OT - Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor area

Dave,

We've gone to Carlyle on Jackson Rd, in front of the Quality 16 theaters, for the last few years.  Family style dining with dietary options.  http://carlylegrill.com/thanksgiving2018/

Denny's, of course. Your pescatarian can get the Tilapia Ranchero, and the rest of you can get the Holiday Turkey Melt sandwich from their "Festive Flavors" menu.

Dinner just like Grandma used to throw away.

This year marks the 25-year anniversary of the time I spent Thanksgiving at The Old Buffet. I was desperately trying to get an experiment done because I had to travel that Saturday for a conference where I was presenting a paper. Results weren’t good Wednesday night so I called home and said I would have to skip Turkey dinner. 

2 of the foreign grad students also had nowhere to go, so around 5pm we headed to the Buffet. Well, obviously, by that time they were all out of turkey. I think I ended up having some soup and spicy chicken.

 I ended up getting my results around 5am Saturday morning and then packed and headed to the airport for an 8am flight.

Webers Inn.

My daughter is doing that Pescatarian bullshit too.

So annoying.

A little aside but if you have a moment I'd appreciate a little thanksgiving prayer for the 12 patrons gunned down last night in Thousand Oaks. Many college kids in attendance at the local CW bard . At least 21 more remain in the hospital. It's being reported that several of the attendees were survivors of the Las Vegas shooting. 

Applebee’s is always an excellent choice.

If you are planning ahead there are probably better options but in a pinch, try the hospital. 

Thanksgiving get-togethers are always heartwarming, but I could have done without the mock Chinese accent.

Weber's great idea, as ppl have mentioned.

Another suggestion, especially if you're staying in the Briarwood/State St. area; try the restaurant at the Kensington hotel.  Nice relaxed vibe and interesting menu with seafood, salad, meat options and bar bites.    Not sure if they're open so you'd have to call them.    

My dad came up to Ann Arbor in 1996 when I stuck around for Thanksgiving break.  I honestly can't remember where we ate.  I remember we went to a basketball game and a hockey game, though.

Sorry no help

i think weber’s is open for thanksgiving dinner, but it’s probably not much cheaper than gandy dancer. you might just have to bite the bullet on price as there won’t be many options 

I will say as a general comment. My immediate family, particularly my mom, much prefer to go out for Thanksgiving dinner (or lunch?). While it takes some away from the charm of cooking things up, its far more convenient.  It gives us more time together to hang out with family. So I’m somewhat envious of you. 

Unfortunately for me, my extended family decided to have a litter of children so we are pressured to do something big with lots of family members. Often times in Ohio. Ugh!

edit: “litter” not “liter”

my parents came to Ann Arbor for Thanksgiving one year and we were in the same predicament, looking for a restaurant. Eventually we noticed that people were streaming into Cottage Inn -- we didn't want pizza, really, but hey.

We entered and tried to give our name to the hostess -- she just looked us up and down and said you can sit anywhere. As we scanned the room for a table we realized that they were hosting Thanksgiving for the homeless. We snuck out as quickly as we could.

We still think about that poor hostess, biting her tongue so professionally when a very obviously not-homeless family strolled in and asked for a meal.

Pretty sure Fleetwood will be open, a festive Holliday that would be!!!  

It's not in Ann Arbor, but Lazybones bbq has a killer thanksgiving feast you can order in advance and pick up ready to heat and eat. They also will do just a bird or just a ham, instead of the full feast.

Just a heads up since I've seen it suggested a few times in this thread but if you order a prepped meal from a grocery store you will need to be able to re-heat it with a microwave or preferably an oven. Your motel may not may not be equipped to handle that. When I was finishing up my dissertation I stayed home for Thanksgiving and got mine from the Kroger up on Plymouth. It turned out well. 

Dennys

You mentioned Chinese (i.e., not wanting it). Would Indian food work? I'll bet at least one of those would be open.

I am getting a "Boston Market heat and serve Thanksgiving meal" ad as I read this.  I did not even type anything.

The internet is creepy.

Madras Masala near Cafe Ambrosia and the Nickels Arcade has been open in the past on Thanksgiving and has a good Indian buffet.  Might as well have Indian food on Thanksgiving; it doesn't get much more traditional than that.

Carnivores???