Who’s Open for Dinner on Thanksgiving?
A reader, Betty, of the website Chowhound.com for “those who live to eat” wonders what Ann Arbor area restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving. She’ll be in town for a brief visit, and the alternative to going out to eat a Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant doesn’t sound attractive: “[T]hree people eating takeout in a dorm room doesn’t sound very appetizing!”
The readers at Chowhound.com provide some ‘usual suspects’ suggestions, but as of Nov. 19, Betty said she’s starting fresh with the search. Part of that effort included contacting The Chronicle with her query. She adds parenthetically: “Other cities list such things on their CVB sites or in the paper.”
Oh, boy. Betty knows how to get Ann Arbor’s competitive juices flowing – like butter basting on a big ol’ turkey in the oven. It’s time for Ann Arbor area restaurants and Chronicle readers to get on the (drum)stick and list out places that’ll be open for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Comments are open.
First reader to point out that Ann Arbor has been ranked as one of the best U.S. cities for Thanksgiving dinner gets a mashed potato pie in the face.
We’re heading to Weber’s this year, and have reservations, so I know they’re open. Also, I’m pretty sure Haab’s (yes, it’s Ypsi, but you did write “Ann Arbor area”) is serving a Thanksgiving special, and it’s hard to go wrong there.
Thanks for the tips, CMadler. I called those two restaurants to get a bit more info:
Weber’s (3050 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor) is open from noon til 9:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving. They strongly suggest making reservations, saying it was likely to be “very busy.” Phone: 665-3636
Haab’s (18 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) is open from 11 a.m. til 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Reservations are a good idea for large parties. Phone: 483-8200
Just wanted to mention that there are two generous Ann Arbor businesses offering community free meals on Thanksgiving Day (from 10:00 am-2:00 pm) for folks in need: Cottage Inn on William St in downtown Ann Arbor and Bistro Bar and Grill on 4735 Washtenaw Ave.
I’ve been to Weber’s on Thanksgiving and yes it’s very busy. They seat most people in the downstairs banquet room which is a bit institutional. Waiters bring big platters of turkey to the table which you then pass around family style. The other food comes from a buffet table and there can be long lines. It’s not as good as mom’s cooking but I guess I would recommend it.
Our first day in Ann Arbor was on a snowy Thanksgiving and even the hotel restaurant was closed. We drove glumly around the darkened town thinking of vending machines till we happened up William and there was Raja Rani lit up and looking like a wedding cake.
I just called and they are open this year on Thanksgiving too, for lunch and dinner (closed between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00). Not turkey with the trimmings but guaranteed to be warming.
The Gandy Dancer is open on Thanksgiving.
I can also report on Ann Arbor restaurants that are closed on t-giving day:
Eve
Vinology
Cafe Zola
Main Street Ventures (i.e., The Chop House, Palio, Gratzi, Real Seafood Company)
I cannot report on rankings–official or unofficial–of Ann Arbor’s status as a Thanksgiving dinner restaurant city.
We have gone to Haab’s in Ypsilanti the last couple years on Thanksgiving and I would highly recommend making reservations as the place has been packed. Great traditional Thanksgiving food in a really nice, warm atmosphere.