Mashed Potatoes To Go and Drive-thru Christmas Lights!

So the holidays are cranking forward, pandemic be darned, and we are all doing our best to balance safety with enjoying this wonderful time of the year. And while I’ve heard so many stories about how people are just canceling everything, planning for next year instead, I think it’s important to strike a balance. To be sure, there’s no good argument for taking real risks with the coronavirus, so you won’t see me recommending such things here, but there are indeed some relatively safe opportunities out there that still get you into a great meal and allow you to participate in holiday cheer. Below is a short, curated list of some of the best options I’ve seen to allow things to feel “as normal as possible.”

 

Drive-thru Christmas Lights

Visiting the zoo during the holidays (“zoo lights”) has long been a tradition in my family. However, like a lot of things, this year is going to be a little different. Gone (temporarily) is the option to mix and mingle at the zoo while sipping hot cocoa and viewing the lights. Instead, and I’m excited about this, you’ll be able to cruise through the zoo in your own car! That means you aren’t going to freeze and you’ll also be able to bring along any and all snacks and blast your own Christmas music! Certainly there’s no great exercise being had here, but that’s not what this event is really about. There aren’t any real kickers here, other than the fact that you can only reserve tickets 7 days in advance. Tickets are also a bit spendy, running between $45-60. Click here for details.

 

Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway

Running November 27-January 2, the drive-thru, Christmas light show at Portland International Raceway (PIR) has been around for years and is a solid tradition for many. Having all of the same advantages of the drive-thru zoo lights experience, where you can view the dazzling displays from the warmth and comfort of your own vehicle, this event gets naturally popular. I recommend going earlier in the month of December (same with zoo lights). That said, if you’re going to wait in any kind of line, well, it’s not bad doing it in your car where you can sip hot cocoa and jam to Frosty the Snowman with you and yours. Click here for details on this great, PIR event.

 

Turkey to Go

If you aren’t having your big Thanksgiving dinner over at Aunt Mable’s, where each family member brings a unique, potluck-style dish, well, you may be rightfully worried about missing one of the best meals of the year. When else are there 14 things to fill your plate, each made with tradition and love? Well harken not, there are a host of great restaurants offering “Thanksgiving to Go” with both smaller, affordable options out to the splendorous. Heck, you might even eat better this year, depending on how good Grandma Gertrude’s mashed potatoes stack up against what’s coming from Huber’s! Either way, if you’re not in a position to cook…or don’t want to cook 11 things to fill out your smaller gathering (maybe it’s only you or your small, nuclear family), below are some great “to go” options for this upcoming, iconic meal (all of these below meals were found on PortlandLivingOnTheCheap.com’s list for Thanksgiving “to go” deliveries. I omitted the locations that needed your order prior to today, November 23rd. Some locations need your order by the end of business today though, so move quickly if you plan to take advantage ):

Fogo de Chao

Thanksgiving to-go packages for 6 people start at $145 with add-on options. Orders for Thanksgiving Day must be placed by Tuesday, November 24 and picked up on Thursday by 10 a.m.

Items include:

  • Roasted Turkey and au jus

  • Sautéed Asparagus

  • Brazilian Sausage & Apple Dressing

  • Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Pão de Queijo

  • Cranberry Relish

  • Cocoa Fudge Brownies

Golden Valley Brewery

The Beaverton location (on Bethany Blvd) will be offering Thanksgiving feast to-go, starting at $124 for 4 people. Pick up will take place on Thanksgiving Day from 12-5 p.m.

Items include:

  • Cider brined turkey with orange-cranberry relish

  • Turkey gravy and traditional stuffing

  • Roaster garlic Yukon gold mashed potatoes

  • Sautéed green beans with applewood smoked bacon and caramelized onion

  • Kale and apple salad with blue cheese, candied walnuts, dried cranberries & white balsamic vinaigrette

  • Two pieces of pumpkin spiced cheesecake

  • Two pear and cranberry blossoms

Jake’s Grill

Jake’s has a pre-ordered feast to-go for $175, serving 4-6 people. Orders must be placed by Monday, November 23. Pick up is available anytime November 25 or 26. Preferred times can be coordinated upon ordering

McCormick & Schmick’s
McCormick & Schmick’s will also be offering a pre-ordered feast to-go for $175, serving 4-6 people. Orders must be placed by Monday, November 23. Pick up of meals can be done anytime on November 25 and 26.

Items include:

  • Roasted Turkey

  • Cornbread Stuffing

  • Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

  • Seasonal Vegetables

  • Apple Squash Casserole

  • Cranberry Sauce

  • Butternut Squash Bisque or Walnut Mixed Greens

New Seasons

Get a traditional turkey dinner serving 4 to 6 people for $99. They are also serving a vegan option for $64.99. More packages with larger serving sizes are available. New Seasons will be closed on Thanksgiving, so you’ll need to plan your pick up in advance.

Items include:

  • Turkey

  • Yukon gold mashed potatoes

  • Savory bread stuffing

  • Turkey gravy

  • Cranberry sauce with clementine

Safeway

Choose turkey, ham or prime rib dinner ranging from $59.99-$89.99. Safeway is usually open for limited hours on Thanksgiving so plan your pick up accordingly.

Items include:

  • Turkey, ham or prime rib

  • Mashed Potatoes

  • Homestyle Stuffing

  • Gravy

  • King’s Hawaiian Rolls

  • Cranberry Sauce

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

The steakhouse will be offering take home meals starting at $165 that serves 4 people. Pick up days are November 19-25.

Items include:

  • Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

  • Sausage & Herb Stuffing

  • Homemade Turkey Gravy

  • Cranberry Relish

  • Caesar Salad or Steak House Salad

  • Choice of one side: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach, Sweet Potato Casserole or Green Beans with Garlic4

  • Personal Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Shari’s

Shari’s has holiday to go meals starting at $89.99 for 4-6 people. Ham and larger serving sizes available. You can schedule your order for pick up whatever day and time works best for you, during open hours.

Items include:

  • Turkey

  • Gravy

  • Mashed potatoes

  • Steamed vegetables

  • Cranberry sauce

  • Stuffing

  • Fresh dinner rolls

  • Choice of one of our delicious pies


Stanford’s

The chain restaurants is offering meals to go starting at $99 for 4-6 people. You can order from the Clackamas or Jantzen Beach location.

Items include:

  • Turkey breast

  • Gravy

  • Mashed potatoes

  • Stuffing

  • Green beans with bacon and onion

  • Cranberry sauce

  • Dinner rolls

  • Pumkin pie

  • Add-on options include pecan pie and wine.

 

Solo Bird Day?

Stuck and want to cook the entire Thanksgiving all on your own, perhaps just for your self? Check out this link that explores, well, cooking just that.

Dan Meyers