Thanksgiving Day Meals Made Easy at Lookout Mountain

Thanksgiving Day Meals Made Easy at Lookout Mountain
By Emily Kirby

Lookout Mountain offers a beautiful backdrop for those seeking a holiday getaway, and the area’s many eateries are making this Thanksgiving even more special with delicious and easy-to-order meals. 

If you’re staying in Mentone, Fort Payne, or the surrounding communities for just a visit this holiday season or are a DeKalb County local and want to avoid the hassle of hours of cooking and cleaning, many local restaurants are offering full Thanksgiving family meals, individual plates, or dining in options.

Pick up meals

  1. Tiger’s Inn Restaurant in Valley Head is taking orders for their traditional Thanksgiving meal until November 21. The menu includes Chicken Dressing, cranberry sauce, and gravy, with lots of side dishes and desserts to choose from, and the meals feed up to 10-12 people. Options to add on rolls, tea, and serving plates, utensils, cups, and more are also available. Visit their Facebook page or call them at (256) 662-0984 for more information and pricing. 

  2. Roadside ‘Que in downtown Fort Payne wants to make your large get-togethers easier by providing whole smoked Turkeys for $55 and Ham for $80 this Thanksgiving. To reserve, call them at (256) 599-1387 Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Order pick ups will be on Nov. 22 and 23.

  3. Breakfast is always the most overlooked meal of Thanksgiving Day, so to combat this, Buttersnob Baking, located in Blue Jug of Fort Payne, is taking orders for their breakfast quiche. The dish includes ground pork breakfast sausage, yellow grits, and cheese, and they are “pre-cooked and frozen – ready to pop in the oven and satisfy guests and hosts alike.” 

    For dessert, the bakery will take orders for:

    • Pecan Pie – Flaky crust, quality pecans, and delicious filling
    • Chocolate Tart – Flaky pie crust filled with rich dark chocolate ganache. Add whipped cream topping for $2 more.
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart – A peanut crust filled with a creamy yet crunchy peanut butter and peanut brittle filling and topped with a layer of silky smooth chocolate mousse.
    • French Vanilla Ice Cream – One Pint of rich French Vanilla house churned custard.
    • Butter Ice Cream – One Pint of butter flavored house churned custard, ready to take any pie (but especially pecan) to the next level.

    Stop by the store, message, or call them at (256) 648-5550 for more information.

  4. Cracker Barrel in Fort Payne will not only have dining in options for Thanksgiving Day, but also “heat & serve” meals that can be picked up ahead of time and reheated for your gathering or “hot & ready” that is ready to serve. Meal sizes include 4-6 people or 8-10 people, and have lots of options for meats and sides. Seasonal pies are also available, including Cinnamon Roll Pie, Apple Streusel Pie, Pecan, Chocolate Pecan, and Pumpkin. Thanksgiving meals can be ordered and picked up between November 19-27, while supplies last. Click here for more information or call (256) 997-9204.

  5. Mentone Market is closed on Thanksgiving Day, but is open the day prior and will have pre-made and frozen casseroles, rolls, and drinks available for purchase.

Dining in

  1. Mountain Inn Restaurant will hold their annual Thanksgiving Day buffet Thursday, November 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The menu will include:
  • Salad Bar
  • Baked Ham
  • Turkey
  • Fried Chicken
  • Creamed Potatoes
  • Green Beans
  • Sweet Potato Crunch
  • Cornbread Dressing with giblet gravy
  • Roll
  • Pecan & Pumpkin Pie
  • Coffee, Tea, or Water

The unique Mountain Inn Restaurant is located in the original sandstone Lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in DeSoto State Park during the mid-1930s and is nestled on a canyon-edge overlooking the West Fork of Little River.

     2. Fontastic Foods in Mentone will offer plates on Thanksgiving day in downtown Mentone including:

  • Turkey
  • Ham
  • Dressing with Cranberry Sauce
  • Green Beans Casserole
  • Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes
  • Vegetable Medley
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Pecan Pie

Call (256) 979-4093 to pre-order and pick up between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.  The food truck, which opened in 2020, sits next to Mentone Inn Bed & Breakfast and opens each Saturday, alongside the Mentone Farmers Market. During regular hours, the truck serves specialty pizza, gourmet sandwiches and burgers, and a wide selection of vegan options.

        3.  For a quick and non-traditional lunch or dinner, Chow King Buffet & Grill will be open on Thanksgiving Day and will offer Chinese cuisine from chicken, steak, seafood, and sushi, to grilled vegetables and desserts, in addition to family favorites such as wings and pizza. Chow King is located at 1509 Glenn Blvd SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968.

       4.  Waffle House, located at 1410 Glenn Blvd SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968 will be open for regular hours on Thanksgiving Day, offering their breakfast and lunch favorites including waffles, hash browns, burgers, cheese steak, and more!

Make this holiday special with one of these convenient options during your stay here in DeKalb County, and Happy Thanksgiving!