An Alabama-grown turkey farm is a mere slice of restaurants and caterers in central Alabama with special menus of Thanksgiving favorites to take home, heat, and feed a crowd.
Bates House of Turkey, which celebrates a century of farming this year, raises the birds it sells at its restaurants and stores in Greenville and Montgomery. If turkey is not your bag, Abadir’s in Greensboro has meat- and dairy-free savories and sweets to pick for all or part of your Thanksgiving table.
From barbecue to meat-and-three and upscale “vittles,” these places in central Alabama are ready to do all the cooking for you and your family or guests. But don’t tarry; ordering deadlines are as early as Thursday, November 16.
For readers in north Alabama or the southern part of the state, we have separate guides for to-go Thanksgiving meals, meats, and dishes in those areas.
Abadir’s
Greensboro
Options: Raised in Demopolis, Sarah Cole specializes in vegan food with Egyptian and Southern influences – which reflect her family tree – and made with local ingredients. The holiday menu includes sweet potato cake and veggie pita pockets made with house multi-grain sourdough and filed with smoky roasted carrot, braised greens and stems, or za’atar-seasoned potato. Sweets include both maamoul and toasty tahini cookies. Her main menu includes sweet and savory items that are both tasty and eye-catching.
Prices: Pita pockets are $19 per half-dozen and include two of each filling. Sweet potato cake is $36. Cookies are $11-$36, depending on quantity.
Ordering deadline: Thursday, November 16. Pick up is Wednesday, November 22, 9 a.m.-noon. 256-604-9684.
Bates House of Turkey
Greenville, Montgomery
Options: To-go options include whole smoked turkey from the Bates farm in Fort Deposit, spiral-sliced ham, traditional veggie sides, gravy, and cornbread dressing. Individual sliced turkey dinners and just about any turkey preparation imaginable also are available frozen to-go. Complete meal packages feed 4-14, depending on size.
Prices: Whole smoked turkey is $5.25 per pound; Meals are $125 for small (serves 4-6), $150 for medium (serves 8-10), and $190 for large (serves 12-14). Sides are $12.50-$38, depending on size.
Ordering deadline: Call 331-382-6123 for ordering and pick up details.
Bow and Arrow
Auburn
Options: Meat choices are smoked turkey, smoked brisket, or pork shoulder, sold sliced by the pound. Sides in half-pan portions (feeds 20), are hash brown casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese, potlikker green beans, and potlikker collard greens. Dessert options, which also feed 20, are Mema’s éclair and banana pudding.
Prices: Cooked meat is $19-$21 per pound; rib racks are $24. Sides are $25-$40. Desserts are $50.
Ordering deadline: For details, phone 334-246-2546, extension 3. Restaurant is closed on Wednesday, November 22.
Martha’s Place Buffet and Catering
Montgomery
Options: Whole or sliced oven-roasted turkey, fried whole turkey, baked whole ham, roast beef, and fried or baked chicken; all of the favorite vegetables from Martha’s Place famous buffet, and nearly a dozen desserts. Quart portions serve 8, half pans feed 15-20, and full pans 40-50.
Prices: Whole meats are $60-$120; sides are $25-$30 per quart, $40-$45 for half pans, and $80-$100 for whole pans. Desserts are $15-$75, depending on type and size.
Ordering deadline: Friday, November 17. Pick up is November 21 or 22, from 2 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Rusty’s Bar-B-Q
Leeds
Options: Holiday Plate Special with smoked turkey breast, ham, cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and rolls. A l carte options include a smoked whole beef tenderloin, fried whole turkey, and smoked ham. The broad selection of desserts includes whole and pans of banana pudding.
Prices: Plate special is $18.99 each. Bulk meats are $59.99-$99.99 each. Most sides are $25.99.
Order deadline: Monday, November 20 at noon. Set pick up date (the 21st or 22nd) and time at the time of order. 205-699-4766.
Southern Ale House
Tuscaloosa
Options: Meats are smoked prime rib, whole smoked turkey breast, or whole or half smoked hams. Side dishes are cornbread dressing, pimento mac and cheese and casserole choices: sweet potato, squash, hash brown, green bean. For dessert: bread pudding, cookies, or brownies.
Prices: Prime rib is $28 per pound; turkey (serves 8-12) is $70; half ham (serves 20-25) is $90, whole (serves 40-45) is $180. Sides are $20 for half gallon (serves 10-15) and $40 for gallon (serves 20-25).
Ordering deadline: Monday, November 20, at noon. Pick up is Wednesday, November 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Order by phone at 205-310-3625 or via email catering@holthospitality.com.
Homewood Gourmet
Homewood
Options: Mon cher. Chef Chris Zapalowski’s kitchen is dishing starters like boudin balls and creamy parmesan/artichoke dip, go-withs from gravy to gumbo, sides from praline sweet potatoes to green bean and bacon casserole with onion topping, and of course desserts like pecan-oatmeal pie and pumpkin bread pudding with bourbon caramel.
Prices: Casseroles are $30 for 1½-quart pans, $40 for 3-quart pans. Starters and go-withs are $10-$35. Whole pies are $18, bread pudding is $25.
Order deadline: November 17. Pickup is November 20-22. 205-871-1620.
Bandit Patisserie
Birmingham
Options: Artisanal pies and tarts. “THE Carrot Cake” serves 12-14. Croissant and cookie boxes also are available. Savory options include chicken pot pie and quiches with roasted mushrooms and herbs, or bacon and cheddar. Brioche dinner rolls and sourdough bread round out the lineup.
Prices: Pies/tarts: $25-$45. Carrot Cake is $60. Boxes are $30-$32. Quiches are $28 and chicken pot pie is $38.
Order deadline: Sunday, November 19 at 5 p.m. Pick up is at nearby Bar LeFete (2018 Morris Avenue) on Tuesday, November 22, 9 a.m.-noon.
Satterfield’s
Cahaba Heights
Options: Turkey and gravy, green bean casserole with crispy onion topping, squash casserole, creamed corn, collard greens, mac and cheese, buttermilk mashed potatoes, and Parker House rolls with whipped Alabama honey butter as an optional add-on. For dessert: Jack Daniels pecan pie or chocolate flourless torte.
Prices: Whole turkey is $100; gravy $8 per pint and $16 per quart. Sides are $38.95 each for half pan (serves 12-14); $68.95 for full pans (serves 24-28). Pie is $45, torte is $65.
Order deadline: Four days prior to pick up. To order: 205-969-9690.
Bistro V
Vestavia Hills
Options: Side dishes (serve 6-8) include cornbread or oyster dressing, squash casserole, sweet potato casserole with pecans, mac and cheese, green beans, giblet gravy, and fresh cranberry sauce. Desserts (serves at least 6, depending on the item) are chocolate chip bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake, spiced apple pecan cobbler, and flourless chocolate torte.
Prices: Most sides are $38; oyster dressing is $50. Gravy is $20 and cranberry sauce is $15. Desserts are $50-$65.
Order deadline: Friday, November 17. To order: 205-823-1505.
Iz Café
Vestavia Hills
Options: Deep-fried whole turkey, roasted turkey breast, and pan gravy. Sides: cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, praline sweet potato casserole, holiday salad, yeast rolls, and cranberry chutney. For dessert, a stunning array of cakes, pies, chocolate mousse bombs, pound cake, roulades, and breads.
Prices: Turkey options are $99; sides $55, desserts are $24.20-$49.50.
Order deadline: Not stated; in-store pick up is Wednesday, November 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. FMI: 205-979-7570.
Real and Rosemary
Crestline Village
Options: Order turkey or ham a la carte, vegetable gravy, cranberry relish, sugar-and-spice nuts, iced tea. Sides include cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, Brussels sprout slaw. Website includes suggested quantities for various sized groups.
Prices: Meat sold by the pound ($15.99); sides are $14.00-$17.99 for small pan (serves 4-5) $29.99-$29.99 for large pan (serves 8-10).
Order deadline: Sunday November 19, 6 p.m.; Pick up is Wednesday, November 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Note: Thanksgiving pick up is only at Crestline.
