Austin: 24 Diner
Chef Andrew Curren will be preparing glazed ham, brined and roasted all-natural turkey breast and turkey leg confit with roasted turkey gravy alongside both cornbread stuffing with tasso and baguette stuffing with celery and sage. Homemade sides include mashed potatoes, smashed sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, bacon-braised collard greens and cranberries with citrus. Finally, decide between a slice of rich pumpkin or chocolate pecan pie.
Reservations are not required and they’ll be loading up plates from 11 am to 2 am. The rest of the menu will be available too … 24 Diner: 600 N. Lamar Blvd., (512) 472-5400, 24diner.com
Aspen: FREE turkey at Hick House
Um, also, it’s opening day. See you on the slopes.
But after that, everyone (poor locals who can’t afford $90 prix fixe dinners) heads to the Hickory House for a free turkey dinner. Doors open at 11:30am and stay open ’til the food runs out, usually around 6pm. Main Street Bakery, Paradise Bakery, US Food Service and Aspen Party Rentals help out, and the Hick House landlord donates all the turkeys. I haven’t yet visited the Hick House, known for ribs and cheap wings during football, and I probably won’t eat much of their food (here’s doubting it’s happy), but a community dinner is just too cool to pass up.