Choplin’s is one of three area restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day. Don’t miss out; all are taking reservations now.
Nov. 2. [Updated Nov. 21.] By TL Bernthal. Not even a handful of area restaurants will be open Thanksgiving Day for diners, and reservations for a place at their tables are filling up.
Choplin’s in Cornelius, Red Rock Cafe in Birkdale Village and North Harbor Club in Davidson will be open, as will Al’s Bar & Grille for Buffalo Bills fans, Prosciutto’s Pizzeria & Pub in Cornelius and the Fox and Hound in Birkdale.
If you’re not planning on cooking the meal, attending a Friendsgiving or eating leftovers/frozen dinners on Thanksgiving Day, now’s the time to make your restaurant reservations.
If you are cooking, check this comparison of prices of Thanksgiving meal staples at five local groceries.
Choplin’s
Cornelius’ beloved Choplin’s Restaurant on One Norman Boulevard off West Catawba Avenue, is expecting to serve a sold-out crowd again this year. Make your reservations online or by phone at 704-892-4800
“It’s always a sell out,” says Char Kluvers, Choplin’s manager, “wildly successful.”
[Update] Choplin’s will be open noon to 4 pm on Thanksgiving and is fully booked, but accepting names for a wait list.
Diners can order off the regular dinner menu or have a turkey and ham option with all the usual Thanksgiving sides. In other words, “a full-blown Thanksgiving experience,” Kluvers says.
Choplin’s neighbor, Lost Worlds Brewing, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day along with the majority of eateries in Lake Norman—at least the more than two dozen we checked. If we missed your establishment and you’re open, let us know.
Birkdale Village
[Update] Red Rocks Cafe – Birkdale Village opens 10 am on Thanksgiving is taking reservations for a few available time slots; call 704-892-9999. Walk-ins will seated as availability allows. The Thanksgiving meal is buffet-style only; $40 for adults and $18 for children includes a soft drink and dessert.
You won’t be able to watch a football on the big screen because the ice rink will have taken over The Plaza, and “we will not be showing any viewings on the big screen,” according to Birkdale Village owners.
Davidson
[Update] North Harbor Club is booked for Thanksgiving, but walk-ins are welcome at the bar starting at 11 am as long as seats are available. The restaurant expects some cancellations, so call 704-896-5559 to check; there is not a wait list so it’s catch as catch can with cancellations. The set menu is $65 for adults and $15 for children, and includes an appetizer, entree, dessert and a bloody mary or mimosa cocktail for adults.
Mooresville
[Update] Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, 120 Gallery Center Drive, Mooresville, will offer its legendary endless buffet 10 am – 8 pm on Thanksgiving. Call for details 704-660-6622.
The bars
Al’s in the Magnolia Estate shopping center is a second home to Buffalo Bills fans, and since the team is playing the Detroit Lions at 12:30 pm, the bar will open 11 am and serve drinks and its regular menu of wings, pizza, burgers and more until 10 pm.
Fox and Hound – Birkdale Village will offer its regular food and beverage menu starting 4 pm Thanksgiving to 2 am.
Prosciutto’s Pizzeria & Pub, 20920 Torrence Chapel Rd., Cornelius, is open 11 am – 10 pm on Thanksgiving.
