The Thanksgiving Shopping Guide To Chicago 2014 | Tasting Table CHI
Your no-stress guide to T-Day shopping in Chicago
Stressed out about your Thanksgiving Day plans? Don't be—from where to buy a turkey to where to dine out if you don't want to cook, our Thanksgiving Survival Guide: Chicago Edition has you covered.
Where to drink on Black Wednesday
Take the pre-holiday edge off with a special bourbon flight ($18) at Chicago q. It'll be available 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Black Wednesday, and includes three Wild Turkey bourbons served neat on a silver tray, accompanied by an eye-dropper filled with purified water to open up the liquor's flavor profile without diluting it too much.
Where to buy a turkey
Frontier, Chicago's go-to for whole-animal services, is selling whole smoked Amish turkeys ($75 for 15 pounds, $95 for 20 pounds), available for pickup between 9 a.m. and noon on Thanksgiving Day. Orders must be placed by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24; limited quantities available.
Where to buy sides
For "everything but the bird," look no further than Honey Butter Fried Chicken's drool-inducing selection of holiday sides. Order your choice of apple, cheddar and collard greens stuffing ($38), whipped sweet potato with balsamic marshmallows ($35), corn muffin bread ($12) and more by Sunday, November 23, at 5 p.m., and pick it up between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26. All sides serve approximately 10 to 12 people. Email here to place your order.
Where to buy pie
Thanks to a user-friendly online ordering system, it's easy as, well, you know what to order something sweet from Bang Bang Pie. Choose from roasted pumpkin, chocolate pecan or key lime pie ($26 each), and schedule pickup for November 24, 25 or 26.
Where to buy wine
Stop by Provenance Food & Wine in Lincoln Square sometime before the big day to scoop up a few bottles. The independent shop specializes in affordable, sustainably produced wines, so you need not worry about breaking the bank before you even get into holiday-shopping mode.
Where to dine out
Head to Michelin-starred Acadia between 1 and 7 p.m. for an elegant five-course meal ($75 per person, $50 extra for wine pairings) from chef Ryan McCaskey, who's putting an upmarket twist on traditional Thanksgiving dishes—think turducken, duck egg Lyonnaise and pumpkin beignets. Call for reservations.