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When thinking about preparing a Thanksgiving meal, astronomer Carl Sagan always comes to my mind. "If you want to make an apple pie from scratch," the late scientist famously said, "you must first invent the universe."
Of course, Sagan is talking about the cosmic connection between matter and the origin of everything. But preparing for Thanksgiving dinner from start to finish—especially considering we've all spent a year—it feels as simple as igniting a big bang. Fortunately for us, East Bay is full of restaurants, caterers and markets, supplying the entire galaxy with high-quality turkey, savory fillings, various potatoes, and so on. These small businesses have created the universe for you, and you only need to warm it up on November 25.
Please note: this is not a comprehensive list, because reading the content of the Thanksgiving menu provided by every East Bay restaurant, there is almost no time to enjoy the season. Please use this review as a starting point, inspiration or just a reminder that you don’t have to do everything yourself. This holiday should be fun!
Are you looking for Nosh's Guide to the Best Thanksgiving Pies in East Bay 2021? Look no further.
This local mini-chain specializes in French soul food, which means a full package on Thanksgiving, including marinated turkey, raw potatoes, beans, cornbread paste, thawed and baked biscuits that you roast at home. To support 2 to 5 people, the kit is US$165, and to serve 8-12 people, it is US$330. Substitution is not allowed, but you are welcome to add-other sides can be used, and if you are not familiar with the turkey roasting game, you can even add a meat thermometer.
What you should know: Pre-orders are now open, please select a pick-up date on Tuesday, November 23 or Wednesday, November 24. Brenda's will contact you to confirm the exact pick-up window. Each order includes cooking instructions and aluminum foil bakeware, make sure to plan 1-3 hours for the turkey to be fully cooked. Brenda's, 4045 Broadway (near 41st Street), Auckland
The Communitē Table serves warm home-cooked dishes throughout the year, so they are a reliable choice for the Thanksgiving holiday. They offer a full heated ready-to-eat dinner, serving two (70 USD) or six (170 USD), which includes Diestal turkey breast and thigh (sliced and eaten), biscuits, focaccia filling, broccoli and sauerkraut Kale toast. There are also gravy, cranberry sauce and sweet potato pie.
What you should know: You must book before Friday, November 19 to pick up on Tuesday, November 23 or Wednesday, November 24. Communitē Table, 4171 MacArthur Blvd. (Near Mayelle Avenue), Auckland
This is a seven-course feast at my daughter’s restaurant, at $69 per person. The turkey is breast-shaped, marinated and roasted, and the filling is chestnut/sage/sourdough. There is also a roasted pumpkin with black olives, garlic mashed potatoes and cranberry orange juice.
What you should know: The pre-order deadline is Friday, November 19th, but they warn that they may sell out sooner. The pickup time is Wednesday, November 24. Daughter's Diner, 326 23rd St. (near Webster Street), Auckland
The tamales at La Guerrera's Kitchen in Guerrero’s mother and daughter are ready to fill your Thanksgiving table with meat, vegetarian, and vegan food. Frozen pre-cooked tamales are available for pre-order now, and they offer a $150 Thanksgiving dinner special, which includes a dozen tamales, two chickens in a mixed pie, additional desserts and drinks, and two stacks of their house Container-made salsa.
You should know: Reservations must be picked up by Friday, November 19th (but may be sold out before then) and Wednesday, November 24th between 11 am and 4 pm. La Guerrera's Kitchen, 468 8th St. (near Broadway), Auckland
This is the second year of the Mockingbird's Everything But the Bird menu, which is the self-explanatory lineup of the best (don’t @我) part of the Thanksgiving meal. A la carte dishes such as savory brussels, mung bean casserole and cornbread filling are divided into four portions-if you order enough, you might not even miss the turkey.
What you should know: Order online before 9pm on Saturday, November 20th, and when you do, schedule a pick-up time between noon and 7pm on Wednesday, November 24th. Mockingbird, 416 13th Street (Broadway), Auckland
Chef Mica Talmor's Thanksgiving menu is full of Eastern European/Mediterranean influences, which makes her restaurant a destination in the East Bay. There are (among many options) turkey breast empanadas, Moroccan-style Phyllo pie, Brussels sprouts shaved with butternut squash and brandy cherries, or sweet potato cheesecake with candied ginger.
What you should know: Orders must be placed before noon on November 20, and pick up on November 23 and November 24. Pomella, 3770 Piedmont Ave., (between MacArthur Boulevard and Yosemite Avenue), Suite B, Oakland
The Oakland grocery store and Rocky's Market restaurant have almost everything a holiday celebrater might want, including mashed yam with marshmallows, two fillings, bean sprouts and pies. If you really want to be a turkey, they have raw Diestel birds, or-if you feel silly-Muscovy.
What you should know: There is no order deadline on Rocky’s Thanksgiving page, but the items seem to be sold out quickly, so please take action as soon as possible. Both locations provide pickup services; when you place an order online, please make sure you choose the correct location. Rocky's Market Brooklyn Basin, 288 Ninth Ave. (at the Ninth Avenue terminal), Oakland; Rocky's Market Oakmore, 1440 Leimert Blvd. (near Arden Way), Oakland
Featured photo: Market Hall/Instagram
The cozy gourmet paradise Rick & Ann's Restaurant and its catering department, Ann's Catering, offer a personal full-course menu (turkey breast, mashed potatoes, fillings, side and pumpkin pie) for $40, and dishes sold by quarts, the full set has been Appetizers such as roasted Mary's turkey ($130) and mustard eggs and lobster bisque.
What you should know: You must place an order in advance by calling 510-649-0869. The pick-up time is from 3pm to 6pm on November 24 (Wednesday). Rick & Ann's, 2922 Domingo Ave. (at Russell Street), Berkeley
The local chain specialty market is an alternate market for Thanksgiving Day in East Bay, offering a rich menu of dishes such as caramelized leeks and butternut squash quiche, roasted Mary turkey breast for four, and family-sized cornbread fillings, soaked beans and Bread rolls. Its locations in Berkeley and Rockridge have basically the same menu (as long as the supply lasts) so choose the location closest to you-but if you are against the crowds, go to Berkeley, a market hall spokesperson said that the market in Auckland will change this week on Thanksgiving. It's very crowded.
What you should know: You should book two days before pick-up. Pick-up time is from Monday, November 22 to Wednesday, November 24. For Rockridge Market Hall (menu), order online or call 510-250-6001; for Berkeley (menu), please order online or call 510-250-6001. Rockridge Market Hall, 5655 College Ave., Ste. 201 (at Keith Avenue), Oakland; Berkeley 4th 1786 4th Street (between Hearst Avenue and Virginia Street) Market Hall Foods
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