Thanksgiving hits best when it’s served at home. But the work one has to put in for the meal takes days of prep. My solution? The Hybrid Thanksgiving.
The idea? A meal that’s still homey and homemade, but with a little help from the pros. By pre-ordering a few dishes from some of Austin’s best restaurants, you can create a Thanksgiving dinner that’s uniquely Austin — smoky, soulful, and stress-free.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a Thanksgiving table where the turkey tastes like barbecue and dessert feels like a pastry chef’s daydream, this guide is for you.
Here’s how to pull off the perfect Austin Thanksgiving with four pre-orders. Keep mind this is a Hybrid Thanksgiving, so this isn’t the whole meal. You will have to round out the rest of the menu yourself. Might I suggest a salad? And certainly keep it real with a green bean casserole.
The Vitals:
the spot: Mum Foods 5811 Manor Rd. Austin TX 78723
I’m the first person to say Thanksgiving turkey is totally overrated. The amount of work you put in so that the turkey is cooked on time and not dry boggles the mind. Plus when you add up the cost of a large organic or Heritage Turkey, you could just buy a Prime Rib.
But turkey is tradition and Mum Foods has you covered. Known for their BBQ-meets-Jewish-deli fusion, Mum Foods smokes up a whole turkey (or a smoked turkey breast) that might just outshine Grandma’s oven-roasted bird.
As with all their smoked meats, the turkey lounges in post oak till it is perfectly cooked. Turkey is the biggest sleeper in Texas BBQ and there is no reason not to let the BBQ pros handle this one for you.
Pro tip: Reheat gently, low and slow per Mum’s instructions and serve with a drizzle of melted butter or tallow. It’s the Austin twist your Thanksgiving deserves.
The Vitals:
the spot: Parish Barbecue 3220 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
Looking to spice things up this Thanksgiving in Austin? Parish Barbecue’s crawfish dressing takes a Southern classic and gives it a Cajun kick. Think cornbread stuffing meets Gulf Coast flavor: crawfish, herbs, and a surprising jolt of umami. It’s rich, savory, and a perfect match for smoked turkey.
Pair it with Mum Foods’ turkey for a one-two punch that says Austin BBQ all the way.
The Vitals:
the spot: La Santa Barbacha 2806 Manor Road Austin TX 78722
In recent years a handful of celebrated Mexican eateries in Austin have taken to offering tamales around holiday time. La Santa Barbacha’s tamales are my pick for your Austin Thanksgiving table.
These handmade tamales — stuffed with rich, slow-cooked barbacoa — honor a time-honored family tradition that became the blueprint for La Santa Barbacha’s success. They’re easy to reheat too – a steamer basket works perfect.
Serve them as an appetizer, side dish and of course: Thanksgiving leftovers. When it comes to Austin and Thanksgiving, tamales go hand in hand.
The Vitals:
the spot: Rockman Bakery 2400 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702
No Thanksgiving feast — Austin or otherwise — is complete without pumpkin pie. But Rockman Bakery takes it up a notch with their Brown Sugar Meringue Dulce Pumpkin Pie.
This is not your average pumpkin pie. The dulce de leche base adds creamy caramel notes, while the brown sugar meringue topping brings a toasty, cloud-like finish. It’s indulgent, modern, and totally Austin.
Serve it chilled, and be prepared for your guests to ask where you got it. It’s pricey at $40 but if there is anyone worth splurging on, it is your family.
Here’s how to turn these pre-orders into a cohesive Austin Thanksgiving dinner at home:
Reheat, plate, pour yourself a glass of something festive, and take a bow — because this is how Austin does Thanksgiving.
Less time in the kitchen. More time with family. And flavors of best Austin restaurants in the comfort of your home.
Happy Austin Thanksgiving!!
Eat well, give thanks, and remember — a little outsourcing goes a long way.
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