Best Places for Thanksgiving and Holiday Meals in Houston, Texas

You won't be disappointed if you decide to have your turkey day on the town in Houston. There are many places with fabulous holiday offerings for every pocketbook and palate. The weather often ranges in the high 60s to 70s around Thanksgiving, so you may even find yourself eating out on the patio at some places. Here are some excellent places to choose from:

Rudi Lechner's is a restaurant known for its German-Austrian dishes, entertainment and excellent service. They generally have a buffet on Thanksgiving Day between 11:00 am and 4: 00 pm. The Cold Buffet features greens, fresh vegetables, fruit, shrimp, assorted salads, herring and pate. The Hot Buffet, of course, has that delicious turkey, but there's also quite a variety of other meats, including ham, roast beef, veal Zurich, goulash and cabbage rolls. Green beans, mashed potatoes, noodles, dressing and gravy are all available to round out your dinner. Desserts include apple strudel, carrot cake, cheese cake and the traditional pumpkin pie. The cost is middle range, generally under $30.00 per adult and $10.00 for children 12 and under. Make reservations by calling 713-782-1180. Rudi Lechner's is located at 2503 Gessner Road, very close to the intersection of Westheimer.

Bistro Le Cep features French country cooking in a Provencal-type atmosphere. It is located right in the heart of the Westchase District on Westheimer Rd. at the intersection of Wilcrest. Your feast will include an appetizer and salad, followed by your choice of Roasted Tom Turkey with Fresh Cranberries or Roasted Prime Rib of Beef au Jus. Accompaniments include green beans with toasted almonds, smashed white potatoes, squash with maple syrup and an abundance of fresh breads. Choose your dessert from these mouth-watering dishes: apple brown betty, pumpkin pie with peanut brittle, apple cheese tart with vanilla ice cream. The basic cost is under $40.00 for an adult unless you order an expensive wine from their wine bar. Each child's meal will cost around $20.00. Call 713-783-3985 to make reservations.

Don't have kids? The Red Lion Pub offers a taste of Merry Old England in an atmosphere which is as close the real thing as you can get. Their la carte Thanksgiving menu features, in addition to the traditional turkey dinner at $16, such other interesting dishes as Shepherd's Pie, Guiness Beef Stew, and filet mignon. The Red Lion Pub is well-known for its authentic fish 'n chips, divine steaks, and an excellent selection of wines and beers. They are located at 2316 Shepherd Dr., a little over a block in from Westheimer. Call 713.PUB.3030 to reserve your spot. Thanksgiving hours are 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

If you want to get up early and head downtown, Houston's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, known as the H-E-B Holiday Parade, usually kicks off at 9:00 a.m. You'll see Tom Turkey and Santa Claus floats. There will be hundred of cheerleaders, costumed characters and marching bands. Each year has its own celebrity guests, usually people originally from Houston. Get all the current information, and early bird tickets on the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade website.

If you aren't eating out and have the time and the desire, you can also volunteer to help the less fortunate in Houston have a better Thanksgiving. The City Wide Club of Clubs provides an annual Thanksgiving Feast on Thanksgiving Day at the George R. Brown Convention Center. You can volunteer to set up or serve meals. As a volunteer, you will be invited to join in this special meal. You can work a shift anytime between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, so you can plan your shift around your family's own festivities. Volunteers from previous Thanksgiving Feasts include Mayor Bill White, Reps. Al Green and Sheila Jackson Lee, and former President George H.W. Bush. Between 35,000 and 40,000 people attend this event each year.

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