While stressing over a perfectly cooked turkey, fluffy mashed potatoes, stuffing that isn’t dry and an immaculate home to impress your relatives may sound like a good time to some, there are other options for celebrating Thanksgiving around Tucson. With plenty of restaurants offering feasts for the foodie-favorite holiday, consider breaking from the mold this year and taking it easy.
Maynard’s Market & Kitchen
Maynard’s Market & Kitchen, a casual restaurant and wine shop, is a downtown Tucson staple. Gather a big group of friends or family and celebrate the holiday at this rustic, Tucson gem and sister business to the historical landmark, Hotel Congress. Maynard’s is offering Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. served family style for $49 per adult and $25 per child ten and under. Starters include a salad (spinach, candied walnuts, Danish blue cheese, red onion, maple vinaigrette) or cream of celery soup with chive oil and bacon. But everyone knows it’s all about the main course, which includes slow roasted herb-rubbed turkey, charred onion mashed potatoes, sage and chorizo stuffing, roasted carrots with tarragon plus honey, house-made cranberry sauce and more. Maynard’s also suggests a few nice wine pairings to go along with your meal. Complete the epic feast with pumpkin pie or apple caramel crumble. If your mouth is watering right now, you’re not alone. maynardstucson.com
The Cup Café
Located inside Hotel Congress, The Cup Café is a cute, quaint eatery amidst high-octane downtown Tucson. On Nov. 24, the café will feature three different Thanksgiving-inspired entrées: the Virginia Benedict offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Turkey Day Dinner available 9 a.m. to close, and the coffee cured Virginia ham from 5 p.m. to close. Guests can also purchase a whole apple, pecan or pumpkin pie to share, or snag an individual slice if your party can’t come to an agreement on dessert. Prices vary depending on your order. hotelcongress.com
A chic, yet casual dining spot serving up New American cuisine, guests can head over to Pastiche where they’ll be altering their regular menu on Nov. 24 only in celebration of Thanksgiving. With a huge selection of appetizers, entrées and desserts, there’s bound to be something to satisfy even the pickiest of palates. Try the chipotle salmon cakes, prosciutto crostini, sweet potato and butternut squash soup, oven roasted free-range turkey, grilled Portobello with sweet potato cakes or the red wine braised short ribs, to name a few. Don’t forget dessert: pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake, flourless chocolate torte, Kentucky Bourbon pecan pie and tons of other heavenly options. Reservations are highly recommended. Prices vary based on the dish. pasticheme.com
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort
Nestled against the gorgeous Catalina Foothills, the luxurious, affluent end of the city, Hilton Tucson El Conquistador will have a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 24. The feast, which is located at the resort’s Turquoise Ballroom, will feature gourmet starters, main dishes and desserts, as well as a carving station. Enjoy upscale entrées like oven roasted pears, marinated artichokes, roast turkey breast and turkey thigh confit, baked yams with brown sugar and burned marshmallows, roast beef sirloin, cranberry sauce and cornbread stuffing, and more. Cap off the evening with a nice cup of house coffee and a slice of apple strudel, pumpkin pie or carrot cake, among others. Pricing is $68 for adults, $26 children 6-12, kids 5 and under free. hiltonelconquistador.com
Signature Grill Restaurant at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa
The western side of Tucson is a tranquil getaway from the cityscape, with miles of secluded, spellbinding desert. Signature Grill Restaurant at the JW Marriott Starr Pass, a 4-star hotel, is tendering a special Thanksgiving Day menu at this Southwestern “cowboy cuisine” restaurant. Take a seat at the sprawling outdoor patio and drink in the desert flora and mountain backdrop. Guests can order up premium dishes like juniper berry brined turkey, roasted garlic prime rib, a variety of seafood selections and numerous sides. There’s even a Thanksgiving Day breakfast menu (um, yes please). Signature Grill is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit their website for details on breakfast, lunch and dinner times. marriott.com
