San Antonio Restaurants Prepare Thanksgiving Menus and Free Community Meals

Ten San Antonio restaurants have released Thanksgiving meal options for customers who wish to skip the holiday cooking. The offerings range from free community dinners for senior citizens and those facing financial hardship to premium dine-in experiences at rooftop venues. Pre-order deadlines for several of these meals are approaching within the next week, with most closing between November 19 and 23.

Chef Jason Dady, known for his work at Tre Trattoria, Mexico City, and Two Bros BBQ, is offering a bourbon-brined turkey kit for $500. The package serves 10 to 12 people and includes the turkey, sage and thyme giblet stuffing, roasted garlic green beans, herbed rolls, thyme and caramelized onion gravy, and a green bean casserole. Orders for this kit must be placed by Saturday, November 21, with deliveries scheduled for Wednesday, November 25.

Bill Miller Bar-B-Q is selling family packs that include a turkey hen, ham, or sliced turkey breast alongside sides, dinner rolls, tea, and a pie. Pre-orders for these affordable options are open through Monday, November 23. Customers may also purchase main proteins separately if they do not require the full side and dessert selection.

Curry Boys BBQ presents a $99.95 Thanksgiving pack featuring smoked turkey breast basted with miso garlic honey butter. The meal includes an extra side of the same butter, house gravy, and red curry mac and cheese. Pre-orders close at noon on Sunday, November 22, and pickups must occur at the customer's chosen location before Thanksgiving Day.

Pearl's Pullman Market at 221 Newell Ave. is taking à la carte pre-orders for Thanksgiving items through Monday, November 23. The menu features Wagyu rib roast, organic Texas turkey, Mill King macaroni and cheese, and butcher’s gravy with smoked beef tallow. The market also sells wines, desserts, and table centerpieces.

Frederick’s Bistro and Frederick’s Restaurant will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The two locations will serve a special holiday menu that includes butternut squash pumpkin soup, traditional turkey with stuffing, and chicken cordon bleu. Guests can order these items à la carte during the holiday service hours.

Miss Chickpea’s Bake Shop at 10105 Broadway offers a holiday menu that contains no meat, dairy, or eggs. Pre-orders are due by 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 19. The available items include apple pecan crumble and pumpkin pies, sweet potato pie cheesecake, garlic butter rolls, plain croissants, and seasonal soups.

Zenita Rooftop Restaurant at 201 E. Commerce St. is hosting a special dinner called mesas de gracias. Reservations are recommended for the lunch service from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and a golden-hour dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The menu features a carving station with chili-honey turkey roulade and Texas smoked brisket with a Korean chili barbecue glaze. The meal includes a dessert table, a plant-based entrée, and sides with sunset views.

Smokey Mo’s TX BBQ is selling whole smoked turkeys for $79 and full Thanksgiving meal kits for $225. The kits include cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. Pre-orders close on Friday, November 20, and customers can schedule pickups between Monday, November 23, and Wednesday, November 25.

H-E-B’s True Texas BBQ offers smoked prime brisket as an alternative to turkey for the holiday. Customers can order a whole brisket or a meal kit that includes the meat. Sides such as garlic mashed potatoes and a Texas-sized peach cobbler are available à la carte. The chain also sells smoked turkey kits and smoked prime rib. Orders must be placed 72 hours in advance by calling the specific pickup location.

The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner at 900 E. Market St. provides free meals on Thanksgiving Day for senior citizens and individuals facing financial hardship or food insecurity. No reservations are required for the community dinner table. Hot meals are served from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., accompanied by live music and dancing.