Sure, Thanksgiving is technically about expressing gratitude, but let’s be honest: the holiday is mostly about the food—and it doesn’t have to come in the form of a fancy home-cooked meal. If you’re staying in the city and spending the holiday with your Barnumbia family, we have a few ideas for your traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Eating Out
Riverside Church will be serving a Thanksgiving brunch at 12 p.m. after the service. Adults can buy tickets for the meal online for $20 per person.
Where: 490 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10027
The Bowery Mission considers Thanksgiving to be its biggest day of the year. Last year, it served Thanksgiving Day meals to over 7,800 men, women, and children. This year, it will be serving traditional Thanksgiving meals from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at its location in Bowery, with music and festive decorations for the holiday.
Where: 227 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
Church of the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen offers Thanksgiving meals at its soup kitchen after services from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Where: 296 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Friendsgiving
Alternatively, if you and your friends are planning to dine on your own, here are the best places to obtain the ingredients to make a classic (and cheap) Thanksgiving dinner right in the comfort of your cramped dorm lounge.
Trader Joe’s
2073 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
Turkey
10 lb. turkey: $14.90
*Plan for 1 lb. of turkey per person
Mashed Potatoes
If you’re feeling adventurous, we found this enticing recipe online—let your inner Food Network chef loose.
Russet potatoes: $2.29 per 3 lb. bag
Butter: $2.99
Whole milk: $3.69 per gallon
Green Beans
Fresh green beans: $2.69 per bag
Cranberry Sauce
$3.49 per can
Gravy
$1.49 per can
Pie
$5.99 per pie (pumpkin, sweet potato, apple, pecan)
Total (with 10 lb. turkey): Approximately $38
Whole Foods
808 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025
Turkey
Amazon Prime members: 10 lb. turkey for $19.90
Non-prime members: 10 lb turkey for $24.90
*Plan for 1 lb. of turkey per person
Mashed Potatoes
Pre-made mashed potatoes: 2 lbs. for $10.99
Green Beans
Pre-made green beans: 2 lbs. for $14.99
Cranberry Sauce
Pre-made cranberry sauce: $6.99 per lb.
Gravy
Pre-made gravy: $8.99 per lb.
Pie
$14.99 per pie (apple, blueberry, cherry, pecan, pumpkin)
Total (with 10 lb. turkey): Approximately $82
Westside Market
2840 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Turkey
10 lb. turkey: $32.66
*Plan for 1 lb. of turkey per person
Mashed Potatoes
Russet Potatoes: 3 lb. bag for $2.37
Butter: $5.99
Whole Milk: $4.12 per gallon
Green Beans
Fresh green beans: $3.99 per lb.
Cranberry Sauce
Two 14 oz. cans for $5.00
Gravy
Three 10.5 oz. cans for $4
Pie
Apple: $4.99 per pie
Pumpkin: $5.99 per pie
Pecan: $8.99 per pie
Total: Approximately $68
Alternative: Have a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving dinner delivered right to your door via FreshDirect With three different dinner options depending on the size of your party, you will receive a whole turkey, as well as an assortment of sides—all you need to do is put the turkey in the oven for one last stint, and voila! A full-course meal for you and your friends.
Price: Small Thanksgiving feeds 2-4, $22.55 per person
With this array of options, you can totally gain your Freshman 15 back in one day. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
therese.bonoan@columbiaspectator.com | @CUSpectrum
