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Best Restaurants In Sacramento Open For Thanksgiving In 2012

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner at home is the way to go, especially if people bring over side dishes and desserts to help lessen your workload. However, if you are trying to prepare an entire dinner with side dishes, desserts and all, it can be a daunting task and a frustrating way to spend your holiday, which for some may be their only day off.

If you are considering skipping the hard work and would rather go out to enjoy a nice dinner without the hassle and fuss of cleaning all those dishes, consider one of these Sacramento-area restaurants open on Thanksgiving this year.

Firehouse
(credit: firehouseoldsac.com)

The Firehouse
1111 2nd St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-4772
www.firehouseoldsac.com

One of Sacramento's most beloved restaurants opens its doors for Thanksgiving diners from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Typically, The Firehouse has a special prix-fixe menu available, along with a special children's menu. Vegetarians looking to avoid the Thanksgiving Day turkey will find The Firehouse has options available for them as well. Reservations are required.

Morgan's Restaurant
(credit: morgans-restaurant.com)

Morgan's Restaurant
The Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel

1230 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 341-4100
www.morgans-restaurant.com

The Sheraton Grand's very popular spot, Morgan's Restaurant, offers an annual Thanksgiving buffet. Morgan's features 'California fresh cuisine' utilizing seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients. It has become one of the premier go-to spots for business lunches and also for romantic dinners. If you are looking for a quaint spot for Thanksgiving, Morgan's won't disappoint. Big windows and Morgan's candle-lit ambiance make for an unforgettable holiday evening. Expect to find six different stations to choose from with options from seafood to desserts. Adults should expect to pay $49 whereas the children can dine for $24.50. Children ages five and younger eat for free.

Related: Best Autumn Desserts In Sacramento

The Porch
(credit: theporchsacramento.com)

The Porch
1815 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-2423
www.theporchsacramento.com

A relative newcomer to Sacramento's dining scene, The Porch is staying open on Thanksgiving and will be serving up high-quality southern food for those looking for some real comfort. Menu staples include buttermilk fried free-range chicken, BBQ shrimp & grits, shrimp po'boy and shrimp purloo. Be sure to add sides like creamy organic cheddar grits, bourbon bacon collard greens, Carolina red rice and sweet potato fries. If there are any ingredients you are curious about, The Porch has listed all its providers on the website, making it very easy to know where everything from the beef to the vinegar comes from.

Formaggio Taverna
(credit: formaggiorestaurant.com)

Formaggio Taverna & Patio
Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova
11211 Point E. Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
(916) 267-6755
www.formaggiorestaurant.com

Forego tradition altogether and consider a mix of turkey and Italian. Head to the Sacramento Marriott in Rancho Cordova. Its Formaggio Taverna & Patio is offering a special menu for Thanksgiving this year. Open 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., enjoy a salad and dessert buffet and choose from entrees like turkey, prime rib, salmon and butternut squash ravioli. Prices start at $29 for adults and $14.50 for children.

Related: Best Night Before Thanksgiving Bars

Zinfandel Grille
(credit: zinfandelgrille.com)

Zinfandel Grille
2384 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 485-7100
www.zinfandelgrille.com

The Zinfandel Grille will be open on Thanksgiving from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Located a short distance from downtown, Zinfandel Grille features a Mediterranean-style menu with a wide variety of options. Look for appetizers, salads, wood oven-fired pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, meats, seafood and of course, delectable desserts. And, men might be swayed to visit Zinfandel Grille on Thanksgiving as it does have several Plasma TVs in the bar area so you may still be able to catch Thanksgiving Day football.

Erin De Santiago is a freelance travel and food/wine writer and photographer from Sacramento, California. She is a regional membership coordinator for the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and writes for a number of publications in addition to publishing her own blogs. She has traveled to over 40 countries on five continents in search of the best food and wine around the globe. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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