Best of: Thanksgiving in the City

Whether sticking it out in the dorms or returning home somewhere in the city, finding a place for Thanksgiving dinner that’s both easy on the wallet and delicious can be time-consuming. Taking on the role of chef could be plan B, but those all-nighters in Butler chugging Red Bull can leave even the strongest too wiped out to do anything other than sit in bed and watch “Mad Men.” Here are the top four places in NYC for students to get their well-deserved 2000 calories (or more).

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

For those who want to spend Thanksgiving in their pajamas, eating in the privacy of their dorm room or apartment, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (700 W. 125th St., at Twelfth Avenue) is one of the cheapest pick-up Thanksgiving choices. But it doesn’t come at a sacrifice of taste. Available until Nov. 21, the restaurant’s $149 Thanksgiving package is fit for eight to 12 people and includes a 14-pound turkey with giblet gravy, stuffing, and mouth-watering whipped sweet potatoes. For dessert, buyers can choose two pies of any available flavor. For those eating solo, or aiming to impress a smaller group, customers can order all items separately. After picking up the order, store it carefully in the fridge. Bring out on Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy.

Jane Restaurant

Despite the name, Jane Restaurant (100 W. Houston St., at Thompson St.) is no plain Jane when it comes to gastronomic delights. The three-course Thanksgiving Menu is sure to thrill with sweet and savory tastes alike. Appetizers butternut squash soup and toasted pumpkin seeds are followed by a main course of maple-roasted turkey and focaccia-pear stuffing. To top off the salivation-worthy list, the desserts include pecan pie with cinnamon chantilly and pumpkin pie sprinkled with spiced caramel. It’s a great Thanksgiving option for anyone who wants to make the holiday a fancy, dressed-up outing. The one and only drawback is reservations, but that’s just a phone call away. All this is for the fixed price of $45.

Angelica's Kitchen

Despite any dietary restrictions, all students deserve to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving meal. For vegans and non-vegans alike, Angelica’s Kitchen (300 E. 12th St., between First and Second avenues) proves that it’s not all about the turkey. The menu provides customers with an appetizer, a choice of salad or soup, an entrée, and a dessert. Reading the possible options, vegan Turkey Day sounds the most enticing: polenta baked with fresh figs, sweet corn broth, wild mushroom seitan braise, and pear spice cake are just some of the multiple combinations available. Even for non-vegans, ditching the meat at this restaurant doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all.

Blue Smoke

Sometimes it’s tempting to be a spoiled child and eat dessert before dinner, or not eat dinner at all and just indulge a sweet tooth. For that, there’s Blue Smoke (116 E. 27th St., between Park Avenue South and Lexington Avenue). Boasting some of the most delicious homemade pies in the city, this bakery induces the sugar crash to end all sugar crashes: bourbon-pecan, apple-crumb, and walnut-cranberry are a sample of its flavors. Be sure to order these ready-made pies before Nov. 24. At a price tag of $26, dessert is good to go for eight to 10 people­—or eight to 10 servings of delight for one.