Choices abound for eating out on Thanksgiving

Although it's tradition to eat a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner with your relatives, some folks prefer to go out to eat.

If you want to celebrate but don't necessarily want to cook, there are options.

Thanksgiving Point, in Lehi, hosts its annual "Eat Like a Pilgrim" feast and festivities Nov. 20, 21 and 23 at 6 p.m. Guests will get an idea of what early America was like, with the show barn filled with displays and live farm animals. Actors from the Colonial Heritage Foundation will portray famous pilgrims, such as Gov. William Bradford and William Brewster.

Guests will dine on pewter plates and use a spoon, knife or hands to eat. The menu includes warm cobbler, homemade bread, edible centerpieces and, of course, turkey. Warm goat's milk, duck and raw oysters will be available for tasting.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 3-12 and free for children under age 2. Tickets the day of the event are $30 for adults and $20 for children (801-768-2300 or www.thanksgivingpoint.org).

If you want to eat at home but don't want to cook, you can order takeout turkey and trimmings at several places, including Harmons, Mimi's Cafe, Marie Callender's, Cracker Barrel, Cuisine Unlimited, HoneyBaked Ham, and Harley & Buck's in Eden.

Below are a list of restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner. You'll need to call the restaurant to find out if it's a buffet or sit-down service, the hours of operation and if you need a reservation. Don't delay; many places fill up quickly, although I suspect that with the economy, more people will go the do-it-yourself route.

Alta Lodge, Little Cottonwood Canyon, $37 for adults, $16 for ages 7-12, $10 for ages 4-6 (801-742-3500 or www.altalodge.com).

Blue Boar Inn, 35 Warm Springs Road, Midway, $45 for adults, $15 for children (888-650-1400 or theblueboarinn.com).

Buca di Beppo, both Utah locations, $22.95 for 2-3 people; $38.99 for up to 6 people (801-575-6262, 801-561-9463 or bucadibeppo.com).

The Cabin at the Canyons Resort, $36 for adults, $15 for ages 6-12 (435-615-8060).

Cracker Barrel, all locations, $8.99 for adults, $4.49 for children (www.crackerbarrel.com).

Chuck-a-Rama, all locations, $10.99 for adults, 75 cents per year of age for children (www.chuck-a-rama.com).

Elevations at the Marriott, 75 S. West Temple, $20 for adults, $10 for ages 12 and under (801-537-6019).