In this eighth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing that a lot of us can agree on is that we have probably cooked more in 2020 than we have in our entire lives. Well, if you’re burned out in the kitchen and are dreading having to cook for your family this Thanksgiving, sit back and allow one of these amazing restaurants or caterers to create something special for you and your family (listed alphabetically):
Emeche’ Cakery and Cafe, Chef Janell Richmond, https://www.emechecakeryandcafe.com/, 3453 S Prairie, Chicago IL 60616. 50% Deposit Required. All orders must be placed by 11/21/20. Pick up on 11/23 and 11/24. To order, call 312-265-1249 or email info@emechecakeryandcafe.com.
Whole Bundt Cakes: Lemon or Sour cream pound cake ($35); Sweet potato pound cake ($45); Rum butter cake ($50); Apple brandy ($55); Bourbon pecan pound cake ($65); Whole Pies: Sweet potato or Key Lime ($20); Pecan pie with cognac cream sauce ($30); By the Half Pan: Banana Pudding ($40) / Vegan Banana Pudding ($50); Peach Cobbler ($45); Crown Peach-infused peach cobbler ($60); Dinner Rolls: Herb garlic, Honey butter, or plain (one dozen, $10)
Evelyn’s Food Love, Chef Evelyn Shelton, http://evelynsfoodlove.com/, 5522 S State Street, Chicago, IL 60621. Thanksgiving dinner for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 guests. Half pans or just a plate! Prices start at $16 per person. Place an order by 11/20. Pick up on 11/25. To order, call 872-818-5557.
The Entrees: Cajun smothered turkey wing; Dry rubbed and roasted chicken; Brown sugar glazed baked ham; Roasted or deep-fried Cornish hens; Baked Lasagna (Veggie, Turkey or Italian Sausage); The Sides: Dressing, Mac & Cheese, Candied Sweets, Greens, Cabbage, Garlic Green Beans, Black-eyed Peas, and Red Beans & Rice. All come with Hushpuppies or dinner rolls. Veggie Plates are also available. Need dessert too? No problem! Pound cake slices, cookie buttercream cake, coconut limoncello, carrot cake, yum!
Food Hefner Catering, Chef Greg Brooks. To order, email foodhefnercatering@gmail.com. All orders must be paid for by 11/22/20. Pickups 11/25, unless otherwise specified.
Main Dishes: Fried Turkey, $75 (Butter Cajun or Honey Jerk); Turkey Breast, $50; Herbed Roast, $75-$100; The Sides: Lobster & Shrimp Mac (half pan, $100; whole pan, $200); Mac & Cheese (half pan, $60; whole pan, $100); Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Duck Bacon (half, $75; whole, $150); All other sides, half pan $45 and whole pan $80 – Herbed cornbread cranberry dressing, Roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Ginger glazed carrots, Sauteed mixed greens (with or without smoked turkey)
KIS Soul Food Catering, Chef Aisha Robinson. To order, email kissoulfood@gmail.com or text 708-845-0552.
The Meats: Jerk Turkey w/jerk sauce, $70 (up to 14lbs); Deep-fried turkey (up to 14lbs), $60; Sliced Honey ham, $50; The Sides (sold in small, half or full pans, starting from $25): Greens / Cabbage / Green Beans (all with turkey meat), Sweet Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Cornbread Dressing, Turkey Lasagna (or without meat), Potato Salad; The Sweets: Sweet Potato Pie, $15; Banana Pudding and Peach Cobbler, starting at $30.
Outside the Box Catering (OTB), Tameka Jones. To order their popular Heat & Serve Thanksgiving meal, visit their website at https://outsidethebox.catering/delivery/ols/products/heat-serve-thanksgiving-meals.
OTB’s Classic Thanksgiving Dinner, $249, includes Cajun Butter Baked Turkey, Rosemary Garlic Butter Baked Chicken, 3-Meat Lasagna, Dressing, Mac & Cheese, Grandma’s Greens, Potato Salad
OTB’s Premium Thanksgiving Dinner, $399, includes Cajun Butter Baked Turkey, Roasted Garlic Butter Lamb Chops, Honey BBQ Salmon, Mac & Cheese, Sauteed Spinach, Smashed Potatoes & Gravy
Baby Spinach & Apple Pecan Salad. Both dinners feed 6-8 people. You can also order Thanksgiving Enhancements like Buffalo Chicken Dip, Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie, Banana Pudding, and more.
Southern Hospitality Catering, Tanya White, affectionately known as Chef T, located inside The Hatchery, 135 N Kedzie, Chicago IL 60612. To place an order, call 312-872-7222, or to see their full menu offerings, visit their website under ‘Special Promotions’ at www.southernhospitalitychi.com.
Small Feast, $299 – feeds up to 15 people and includes 1 entree, 2 sides, and 1 vegetable;
Large Feast, $399 – feeds up to 30 people and includes 2 entrees, 3 sides, and 2 vegetables.
A la carte menu and other offerings are also available.
Entrees: Turkey, Ham, Cornish Hens, Baked Chicken (jerk, option); Sides: Mac & Cheese, Dressing, Yams, Spaghetti, Smashed potatoes, and Cajun rice; Vegetables: Greens, Spicy Broccoli, Green beans, Asparagus, Spinach, and Fried Corn
Virtue Restaurant, Chef Erick Williams, https://www.virtuerestaurant.com/, 1462 E 53rd Street, Chicago, IL 60615. To view their full menu offerings and to place your Thanksgiving order, visit https://www.toasttab.com/virtue/v3.
The Feast, $189, includes a complete southern Thanksgiving Meal (feeds 4-6). Half brined & roasted turkey, collard greens, giblet gravy, candied yams, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, pecan pie. Just the Bird, 15lb turkey, $79.
The restaurant industry has taken a terrible hit this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to support a local, Black-owned dining establishment or caterer for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. Let these fine chefs and restaurants ease your kitchen craziness and allow you more time and energy to spend with your family. Please note: All specials are subject to availability and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t procrastinate – place your order today!
Kim Durden is a food blogger and owner of Divine Dine Food Tours, the first and only entirely Black, woman-owned food tour agency in Chicago. Visit her website at https://www.divinedine.online/ and follow her on social media: Facebook @divinedinefoodietours | Instagram @divinedinefoodietours | Twitter @divinedinetours