren't required but always appreciated (and it guarantees your spot).
Catering
Although these establishments aren't open on Thanksgiving Day, you can order full meals, turkeys, sides, and desserts.
Champaign
Maize at the Station
Looking for a twist on your traditional Thanksgiving dinner? Pre-order some Thanksgiving tamales by November 23 online! You can choose between chicken verde, pork roja, or veggie tamales. Be sure to pair it with sides like rice, beans, chips, menudo, pozole, conchitas, and margaritas, of course! Pick-up will be on November 25, from 2 to 6pm at the downtown location.
Martinelli’s Market
Martinelli’s holiday pre-order menu is here, and includes Central Illinois Bakehouse Holiday Fresh baked bread, pies, and more ready for your table; Martinelli’s kitchen sides, smoked turkey leg, green beans, roasted beggies, baked mac & cheese, and quiche; and their Holiday Cornucopia Box—a stunning collection of retail spreads, salami, crackers, and more, perfect for a holiday charcuterie spread. Order now through November 22 by emailing office@martinellismarket.com. Pickup is November 15–23 at Martinelli’s Market.
Old Time Meat and Deli
Old Time Meat and Deli’s turkeys are a favorite for many locals. You can order fresh, Amish, free-range birds by calling 217-355-0000. (Order early for best availability!) They’ll also have bone-in and boneless turkey breast, plus whole and half hams. Quantities are limited, so reserve asap.
Urbana
Baldarotta’s Porketta & Sicilian Sausage
Baldarotta’s is offering pre-ordered Thanksgiving dinners. Each dinner item is sold by the pound with a choice of porketta or chicken entrée, sides, a salad, and a pumpkin cheesecake slice. Online orders must be placed by noon on November 22; pickup will be November 25 between 2 and 4:45pm.
Piato Cafe
Piato Café is offering catering options that come in four parts. First, choose a bird, with options for turkey or a vegetarian acorn stuffed squash. Then, choose everything from sides to vegetables, as well as a mouthwatering dessert. Because the catering option provides food at a per-person rate, everyone can get exactly what they want, which makes for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Desserts at Piato for Thanksgiving are also staple of many who have ordered Turkey Day helpings for years, from turtle pumpkin cheesecake to caramel apple pie. Call 217-344-9015 or email info@piatocafe.com to order your meals—the deadline for orders is November 21 at noon. Pickup for orders is on November 25 from 10am to 1pm. (Delivery is available for an extra charge.)
Savoy
Michaels Catering
Michaels’ Catering is pleased to offer a beautifully prepared ready-to-heat Thanksgiving dinner, thoughtfully crafted and ready to enjoy in the comfort of your home. Breakfast casserole, appetizers, desserts, and floral arrangements are also available. Pick up or have them deliver, then warm it up and serve. Orders are limited. Delivery orders must be made by November 9. Pickup is on November 25 between 10am and 4pm.
Mahomet
Project 47 Smokehouse
If you're itching for a bit of a smoked Thanksgiving, then be sure to pre-order some Thanksgiving catering from Project 47 Smokehouse! Options include a 12- to 14-pound turkey with cranberry BBQ sauce ($75), with sides—including mac & cheese, potato salad, mashed potatoes, and more—available for $40 each. Quantities are limited! To reserve your turkey, call Project 47 Smokehouse at 217-586-3456. You can pick up your order at Project 47 on Thanksgiving, 10a–noon.
arthur
Pauly’s BBQ
At Pauly’s BBQ, right in the heart of Amish Country, you can choose from two meal package sizes—small (2–4 people) or large (10–12 people)—perfect for family dinners, office gatherings, or Friendsgiving feasts! Each package includes choice of meat (turkey, ham, or brisket), three sides, dessert, and cornbread. Extra sides and desserts—with or without meal purchase—are available as well. Please call 217-543-2400 to place your order—deadline is November 16. Pickup is anytime November 25 before 8pm!
Desserts & Bakery
The unsung favorite among families—Thanksgiving desserts! Whether you’re craving chocolate, apple crumble, fresh-baked bread, or all the pies, these options will satisfy your holiday sweet-tooth.
Champaign
Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch
Have you ever ordered ahead from Curtis Orchard’s bakery? Those apple cider donuts might be the perfect way to kick off Thanksgiving this year, so consider ordering them online! Each order needs 24 hours’ notice, so call and make sure you can get your sweets in time (note: order-ahead policies may be subject to change for the holiday season). On top of donuts, they also bake a number of pies and cobblers to order, so don’t delay.
Urbana
Good Judys Espresso & Bagel Bar
While you're preparing the afternoon feast, let Good Judys take care of breakfast! Pre-order their rave-worthy, C-U style bagels—including plain, garlic & sea salt, and cinnamon sugar—and bulk beverages like hot coffee, cold brew, and more by November 24 by end of day. Pick up your bagel-box order on Thanksgiving Day, 6–9am—they’ll be serving coffee drinks and bagels and schmears then, too (full sandwich menu not available), so you can fuel up for the day ahead!
savoy
RegCakes
Gluten-free baking goodness! Enjoy fully baked dinner rolls, homemade stuffing mix, pumpkin cake rolls, fall cookie boxes, and cinnamon rolls! If you’re itching to get December’s festivities going, you can also pre-order Christmas sugar cookie cutouts (read to decorate at home) or a gingerbread house kit. (NOTE: Some items are also dairy free or vegan.) Order online or call/text 217-417-8577 by November 14; pickup is November 24 and 25 between 10am and 5:30pm.
Monticello
Pies by Inge
Since 1990, Pies by Inge has brought their extensive collection of delicious downhome recipes from their family to yours. Their pies range from traditional pumpkin to bourbon chocolate pecan. Sugar-free and gluten-free options are also available. Order online today.
Flowers
Champaign
Delight Flower Farm
Brighten your holiday décor with seasonal flowers from Delight Flower Farm! The vibrant centerpieces are designed low and horizontally, perfect to keep on the table during your meal. No need to pre-order; just pick them up from Delight's farm stand from Tuesday, November 24 through Sunday, November 29, 10am–6pm (closed Thanksgiving Day).
BARS & ENTERTAINMENT
Urbana
Rose Bowl Tavern
Ian Shepherd & Friends: a Thanksgiving Day tradition! Bring your full bellies, family, and friends for this fun evening of music, 8 to 11pm. No cover! Tips for the band in the bucket!
Wishing you a restful, safe, and DELICIOUS Thanksgiving! If we missed a favorite, share it with us so we can add it. Many spots have limited quantities and special hours, so be sure to check menus, preorder deadlines, and pickup times before you go. A little planning (and a lot of gratitude for the teams working the holiday) goes a long way!