Best Places for Thanksgiving and Holiday Meals in Pasadena

Most restaurants in Pasadena close down for Thanksgiving and some other holidays, but there are some wonderful exceptions and some mighty good eating out there. I have chosen three restaurants to fit three different budgets to fit your Thanksgiving or holiday eating in Pasadena.

COCO'S
77 N. Lake
Pasadena Ca 91101
626 449 3156

If your budget is a little tight, Coco's is the place to have your Thanksgiving meal in Pasadena. It serves a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, including dessert for around $12 per person. The servers are all friendly and efficient and the food is homey and reliable, if not very exciting. You will leave stuffed and happy. Reservations are not required and there is usually only a brief wait.

McCORMICK & SCHMIK'S
111 N. Los Robles
Pasadena Ca 91101
626 405 0064

McCormick & Schmik's has a very cozy holiday ambience with its areas divided into small rooms that are reminiscent of Craftsman style homes. It features a turkey dinner and all the trimmings but you can also order off the regular menu. They specialize in seafood and it is very good, as is the turkey dinner. One year we ate Thanksgiving dinner at McCormick and Schmik's and they ran out of pumpkin pie! The substitution was to die for: a flourless chocolate cake. After dinner, you can work off a bit of food by strolling around the lovely patio area with its decorative tile and fountains. Price for the turkey dinner is $18.95. Reservations required.

THE PALMS
101 W.Green St.
Pasadena Ca 91166
626 577 2567

You can have a real blow out Thanksgiving or holiday dinner at the Palms. It may seem too expensive at $35 for adults and $10.95 for children twelve and under. But wait. They serve a special Thanksgiving buffet and give each diner a to go box to make a round of the buffet for take out food. That makes two meals for the price of one and the $10.95 price for children is very reasonable. The Palms is sort of a great big elegant tent but it is never too hot or too cold. While you dine, a jazz trio will be playing in the background so you are also getting some entertainment for your money. The buffet offers the following:

*Roasted Tom Turkey
*Sirloin of Beef
*Pepper Crusted Pork Loin
*Seared Salmon with Tarragon Butter
*Baby Mixed Greens
*Hears of Romaine with Maytag Blue Cheese Dressing
*Grilled Vegetables
*Traditional Cornbread Dressing
*Spice Glazed Roasted Yams
*Glazed Carrots and Caramelized Pearl Onions
*Mashed Potatoes
*Cranberry Compote
*Choice of Pecan Pie a la Mode or Pumpkin Compote

The food at the Palms is always very good and this buffet menu can't fail to please most everyone, although a vegetarian would be getting short shrift.
After dinner take a stroll around Pasadena's Old Town or just go home and plop your stuffed selves on the couch in front of a football game. Don't forget to refrigerate those to go boxes.

Any one can find someplace to eat a Thanksgiving or holiday dinner in Pasadena. Just ask me.