Don’t Want to Cook on the Holiday? SWLA Chefs to your Thanksgiving Rescue!

by Katelynn Mouton

If cooking a Thanksgiving spread is not on your list of favorite holiday chores, don’t fret. These Southwest Louisiana food establishments are coming to your rescue with ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals. The only labor involved in this meal prep is calling ahead to order and picking it up in time for the feast.

Area 337 – Boasting a fusion of diverse cultural flavors, Area 337 offers four different holiday packages, including a Cajun package, a Dominican package, a Puerto Rican package and an American package. The Dominican package will include a pygmy roast, Dominican rice and your choice of potato or macaroni salad, while the Puerto Rican package will include a pygmy roast, Puerto Rican rice, and your choice of a potato or macaroni salad. The Cajun package will feature roast turkey or baked ham and your choice of macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy and cornbread dressing. Each package comes with Area 337’s version of eggnog or home-brewed tea. Orders are being taken now through November 26 and can be picked up on Thanksgiving Day. (337) 488-8494

Hebert’s Specialty Meats – Variety is the spice of life at Hebert’s Specialty Meats. Bundles include deboned stuffed turkeys, spiral hams, turduckens, and fried or smoked turkeys for your main protein source. Choose your stuffing, sides and dessert. Bundles come at varying price points. Be sure to order early! (337) 602-6198

Honey B Ham & Deli – Holiday meal ordering is underway at Honey B Ham & Deli. Check out their menu at www.honeybham.net and choose from spiral glazed hams and a variety of turkey options, including smoked and Cajun-seasoned. You can opt to carve your bird yourself or buy it already carved. Add in a gourmet side of green beans, sweet potato casserole, broccoli cheese rice or traditional cornbread dressing to round out your Thanksgiving Day meal. (337) 478-3354

McFarland’s – McFarland’s is once again offering order-ahead traditional Thanksgiving meals. Visit them on Facebook to learn more about the menu and how to order. (337) 433-5992

Pat’s of Henderson – For the third year in a row, Pat’s of Henderson will gladly cook your Thanksgiving dinner for you! Customers can pick up orders up to one week ahead of Thanksgiving Day, making this a great option for companies looking to host employee luncheons. Each order feeds 8-12 people and for $250 includes either a turkey with turkey gravy or a spiral ham with honey glaze. Additional 9×12 pans of rice dressing, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole are included along with dinner rolls. The dessert list includes pecan pie, bread pudding or pumpkin cheesecake. For an additional fee, extra turkey, ham, sides, rolls and/or desserts can be requested. Orders must be placed at least 48 hours in advance, and Pat’s of Henderson also plans to offer a ready-to-eat meal option for Christmas this year. (337) 439-6618

Paul’s Rib Shack – If you’ve got a crowd to feed, Paul’s Rib Shack is up to the challenge. Choose from smoked turkey breast, smoked ham or a whole brisket for your protein and then select from mouth-watering sides like smoked macaroni and cheese, smoked green beans or smoked dirty rice. Each side feeds 18-20 people. Be sure to save room for desserts like blackberry rum sauce bread pudding, chocolate pecan pie, pumpkin pie or spiced orange cranberry sauce. Orders are open now until November 23 at www.paulsribshackbarbecue.com/thanksgiving. (337) 485-7427.

The Terrace Restaurant – Interested in a Friendsgiving without the hustle and bustle of cooking and cleaning your house? The Terrace Restaurant is hosting a Friendsgiving Wine Pairing Dinner on Friday, November 22, offering the perfect opportunity to gather and give thanks for friendship ahead of the big day. This four-course meal will feature fried brie balls with spiced cranberry sauce, butternut squash and walnut soup, braised short ribs over a potato and carrot mash and a chocolate custard tart with cinnamon ice cream topped with toasted pecans. Visit www.lakeareaadventures.com to purchase your tickets. (337) 847-2012.

Albertsons – This family meal deal includes your choice of meat with options such as smoked or regular ham and smoked or Cajun turkey. Made to serve eight, select two family-size sides from a list that includes traditional Thanksgiving favorites. Dinner rolls round out this meal! Available at both the Ryan Street and Country Club Road locations.