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“South American-ish” restaurant Mercy Me has options for cider-brined turkeys, charcuterie- and cheese-packed picada boards, and roasted Brussels sprouts with Chilean smoked pepper
“South American-ish” restaurant Mercy Me has options for cider-brined turkeys, charcuterie- and cheese-packed picada boards, and roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked Chilean pepper
Farrah Skeiky/For Mercy Me

13 Global Takeout Options to Spice Up a Stuck-at-Home Thanksgiving

Ditch the American classics in favor of Chinese, Caribbean, Malaysian, and Mexican specials

by Gabe Hiatt
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“South American-ish” restaurant Mercy Me has options for cider-brined turkeys, charcuterie- and cheese-packed picada boards, and roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked Chilean pepper
| Farrah Skeiky/For Mercy Me
by Gabe Hiatt

This is not the year for Rockwell-esque Thanksgiving. COVID-19 cases are spiking across the country, and D.C. officials are encouraging residents to avoid traveling outside the region, eschew large gatherings, and keep celebratory meals outside, if possible. The most responsible course of action is to stay home, which will undoubtedly be a bummer for some, but it comes with added benefit of freeing up money spent on plane tickets for a restaurant splurge. While many people will cling to the Americanized classics — a bronze roasted turkey, simple stuffing, pumpkin pie — for a comforting hit of nostalgia, plenty of restaurants representing cuisines from outside of the United States have holiday specials full of flavors that could help cure the quarantine doldrums. Here are 13 places, from Northern Virginia through D.C. and Baltimore, offering inventive, nontraditional Thanksgiving dishes.

A number of D.C. area restaurants have resumed dine-in service. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns. The Washington Post is tracking coronavirus cases and deaths in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. More information can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Blend 111

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At the Latin wine bar, coffee shop, and restaurant in McLean, chef Andrés-Julian Zuluaga is celebrating a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving with a two-person, carryout-only menu ($139) built around a centerpiece of roasted pork shank with escabeche and aioli. There’s mashed plantain mofongo as a side, and desserts include both tres leches cake and a caramel bourbon pumpkin natilla (Spanish custard). Wine bottles are available as add-ons. Order by 5 p.m. November 18th for Thanksgiving Day pickup (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).

111 Church St NW Suite 101, Vienna, VA 22180
(571) 363-3613
(571) 363-3613
Blend 111 facade Erica Everhart/For Blend 111

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Lebanese Taverna (Multiple location)

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The local, family-run chain of casual Lebanese restaurants and counters has a la carte options for available for pickup at its Arlington market and locations in Tysons, Rockville, and Baltimore. Mains include a garlic-thyme lamb shoulder for eight to 10 people ($125) or roasted turkey that comes with spiced rice, toasted, nuts, and gravy ($160). Sides range from arnabeet, a fried cauliflower dish with a tahini-pomegranate sauce, to za’atar roasted potatoes and bulghur pilaf. Get baklawa-crusted cheesecake or whole kanafeh for dessert. Preorder here through November 23.

4400 Old Dominion Dr, Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 276-8681
(703) 276-8681

Et Voila !

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The Belgian-French bistro in the Palisades has traditional Thanksgiving packages built around cooked (or uncooked) turkeys, but an a la carte menu is full of Western European flair. Dishes that priced for one person or four include a Flemish beef stew with a dark beer base, rigatoni bolognese, a kid-friendly cavatelli with butter and Parmesan, and profiteroles. Order before Tuesday, November 24.

5120 MacArthur Blvd, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 237-2300
(202) 237-2300

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Muchas Gracias

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Chef Christian Irabién’s Mexican restaurant, a standout new addition to the Forest Hills neighborhood in Upper Northwest, offer to-go kits complete with reheating instruction for pickups on the day before Thanksgiving. A roasted half turkey comes with mole negro auce, fried plantains, charred sweet potatoes with salsa negra, black bean, garlic rice, and cranberry salsa. There’s also a green salad with lime dressing and an acorn squash soup with avocado, spiced pumpkin seeds, and tortilla chips. A chocolate mole tart caps off the four-person meal ($145). Order by 6 p.m. November 18 for pickup November 25 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

5029 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 244-5000
(202) 244-5000

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Wild Tiger

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This Asian-American barbecue pop-up from Bun’d Up owner Scott Chung, chef Andrew Lo, and chef Kevin Tien is selling a $125 Thanksgiving package that should easily feed four to five people. It includes curry-smoked turkey legs, salt n pepper rib tips, chicken fat mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts in fish sauce, wok-fried Sichuan green beans, milk bun dinner rolls, and apple-pear kimchi. Place preorders by November 23 for pickup between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on November 25 or 26.

1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202
(571) 312-4908
(571) 312-4908
A Thanksgiving platter from Wild Tiger
A Thanksgiving platter from Wild Tiger
Wild Tiger [official]

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Mercy Me

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The playful new “South American-ish” restaurant from the owner of Call Your Mother bagels have takeout catering package for groups of four ($150) or 10 ($375) as well as a whole a la carte menu. Highlights from chef Johanna Hellrigl include cider-brined turkeys, chorizo cornbread stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked Chilean pepper, and picada boards full of charcuterie and cheese. Pastry chef Camila Arango has an apple pie with cajeta (goat’s milk caramel). Preorder here for pickups on November 24 and 25.

1143 New Hampshire Ave NW Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 828-7762
(202) 828-7762
Pumpkin pie with panela sugar and apple pie with cajeta (goat’s milk caramel) from Mercy Me
Pumpkin pie with panela sugar and apple pie with cajeta (goat’s milk caramel) from Mercy Me
Farrah Skeiky/For Mercy Me

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Brothers And Sisters

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D.C. restaurateur Erik Bruner-Yang’s “nontraditional Thanksgiving feast” at his Line hotel restaurant includes a choice of peking duck, braised short rib, or butternut squash green curry. Those mains come with sides like milk bread stuffing and a choice of either pumpkin pie with marshmallow meringue or miso peanut banana cream pie. Trays cost $55 per person and are available for dine-in or carryout with daily pickups from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. November 23 through November 29.

1770 Euclid St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 588-0525
(202) 588-0525
Thanksgiving peking duck from Brothers & Sisters
Thanksgiving peking duck from Brothers & Sisters
Brothers and Sisters [official]

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Makan

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This Malaysian restaurant from chef James Wozniuk has Southeast Asian Thanksgiving packages that cost $80 for two people. That includes confit turkey legs, sides such as a mushroom rendang green bean casserole, and a kaya (coconut-pandan custard) cream pie. Bottled cocktails for four and wine packs are available, too. Preorder by 10 p.m. Saturday, November 21.

3400 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 730-2295
(202) 730-2295
James Wozniuk at his happy place in front of a wok
James Wozniuk is making confit turkey legs in Malaysian spices from Thanksgiving
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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Bad Saint

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The fancy Filipino restaurant in Columbia Heights has a la carte options like a roasted, stuffed pork belly lechon ($85), crab fat mac n cheese ($30), and kalamansi citrus or kabocha squash pies ($35). Preorder by 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, for pickups November 25 (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and 26 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

3226 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

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Modena

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Chef John Melfi takes the trouble to mill his own pasta flour from Southern Maryland grains. Families can try his mascarpone and Parmesan polenta alongside turkey in Thanksgiving packs ($225 to $275) available for pickup with 72 hours of advance notice. Place orders here, or reserve a spot for a Thanksgiving dine-in meal ($65 per person; noon to 8 p.m.) that includes an option for red bourbon turkey with oyster cornmeal stuffing.

1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 216-9550
(202) 216-9550
The roving antipasti trolley at Modena
The roving antipasti trolley at Modena
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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Albi

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A hearth-fired Thanksgiving takeout menu from chef Michael Rafidi’s Navy Yard restaurant include a smoked turkey hummus with za’atar and mushrooms, croissant stuffing, and root vegetables. There’s also potato puree livened up with urfa pepper and an orange blossom cranberry jam, among other sides, and a baklawa apple pie. The two-person meal costs $150 per person. Pickups are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 25.

1346 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 921-9592
(202) 921-9592
Chef Michael Rafidi plates a dish at Albi
Chef Michael Rafidi plates a dish at Albi
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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Cane

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Renowned for his jerk wings, Cane chef Peter Prime is selling whole smoked and jerked organic turkeys for $180 from his Trinidadian rum bar on H Street NE. A la carte sides mean to feed four to six people ($40) include plantain stuffing and mac and cheese. Place preorders with an email to catering@cane-dc.com before 5 p.m. Saturday November 21. Pickups run from 9 a.m. to noon on November 25. 

403 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 675-2011
(202) 675-2011

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NiHao

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The new Baltimore restaurant from the Peter Chang family and chef Pichet Ong is offering Cantonese peking duck (half or whole) dinner for two starting at $88, with sides like mapo macaroni, buckwheat parker house rolls, and mala-spiced winter squash. Preorders are available for pickup November 24 and 25 from 3 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

2322 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224
(443) 835-2036
(443) 835-2036

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Blend 111

111 Church St NW Suite 101, Vienna, VA 22180

At the Latin wine bar, coffee shop, and restaurant in McLean, chef Andrés-Julian Zuluaga is celebrating a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving with a two-person, carryout-only menu ($139) built around a centerpiece of roasted pork shank with escabeche and aioli. There’s mashed plantain mofongo as a side, and desserts include both tres leches cake and a caramel bourbon pumpkin natilla (Spanish custard). Wine bottles are available as add-ons. Order by 5 p.m. November 18th for Thanksgiving Day pickup (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).

111 Church St NW Suite 101, Vienna, VA 22180
(571) 363-3613
(571) 363-3613
Blend 111 facade Erica Everhart/For Blend 111

Lebanese Taverna (Multiple location)

4400 Old Dominion Dr, Arlington, VA 22207

The local, family-run chain of casual Lebanese restaurants and counters has a la carte options for available for pickup at its Arlington market and locations in Tysons, Rockville, and Baltimore. Mains include a garlic-thyme lamb shoulder for eight to 10 people ($125) or roasted turkey that comes with spiced rice, toasted, nuts, and gravy ($160). Sides range from arnabeet, a fried cauliflower dish with a tahini-pomegranate sauce, to za’atar roasted potatoes and bulghur pilaf. Get baklawa-crusted cheesecake or whole kanafeh for dessert. Preorder here through November 23.

4400 Old Dominion Dr, Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 276-8681
(703) 276-8681

Et Voila !

5120 MacArthur Blvd, Washington, DC 20016

The Belgian-French bistro in the Palisades has traditional Thanksgiving packages built around cooked (or uncooked) turkeys, but an a la carte menu is full of Western European flair. Dishes that priced for one person or four include a Flemish beef stew with a dark beer base, rigatoni bolognese, a kid-friendly cavatelli with butter and Parmesan, and profiteroles. Order before Tuesday, November 24.

5120 MacArthur Blvd, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 237-2300
(202) 237-2300

Muchas Gracias

5029 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chef Christian Irabién’s Mexican restaurant, a standout new addition to the Forest Hills neighborhood in Upper Northwest, offer to-go kits complete with reheating instruction for pickups on the day before Thanksgiving. A roasted half turkey comes with mole negro auce, fried plantains, charred sweet potatoes with salsa negra, black bean, garlic rice, and cranberry salsa. There’s also a green salad with lime dressing and an acorn squash soup with avocado, spiced pumpkin seeds, and tortilla chips. A chocolate mole tart caps off the four-person meal ($145). Order by 6 p.m. November 18 for pickup November 25 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

5029 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 244-5000
(202) 244-5000

Wild Tiger

1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202

This Asian-American barbecue pop-up from Bun’d Up owner Scott Chung, chef Andrew Lo, and chef Kevin Tien is selling a $125 Thanksgiving package that should easily feed four to five people. It includes curry-smoked turkey legs, salt n pepper rib tips, chicken fat mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts in fish sauce, wok-fried Sichuan green beans, milk bun dinner rolls, and apple-pear kimchi. Place preorders by November 23 for pickup between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on November 25 or 26.

1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202
(571) 312-4908
(571) 312-4908
A Thanksgiving platter from Wild Tiger
A Thanksgiving platter from Wild Tiger
Wild Tiger [official]

Mercy Me

1143 New Hampshire Ave NW Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20037

The playful new “South American-ish” restaurant from the owner of Call Your Mother bagels have takeout catering package for groups of four ($150) or 10 ($375) as well as a whole a la carte menu. Highlights from chef Johanna Hellrigl include cider-brined turkeys, chorizo cornbread stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked Chilean pepper, and picada boards full of charcuterie and cheese. Pastry chef Camila Arango has an apple pie with cajeta (goat’s milk caramel). Preorder here for pickups on November 24 and 25.

1143 New Hampshire Ave NW Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 828-7762
(202) 828-7762
Pumpkin pie with panela sugar and apple pie with cajeta (goat’s milk caramel) from Mercy Me
Pumpkin pie with panela sugar and apple pie with cajeta (goat’s milk caramel) from Mercy Me
Farrah Skeiky/For Mercy Me

Brothers And Sisters

1770 Euclid St NW, Washington, DC 20009

D.C. restaurateur Erik Bruner-Yang’s “nontraditional Thanksgiving feast” at his Line hotel restaurant includes a choice of peking duck, braised short rib, or butternut squash green curry. Those mains come with sides like milk bread stuffing and a choice of either pumpkin pie with marshmallow meringue or miso peanut banana cream pie. Trays cost $55 per person and are available for dine-in or carryout with daily pickups from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. November 23 through November 29.

1770 Euclid St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 588-0525
(202) 588-0525
Thanksgiving peking duck from Brothers & Sisters
Thanksgiving peking duck from Brothers & Sisters
Brothers and Sisters [official]

Makan

3400 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

This Malaysian restaurant from chef James Wozniuk has Southeast Asian Thanksgiving packages that cost $80 for two people. That includes confit turkey legs, sides such as a mushroom rendang green bean casserole, and a kaya (coconut-pandan custard) cream pie. Bottled cocktails for four and wine packs are available, too. Preorder by 10 p.m. Saturday, November 21.

3400 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 730-2295
(202) 730-2295
James Wozniuk at his happy place in front of a wok
James Wozniuk is making confit turkey legs in Malaysian spices from Thanksgiving
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Bad Saint

3226 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

The fancy Filipino restaurant in Columbia Heights has a la carte options like a roasted, stuffed pork belly lechon ($85), crab fat mac n cheese ($30), and kalamansi citrus or kabocha squash pies ($35). Preorder by 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, for pickups November 25 (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and 26 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

3226 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

Modena

1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

Chef John Melfi takes the trouble to mill his own pasta flour from Southern Maryland grains. Families can try his mascarpone and Parmesan polenta alongside turkey in Thanksgiving packs ($225 to $275) available for pickup with 72 hours of advance notice. Place orders here, or reserve a spot for a Thanksgiving dine-in meal ($65 per person; noon to 8 p.m.) that includes an option for red bourbon turkey with oyster cornmeal stuffing.

1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 216-9550
(202) 216-9550
The roving antipasti trolley at Modena
The roving antipasti trolley at Modena
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Albi

1346 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

A hearth-fired Thanksgiving takeout menu from chef Michael Rafidi’s Navy Yard restaurant include a smoked turkey hummus with za’atar and mushrooms, croissant stuffing, and root vegetables. There’s also potato puree livened up with urfa pepper and an orange blossom cranberry jam, among other sides, and a baklawa apple pie. The two-person meal costs $150 per person. Pickups are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 25.

1346 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 921-9592
(202) 921-9592
Chef Michael Rafidi plates a dish at Albi
Chef Michael Rafidi plates a dish at Albi
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Cane

403 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Renowned for his jerk wings, Cane chef Peter Prime is selling whole smoked and jerked organic turkeys for $180 from his Trinidadian rum bar on H Street NE. A la carte sides mean to feed four to six people ($40) include plantain stuffing and mac and cheese. Place preorders with an email to catering@cane-dc.com before 5 p.m. Saturday November 21. Pickups run from 9 a.m. to noon on November 25. 

403 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 675-2011
(202) 675-2011

NiHao

2322 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224

The new Baltimore restaurant from the Peter Chang family and chef Pichet Ong is offering Cantonese peking duck (half or whole) dinner for two starting at $88, with sides like mapo macaroni, buckwheat parker house rolls, and mala-spiced winter squash. Preorders are available for pickup November 24 and 25 from 3 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

2322 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224
(443) 835-2036
(443) 835-2036

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