You Might Load the Family into the Truck and Squeal Your Truck Wheels All the Way to IHOP if Your Uncle Bob Shows Up for Thanksgiving

Most people associate Thanksgiving Day with a home-cooked meal that includes the traditional roasted turkey and several side dishes to boot. The family gathers around the dinner table, a beautiful centerpiece is the focal point, and kids and adults alike stuff their faces with mashed potatoes, candied yams and green bean casserole.

But that’s not everyone’s cup of tea as about 20 million people are expected to eat their Thanksgiving Day meal at a restaurant. This holds especially true for the elderly, who are likely fed up with cooking and looking forward to a break from the kitchen.

People who can't stand the sight of certain relatives will also line up at their local Denny's than take a chance in attending a Thanksgiving Day meal that could just be trouble.

You might load the family into the truck and squeal your truck wheels all the way to IHOP if your Uncle Bob shows up for the feast uninvited.

And ever since the infamous flaming turkey incident back in 2004, nobody was seriously hurt, thank goodness, every year you prepare a list of restaurants that are open the holiday. You know, just in case.

Denny’s

Denny’s is generally open on Thanksgiving Day offering their regular menu. You might want to give them a call and see if they offer any Thanksgiving Day promotions or killer deals because really, who wants to be caught dead at Denny’s anytime, much less on a holiday?

IHOP

IHOP is like the 7-11 of chain restaurants, they are open 24/7 and serve food on holidays. So if you happen to be craving pancakes this Thursday, pack up the family and head on over to IHOP.

Waffle House

The Awful House, excuse us, Waffle House is another fine breakfast establishment likely to be open on Thanksgiving because everybody deserves heartburn on the holidays.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

This Italian-American style eatery is open on Thanksgiving Day and even offers a special menu because nothing screams American holiday traditional foods more than baked ziti, chicken picatta and spinach manicotti.

Boston Market

Fans of this chain eatery will be happy to know that many of their locations will be open for Thanksgiving. Since it already serves many of the traditional Thanksgiving Day dishes, it totally makes sense to go there. Let’s see, mashed potatoes, check, green beans, check, chicken, close enough, we are so there!

Old Country Buffet

This all-you-can-eat establishment offers dinners with a full spread of turkey and all of the fixings with all the homemade flavor and none of the wait time or clean up. Actually, this is one place you might find us, even if the bird doesn’t go up in flames this year.

Panda Express

This is one of the few Chinese restaurants you can count on to be open on Thanksgiving Day. It’s perfect for those looking for over-breaded tempura chicken doused with sauce so sugary sweet just looking at it causes cavities.