Sometimes the idea of cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal can be daunting.
Whether patrons were hoping to avoid the hassle or simply try something new, restaurants around Niagara-on-the-Lake offered takeout and dine-in options for Thanksgiving dinner again this year, easing holiday stresses for literally hundreds of people.
At the Gate House restaurant in Old Town, Treadwell Cuisine had takeout meals available beginning at noon Sunday outside the restaurant on Queen Street.
Assistant food and beverage manager Rachele Morgan and server Samantha Comeau greeted customers as they arrived to pick up their boxed meals.
“We received 136 orders,” said Morgan. “They started prepping on Thursday up until today when they boxed everything up.”
Customers chose takeout meals for a variety of reasons. Morgan recalled an order picked up for an older woman, unable to cook her own Thanksgiving dinner. The ready-to-heat meal saved the holiday tradition for someone in need.
With all of the hard work put into providing meals for the community, restaurant staff were still able to take time for themselves to enjoy the holiday.
The Garrison House restaurant offered a similar takeout experience as well as a dine-in option for dinner.
Line cook Freddie Gualtieri said he was happy to be with all of his co-workers during the busy time.
“We have a good family here. It’s good to have everybody being together and working together on Thanksgiving,” he said.
“We have a sit-down family dinner after the end of the day.”
Silks Country Kitchen owner Joel Dempsey was busily working away all weekend, serving traditional Thanksgiving dinners through Saturday and Sunday. By Sunday afternoon, they were almost sold out.
After such a busy weekend, restaurant staff – and owners – were thankful to have the holiday Monday off for time with family and friends.
“I’ll be spending Thanksgiving with my family. We are meeting tomorrow at my sister’s house. It’s rare that we can get everyone together and tomorrow is a good day for it,” said Dempsey.
