2023 Thanksgiving Day Restaurant Openings and Catering Options in the Champaign-Urbana Area
Thanksgiving is a busy day for families, and not just for those who are cooking! Whether you're looking to dine out, order catering for the family, or satisfy that holiday sweet-tooth, here's a guide of places & caterers that you could grab a meal on Thanksgiving!
Due to demands and inventory of various storefronts & restaurants, this list is likely to change and grow. Do you know of a restaurant we are missing? Email our Communications Manager at marcusf@experiencechampaign.org so he can add it to the list!
WHAT RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN ON THANKSGIVING DAY IN THE CHAMPAIGN-URBANA AREA
If you're looking for a restaurant or bar to visit on Thanksgiving Day, then here's your list of all of the spots to consider in-town!
605 S. Wright St., Champaign | 217-344-1500
Hours Open: 11:00 a.m. - 03:00 p.m., 04:30 p.m. - 09:45 p.m.
120 N. Walnut, Champaign | 217-398-1532
Hours Open: 8:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m.
1813 N. Neil St., Champaign | 217-356-1006
Hours Open: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
119 W. Water St., Urbana | 217-367-8175
Hours Open: 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
2101 N. Kenyon Rd., Urbana | 217-344-9087
Hours Open: Check website for hours
702 W. Town Center Blvd., Champaign | 217-359-7044
Hours Open: 24 Hours
1702 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign | 217-398-6900
Hours Open: 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
1803 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign | 217-398-6800
Hours Open: 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge
6 E Columbia Ave, Champaign
Hours Open: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
134 W. Church St., Champaign | 217-552-1834
Hours Open: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
1510 S. Neil St., Champaign | 217-352-5399
Hours Open: 6:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
301 N. Neil St., Champaign | 217-531-1150
Thanksgiving Buffet: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Reservations strongly recommended (last table to take around 3-3:30)
1609 W. Springfield Ave., Champaign | 217-351-1993
Hours Open: 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
741 Broadmeadow Rd., Rantoul | 217-893-0471
Open Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
2702 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign | 217-398-0821
Hours Open: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
1712 W Springfield Ave, Champaign | (217) 352-9911
Hours Open: 5:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
102 N Vine St, Urbana, IL 61802 | 217-344-4502
Hours Open: TBD
403-B N. Race St., Urbana | 217-344-2770
Open Hours: 5:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
810 W. Killarney St., Urbana | 217-328-1514
Open Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
CHAIN RESTAURANTs
Bob Evans is a favorite for homestyle cooking year-round, but you can also pre-order Thanksgiving dinner from this comfort restaurant. For more than 30 years, Bob Evans has been perfecting their slow-roasted turkey, so rest assured your Thanksgiving centerpiece is in good hands. You can also opt for a ham and an impressive array of sides that'll make everyone eating think it's homemade. With rolls, cranberry relish, mac and cheese, and more, your dinner table will be as full as your guests!
Whether you're looking for breakfast or lunch, Einsteins Bros. on University Ave will have your needs fulfilled! They house a variety of options such as bagel & shmear nosh boxes, breakfast sandwiches like the Farmhouse or the All Nighter, Tasty Turkey Lunch Sandwiches with a choice of chips or fruit cup, Joe-To-Go coffee jugs fit for 10+ people, and so much more. It's always good to order ahead of time, and you can do that here!
PLACES TO ORDER THANKSGIVING MEALS & CATERING IN THE CHAMPAIGN-URBANA AREA
Whether you're hosting your family, friends, or just the usual suspects around the dinner table, catering for Thanksgiving Day in Champaign County provides numerous options for you and yours!
This list will likely continue to grow and change, so please let us know what we're missing by emailing our Communications Manager at marcusf@experiencecu.org
Big Grove itself will not be open for Thanksgiving, but you can order full Thanksgiving meals featuring an 18lb Turkey, stuffing, street corn, mashed potatoes, and savory gravy—individual orders, sides, wine bottles, and their most recent barrel-pick Rye Whiskey!
You can email your menu selections to bar@biggrovetavern.com or call (217)239-3505 during business hours. Pick-up times will be scheduled from 4pm-8pm Wednesday 11/22, and from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
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 14lb turkey with a pint of cranberry sauce, with sides available for an additional cost. You can pick your order up at Project 47 on Thanksgiving from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Be sure to get your orders in—availability is limited and the deadline to order is November 18th!
To reserve your turkey, call Project 47 Smokehouse at (217) 586-3456. Payment is due when you order.
A favorite for Texas-style barbeque and smokehouse style cuisine, Hickory River Smokehouse in both Champaign and Urbana are offering Thanksgiving catering. Order by November 17th to secure an order of turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, green beans, gravy, and rolls. You can also bring home a smoked ham instead of a turkey if you choose!
Hickory River Smokehouse will be closed for normal service on Thanksgiving, however, they will be open for Thanksgiving pick-up orders from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Olde Time Meat and Deli is a Champaign staple and their turkeys are a favorite for many locals. You can order fresh, Amish, free-range birds by calling (217) 355-0000 to place your order.
Looking for sides to go along with your Thanksgiving turkey? Party in a Pinch Catering is offering green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato souffle,
Facebook | Website | #: 217-766-2031
Red Wheel Restaurant in Rantoul is ready to house your family, big or small—for Thanksgiving Day! Open from 7am-3pm, they have a back-room for bigger parties, as well as tables up front to push together. Their holiday specials include half ribs and sirloin steak, beer-battered cod, roasted pork and dressing, roasted turkey, pork, and ham for the kids, and so much more. To reserve your spot, you can call them at 217-893-0471. Otherwise, walk-ins are completely welcome!
Piato Café is offering options for catering this year 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 ordering system, everyone can get exactly what they want, which makes for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.
It's not all about dinner, however. Desserts at Piato for Thanksgiving are a staple of many who have ordered Turkey Day helpings for years. From spiced sweet potato pies to pumpkin bread pudding, the options at Piato are fit for an autumnal banquet. Call or email to order your meals today - the deadline for orders is November 18th at Noon. Pickup for orders are on November 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
DESSERTS
The unsung favorite among families—Thanksgiving desserts! Whether you’re craving chocolate, apple crumble, fresh-baked bread, or all of the pies, refer to these lists of businesses to satisfy your holiday sweet-tooth.
This list will likely continue to grow and change, so please let us know what we're missing by emailing our Communications Manager at marcusf@experiencecu.org
PEKARA BAKERY & BISTRO
Artisan rolls, pies & cakes, pastries, goodies from Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery and more await over at Pekara Bakery & Bistro! Their Holiday Pre-Order Page on their website has an image for every menu-item available so you don't have to guess. All holiday items are baked fresh with no preservatives, and you can check out the Central Illinois Bakehouse Bread Care Guide for storage best practices.
Orders must be placed at least 5 days in advance.
FLESOR’S CANDY
Flesor’s Candy will not be open during Thanksgiving, but they do have a wonderful selection of holiday-themed sweets for you and your family to indulge in! Stop on into their store and enjoy chocolate turkeys, caramel apples, chocolate cornucopias, seasonal gummies, and candy basket boxes! Don’t worry if you can’t make the trip out to Tuscola—they also sell their candies at Harvest Market in Champaign!
CURTIS ORCHARD
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 something from their website! Each order needs 24 hours notice, but rules and policies apply to ordering ahead, and may even change for the holiday, so call and make sure you can get your sweets in time! On top of donuts, they also bake a number of pies and cobblers to order, so don’t delay!
THE LITERARY
The Literary will not be open for Thanksgiving, but all throughout Thanksgiving week, they’re providing pastries, cocktail specials, and a delicious brunch menu that will keep you coming back for more.
HOPSCOTCH BAKERY + MARKET
If you’ve had Hopscotch baked goods, then you know why so many love ordering from them for Thanksgiving. This year's list of Thanksgiving options can be found at their Hopscotch Thanksgiving pre-order website. Favorites including pumpkin pie, Apple Cardamom Cranberry with Oat Streusel, Mini Brown Butter Pecan Pie, and more are back. You can also order challah, sweet potato bread pudding with marshmallows, and more to mix things up a bit.