Eating out on Thanksgiving?

[iluvcallalilies]

Have you ever eaten out on Thanksgiving? Do you need to arrive early?

My mom has postponed the family Thanksgiving, so we decided to go to Cracker Barrel then a movie at the $2/theater just the 4 of us - I'm actually really excited about a fun, relaxing family day before baby comes.

I called Cracker Barrel and they don't take reservations - just 1st come 1st serve....

Any advice? Do you know how long we should expect to wait?

[maryb311]

I wouldn't think it would be to busy. Maybe arrive before you're starving?

[kasey22]

We moved to WA in 2007 just before Thanksgiving.  We had to wait for a week for the movers to bring all of our stuff so we couldn't make dinner.  We just went to Denny's.  There was almost no one else there. 

[iluvcallalilies]

We've always been at a family dinner - so that's exactly what I've wondered.... will it be "dead" because everyone is with family or will it be "busy" with "everyone else."

[StrayMom]

I would arrive early.  We won't be celebrating Thanksgiving until Saturday as my husband is a chef and Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days at the restuarant.

I think more and more people are skipping the hassle of cooking and letting someone else do the work. 

[halleys_mommy_1]

We have gone out for the last 10 or so years. My mom doesnt get along w my gram so we have 2 thanksgivings. We usually did Lunch thursday w my gram and dinner thursda w my mom but we are changing it this year cause everyone has to work friday.

This year were doing dinner wednesday w my gram and then dinner thursday with my mom.

[MAXnBRYCESmom]

We ate out every year for Thanksgiving growing up. The resteraunts are pretty empty.

[iluvcallalilies]

HOPING that's the case for us! ;-) - Thinking I'll play it safe and head out a touch before they open?

Quoting MAXnBRYCESmom:

We ate out every year for Thanksgiving growing up. The resteraunts are pretty empty.

[abbysmommy429]

My friends goes there for Thanksgiving w/ her mom and it's not crowded, but she loves it! 

[wickedfiress]

Yep. When my husband isn't here, I see no point in making a huge meal that my kids will eat 6 bites of.

[kk_bella]

My parents are divorced and my dad never remarried so we always go out to eat with him on thanksgiving.

It depends on what restaurant you go to. Ask cracker barrell if they are having anything special for thanksgiving.

if they have a special thanksgiving buffett, there might be a lot of people there, but either way, you likely won't have a huge wait.