FREE
LESS THAN $20 PER PERSON
BETWEEN $20-$30 PER PERSON
MORE THAN $30 PER PERSON
No matter what your reason may be, there are alternatives to cooking your own Thanksgiving Dinner. To help you find them, Madison on the Cheap has compiled a list of Madison-area organizations and restaurants serving dinner on Thanksgiving Day 2009. You’ll find a wide range of options, from FREE to almost $40 per person.
The free dinners are open to all, but each sponsoring organization we contacted stressed the importance of volunteers and donations. Cash donations are especially appreciated. So too are volunteers who are willing to help with clean-up tasks. Please consider contributing time and/or money if you are in a position to do so this Thanksgiving.
Evangelical Lutheran Church
315 East Main Street; Mount Horeb
Phone: (608) 437-7344 (Ann Snodgrass)
Serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Community Thanksgiving Meal, organized by members of the Mount Horeb United Methodist Church, is FREE for all! “You are invited to come eat and share in fellowship with friends and neighbors who might not have company otherwise.”
You may also call to request meal delivery or transportation to the meal.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
5701 Raymond Road, Madison
Phone: (608) 271-6633
FREE and open to the public
Traditional turkey dinner, served from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
No reservations required
First United Methodist Church
203 Wisconsin Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Phone: (608) 256-9061
FREE and open to the public
Traditional turkey dinner, served from noon until 2 p.m.
No reservations required
Faith Community Church
Free Thanksgiving Dinner served at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
605 Spruce Street, Madison
FREE and open to the community, dinner served at noon
No reservations required
Persons unable to get to the church can request a free home-delivered meal by calling the South Madison Coalition of the Elderly at 251-8405. Reservations for home deliveries should be made by noon on Friday, November 20.
First Congregational Church
1609 University Avenue, Madison
Phone: (608) 233-9751
FREE Thanksgiving dinner for any and all who wish to join – to find “home” and nourishment at our table
http://firstcongmadison.org/thanksgiving.htm
Traditional turkey-and-fixings dinner served noon to 3 p.m.
No reservations required
Free home delivery by calling 233-9751 before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 23
Alliance for Animals
Neighborhood House
29 S. Mills Street, Madison
FREE and open to the public (donation jar available)
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner served at 5:30 p.m.
(all food will be vegan)
No reservations required
Rex’s Innkeeper
301 N. Century Avenue, Waunakee
Phone: (608) 849-5011
Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner served family-syle: Turkey, Ham, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Vegetables, Salads, and Dessert Table
$12.95 Adults; $6.95 Children 10 and under
Serving: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Luedtkes Coliseum Bar & Banquet
232 East Olin Avenue, Madison
Phone: (608) 251-2434
Serving a Thanksgiving Day Buffet: “Watch the Packers game while enjoying your holiday meal.”
$12.95 Adults
Serving: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Zander’s Capitol Grill
118 State Street, Madison
Phone: (608) 280-9999
“A Traditional Homemade American Thanksgiving”
DINNER BUFFET: “Deep fried and baked turkey at our carving station with cranberry sauce; Sliced Ham with a Honey Brown Sugar Glaze; Green Bean, Sweet Potato, and Baked Cabbage with Bacon Casseroles; Garlic Mashed Potatoes with homemade gravy available on the side; Kipp’s Corn Bread and Dinner Rolls; Salad Bar; Macaroni and Cheese; Cornbread Dressing” DESSERT: Peach Cobbler Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Pie
$14.95 per person
Serving: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Springers on Lake Kegonsa
3097 Sunnyside Street, Stoughton
Phone: (608) 205-9300
Thanksgiving dinner buffet
$14.95 Adults; $8.95 Children 6 & under
Serving: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Reservations highly recommended”
Claddagh Irish Pub
1611 Aspen Commons (Greenway Station), Middleton
Phone: (608) 833-5070
Special turkey dinner with all the trimmings, plus Claddagh’s full menu
$14.99 Adults (Turkey Dinner; regular prices for items from full menu)
“Can’t get away from work for Thanksgiving? Claddagh Irish Pub is catering.
We can deliver your Thanksgiving Meal to you at your place of work! We can work with any budget. Please call to make catering reservations before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25th.”
Serving: 4 p.m. to Midnight (Pub Bites Menu items only after 10 p.m.)
Dorf Haus
8931 Highway Y, Roxbury
Phone: (608) 643-3980
Thanksgiving Day Buffet: “Roast Turkey, Bakes Chicken, Honey Glazed Ham, Real Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Dressing, Sweet Potatoes, Peppered Corn, Carameled Carrots, Cranberries, Salad Bar, Rolls, Homemade Pumpkin Pie or Ice Cream”
$15.50 Adults; $5.95 Children 5-10; $1 Tots 4 & under
Serving: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Reservations Highly Recommended”
Essen House
541 East Wilson Street, Madison
Phone: (608) 255-4674
“Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner served family-style: Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potato, Yams, Cranberries, Vegetables, Dinner Rolls, Dessert, Coffee, Tea, Milk, or Soda…and you get to take the leftover turkey home!”
$15.95 Adults; $6.95 Children 6-10 (5 and under free)
Serving: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Old Feed Mill
114 Cramer Street; Mazomanie
Phone: (888) 345-4909″You’re invited to join us for Thanksgiving: Fresh Roasted Turkey; Rolled Pork Loin with a cranberry orange glaze; Our Famous Pot Roast; Mushroom Strudel; Cranberry Orange Relish Salad; Mediterranean Pasta Salad; Broccoli Salad; Garlic mashed Potatoes and Gravy; Stuffing; Glazed Sweet Potatoes; Seasonal Vegetables; Pumpkin and Apple Pie and other traditional favorites; and Bread Pudding”
$17.95 Adults; $15.95 Seniors; $8.95 Children under 12
Serving: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lake Windsor Golf Club
4628 Golf Road, Windsor
Phone: (608) 846-4711
Thanksgiving Grand Buffet: “GRAND ENTREES: Chef Carved Cider Glazed Oven Roasted Turkey and Chef Carved Roasted Virginia Ham with Bourbon Glaze; HOMEMADE SIDE DISHES: Sage Dressing with Homemade Gravy, Fresh Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Whipped Sweet Potatoes. Corn O’Brien, Green Bean Casserole, Assorted Rolls with Whipped Butter, Assorted Fresh Salads and More!; DESSERT & PASTRY TABLE: Assorted Pies (Pumpkin, Apple, Cherry, Pecan), Carrot Cake, Ice Cream Sundae Buffet, Brownies, Assorted Cookies, And More!; BEVERAGES: Regular and Decaf Coffee; Regular and Chocolate Milk”
$18.95 Adults; $16.95 Seniors (65+); $9.95 Children 4-10 years; FREE Toddlers 3 & under
Serving: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m
Reservations Required
The Great Dane
2980 Cahill Main, Fitchburg
Phone: (608) 442-0129
“Come to Fitchburg for the best Thanksgiving Brunch in town. All your holiday favorites and much more.”
Serving: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$19.95 Adults; $9.95 Kids (6-12); FREE Kids 5 and under
Samba Brazilian Grill
240 West Gilman Street; Madison
(608) 257-1111
Traditional Samba menu, plus Thanksgiving Turkey
$24.95 per person
Serving: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Orpheum Theatre Lobby Restaurant
216 State Street; Madison
(608) 255-6005
Thanksgiving Buffet including Roast Turkey and Trimmings; Sweet Potatoes; Honey-Baked Ham; Flank Steak
$26 Adults; $12 Children under 10
Serving: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Quivey’s Grove
6261 Nesbitt Road, Madison
Phone: (608) 273-4900
“Serving from 11-3:00 in the Stone House with a complimentary appetizer buffet in the Stable Grill prior to your dinner reservation. Children’s portions available.”
Dinner entrees: “Roast Turkey – A traditional feast of roast turkey breast, apple and black walnut dressing, pumpkin buttered carrots, mashed potatoes, and cranberry chutney ($23.95); Prime Rib – Slow roasted boneless ribeye, garlic-green onion bread pudding, and a three cheese stuffed potato ($28.95); Crown Roast of Pork Loin: Crusted with mustard, fresh sage, and thyme, served with apple brandy sauce, mashed potatoes, and apple black walnut dressing ($24.95); Roast Duck: Semi-boneless roast half duck, glazed with maple syrup, served with apples and onions fried with Nueske smoked bacon, and wild rice ($26.95); Acorn Squash: Baked with an apple black walnut stuffing, served with a sampling of all the trimmings ($20.95); and Salmon Filet: Pan seared, then baked with a dill and mustard butter, served with parmesan potato, and a julienne of peppers and zucchini ($25.95). All dinners served with choice of cream of wild rice with mushroom soup or salad of seasonal greens with raspberry walnut vinaigrette and apple muffins.”
Serving: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
MORE THAN $30 PER PERSON
Capitol ChopHouse
9 East Wilson Street; Madison
Phone: (608) 60-2364
Thanksgiving Day Brunch Buffet
Serving: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$36.95 Adults; $9.95 Children 7 and under
The Madison Concourse Hotel
1 West Dayton Street, Madison
Phone: (608) 294-3031
“Thanksgiving Feast” including Chef-carved roasted turkey with cider sage gravy; Chef-carved prime rib with au jus and horseradish cream; Maple seared salmon with jewel rice pilaf; Greek lamb, fennel, spinach and feta roll; Ravioli with wild mushrooms and Parmesan cream sauce; Chestnut, dried fruit and pancetta stuffing; Butternut squash with mascarpone and candied pecans; Cauliflower smoked cheddar mashed potatoes; Balsamic glazed root vegetable nuggets; Sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts; Smoked salmon; Imported and domestic cheese tray; Sliced fruit display; Mixed greens and Caesar with assorted accompaniments; Sweet potato salad with dried berries; Clementine jicama and daikon radish Salad; Harvest panzanella salad; and Dessert station.”
Serving: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also regular menu in the bar from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
$35 Adults; $10 Children 4-10
Reservations requested
The Admiralty Room
The Edgewater Hotel
666 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison
Phone: (608) 661-6582
“Our holiday buffet will feature Chef carved turkey, ham, plus an array of appetizers, stuffing, breads, salads, cranberry sauce, traditional dishes, and seafood entrees, accompanied by vegetables, potatoes, home-style gravy, and an elaborate dessert table.”
Serving: Noon to 8 p.m. (last seating at 6 p.m.)
$38.95 Adults; $18.95 Children 6-10 years old (5 years and under complimentary)
“Make reservations early.”
