Sure, you could have a traditional, Norman Rockwell-ized Thanksgiving spent at home, half hovering near the oven and half in front of the TV. But if little-miss-in-the-kitchen is not your bag (or something goes horribly, horribly wrong with the turkey) here are some of our favorite places in town to dine at on Thanksgiving.

• Benjy's-Rice Village: Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., traditional three-course prix fixe menu ($39, children $15).
• Bistro Des Amis: Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thanksgiving buffet with all the classics and more ($26, $10 for children, and $9 for bottomless champagne or mimosas), plus regular menu a la carte offerings.
• Bistro Don Camillo: Open 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., with full menu available or a "Frenchified" three-course Thanksgiving meal ($19, children $10).
• Bistro Provence: Open 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., French-style three-course feast featuring your choice of fish, beef or turkey ($19-$22).
• Brennan's: Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m., three-course meal of Cajun and American favorites with a half-dozen choices per course ($55).
• Branch Water Tavern: Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., family-style feast in three courses, with traditional turkey plus ribeye, porcetta, a dozen appetizers and sides and a trio of pies ($40, children $20)
• Haven: Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., serving a three-course meal of Haven favorites plus holiday classics ($45).
• House of Pies: Open 24 hours, serving classic Thanksgiving menu ($12.95)
• Le Mistral: Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m., serving a French-American three-course menu ($45).
• Maggiano's: Open 11 a.m -10 p.m., four-course meal of family-style American favorites and some Italian specialties ($36.95, children $15.95).
• Mo's, A Place for Steaks: Open 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., 5 p.m.-9 p.m., choose between a cajun-fried or oven roasted turkey dinner ($39.99) and the regular Mo's menu.
• Mockingbird Bistro: Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m., a three-course holiday meal of Mockingbird favorites ($59, children $25).
• Monarch: Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m., four-course meal features refined classics and three choices besides turkey for the main course ($35).
• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood (Pavilions, Town & Country and Uptown locations): Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m., a three-course traditional Thanksgiving meal ($22.95)
• Pappas Bar-B-Q: Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., dine-in or take-out a classic dinner of turkey, ham and a hanfdful of sides ($9.95).
• Rainbow Lodge: Open 12-8 p.m. with an a la carte menu of rustic American favorites, including a turkey dinner ($24) and $5 to-go servings of turkey and dressing for a late night snack.
• Red Lion: Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m., with a Thanksgiving feast plate ($24) and plenty of pints for those with in-laws in town.
• Ristorante Cavour: Open 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., four courses featuring lobster and pumpkin salad, capon tortellini consumme, pumpkin creme brulee and of course, roasted turkey ($59).
• Rudi Lechner's: Open 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., buffet features cold dishes like salads, shrimp, veggies and herring, plus a carving station with turkey, ham and other Thanksgiving and German favorites ($25, children $8.95 children).
• Ruth's Chris Steak House: Open 12:30 p.m.-10 p.m., traditional three-course prix fixe menu ($34.95).
• Voice: Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m., offering a modern American three-course meal with a nod to the classics and a special kid-friendly menu ($55, children $25)

If you want the credit for the meal but don't want to get your hands dirty, Houston restaurants have that covered as well. These places will give prepare everything you need — just reheat and bask in the glow of the compliments.

• Ouisie's Table offers a meal to feed eight, including a whole turkey, two sides and your choice of pie or pumpkin cheesecake. Orders must be picked up on Wednesday and require 48 hours notice, $175.
• Serve Thanksgiving Italian-style with a feast from Vincent Mandola's trio of eateries — Vincent's, Nino's and Grappino di Nino. Choose from dishes like an antipasto platter ($59, serves 10-12), lasagna ($55, serves 12), a roasted turkey breast ($25, serves 4-6), roasted beef tenderloin ($125, serves 10-12), a trio of sides ($10 each, serves four), ciabatta rolls ($7 for six) and peacan, pumpkin or apple pie ($19). 48 hour notice required, pick up by Nov. 24.
• Backstreet Cafe is offering half-gallon soups like wild mushroom ($25), seafood gumbo ($40) and roasted tomato ($25), as well as a dozen sides in sizes that serve 6-8 and 12-15 (small $22, large $34-35) and sweets from caramel cheesecake ($40) to Orange-Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding ($22-$35). Place orders by Monday for pick-up Wednesday.
• Remember there's more than one kind of pilgrim with a feast from Hugo's, offering their popular tamales ($24-$30/dozen), chiles rellenos ($60-$84/dozen), ceviches ($18-$35 per pound), a whole suckling pig and a variety of desserts. Order by Monday for pick-up Wednesday.
• District 7 Grill has all the Southern holiday favorites, from a Southern-style baked turkey with giblet gravy ($45), white or wheat rolls and cornbread muffins ($6/dozen) and an assorted of sides like macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, and more ($25-35). Order by Monday and pick-up Wednesday before 5 p.m.
• Tintos is offering Thanksgiving meals two ways, a Spanish-style feast with favorites like paella and empanadas, for $25 person, minimum two people. Order for four of more and Tintos will throw in two bottles of wine. Or choose their traditional Thanksgiving menu (turkey, roast pork, sweet potatoes, stuffing and the like). Pick one meat and two sides (plus rolls) for $95, four sides for $125, or choose six sides for $145 and they'll add two bottles of wine. Order by Monday and you can pick it up until Thanksgiving morning at 10 a.m.
• Tired of the same old thing? Try a Caribbean take on the classics from Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill. Order the package of jerk turkey, two sides, gravy and sweet potato pie for $85, or choose your favorites a la carte in small (feeds up to 15) or large (feeds up to 30). Place under by Sunday at 6 p.m., pick up on Wendesday from 2-8 p.m. or Thursday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.