By Nanette Light
On the day of giving thanks, some Norman restaurants will thank locals for their business
They're keeping their doors open for a spoonful or two of holiday feasting on Thanksgiving.
"Thanksgiving is a weird day where people really only want turkey, and other places don't want to deviate from their menu," said Rebecca Sparks, executive chef and catering coordinator for Legend's Restaurant, 1313 W. Lindsey St., which will be open in the afternoon, by reservation only, for Thanksgiving dinner, featuring an all-you-can-eat, sit-down meal for $25.95 per person.
With only two tables remaining at the 11 a.m. seating, the earliest of the three seating options, Legend's is almost booked and plans to serve about 400.
"It's not your traditional buffet. It's more intimate and a whole lot nicer, I think, than other places that just want to feed you and get you out the door," said Sparks, adding that the upscale dining restaurant has developed a following of Thanksgiving regulars.
And Legend's is not alone.
Darrol Ray of Ray's Smokehouse BBQ, 1514 W. Lindsey St., decided to keep his stoves hot on Thursday too, after a local company asked him to cook a turkey dinner for its employees slated to work on the holiday, which would be picked up Wednesday before the restaurant closed.
"We just thought that was a real crazy way to do things," he said. "It wouldn't be fresh then."
The smokehouse, which already has sold about 200 pounds of its smoked turkey, will feature a traditional menu of turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and bread.
"We want to be an outlet for people who don't have a place to go," said Ray, who describes himself as a good ol' country boy. "We're committed to being open on Thanksgiving. It's a Mom and Pop business, and Mom and Pop will be here."
Norman Restaurants and Grocery Stores Open on Thanksgiving
Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Convention Center
2501 Conference Dr.
364-8040
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Other: Providing Thanksgiving brunch. Reservations required. Prices range from $35 for adults, $28.95 for military and senior citizens, and children 12 and under eat free.
Food and Shelter for Friends
104 W. Comanche
360-4954
Hours: Noon to 2 p.m.
Other: Featuring traditional Thanksgiving dinner. No reservations required.
Golden Corral
123 N. Interstate Dr.
364-2522
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other: Will feature traditional turkey buffet for $10.99.
Homeland
1724 W. Lindsey St.
321-7048
1100 W. Main St.
364-9244
2600 W. Robinson St.
360-9701
1251 Alameda St.
447-0041
Hours: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
IHOP
840 Ed Noble Parkway
292-4467
Hours: Open until 2 p.m.
Other: Featuring their regular menu
Legend's Restaurant
1313 W. Lindsey St.
329-8888
Hours: Reservations only with seating at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. There are only two tables left for 11 a.m. Everything else is booked.
Price: $25.95 per person
Other: Sit-down turkey dinner
Marie Callender's
3025 William Pereira
360-5580
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Other: Sit-down turkey and ham dinners. No reservation required. Orders can be placed online for ham or turkey dinners at www.mariecallenders.com.
Ray's Smokehouse and BBQ
1514 W. Lindsey St.
329-4040
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Other: Traditional Thanksgiving dinner featuring smoked turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and bread
Walmart Supercenter
333 N. Interstate Drive and 601 12th Ave. NE
329-4000 and 364-1093
Hours: Regular 24-hours
Wright's IGA Supermarket
1440 N. Porter Ave. and 3623 W. Main St.
321-0701 and 366-1244
Hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
