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Which restaurants are open on Thanksgiving this year?

Because there is absolutely no obligation to cook a full Thanksgiving meal.
/ Source: TODAY

Thanksgiving is meant to be a day for spending time with loved ones and celebrating everything for which you are grateful. But it can quickly turn from a celebration into a high-stress environment with all the hours spent laboring over the stove in the name of a perfect meal.

Whether you’re simply not into cooking or would rather save yourself the hassle, there are plenty of restaurants across the country that are not only open on Thanksgiving Day, but also serving up special holiday meals.

And if eating out on Turkey Day isn’t your thing, some of these restaurants are offering a holiday feast that can be ordered in advance and only require you to heat it up and serve. What could be easier than that?

The meal prices and Thanksgiving Day hours may vary by location, so make a quick call to your local spot before heading there for the holiday.

Which restaurants are open on Thanksgiving 2019?

Applebee's: Open

Many Applebee's restaurants across the country are open on Thanksgiving but some will have different holiday hours. A spokesperson for the chain advised diners call ahead before heading out to dinner.

Bahama Breeze: Open

Select locations of the Island Grille will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and will be serving up a tropical twist on the classic holiday meal. Bahama Breeze's Thanksgiving Dinner features sliced turkey with sides like callaloo, green beans, cornbread stuffing and cranberry-pineapple chutney, starting at $19.99. Pumpkin Praline Pie will also be available for dessert exclusively on this day, starting at $6.29 per slice.

Bob Evans: Open

The homey chain will be open until 8 p.m. and offers several options for a pre-made Thanksgiving meal, both to go and to be enjoyed in the restaurant. The chain's Farmhouse Feast can feed the whole family, including turkey or ham and all the sides, starting at $54.99 and is available for delivery or pick-up. Or if you’d rather leave the prep work to the pros, there’s a $15 dine-in special on Thanksgiving Day that includes a main course, three sides, endless bread and a slice of pie. Turkey with dressing is available, but people can also opt for hickory-smoked ham or country-fried steak. Side options include mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans with ham and more. A smaller version of the meal is available for kids is $7. See full Thanksgiving Day menu here.

Boston Market: Open

Boston Market is known for their chicken, but they get into the swing of things on Thanksgiving as well. Boston Market will be open for Thanksgiving and will be serving a special menu with a choice of slices of roasted turkey breast or rotisserie chicken, along with two sides, a dinner roll and your choice of pumpkin or apple pie. Side dishes include mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, sweet corn and vegetable stuffing. An individual meal is $13.99; a feast for three is $39.

Buca di Beppo: Open

For an Italian twist on Thanksgiving classics, visit your local Buca di Beppo, which has several options to suit your needs, including Thanksgiving catering starting at $199 for 10 people or Thanksgiving dinner to go, starting at $68.99 for three people. You can also dine in on a meal of sliced white meat turkey, homestyle gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Chart House: Open

The seafood restaurant known for its amazing views will be offering a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day. Call ahead to see which locations are participating and hours of a specific location.

Chevy’s Fresh Mex: Open

The TexMex fast-casual dining chain is offering a three-course Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at select locations. The feast starts with a mixed greens salad followed by roasted turkey with mole sauce, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, jalapeño-cheddar bread and cranberry sauce. There's even mini pumpkin pies for dessert.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Open

For 50 years, Cracker Barrel has been serving customers convenient options to make Thanksgiving Day more enjoyable, and this year will be no different. There’s a Heat n’ Serve Holiday Family Meal To-Go, a complete Thanksgiving meal that serves 10 people and can be prepared in two hours or less for $124.99. The restaurant recommends ordering it in advance. There’s also a Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressing or Country Fried Turkey dish that is a fun Southern spin on the tradition available for those who dine in.

Denny’s: Open

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the diner will be serving a special Sweet Holiday Delights Menu and the Festive Holiday Feasts Menu, including both dinner and breakfast options. Some highlights are the Cinnamon Roll Pancake Breakfast and a Turkey and Dressing Dinner, which comes with carved turkey breast, savory stuffing, turkey gravy, and cranberry sauce, two sides and bread. The chain is also getting in on the carry-out action with its Turkey and Dressing Dinner Pack, available for both Thanksgiving and Christmas at participating locations. People are encouraged to reserve it 24 hours in advance.

Golden Corral: Open

Known for its extensive buffet available year-round, this chain has even more options for the holiday season. Golden Corral’s Holiday Feast, which is already available for a limited time, includes options like roasted turkey, spiced ham, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce and candy cane cheesecake or chocolate candy cane cake.

Hometown Buffet: Open

Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, the buffet chain will have a special holiday menu with items such as carved turkey and ham, holiday dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, honey cornbread and pumpkin and pecan pie.

McCormick and Schmicks: Open

The steakhouse is serving a roasted turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day for $29.50. It includes butternut squash bisque or walnut mixed greens, cornbread stuffing, apple squash casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, seasonal vegetables and cranberry sauce. If you’re looking for something lighter, you can always order individual items from the chain’s holiday à la carte menu.

Mimi's Cafe: Open

All of the locations of this Southern chain will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and they will be serving a three-course meal for $20. Start with your choice of soup or salad, followed by a traditional Thanksgiving spread and end it with a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie. Mimi’s Café also has a take-home feast option for $105.

Ruth's Chris Steak House: Open

Sure, you can enjoy the steak and sides, but they will also be offering a traditional three-course meal with oven-roasted turkey and homemade gravy.

Seasons 52: Open

Seasons 52, a fresh grill and wine bar, will offer traditional favorites like roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, herb stuffing and more starting at $29.95 and $14 for children.

Ted's Montana Grill: Open

Ted's Montana Grill is known for their burgers and steaks, but they'll be open on Thanksgiving and all about the turkey. They will be serving a 3-course Traditional Roast Turkey Feast that includes everything from garlic mashed potatoes to buttered carrots, gravy, cranberry sauce and, obviously, turkey. You'll just have to call ahead to reserve your table.

Waffle House: Open

Luckily for diners, this chain never closes ... except under rare circumstances, like a major storm. Every single Waffle House restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While they won’t be serving up anything special for Thanksgiving Day, the tried and true classics, like Papa Joe's Pork Chops and plenty of pie options, including pecan and triple chocolate, will satisfy fans of the chain.