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Do you hate the idea of having to spend Thanksgiving cooking a huge feast?
This year, skip the stress and enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends! But with most restaurants closed on Thanksgiving, finding a place to eat can be a challenge. Fear not!
There are a few fast food places that are open on Thanksgiving that can help you out quickly and easily.
this piece, we’ll look at some of the best ways to get what you want for Thanksgiving without having to cook.
From classic comfort food to healthier options, we’ve got you covered for a delicious and convenient Thanksgiving meal!
Bojangles
If you want chicken instead of turkey on Thanksgiving, you can go to Bojangles, which will be open according to the Holiday Shopping Hours.
Bojangles Menu in used to serve grilled turkey on Thanksgiving, but they haven’t said yet if that will be the case this year.
(A foodie can hope.) Still, a juicy, crispy chicken sandwich is something that many of us can be thankful for.
However, there are a lot of other chicken dishes that will make your taste buds happy this Thanksgiving.
So, it’s best to call your local Bojangles to find out when it’s open on holidays, since some places may be closed on Thanksgiving.
Boston Market
Boston Market is a great place to go if you don’t want to cook but still want a Thanksgiving-style meal.
The chicken chain‘s regular menu has mouth-watering chicken and a ton of sides (which you can never go wrong with), so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they have a big Thanksgiving meal.
They have traditional heat-and-serve Thanksgiving meals, as well as holiday catering and à la carte options.
However, their website says that if you want to buy these options, you need to do so online by November 22.
Make sure to plan ahead so that Boston Market can meet all of your Thanksgiving turkey, sides, and pie needs.
Burger King
If what happened last year is any sign, Burger King will be open on Thanksgiving this year as well.
Store Business Hours, for what it’s worth, says that many of the fast-food chain’s stores are open on Thanksgiving, but only for a short time.
‘It’s the holiday season, so get a Whopper to celebrate.
But, to be honest, any time of year is a good time to eat a Whopper, whether it’s made of plants or not.
Even though you can order things from Burger King “à la carte,” family meals are a good way to make sure everyone gets a little bit of something.
Holiday burgers, pies, and fries cooked over an open flame? Yes, thank you, and please.
Domino’s
Not hungry for regular fast food or turkey plates?
Then Domino’s could be your best choice, since it serves pizza, pasta, breadsticks, and wings.
And, oh, places were open on Thanksgiving in 2020, according to Hours Guide, so it seems likely that they will be open on Thanksgiving in 2021 as well.
We won’t tell you what to order, but a large pizza, baked pasta, salad, Stuffed Cheesy Bread, and your favorite Domino’s treat are all good options.
People often say, “The more, the merrier.” This is especially true if you plan to have people over.
We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with pizza.
Dunkin’
Even though Thanksgiving is a holiday, you don’t have to stop drinking caffeine, and you don’t have to if you don’t have coffee at home or where you’re going.
Romper says that luckily, Dunkin’ will have fresh coffee on the blessed feast day.
What else goes well with coffee?
A dozen of the donuts you like best, of course.
Even though Thanksgiving shouldn’t be a game, if you show up early with coffee and donuts, you might get a few extra points.
You can also use donuts instead of pie or other holiday-themed sweets.
El Pollo Loco
Turkey and stuffing are great (like, really, really, really great), but loaded nachos on Thanksgiving are the treat that keeps on giving.
As of November 1, El Pollo Loco hadn’t posted its holiday hours, but a tweet from 2020 that said “Thanksgiving is a day for family” seemed to hint that some locations might be closed.
Fansided said that the chain did have something special in 2020, like a holiday family meal and chicken tamale bowls.
Fire-grilled Mexican food should be more than enough to fill your holiday cravings.
Just be ready to switch from one kind of meat to another. At least at El Pollo Loco, chicken meals have replaced turkey meals.
Hardee’s
Imagine a feast with a Famous Star With Cheese, a Western Bacon Cheeseburger, The Big Hardee, and whatever else you want, because Hardee’s will take orders on Thanksgiving (via Holiday Shopping Hours).
Thanksgiving might be a holiday where people eat turkey with their families, but it’s really a holiday where people eat what they want with their families.
Hardee’s is open on Thanksgiving for a reason. If you decide to let them do the cooking for you this holiday season, you won’t be the only one.
And if you choose Hardee’s instead of a standard turkey dinner, you’ll have a lot less to clean up.
Krystal
If you’ve never eaten at Krystal, think of sliders, which are really small burgers. Now imagine eating these delicious sliders on Thanksgiving.
According to Holiday Shopping Hours, you can order Kyrstal on this holiday.
Not feeling a burger?
Then you could try a Classic Pup (a small hot dog), a Corn Pup (a small corn dog), or a Chili Cheese Pup (a small chili cheese hot dog).
No matter what, if Krystal is open, everyone can get a small item.
Sliders are great meals any time of year, and if we had our way, they’d be great gift stuffers, as long as they were eaten right away.
Little Caesars
Here’s what you need to know: Store Holiday Hours says that Little Caesars is open on Thanksgiving.
However, it could also depend on the store. A worker said that their store was closed on Thanksgiving in a post on Reddit from two years ago.
What you also might want to hear: If you decide to stroll to your local Little Caesars and order a pizza Thanksgiving feast, we applaud your determination and willingness to eat exactly what you want to eat on this wonderful holiday.
You can’t go wrong at Little Caesars, whether you make your own pizza, order a Large Round Pizza, or choose a deep dish. Sides are always encouraged, from Caesar Wings to Crazy Bread.
Just think: Your Thanksgiving meal could be done in a flash.
McDonald’s
This may or may not come as a surprise, but, you’ve heard correctly, McDonald’s is open on Thanksgiving.
CountryLiving says that since 95% of the stores are owned by different people, the hours may be different in different places.
We gotta say, there’s nothing more American than a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or Big Mac (or both) on Thanksgiving — and, no, that’s not a bad thing.
It’s a blessing, an occurrence that’s worthy of endless thankfulness.
While you’re visiting the Golden Arches, you might as well add some fries and Chicken McNuggets to your order as this is a holiday that’s known for feasting.
Papa John’s
Again, not everyone wants turkey or burgers for Thanksgiving. But if you want pizza on Thanksgiving, you can be sure that Papa John’s will be open.
The pizzeria has been open on the November holiday since at least 2018.
Doesn’t a Papadia or a hand-made pizza (dipped in garlic sauce, of course) sound like the right way to celebrate the eating part of Thanksgiving?
Well, it does to us and to the thousands of grateful people who go to Papa John’s on Thanksgiving.
Plus points if you get enough pizza for the whole family. If you order every Papadia that Papa John’s has on the menu, you will become a legend.
Papa Murphy’s
Papa Murphy’s is the kind of place where people who want pizza right away but can’t eat it right away can get restaurant-quality pizza.
After all, Papa Murphy’s makes the pizza for you so you can take it home and bake it in your oven.
Since at least ten years ago, it has been open on Thanksgiving, and this year is no different.
Pizza fans, don’t worry: you can still get slices of fresh, hot pizza on Thanksgiving.
Papa Murphy’s is great if you’re having people over but don’t want to do a lot of cooking but still want takeout-quality food whenever your guests come.
Pizza Hut
Turkey is the kind of food that tastes good when it’s done right but tastes terrible when it’s not.
Even if you follow all the steps for cooking a turkey to the letter, you might still end up with a dry bird. Okay, so it only takes a few hours, but you get the point.
You could also choose Original Stuffed Crust pizza, if the Pizza Hut near you is open.
This year, most Pizza Huts will be open, which is different from 2013, when “the vast majority of Pizza Huts” were closed for the holiday.
Instead of turkey, you could add chicken wings from the one and only WingStreet and other sides that go well with pizza to make sure your table and stomach are full.
Popeyes
Classic chicken sandwich, in three words. In a single word: yes. USA Today says that Popeyes will be open on Thanksgiving, so don’t wait any longer.
As if the news about fried chicken on Thanksgiving wasn’t good enough, Popeyes is also bringing back its Cajun-Style Turkey, which you’ll need to order ahead of time because it’s so hot.
You don’t have to order this prized item for your Thanksgiving celebrations, but you can.
Still, it’s a no-brainer to order Popeyes for Thanksgiving, and we think chicken is best served whenever your hungry heart wants it.
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be all about turkey.
Qdoba
Even though we all like turkey dinner, one of the problems with it is that almost everyone eats the same thing (there are some exceptions).
You can add ranch sauce to your turkey or mix everything in a big bowl, but does that really change the meal that much?
Some people might think so, but if you want a Thanksgiving dinner that fits your needs this year, Qdoba is the place to go.
Holiday Shopping Hours says that the company is open on Thanksgiving, but it could be that only a few stores are.
Many workers on Indeed have said that their place of work has been closed for the holiday in recent years.
If you want a Qdoba taco bowl on the fourth Thursday of November, your best bet is to? Call ahead.
Sonic
Sonic, a standard fast-food restaurant, will serve food on Thanksgiving, though this probably won’t be true at every location.
We’re not saying that everyone’s family makes them feel like they’re on an emotional roller coaster, but you might need a break from whoever and wherever you’re spending the holiday with.
And there are a lot of places that are much worse than a drive-in. In fact, this drive-in offers old favorites like Cherry Limeade and Ocean Water. You can also get a full meal.
Sonic is more than just a fast food place; especially on Thanksgiving Day, it’s like going back in time.
Sonic has everything you need for Thanksgiving dinner, from shakes and burgers to tots and fries.
Starbucks
Everyone has their own way of making coffee, and if you’re going to your family’s house for the holidays, you may have to drink a bad pot.
No one should have to drink bad coffee.
Unless, of course, you decide to do your coffee needs a favor and walk to a Starbucks, which is, THANKFULLY, open on Thanksgiving.
Even though a pumpkin spice coffee is a natural choice this time of year, Starbucks always has a special holiday menu that lets people celebrate the season in style.
Also, it doesn’t hurt to have a cup or two before or after the big meal to help you deal with turkey dinner.
Steak ‘n Shake
Steak ‘n Shake will be making steakburgers on Thanksgiving to keep the burger train going.
And do you know what goes great with a steakburger?
A Steak ‘n Shake milkshake that was made by hand.
We’re not saying you should eat before the big meal or that you’re even having a traditional turkey dinner, but if you showed up at your holiday destination with burgers, fries, and shakes, you might get some high-fives in return, especially if your dinner is later and you arrive early.
Everyone is the most valuable player on Thanksgiving, but if you show up with steakburgers, you’ll get the prize.
Subway
Sometimes all you want is a sandwich with whatever toppings you want.
Subway won’t have to close for the holidays as many, but not all, of its stores will be open on Thanksgiving.
Subway serves turkey sandwiches all year long, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting one on Thanksgiving.
Not feeling like turkey?
Don’t worry, there are other sandwiches on the menu, and if you want a certain kind of meat on your sandwich, Subway probably has it (within reason).
Wendy’s
You should be able to eat whatever you want on Thanksgiving Day, afternoon, and night.
If you’re wanting Wendy’s, you’re in luck, because the fast-food chain that boasts “fresh, never frozen beef” is open on Thanksgiving (but again, maybe not every location).
You could get a burger made of meat, chicken nuggets, or a Frosty. Really, the choices are endless.
Wendy’s fries are salty, the chicken bites are tasty, and the restaurant’s burgers are better than the rest.
If you do decide to eat at Wendy’s on Thanksgiving, you might find it hard to choose between all the tasty options.
White Castle
White Castle doesn’t close very often (unless there’s a big election), so if you and your family want to split a Crave Case on Turkey Day, or Slider Day, go for it!
The chain is open on Thanksgiving, and it even tries to add its own special touch to the holiday.
In 2020, they included rapper Coolio in the fun by giving him a stuffing recipe that used Sliders.
White Castle is known for its little burgers and cheeseburgers, but it also has chicken sliders and fish sliders, among other things.
Above all, we hope you can find things to be thankful for and people to spend this special holiday with.
But, alas, we also hope you have a hearty Thanksgiving meal, whether it’s a traditional turkey dinner or one of these fast food choices.
FAQs – Fast Food Restaurants Thanksgiving
All fast food places should be open on Thanksgiving.
No, not every fast-food place is open on Thanksgiving. But many big chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s are usually open on holidays, though their hours may be different.
Will fast food places have Thanksgiving-themed meals?
Some fast food places might have special Thanksgiving dishes, but that’s not a given. Check with a place near you to see what they have to offer.
On Thanksgiving, is it safe to eat at fast food places?
When eating at fast food places, it’s important to handle food safely and keep clean, just like you would at any other restaurant.
When eating out, it’s also a good idea to follow any COVID-19 rules in your area.
Can fast food be brought to me on Thanksgiving?
It depends on what the restaurant’s service rules are. Some fast food places might deliver on Thanksgiving, but others might not. Check with a nearby restaurant or delivery service to see if they have them.
What should I think about before picking a fast food place for Thanksgiving dinner?
Before picking a fast food place for Thanksgiving, think about where it is, what it serves, when it is open, and if you have any dietary restrictions or preferences.
Will there be a lot of people at fast food places on Thanksgiving?
It’s hard to say for sure because it might be different in different places and restaurants. But many people may choose fast food restaurants for a quick Thanksgiving meal because they are easy and handy.
What kinds of fast food places are open on Thanksgiving?
McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, KFC, Subway, Pizza Hut, and Popeyes are among the fast food chains that are often open on Thanksgiving Day.
How can I find out which fast food places are open on Thanksgiving?
The best way to find out which fast food places are open on Thanksgiving Day is to call or look online for your local restaurant.
Is a Thanksgiving meal at a fast food place the only option?
No, there are many other ways to have a Thanksgiving meal, like going to a place that serves a traditional holiday dinner, buying a ready-made meal at the grocery store, or cooking at home.
How much does it usually cost for a Thanksgiving lunch at a fast food restaurant?
At a fast food place, the price of a Thanksgiving meal will depend on the restaurant and the menu items chosen. But it is usually cheaper than a traditional holiday meal made at home or in a restaurant.
Are fast food places open everywhere on Thanksgiving?
No, fast food places may not be open on holidays or have different hours depending on where they are. Check with your neighborhood restaurant to find out what their rules are.
Conclusion
Even though many people have traditional Thanksgiving meals, fast food restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving can be a convenient and stress-free choice for those who would rather not cook.
There are so many choices at fast food restaurants, from burgers and fries to fried chicken and pizza, that you are sure to find something that will fill your Thanksgiving food cravings.
Just make sure to call the place to find out when it’s open and what’s on the menu, and use safe food handling and good hygiene when you eat out.