Time to Dine

Place your order now! Thanksgiving-to-go from some of Houston's top restaurants

If you’re worried about burning the turkey, opt for a stress-free Thanksgiving and order to-go from some of your favorite restaurants. And since turkey doesn't have to be at the center of the plate, we've got other options, too.

TRADITIONAL

LUBY'S
The fare: Get a home-style feast of sliced roasted turkey, sliced baked ham, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and giblet gravy at Luby’s. Desserts and additional sides are also available.
Pricing: Created for groups of 10 or more, packages are priced from $6.99 to $10.99 per person.
Available: Multiple locations. Advance notice of 48 hours is requested.
To order: Lubys.com or 877-GO-LUBYS.

SPARROW BAR + COOKSHOP
The fare: Sparrow Bar + Cookshop has your entire Thanksgiving dinner covered. Choose from a selection of hearty soups and sides -- plus proteins like local whole pastured turkey, beef tenderloin, pork loin, quail or scallops. Don’t forget “must-haves” like cornbread stuffing, giblet gravy and pumpkin cheesecake.
Pricing: Group packages start at $50 per person or order items a la carte.
Availability: Order by Monday, November 25, at 5 p.m. Pick up on Wednesday, November 27, from 4 to 8 p.m.
To order: 713-875-7496 or monica@monicapopehouston.com.

PAPPAS BAR-B-Q
The fare: At Pappas Bar-B-Q, order everything from flavorful whole smoked turkeys and hams, to sides made from scratch, and homemade pies and desserts.
Pricing: Whole smoked turkey from $44.95, smoked ham is $29.95, a package of seven sides is $39.95.
Availability: Place your order 24 hours in advance. Pick up Wednesday, November 27, or Thursday, November 28.
To order: Call your nearest location.

CIAO BELLO
The fare: Turkey, gravy, mashed or sweet potatoes, corn bread stuffing, green beans, bread, and pie are all part of Ciao Bello's “Thanksgiving To Go” menu.
Pricing: Ranges from $159.95 for 6 people to $299.95 for 12.
Availability: End of day Monday, November 25.
To order: Call 713-960-0333.

GOODE COMPANY
The fare: For a bird and dessert, head to Goode Company for the mesquite-smoked turkey and decadent, handmade pecan pie.
Pricing: $60 per turkey. Pies from $17.
Availability: Turkeys can be pre-ordered through Goode Company’s three BBQ locations. Pies can be pre-ordered or picked up at Goode Company's Pecan Pie Booth on Tuesday, November 26, and Wednesday, November 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To order: Call or stop by the pie booth.

LA BALANCE
The fare: La Balance's take on a traditional meal includes oven roasted turkey, butternut squash soup, Brussels sprout salad, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potato puree, corn bread dressing, and La Balance bread. It also comes with either pecan or pumpkin pie.
Pricing: Package feeds 6-8 people, $145.
Availability: Order through Tuesday, November 26.
To order: Call 281-206-7974.

HOLD THE BIRD

ELEVEN XI
The fare: Chef Kevin Bryant is offering a Thanksgiving take-out feast with a la carte items enough for 12. Starters include gazpacho shooters and seafood stuffed mushrooms. Save room for pulled pork baby back ribs, mini sliders, sweet potato casserole, smoked Gouda blue grits, and more.
Available: Orders are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 25. Pick up is Tuesday, November 26, and Wednesday, November 27, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
To order: Call 713-529-5881 or email lauren@elevenxihouston.com

HUGO'S
The fare: Spice things up and go south of the border this Thanksgiving with a variety of tamales, chile rellenos and enchiladas from Hugo's. Go big and order the Lechoncito Rostizado (whole suckling pig).
Pricing: A la carte prices vary.
Availability: Order by end of day on Monday, November 25. Pick up on Wednesday, November 27.
To order: Call 713-524-7744 or order on-line.

A LITTLE SOMETHING ON THE SIDE

BACKSTREET CAFE
The fare: As long as you can handle the turkey, Backstreet has plenty of to-go items to round out your holiday meal. Soups like duck gumbo and wild mushroom are available by the half gallon. You can also get sides like cauliflower gratin and wine-poached pears, and desserts like the chocolate pumpkin hot cocoa.
Pricing: Soups by the half gallon start at $15. Pricing for sides varies by size, but starts at $22. Desserts are $12 and up.
Availability: Orders should be placed by Monday, November 25 for pick-up with re-heating instructions on Wednesday, November 27.
To order: Call 713-521-2239 or order on-line.

REVIVAL MARKET
The fare: At Revival Market, you'll find the likes of duck fat fingerling potatoes, cornbread stuffing, marinated beets, and more. There's also a list of several sweets.
Pricing: From $5.95 to $13.95.
Availability: Through November 27.
To order: Stop by and pick up.

SWEETS

TRINITI
The fare: The perfect end to Thanksgiving dinner, Triniti’s offering of sweet confections includes apple pie, lemon meringue, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and a holiday classic, yeast rolls with a hint of honey.
Pricing: Pies are $30 each. Yeast rolls are $8 per dozen.
Availability: Through December 22.
To order: Call 713-527-9090.

OOH LA LA
The fare: For traditionalists, the quintessential collection of All-American Thanksgiving pies includes pumpkin, pecan, apple, cherry, chocolate cream, coconut cream, and key lime. For those looking to up the ante, outclass your pie competition with Snickers, Reese's, Twix or Oreo pies.
Pricing: $19 to $28.95 per pie.
Availability: Order by 9 p.m. on Monday, November 25. Pick up on Wednesday, November 27.
To order: Call 713-465-6338.

Whole smoked turkey from Pappas Bar-B-Q

Photo courtesy of Pappas

Whole smoked turkey from Pappas Bar-B-Q

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where's eric eating

CultureMap editor's 10 favorite dishes at Houston restaurants in November

Photo by Eric Sandler

Try the sausages at Charm Taphouse & BBQ.

November’s dining adventures across Houston consisted of only a couple of new restaurants, an upscale, contemporary Chinese restaurant in River Oaks; an ambitious neighborhood eatery in Garden Oaks; and a buzzy barbecue spot on the border of Conroe and The Woodlands.

The month also provided me with an opportunity to visit a veteran chef in his new home, catch up one of the city’s new additions to the Michelin Guide, and sample a po’ boy from the rising star chef behind Houston’s hottest new burger joint.

As a reminder, this list isn’t ranked. I liked all of these dishes for different reasons.

Here are my favorite dishes I ate at Houston-area restaurants in November.

Lobster Fettuccine at State of Grace
Chef Ryan Lachaine is off to a strong start as the executive chef of the River Oaks restaurant. The lobster fettuccine — pasta made in-house, of course — features a generous portion of seafood along with a lobster-infused sauce americane. In addition to a couple of Riel favorites, the caviar tots and the butter burgers, he’s also introduced a cheese fondue that matches the menu’s Continental-influenced, retro vibe.

Birria Beef Pacchei at Lazy Lane
The newly opened Garden Oaks restaurant is putting a Houston spin on classic Mediterranean dishes. In this entree, house made pasta is paired with braised beef cheek, radishes, salsa verde, and herbs, turning the building blocks of barbacoa tacos into a form that fits the ambitious neighborhood restaurant. Other highlights from the meal included Spanish meatballs and crispy skin ocean trout over beet risotto.

Deviled Crab at Credence
One of the 14 Houston restaurants added to the Michelin Guide for 2025, the live fire restaurant near Memorial City Mall serves this dish instead of a crab cake. Blue crab meat gets sauteed in smoky tomato butter for a bite that’s sweet, smoky, and satisfying. Pair it with the grilled snapper for the full Gulf Coast seafood experience.

Peking Duck at Maison Chinoise
This contemporary Chinese restaurant from the company behind Toulouse and Lombardi Cucina Italiana is already winning fans in River Oaks. The Peking duck, a speciality of chef Jordan He, delivers tender meat, crispy skin, and paper-thin crepes that are worthy of any version served around town. Pair it with some of the restaurant’s extensive dumpling selection for the full experience.

Branzino at Okto
Chef Yotam Dolev recently updated the menu at this Mediterranean-influenced Montrose restaurant. Seared to achieve a crispy skin, the flakey white fish sits in a tomato-gazpacho broth with fennel and olives. Don’t miss the signature frena bread and Greek salad.

Shrimp Po’ Boy at Boo’s Burgers
One perk of moving from pop-up to brick-and-mortar is that it allows Boo’s Burgers chef-owner Joseph Boudreaux to indulge creative impulses such as a rotating Friday fish special that’s currently this sandwich. Loaded with a generous serving of crispy, well-fried shrimp, the sandwich is simply dressed shredded lettuce, tomato, and the chef’s smoky burger sauce. Get it before Boudreaux moves on to another special.

Veal Piccata at Fielding’s River Oaks
The River Oaks restaurants is fond of fusion flavors, and its take on veal piccata is no exception. Instead of the usual lemon-caper sauce, Fielding’s serves its veal in a richer mushroom cream sauce with fall-friendly caramelized apples and creamed spinach. It’s a heartier take on the classic that’s well-suited to winter’s recent arrival.

Barbecue at Charm Taphouse & BBQ
Thai fare meets Texas at this restaurant on the border of The Woodlands and Tomball. The house made sausages are a standout, particularly the beef-and-basil and German hotlink, particularly when dipped in the restaurant’s tangy nam jim jaew. While the brisket and ribs could’ve used a little longer in the smoking, a weekend prime rib special with a crispy crust and well-rendered fat already has me contemplating a return visit.

Shrimp Tacos at Cochinita & Co.
At this restaurant in the East End, plump shrimp are paired with a sweet and spicy pineapple pico and a morita aioli, then wrapped in house made corn tortillas. Good ingredients and precise execution — the shrimp are cooked gently enough to retain a springy texture and mild sweetness — make them some of my favorite tacos in Houston. A side of the vegetarian black beans make for a tasty companion.

Tonkotsu Gachi at Japanese Ramen Gachi
Influenced by Shawn the Food Sheep, I visited the two-year-old Med Center-area restaurant for dinner. The signature tonkotsu features a well-seasoned, milk-colored broth with deep pork flavor and major umami punch. Paired with some karaage it made for a very satisfying dinner — just be aware that the Food Sheep’s flock may overwhelm the restaurant’s ability to serve diners quickly.

Photo by Eric Sandler

Try the sausages at Charm Taphouse & BBQ.

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