With the coronavirus pandemic still at the forefront of everyone’s minds, it’s guaranteed that Thanksgiving will look a bit different this year.
This year, as public health officials urge people to keep gatherings to a minimum, it appears as if many will take to the streets, either visiting restaurants for the traditional Turkey Day meal or ordering take out.
Here in the Santa Clarita Valley, while some are expected to stick to the status quo, others feel it’s the perfect opportunity to break from the usual traditions.
“We’re definitely keeping it small this year, and will only be having immediate family over,” Canyon Country resident Cassie Alexander said. “I don’t think it’s worth going all out cooking-wise this year, but still, it’s not Thanksgiving without a feast, so we’ll certainly be ordering in. It’s perfect, because not only is it less work, but we’ll be supporting a local restaurant at the same time.”
A number of these local restaurants are urging residents to leave the cooking to them this year, offering both to-go options, as well as dine in on Thanksgiving Day.
Salt Creek Grille
Salt Creek Grille is doing just that, with a dine in and to-go menus already available for reservation and pre-order.
In addition to a limited dinner menu, Salt Creek is offering a few Thanksgiving specials, including oven roasted turkey, served with garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, Kentucky pole beans, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy, or slow roasted prime rib, served with garlic mashed potatoes, Kentucky pole beans, creamy horseradish and au jus.
There are also a number of delicious to-go options.
Salt Creek suggests those interested call early for reservations or curbside pick up.
Salt Creek Grille is set to be open for dine in from noon to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, with take out available for pick up 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The restaurant is located at 24415 Town Center Drive, Suite 115, in Valencia.
For more information, visit Saltcreekgrille.com/Valencia or call 661-222-9999.
Old Town Junction
While not open for dine in, Old Town Junction is offering a Thanksgiving pick-up menu, with both hot and ready and oven-ready options available.
The menu, which feeds six to 10 people, includes slow-roasted, free-range turkey, broken down with whilte and dark meat, butter whipped potatoes, fennel sausage and cornbread stuffing, sugar glazed yams with marshmallows, cranberry orange chutney, roasted beet and green bean salad, and giblet gravy.
Additional side options, which feed two to four people, include roasted brussel sprouts with pancetta, creamy macaroni and cheese, as well as additional portions of fennel sausage and cornbread stuffing, sugar glazed yams, butter whipped potatoes, cranberry orange chutney, giblet gravy, and roasted beet and green bean salad.
Orders must be placed by 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. Old Town Junction is set to be open for take out only on Thanksgiving Day, with orders required to be picked up by 4:30 p.m. The restaurant is located at 24275 Main St. in Newhall.
For more information, visit theoldtownjunction.com or call 661-702-4888.
Smokehouse on Main
Smokehouse on Main is also closed Thanksgiving Day for dine in, but is offering turkey dinner pick-ups.
The menu is set to include a Turkey dinner special, which includes a 13-15 lbs. smoked turkey with four 1/4-pan side dishes.
Side dishes options include: macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, collared greens, baked beans, roasted corn, veggies, and a half-pan spring or caesar salad.
Customers also have the opportunity to order each of those options separately, as well as brisket or pork by the pound.
Thanksgiving dinner orders must be placed Monday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Nov. 20. Smokehouse on Main is set to be open for take out only on Thanksgiving Day, with orders required to be picked up between noon and 1 p.m. The restaurant is located at 24255 Main St. in Newhall.
For more information, visit smokehouseonmain.com or call 661-888-4585.
Olive Terrace Bar and Grill
Olive Terrace Bar and Grill is set to be open for dine in on Thanksgiving Day, with an extensive special menu, as well as for take out, with choices of hot and ready to serve or heat and ready to serve meals.
Entrees include free-range, organic, slow-roasted turkey, roast prime rib or beef, braised short ribs, filet mignon, roasted peking duck, grilled Norwegian salmon, grilled pork chop, rosemary and thyme rack of lamb, roasted leg of spring lamb, as well as other Olive Terrace favorites.
All entrees on the restaurant’s Thanksgiving menu includes soup or salad and dessert, and are served with a holiday bread basket and choice of two sides, which include mashed potatoes, green beans casserole, cream of corn, brussels sprouts, roasted vegetables and candied yams.
The take-out menu includes a traditional family-style meal, with choices of holiday baked goods, a seasonal fall salad, a choice of two sides, apple or pumpkin pie slices and some of the special menu entrees, including slow-roasted turkey, roast prime rib or beef and lamb. Take-out options are offered in serving sizes of two, four, six or 10-12.
Olive Terrace Bar and Grill is set to be open for dine in from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, with pick ups for meals available noon to 3 p.m. or the day before. The restaurant is located at 28261 Newhall Ranch Road in Valencia.
For more information, visit oliveterracebarandgrill.com or call 661-257-7860.
