Feast without the fuss: Where to dine out in the suburbs on Thanksgiving 2018

If you feel like your life is jam-packed with activities, take a break this Thanksgiving and let someone else do the cooking and clean up. Namely, a suburban restaurant. Once you make your reservation, all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy Thursday, Nov. 22, with family and friends.

Here's a sampling of restaurants where you can do just that.

Blossom Cafe

8349 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, (708) 453-5300 or theblossomcafe.com/. Feast on turkey with all the trimmings, plus homemade pumpkin pie from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The traditional feast, which costs $18.99, also will be available for carry out. Or dine from the regular menu. Reservations suggested.

The Capital Grille

87 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 627-9800, and 5340 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 671-8125 or thecapitalgrille.com/. Make reservations now for Thanksgiving dinner featuring slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, French green beans with Marcona almonds, cranberry pear chutney and Sam's mashed potatoes to share from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. $42 adults, $15 kids. For dessert, pumpkin cheesecake is $10. The full dinner menu also will be available.

Chandler's Chophouse

401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, (847) 885-9009 or chandlerschophouse.com/thanksgiving-dinner-at-chandlers/. Enjoy a special a la carte Thanksgiving menu from noon to 8 p.m. Chandler's traditional turkey dinner (seasoned oven-roasted turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, candied yams and cranberry sauce) is $23.99 for adults and $11.99 for kids. Other chef's specialties include Parmesan-crusted halibut, Tuscan garlic chicken roulade, prime rib, lobster mac and cheese, twin filet Oscar, barbecue baby back ribs, pumpkin pie and more. Sip on a specialty cranberry vodka cosmo for $5. Reservations are highly recommended.

Chessie's Restaurant

200 Applebee St., Barrington, (847) 382-5020 or chessies-restaurant.com/. Seatings for the Thanksgiving buffet dinner will be at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m. Choose from a bounty of peel-and-eat Gulf shrimp, slow-roasted turkey with gravy, honey-baked ham, salmon with honey bourbon sauce, country sage and sausage stuffing, hot cinnamon rolls, sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate mousse cups and more. Adults $32.95, kids 12 and younger $14.95. Reservations recommended.

Chicago Prime Italian

1370 Bank Drive, Schaumburg, (847) 240-1414 or chicagoprimeitalian.com/thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving Day menu, which will be served family-style, will include options such as fried calamari or asiago spinach crab fondue; house or Caesar salad; a pasta course of rigatoni vodka, cavatappi Alfredo or penne marinara; main course options (plated) of roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, sage stuffing and giblet gravy, roasted pork, broiled salmon, eggplant Parmesan or gnocchi; sides of sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts or mashed potatoes; and for dessert, pumpkin pie, apple or cherry strudel, pecan pie or cannoli. Adults $43.95, kids 12 and younger $19.95, not including tax and gratuity. The regular menu will not be served. Reservations required.

CityGate Grille

2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, (630) 718-1010 or citygategrille.com/. Four courses, sit-down service and unlimited servings. The special Thanksgiving dinner from 1 to 5 p.m. features a choice of potato leek with bacon soup or avgolemono; salad; entrees like traditional roasted turkey and gravy, brown sugar-glazed smoked ham with pineapple glaze or prime rib; sides like brioche stuffing or roasted honey-glazed sweet potatoes; and dessert of pumpkin pie or vanilla cheesecake with candied pecans and caramel. Adults $47, kids 6-12 $23, and free for kids 5 and younger. Reservations required.

The Clubhouse

298 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 472-0600 or theclubhouse.com/event/thanksgiving-2018/. Reserve your spot for The Clubhouse's Thanksgiving buffet, which runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fill up on items from the carving station (roast turkey, honey-baked ham and prime rib), pasta station, signature entrees (turducken, vodka pasta, chicken Marsala, pecan-crusted tilapia), sides (red-skin mashed potatoes, sage sausage stuffing, creamed spinach), salads, cheeses, fruits, raw bar (fresh oysters, Jonah crab claws), children's buffet and desserts (chocolate fountain, assorted tarts and pastries). Adults $49.95, kids 6-12 $24.95, and free for kids 5 and younger.

Cooper's Hawk

Locations in Arlington Heights, Burr Ridge, Naperville, South Barrington, St. Charles and Wheeling. chwinery.com/. Thanksgiving dinner includes butternut squash soup, slow-roasted turkey with pan gravy, housemade sides like traditional stuffing, roasted green beans and carrots, Mary's potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet creamed corn and spiced pumpkin cheesecake. Adults $28.99, kids 12 and younger $12.99. Pair dinner with chenin blanc Gewurtzraminer for $8 or cranberry sangria for $7.25 a glass or $23.99 a pitcher. Reservations recommended.

D'Andrea Banquets

Routes 14 and 31, Crystal Lake, (815) 459-7234, dandreabanquets.com/. Dine on a Thanksgiving Day buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The feast includes roast turkey, apple raisin dressing, roast sirloin of beef, baked ham with fruit sauce, barbecue ribs, lemon butter baked cod, roast loin of pork, glazed sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked mostaccioli with marinara, a variety of salads, a traditional dessert table and more. Adults $26; kids 3-10 $10.95; free for kids younger than 3; plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required.

Di Pescara

2124 Northbrook Court, Northbrook, (847) 498-4321 or di-pescara.com/events/thanksgiving-at-di-pescara/. Leave the Thanksgiving cooking to Di Pescara chef Mychael Bonner this year. Enjoy family-style dishes like crispy zucchini with lemon aioli, stuffed mushrooms with spinach and Parmesan, roasted Vermont turkey, sliced baked sweet potatoes, rosemary and sage stuffing and almond-crusted whitefish ($2 per person surcharge) and petite filet mignon ($6 per person surcharge). Dessert includes pumpkin pie with cinnamon whipped cream, apple crostata and triple chocolate cookies. Dinner is from noon to 7 p.m. Reservations required.

Dover Straits

890 E. Route 45, Mundelein, (847) 949-1550 or doverstraits.com/. From noon to 9 p.m., Dover Straits will be serving a traditional turkey dinner and all the trimmings. The regular menu and daily specials also will be available. Reservations recommended.

Eaglewood Resort & Spa

1401 Nordic Road, Itasca, (630) 694-5899 or eaglewoodresort.com/. Burnham's Restaurant will be serving up a buffet of carved whole-roasted turkey, cranberry Leinenkugel beer-braised beef short ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, traditional stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, a raw bar, specialty salads, pumpkin pie, red velvet cake martinis, bourbon pecan pie, a fried apple sugar cookie pie and ice cream station and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $41, kids 6-12 $19 and free for kids 5 and younger. Reservations strongly recommended.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse

960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, (847) 793-0333 or flemingssteakhouse.com/locations/il/lincolnshire. Starting at 11 a.m., diners can enjoy a three-course Thanksgiving feast that features mixed herb-roasted turkey breast or sliced beef tenderloin for $49 per person. Kids can have their own special three-course Thanksgiving meal for $19. Reservations required.

Francesca's By the River

200 S. Second St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8221 or miafrancesca.com/locations/profile/francescas-by-the-river. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, diners can enjoy an extensive buffet featuring salads, antipasti, fresh fruit, whipped Yukon Gold potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, gnocchi alla Bolognese, roasted fall veggies, oven-roasted sliced turkey breast, salt-crusted prime rib, seafood scampi and desserts such as pecan, apple, chocolate and pumpkin mini tarts. It's $46 for adults and $18 for kids 12 and younger. This is the only location hosting a buffet. Reservations recommended.

Francesca's

Francesca's Amici in Elmhurst, Francesca's Famiglia in Barrington, Francesca's Tavola in Arlington Heights, La Sorella Di Francesca in Naperville, Francesca's Passaggio in Naperville and Francesca's North in Northbrook: From noon to 7 p.m., these locations will be serving Thanksgiving Day specials such as roasted butternut squash and mascarpone cream soup; pumpkin-filled pasta; hand-carved turkey breast with traditional sage stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans and cranberries; porcini-rubbed rib-eye; and pumpkin pie, in addition to the regular menu. For details, see miafrancesca.com/. Reservations recommended.

Fogo de Chao

1824 Abriter Court, Naperville, (630) 955-0022, and 5460 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 678-7200, or fogodechao.com/. Come hungry to Fogo de Chao's Thanksgiving Day feast from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to the fire-roasted meats and Market Table offerings, nosh on roasted turkey breast, turkey au jus, cranberry relish, Brazilian sausage and apple dressing and sweet potato casserole. Dinner prices all day: $52.95 for adults, half price for kids 7-12, and free for kids 6 and younger. Make reservations at fogodechao.com/.

Harry Caray's

70 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 953-3400, and 10233 Higgins Road, Rosemont, (847) 699-1200, or harrycarays.com/. Thanksgiving specials abound at Harry Caray's this year. Try the butternut squash bisque, hand-carved roasted turkey ($33.95), 16-ounce herb-roasted prime rib of beef ($42.95) and an unlimited sides buffet featuring Parmesan mashed potatoes, marshmallow-crusted maple-bourbon sweet potatoes, orange-scented cranberry relish, Brussels sprouts with pancetta and more. Pumpkin pie and Fuji apple and cherry crisp round out the meal. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. in Lombard and noon to 8 p.m. in Rosemont. Reservations requested.

Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort

3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook, oakbrookhillsresortchicago.com/upcoming-events/thanksgiving. This year, dine on a Thanksgiving four-course pre-fixe menu in B. For $50, diners can choose from corn and wild rice chowder or roasted butternut squash soup; kale and roasted squash salad or celery root and apple risotto; roasted turkey roulade with maple bourbon turkey jus, garlic mashed potato, roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans and baby carrots or autumn herb-crusted salmon filet with Dijon cream sauce, fingerling potato hash, lightly creamed spinach and baby carrots; and for a sweet treat, apple tart or pumpkin creme brulee. The children's entree - roasted mac and cheese with turkey or chicken tenders with fries and barbecue sauce - is $9. Reservations required. Order tickets at eventbrite.com/.

Hotel Baker

100 W. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-2100 or hotelbaker.com/thanksgiving-buffet-feast-2018/. How does roasted Amish turkey with giblet gravy sauce, glazed smoked ham, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, glazed sweet potatoes and toasted marshmallows, dried fruit and sausage stuffing, squash and Parmesan gratin, penne pasta with chicken Bolognese sauce, pumpkin pie and red velvet cake sound? It all will be available on the Thanksgiving buffet from 1 to 5. Adults $45, kids 3-13 $23, and free for kids younger than 3. Reservations requested.

Johnny's Kitchen & Tap

1740 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, (847) 699-9999 or johnnysglenview.com/. Nosh on a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, plus homemade pumpkin pie and rice pudding, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner costs $18.95. Reservations recommended.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks

3001 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook, (630) 571-3700, and 5320 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 233-3776, or mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/thanksgiving.aspx. Make a reservation now to enjoy a roasted turkey dinner with butternut squash bisque, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread stuffing, apple squash casserole, seasonal vegetables and more. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Morton's The Steakhouse

1751 Freedom Drive, Naperville, (630) 577-1372; 699 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, (847) 205-5111; 9525 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, (847) 678-5155; and 1470 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg, (847) 413-8771. mortons.com/. Morton's will offer its regular menu from 1 to 9 p.m. Try some new specialties like Côte de Boeuf Bone-In USDA Prime Rib-eye brushed with garlic-herb butter ($125 for a 36-ounce steak) and Steak & Lobster Oscar with bearnaise sauce ($59). Sip on a new seasonal cocktail called the Holiday Bliss - a blend of Grey Goose Vodka, Passoa passion fruit liqueur, cranberry juice, lemon juice and topped with prosecco - for $17.

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille

5 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 571-1808 or perryssteakhouse.com/locations/il/chicago/oak-brook/. A special three-course prix fixe menu will be served from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For $49.95, the feast will start with a choice of butternut squash soup or honey crisp apple salad with dried cherries and maple syrup vinaigrette followed by roasted turkey breast with pan gravy and mashed potatoes, green bean almondine, sausage and sage cornbread stuffing and cranberry relish. Pumpkin Pie with Chantilly Cream is for dessert. Kids 12 and younger can dine for $15. The regular dinner menu will be available. Reservations are encouraged.

Pheasant Run Resort

4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6300 or pheasantrun.com/thanksgiving.aspx. An extensive Thanksgiving brunch, courtesy of executive chef Tiffany Tooker, will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once again, one of the highlights is a carving station featuring Vermont turkey with cornbread stuffing and a bone-in Virginia ham. The grand buffet includes breakfast and brunch items such made-to-order omelets and Corn Flake-crusted French toast; seasonal salads and seafood; artisan cheeses and breads; a pasta station; sides like sweet potato gratin, green bean casserole and homestyle garlic whipped potatoes; and desserts including pumpkin, pecan and sweet potato pies, an apple and cherry cobbler skillet station and more. Adults $42.95, kids 5-12 $16.95, and free for kids younger than 5. Reservations required.

Port Edward

20 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin, (847) 658-5441 or portedward.com/. Take the family to Port Edward's Thanksgiving Brunch, happening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $42, kids 5-11 $19 and free for kids younger than 5. Reservations are required.

Prairie Grass Cafe

601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, (847) 205-4433 or prairiegrasscafe.com/. The traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be available from 2:30 to 7 p.m. The menu includes a choice of butternut squash soup or organic mixed green salad, oven-roasted turkey served with mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, apple chestnut stuffing, sweet potato and butternut squash with homemade marshmallow topping, fresh vegetables, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, double chocolate cake and more. It's $59 per person. Call for reservations.

Restaurant Michael

64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, (847) 441-3100 or restaurantmichael.com/. Make reservations now to dine on a family-style Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 6 p.m. Start off with candied squash bisque with toasted brioche croutons, tossed baby greens and Restaurant Michael's Signature Warm Gougeres before moving on to a choice of brown sugar brined and roasted locally farmed turkey with pan gravy, slow-cooked beef short rib and potato ravioli Bordelaise or roasted tenderloin of Berkshire Farms pork tenderloin. Nosh on unlimited sides such as sweet potato gratin, sage and angus ground beef dressing (stuffing), creamy whipped mashed potatoes, green beans tossed with garlic and brioche bread crumbs and Grand Marnier toasted walnut cranberry compote. Each guest can enjoy all of the desserts: Warm poached pear financier, individual roasted pumpkin pie mascarpone cheesecake, cinnamon nutmeg gelato and Grand Marnier chocolate truffles. Adults $55, half-price for kids younger than 10. A $15 per guest deposit is required. Call for reservations.

Roka Akor

166 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 348-9210 or rokaakor.com/oak-brook/. Love sushi, but still enjoy turkey on Thanksgiving? Roka Akor is serving up a Thanksgiving Tasting Menu that will satisfy both cravings. The first course features hamachi sashimi with yuzu and taro chips and Japanese fried chicken with sweet chili aioli. The second course is dynamite scallop maki and butternut squash tempura with pink peppercorn sauce and red onions. Third course offers robata grill Chilean sea bass with tomato dashi broth and fresh fennel; wagyu sirloin with bone marrow and truffle aioli; and fingerling potatoes with shiso chimichurri and bonito flake. And, of course, the turkey: braised turkey with green beans with lemon butter and truffle mash potatoes. End with vanilla maple apple crumble with pear rosemary sorbet. Dinner is $72 per person, and it's available from 4 to 9 p.m. An a la carte menu also will be available.

Seasons 52

3 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 571-4752, and 1770 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-5252, seasons52.com/home. Set your standards high for Seasons 52's Thanksgiving dinner, which will be served all day. Enjoy dishes such as Roasted “Never Ever” Turkey (never treated with antibiotics), Yukon mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, French green beans, mashed butternut squash and housemade cranberry relish. Top it off with pumpkin pie mini indulgences. Adults $27.95, kids $13.95. Enjoy a winter cocktail or one of the 52 wines by the glass with dinner. Reservations required.

Shaw's Schaumburg

1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-2722 or shawscrabhouse.com/schaumburg/. Shaw's is hosting a traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. that will include a chilled seafood and salad bar featuring oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail and spicy tuna maki; a chef's table with chef-carved herb-roasted turkey with cranberry sauce and homemade gravy, Alaskan golden king crab legs and slow-roasted tenderloin; a grand hot buffet serving Chesapeake fried chicken, lobster mac and cheese, Parmesan-crusted cod, au gratin potatoes, jumbo fried shrimp and candied sweet potatoes; and a sweets table with pumpkin, pecan, raspberry and Key lime pies, pumpkin cheesecake, homemade cupcakes and more. Adults $75, kids 7-12 $15, and free for kids 6 and younger (excludes tax and gratuity). Gluten-free options are available. Reservations recommended.

Ted's Montana Grill

39 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, (630) 848-2255, and Bolingbrook at The Promenade, 623 E. Boughton Road, Suite 110, Bolingbrook, (630) 783-2493 or tedsmontanagrill.com/events/ThanksgivingMenu. Ted's will be serving a Thanksgiving roast turkey feast from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It includes a side salad or cup of soup or chili, roast turkey and gravy with garlic mashed potatoes, “Aunt Fannie's” squash casserole, cranberry sauce, herb dressing, carrots and apple pecan crisp for $29. The regular menu also will be available. Reservations recommended.

Texas de Brazil

5 Woodfield Center, Suite D312, Schaumburg, (847) 413-1600 or texasdebrazil.com/locations/illinois/schaumburg/. Texas de Brazil is adding roast turkey, stuffing and other holiday side dishes to its extensive menu of grilled meats for Thanksgiving. The salad area includes 50 salads, soups and side dishes. Dinner is $46.99. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reservations recommended.

Three Embers

Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0100, threeembersrestaurant.com/ep-thanksgiving-buffet.php. Seating times are at 11 a.m. and 1:30 and 4 p.m. for the Thanksgiving buffet that includes carving stations (turkey and giblet gray, slow-roasted strip loin of beef, baked ham), plus a variety of salads, seafood (oysters on the half shell, peel-and-eat shrimp), entrees (herb-crusted salmon, Amish chicken, butternut squash ravioli), sides (mashed potatoes, yams, herb stuffing), children's items and sweets (chocolate-dipped strawberries, fresh fruit tarts, pies) and more. Adults $43, kids 12 and younger $20. Reservations required.

Truluck's Seafood, Steak and Crab House

9860 Berwyn Ave., Rosemont, (847) 233-9404 or trulucks.com/. From noon to 9 p.m., Truluck's will be plating a special three-course Southern-style Thanksgiving menu. Indulge in lobster bisque or New England clam chowder before moving on to the second course of herb-roasted turkey breast, Parmesan mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, giblet gravy and cranberry apple compote. Additional sides include creamed spinach, steamed asparagus, pan-seared broccoli and macaroni and cheese. Finish with pumpkin pie with eggnog whipped cream. Adults $40, kids 12 and younger $16. Business casual attire is requested. Reservations required.

Tuscany

550 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, (847) 465-9988 or tuscanychicago.com/location/wheeling/. Executive chef Bolla Loza has created a seasonal Thanksgiving prix fixe dinner that will be available from noon to 8 p.m. For $34.95 per person, Guests can feast on turkey, choice of mashed or sweet potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, stuffing and a slice of pumpkin pie, all for $34.95 for adults ($29.95 for adults from noon to 3 p.m.) and $17.95 for kids 10 and younger. Reservations required.

Wildfire

1300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, (847) 657-6363; 232 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 586-9000; and 1250 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 995-0100, or wildfirerestaurant.com/. Wildfire's family-style menu, available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., features appetizers such as deviled eggs, salads, main courses such as spit-roasted turkey with mushroom-herb stuffing and cranberry relish, sides of sweet potato casserole and creamed spinach, and desserts including pumpkin pie, butterscotch-pecan pie and apple streusel pie. Gluten-free menu items will be available. Adults $49.95, kids 12 and younger $21.95, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required.