It doesn’t matter how many YouTube videos you watch — it’s best to leave turkey frying to the professionals.

The same goes for the macaroni and cheese, candied yams, casseroles, cornbread, etc: If your cooking isn’t Big Mama approved, then now is not the time to experiment. Don’t end up going viral for ruining the family Thanksgiving.

Check out our round up of Black-owned restaurants around the nation that will have you and your household covered this Thanksgiving, including one free Thanksgiving dinner in Houston. 

ARIZONA

Ocho Rios Jerk Spot – Phoenix, AZ

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 623-248-5131

Standard fare: Traditional Jamaican cuisine, from street food handhelds to fine dining.

Thanksgiving ordering menu: Jerk turkey with sides.

Order deadline: Nov. 24. Must be picked up by 8:30pm Nov. 24.

Order via: Phone

 

Trapphaus BBQ – Phoenix, AZ

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 602-466-5462

Standard fare: Specializes in hickory smoked brisket, apple-smoked ribs & hand-pulled pork.

Thanksgiving ordering menu:

– Meats: Hickory smoked turkey, cajun fried turkey, whole hickory smoked PRIME basket. 

– Sides: Jalapeño cheddar cornbread, half tray of sweet potato casserole, collard greens, smoked mac n’ cheese, Hoppin’ John’s. 

Order deadline: Three days before Thanksgiving; pick up on Thanksgiving Eve 6-8 p.m. or Thanksgiving day 11-3 p.m.

Order via: Online

CALIFORNIA 

Black Bottom Kitchen – North Hollywood, CA

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 818-856-8532

Standard fare: Classic Southern kitchen 

Thanksgiving ordering menu: 

– Meats: Whole smoked turkey breast

– Sides: Smoked turkey gravy, mac n’ cheese, southern greens, candied yams, country dressing, savory cranberry sauce, a dozen buttermilk biscuits. 

– Desserts: Buttermilk pie, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, ooey gooey cake, bread pudding. 

– A la carte: Smoked turkey breast, smoked brisket, mashed potatoes, maque choux (classic Cajun corn), southern greens, candied yams, green beans, fried cabbage, mac n’ cheese, country dressing, jalapeño cornbread. 

Order deadline: Nov. 20; pick up Nov. 23-24. 

Order via: Phone or online. 

 

Harold and Belles – Los Angeles, CA

Website | Instagram | Facebook | (323) 735-9023

Standard fare: New Orleans meets the West coast. 

Thanksgiving & Christmas ordering menu:

– Meats: Cajun fried turkey, pork roast, beef pot roast. 

– Specialty sides: Macaroni & cheese, jambalaya, oyster dressing, red beans & rice, cornbread stuffing

– Sides: Candied yams, sautéed spinach, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, potato salad, cole slaw, green salad, sautéed green beans. 

– Breads: French rolls or cornbread

– Desserts: Bread pudding, peach cobbler, sweet potato pie. 

– Other: Filé gumbo pots with steamed rice and French bread. 

* Packages include an individual meal for 1, a family combo for 12-15, a large combo for 16-20, and a feast for 20-25.

Order deadline: Requires 72 hours notice. Last pick up 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve and 8pm December 31. Delivery available at an additional charge. 

Order via: Phone or email catering@haroldandbelles.com

 

Memphis Grill – Los Angeles, CA

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 832-738-9993

Standard fare: Memphis style BBQ, all from scratch.

Thanksgiving ordering menu:

– Meats: Brisket, turkey, pulled pork, hot links, baby back ribs, chicken, tritip. 

– Sides: Candied yams, mashed potatoes, green beans, BBQ beans, mac & cheese, mashed sweet potatoes, slaw, fall harvest soup, stuffing. 

– Desserts: Sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, pumpkin praline, sweet potato praline, tres leches, pumpkin cranberry pecan upside down cake. 

* Includes gravy, BBQ sauce, and cornbread.

– A la carte: cranberry pear compote, 1/2 tray of side of choice, 1/2 tray of mac or yams, fall harvest soup. 

Order deadline: Sun., Nov. 21. Pick up Wednesday or Thanksgiving day. 

Order via: Call or DM via IG

 

Voodoo Love – San Francisco, CA

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 415-625-0614

Standard fare: Nouveau Creole cooking sustainably produced. 

Thanksgiving ordering menu:

– Meats: Turkey, cedar plank Creole salmon, brown sugar & local honey ham, New Orleans style shrimp, roasted crab clawz, pot roast. 

– Sides: Candied yams, collard greens, smoked gouda mac, creamy yellow “gritz,” cayenne pepper whipped yams, cornbread dressing (vegetarian or turkey), creamed or fried Brussels sprouts, “lemonygarlicky” green beans, creamed spinach, red beans & rice, mashed potatoes, hoodoo rice, hoodoo turkey gravy or hoodoo classic brown gravy. 

– Desserts: Cherry pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, pecan praline cake, banana puddin’, apple cobbler. 

* All family meals include kale salad, cranberry orange sauce, and cornbread or house-made dinner rolls. 

Order deadline: Pre-order only. Pick up cold food Nov. 22-23; pick up hot food Nov. 25 from 10-4pm.

Order via: Online

 

FLORIDA

Right on Que BBQ – Tallahassee, FL

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 850-706-0093

Standard fare: Southern comfort food. 

Thanksgiving ordering menu: Smoked turkey brined and seasoned in special cajun spice. 

Order deadline: Sat., Nov. 20.

Order via: Online order form.

 

Seanas Caribbean | Soul Food – Orlando, FL

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 321-800-6846

Standard fare: Caribbean and soul fusion with other global influences.

Thanksgiving menu: (feeds 4-6):

– Meats: Turkey wings smothered in white gravy over rice; tender brown sugar ham; half of both. 

– Sides: Mac n’ cheese, greens, yams, green beans, potato salad, cabbage, mashed potatoes, sweet baked beans. 

– Dessert: Morocca’s famous banana pudding. 

Order deadline: Pre-order for a Wed., Nov. 24 or Thur., Nov. 25 pick up.  

Order via: Text 718-930-5385

 

GEORGIA

Life Bistro – Atlanta, GA

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 404-464-5139

Standard fare: Fine vegan dining.

Thanksgiving ordering menu: 

– Main: Lentil loaf w/spelt mushroom gravy

– Sides: Herb roasted beets & chickpeas, collard greens, candied yams, stuffing, cranberry sauce from scratch,

– Dessert: Sweet potato pie. 

Order via: Call or Instagram direct message. 

 

LOUISIANA

Dooky Chase – New Orleans, LA

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 504-821-0600

Standard fare: Elevated soul food and southern cuisine.

Thanksgiving ordering menu:

– Meats: Whole roasted turkey with gravy or baked ham. 

– Sides: Cranberry sauce, Creole string beans, sweet potatoes, baked macaroni, cornbread. 

– Other: Gumbo

– Desserts: Pecan pie, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler. 

– A la carte: Stuffed bell peppers, cornbread dressing, oyster dressing, stuffed mirliton, mustard greens. 

Order deadline: Fri., Nov. 19; pick up by Wed., Nov 24 at 3 p.m.

Order via: Phone

 

MARYLAND

Money Muscle BBQ – Silver Spring, MD

Website | Instagram | Facebook | (301) 646-7006

Standard fare: Elevated BBQ dinners with lots of vegan options.

Thanksgiving menu:

– Meats: Fried turkey, oven roasted ham, or smoked turkey. 

– Sides: Parkerhouse rolls, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, garlic string beans, cranberry sauce, brioche stuffing, gravy. 

– Desserts: Chocolate chip cookies 

Order deadline: Orders must be placed by Sun., Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. Pick-up on Wed., Nov. 24 from 3-6 p.m. Delivery available within a 5-mile radius. 

Order via: Online

 

NEBRASKA

Rib Shack Smokehouse – Omaha, NE

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 402-502-6695

Standard fare: St. Louis style BBQ and seafood.

Thanksgiving ordering menu: Fried or smoked turkeys in cajun, lemon pepper, or garlic flavors.

Order deadline: Sun., Nov. 21; pick up between 12-4pm

Order via: Call 

 

TEXAS

Esters – Houston, TX

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 7136991212

Standard fare: Classic soul food with a cajun twist, including Cajun Chitterlings and a meatloaf that’s served only on Wednesdays.

Thanksgiving & Christmas ordering menu:

– Meats: Cajun fried turkey or spiral sliced ham. 

– Sides: Cornbread dressing, candied yams, collard greens, mac & cheese.

– Basic package: (serves 8-10) comes with a quart of gravy and a pint of cranberry sauce.

– Premium package: (serves 8-10) comes with a quart of gravy, a pint of cranberry sauce, and a peacan or sweet pie. Add a dozen rolls for a lil extra.

Ordering deadline: Sat., Nov. 20, 2021.

Order via: Place your order by phone.

 

Fainmous BBQ – Houston, TX

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 713-728-9663

Standard fare: Plates and sandwiches stuffed with juicy Tennessee style BBQ. Meal kits and other desserts available via national shipping. 

Thanksgiving ordering menu: 

– Fainmous Turkeys: Smoked, fried, or smoked fried. 

– Fainmous Thanksgiving Dinner: Turkey of your choice, 3 quart-sized sides, and a sweet potato pie.

– Cornish Hen Dinner: 2 stuffed Cornish hens on a bed of rice, choice of 3-pint sides.

Ordering deadline: Mon., Nov. 22, 2021. Must pick up order by 1 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 24.

Order via: Place an order by phone or online. When ordering, list the special as “Thanksgiving Deal.”  

Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Burns BBQ – Houston, TX

Website | Instagram | Facebook | 832-515-0572

Standard fare: Texas BBQ

Thanksgiving menu: FREE hot turkey & dressing dinners. 

Order deadline: N/A; Pick up a dinner on Monday, Nov. 22 from 12-2 p.m.