Where you can eat, drink and be merry before, during and after Thanksgiving

The long Thanksgiving weekend obviously centers around the big day Thursday, but there’s plenty to do beyond that. Here are some ways to enjoy the days surrounding the day, as well as a few more restaurants offering Thanksgiving specials to go along with our list last week.

Thanksgiving Eve

Want to enjoy a night out before spending Thursday at home in the kitchen? Sayulita Taco, Mariscos and Tequila Bar in Rolling Meadows will celebrate its one-year anniversary from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, with a tequila and mezcal dinner featuring Maracame Tequila and Mezcal Nomada. The $60 three-course meal is highlighted by an ancho-marinated mahi mahi cooked in banana leaf.

It should come as no surprise that Thanksgiving Eve is one of the five busiest days of the year for pizza orders. DwellSocial is bringing one of Chicago’s most acclaimed pizzas to the suburbs to help impress your out-of-town guests.

You can order Pequod’s Pizza, a top finisher nationally in a variety of pizza polls, throughout the suburbs in the days prior to Thanksgiving, either frozen or par-baked, depending on the day. Check the website for dates and details.

Over at Whirlyball, which has suburban locations in Naperville and Vernon Hills, they’re hosting a Hometown + Holiday Movie Trivia Night in addition to their normal offerings of bowling, laser tag and, of course, Whirlyball.

Moretti’s in Barrington is hosting a “Back In Black” Thanksgiving Eve dance party starting at 9 p.m. with a DJ and dancing until late.

Thanksgiving Day

Last week, we listed over 50 restaurants welcoming guests to spend Thanksgiving with them or to make it easier to host at home with carryout offers.

More offers have come in since, including Kona Grill’s island spin on Thanksgiving with macadamia nut-crusted turkey breast with miso mashed potatoes, sautéed green beans, shoyu cream sauce and ginger-yuzu-infused cranberry sauce for $38 per person. They’re also offering a traditional turkey dinner for $35 Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 28-Dec. 1.

And if you’re entertaining at home, there’s still time to order a complete meal from Real Urban Barbecue in Vernon Hills. You can order everything from sides to a whole smoked turkey. Or consider the $195 Thanksgiving package that includes a turkey, vegetables, mashed potatoes, salad and biscuits for 10 to 12 diners. Preorders close on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Bien Trucha Group is also offering to-go packages, both traditional and with their Mexican flair. A boneless turkey breast meal for four with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole and marmalade is $149. Or you could try their turkey chiles en nogada for four, which includes poblano peppers stuffed with shredded braised turkey breast in tomato sofrito, along with esquites and poblano rice for $110. Order a pumpkin tres leches cake for dessert for $35. Deadline to order is noon Sunday, Nov. 24, with pickup from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, from a toda madre (Glen Ellyn), Bien Trucha (Geneva), Bien Trucha Group Kitchen (Lombard) and Quiubo (Naperville).

Need to bring dessert for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving? Paris Baguette has baked up four new cakes for the holidays. Until Sunday, Dec. 1, you can order a double chocolate salted caramel layer cake, a cookies and cream chocolate ganache cheesecake, a 14-layer crepe cake, or a maple pecan layer cake. They have locations in Glenview, Naperville and Niles.

Black Friday

Kick off your Black Friday of shopping with an extra day of weekend brunch at Beatrix in Oak Brook. Grab a mimosa and chow down on dishes such as smashed avocado toast, chilaquiles or migas egg scramble.

Bar Louie also has extended brunch to Friday, Nov. 29, when they’ll be offering $3 mimosas and $15 beer pitchers from open to 3 p.m. at their locations in Bolingbrook, Naperville and Oakbrook Terrace.

Old Town Pour House Naperville will be tapping Goose Island Bourbon County Stout at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Patrons can enjoy this year’s release of the specialty beer, along with dishes from the new Chef Selects menu.

Buffalo Creek Brewing’s Alpine Biergarten returns starting on Black Friday, Nov. 29. Every year the Long Grove brewery transforms its grounds into a cozy winter wonderland inspired by the German Alps featuring Christmas-themed spaces, an outdoor bar, table service, and plenty of heat lamps and firepits to keep you warm. Try the Pumpkin Pie Ale and several other seasonal beers while enjoying live music and outdoor games.

If you’re shopping up in Northbrook, stop by Di Pescara for a happy hour break from 3-5 p.m. with $8 house martinis, $4 select beers and $5 glasses of wine to go with bar bites like the Di Burger ($8) or spicy tuna crispy rice ($6).

Finally, after a hard day of shopping, you can enjoy Libertyville’s tree lighting then head to Main Street Social for the Champagne Jam Wine Event from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. They’ll be pouring eight different champagnes as well as all the offerings from Bright Angel wines.