The holidays are some of the most joyous times of the year and also some of the busiest. So if you want a big spread to celebrate, but don't have the time or energy to spend in the kitchen, don't fret. We’ve done the work for you, and our research has come up with this list of the seven best places to dine in or get carry-out for Thanksgiving dinner around Youngstown, Ohio.
Café 422
Café 422 in Boardman has been around since 1939. It offers locals a family-friendly atmosphere with exquisite artwork on the walls and spacious booths with enough room for all the kids. The chef filled its daily menu with fresh-cut steaks, seafood, pasta, scratch-made sauces, and baked bread.
This restaurant opens its doors on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 4 p.m. for a three-course feast. First, you'll start with a garden or Caesar salad and a bowl of soup. Then, move on to the main entree, featuring Thanksgiving classics like roast turkey breast, homemade stuffing, and glazed ham with pineapple marmalade. Finally, indulge your sweet tooth with a seasonal favorite like pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.
- Location: 8586 South Ave. in Boardman.
- Hours: Thanksgiving Day from noon to 4 p.m.
The Vineyards at Pine Lake
The Vineyards at Pine Lake is a local family-owned winery. It's the perfect place for good conversation and delectable dishes. The dining area is attached to its wine production facility and offers scenic views of Pine Lake. Stop by for live music most Friday and Saturday nights while you sample various handcrafted wines, beer, and food.
This destination also offers a memorable Thanksgiving meal in its intimate tasting room. Chef Dave Gabbert creates his holiday dishes from fresh ingredients. He loads up each annual buffet with traditional goodies, including turkey, carved ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and dessert.
- Location: 14101 Market St. in Columbiana.
- Hours: Thanksgiving Day seating is at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.
Jeff Chrystal Catering
Leave the cooking — and the mess — to Jeff Chrystal and his crew this year. This caterer's artisan foods will delight all your holiday guests. His to-go dinners come in small sizes for up to eight people, while the largest will feed 14 family members and friends.
Place your advanced order for pick up on the big day. The menu includes classic dishes like cherry wood spit or slow-roasted turkey, sage stuffing, and whipped potatoes. You'll also love Jeff's side dishes, including steamed veggies, candied yams, cranberry sauce, salad with a vinaigrette dressing, homemade bread, and, as you might have already guessed, pumpkin pie for dessert.
- Location: 2315 Belmont Ave. in Youngstown.
- Hours: Thanksgiving Day between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Napa Grocery Gourmet Market and Cafe
Napa Grocery provides Youngstown locals with California-inspired prepared foods. This gourmet market features some of the finest chef-crafted meals and grab-and-go pre-packaged snacks. Fresh seasonal produce drives its evolving menu of Roman-style pizzas, sandwiches, soup, charcuterie, and homestyle specialty pots with sausage, meatballs, and pasta.
Napa Grocery also offers an excellent take-and-bake Thanksgiving Day meal the whole family will devour. It's packed cold with easy at-home reheating instructions. Place your orders online by Nov. 17.
- Location: 4350 Boardman-Canfield Road in Canfield.
- Hours: Pick up orders on Nov. 24 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Molnar Farms
Sometimes you need a hand with the little things to make your holiday meal unforgettable. Molnar Farms is a terrific place to pick up Thanksgiving essentials, like pies and butter horn rolls. Also, get freshly harvested sweet corn by the cob and your favorite varieties of winter squash, like acorn and butternut. You can even grab a pot of mums to liven up your table.
Stop by on the weekends for fun at the farm. It's one of the top local attractions, with activities on Saturday and Sunday like hayrides, a corn maze, a kid's play area, and snacks such as hot dogs and nachos. Don't forget to visit the pumpkin patch and grab a big one for pie. Remember to place your Thanksgiving orders by 5 p.m. on Nov. 22.
- Location: 3115 E. Western Reserve Road in Poland.
- Hours: Pick up orders on Nov. 24 from noon to 4 p.m.
Selah Restaurant
Selah Restaurant is a hometown eatery with plenty of big-city flairs. Its regular dinner menu features gourmet dishes like steaks, seafood, and pasta, whether you dine in or on the inviting patio. Selah's is also the best place near Youngstown for dinner and a show. Catch a live performance on the Dessert Stage Theatre, such as the Spoon River Anthology, running through Nov. 11.
You can also get some holiday help from Selah's kitchen staff. You can place an order from scratch made baked goods grandma would be proud to serve, like banana salted caramel cake or a loaf of sour cream potato bread. The deadline for Turkey Day orders is Nov. 23.
- Location: 130 S. Bridge St. in Struthers.
- Hours: All pick-ups are on Nov. 24 after 2 p.m.
White House Fruit Farm
Another family-operated farm near Youngstown that's a must-see is the White House. They tend to more than 75 acres of fruits and vegetables that fill the shelves of their famous farm market. Your holiday spread wouldn't be complete without dessert. The pastry chefs make some of the tastiest 10-inch pies in the area. Pre-order yours from a long list of scrumptious flavors like strawberry rhubarb, coconut custard, pumpkin, and a lemon crunch. You can even get a gift basket of fresh, seasonal fruits to give your host. Call ahead or stop in to place an order.
- Location: 9249 State Route 62 in Canfield.
- Hours: Pick up orders on Nov. 22 or 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Well, there you go. Boardman Mitsubishi put together this list of the seven best places to dine in or carry out your Thanksgiving dinner this year. Where does your family stock up on classic dishes for turkey day? Let us know so we can share your ideas with other Youngstown locals. Drop us a line, and please tell us which restaurants you're thankful for so we can add them to our list.
Image Credits: Thanksgiving Dinner by grayclee is licensed with CC BY 2.0