Best Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving In Sacramento

Thanksgiving is the one American holiday built largely around food, and a specific type of food at that. The traditional presentation is pure Norman Rockwell – friends and family gathered around the dining room table for the iconic meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. But executing that classic celebration requires plenty of planning, organization, expense, clean-up and time, the latter of which could otherwise be spent enjoying your loved ones. There are many benefits to starting a new tradition by enjoying an excellent restaurant feast on the holiday, so that everyone can be thankful without spending all day in the kitchen.

The Firehouse Restaurant
1112 2nd St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-4772
www.firehouseoldsac.com

The elegant, upscale Firehouse has earned a sterling reputation for its cuisine, presentation, ambiance and customer service. Reservations are needed for the special four-course holiday dinner, available from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Guests can choose from different course options, and vegetarian dishes can be made as well. The tantalizing offerings include a first-course choice of either wild mushroom tartlet or a savory pudding made with sweet corn, Dungeness crab and Bay shrimp. Third-course selections include herb roasted turkey breast with pecan and spiced apple stuffing, rainbow trout, prime rib or hazelnut pork chop. Save room for desserts, including a creamy profiterole pastry served with pumpkin mousse. Dinner is $17.95 for children and $49.95 for adults.

Related: Best Pumpkin Dishes In Sacramento

Flame & Fire
963 Pleasant Grove Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 790-5750
www.flameandfire.com

This Brazilian steakhouse just opened in the summer of 2014, but is already getting rave reviews. Traditional American Thanksgiving foods are available during the holiday hours of 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., as are the churrascaria rotisserie meats, gourmet salads and Brazilian desserts that are served every day. Options include skewers of picanha beef, chicken, lamb and filet mignon, as well as dishes such as the Brazilian bean stew feijoada, pao de queijo cheese bread, cinnamon roasted pineapple and palmito potato salad. Diners can enjoy any and all of these items during the same meal, rather than having to choose just one to try.

Ten22
1022 2nd St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-2211
www.ten22oldsac.com

Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are the keys to culinary success at Ten22, and the Old Sacramento restaurant's staff can suggest the perfect beer or wine to perfectly complement your meal. The farm-to-table Thanksgiving repast, served from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., offers tempting choices for each of the four courses. Selections include a cinnamon, pear and pumpkin bisque, cranberry and farmer cheese fondue and a bacon, spinach and butternut squash salad. Choose a free-range turkey breast with brandy, almond and apricot stuffing, or opt for courses such as organic squash risotto with black truffles, Superior Farms' leg of lamb or roasted Duroc pork shoulder. Pumpkin cheesecake or chocolate mousse round out the meal, which costs $34.95 for adults. A kid-friendly menu is also available at $10.22 per child.

Sacramento River Train
400 N. Harbor Blvd.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
(800) 866-1690
www.sacramentorivertrain.com

The whole family will love this unique holiday experience, enjoying a traditional turkey dinner with all of the fixings on a good old-fashioned train ride. The train travels at a leisurely pace for 28 miles, riding the rails between Woodland and West Sacramento. The ticket price for adults, $93 per person, includes dinner, coffee, soda, a champagne toast and the three-hour train ride. Beer, wine and champagne can also be purchased separately. Children from ages two to 12 can ride, have dinner and explore the train for $47, or less for younger kids.

Scott's Seafood on the River
4800 Riverside Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 379-5959
www.scottsseafood.net

Scott's Seafood has a special holiday menu available for Thanksgiving Day, with breakfast served from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. that evening. A dinner of local Diestel Ranch turkey, $30 for adults and $14 for children, includes pancetta and sage stuffing, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, pumpkin cheesecake and more. For those desiring something beyond the traditional poultry, other palate-pleasing tastes include fresh Dungeness crab Louis, wild prawn fettuccine, medallions of filet mignon, lobster, scallops, jerk swordfish and skirt steak.

Related: Best Chocolate Shops In Sacramento

Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.