Jackson Free Press

If there are two things I love, they're my momma and her famous nobody-can-do-it-better cornbread dressing. My family can't imagine eating out for Thanksgiving dinner. Whoever is around gets together at one of the family's houses and brings their respective specialty. If my family didn't live so close, though, there are several restaurants that offer tasty take-out or dine-in menus that I'd be willing to try.

Ameristar Casino Heritage Buffet, 4416 Washington St., Vicksburg. 800-700-7770
If you happen to be in Vicksburg on Turkey Day, the Heritage Buffet serves up traditional Thanksgiving Dinner all day from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $17 per person.

Bon Ami, 1220 E. Northside Drive, Maywood Mart, 601-982-0405
If you're staying home and don't want to cook, Jim Hudson, the owner of Bon Ami, says there's no need for you to thank him … he's cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Everything you'd expect from Bon Ami is on the menu. Seafood gumbo, corn and crab bisque, spinach Madeline ("Spinach is back in," Hudson says), sweet potato crunch, apple cranberry sauce, and the list goes on. If you order a little too much and don't want it to go to waste, don't fret. Everything but the salads can be frozen. Last day to order is Nov. 17, and pick-up is Nov. 22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Broadstreet Baking Co. & Café, 4454 I-55 N., Banner Hall 601-362-2900
They've got it all for you to bring home at Broadstreet. For the traditionalist, oven-roasted honey-glazed Smithfield ham, fried turkey breast, and pork loin with sides like garlic mashed potatoes and new potatoes tossed with olive oil, rosemary and kosher salt before roasting. For those who want to do something a little different this year, try cous cous salad, andouille dressing or a specialty bread like brioche or struan. And don't forget the pumpkin cheesecake. You can call in, drop off or fax your order to Broadstreet by Nov. 19 for pick-up on Nov. 22.

Corky's Ribs & BBQ, two locations, 601-936-9901, 601-925-0900
For picky eaters and the budget-conscious, Corky's take-out holiday menu offers nine meats that range in price from $6.99 to $59.99 for an eight-pound honey-glazed spiral-sliced ham. To top it off, the restaurant even makes the gravy for you to pour all over your cornbread dressing. You don't have to stand over the stove to make anything! And desserts? Yep. They've got it all. Hurry and place your order.

Diamond Jack's Hotel, 3990 Washington St., Vicksburg, 601-636-5700
For $14.99 per person, there is a plethora of food on the menu at Diamond Jack's. The list includes: Cajun cranberry turkey with walnuts, ham, brisket, baked pork chops, baked and fried chicken, cornbread and oyster dressing, green bean casserole, squash casserole, candied yams, mixed vegetables, macaroni and cheese, cranberry rice, boiled shrimp, turkey soup, butternut squash soup, and that's not even the entire list. Look for Cassandra Allen when you're there. She says she's looking forward to greeting people on the holiday.

Hilton Jackson, 1001 E. County Line Rd., 601-957-2800 ext. 7033
In the Westbrook Ballroom from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the Hilton offers their "Grand Buffet." At the carving stations, find glazed ham, leg of lamb, steamship round of beef and roasted whole turkey. Then go for the fried shrimp, shrimp bisque soup, green bean almondine and lots more. The buffet is $28 per person, and $12 for children ages 4-10. Reservations are not accepted.

Julep, 1305 Northside Drive, Highland Village, 601-362-1411
The folks at Julep offer patrons three catering facts on their holiday menu. 1. No matter which holiday you celebrate, you're going to want to eat. 2. In order to eat, food needs to be prepared. 3. Food tastes better when someone else prepares it. If these sentiments make you shake your head in the affirmative, order a delectable meal, pick it up Thanksgiving Eve by 6 p.m. and enjoy. FYI: Did you know that "stuffing" was invented in 1432 by lazy cooks who wanted to make their fare look bigger? I didn't either 'til I read Julep's menu.

McDade's Market, 653 Duling Ave., Fondren location only, 601-366-5273
OK. It's your first time trying to prepare the meal for Thanksgiving. You've bought that turkey—or ham—and don't know what to do with it now. Or maybe cooking meat just isn't your thing. Take it right over to McDade's where they'll smoke it for you for only $4. For details call 601-366-5273, and ask for the meat department.

Primo's Café, 2323 Lakeland Drive and 515 Lake Harbour Drive
One of the most exciting things about Primo's is their desserts. You can buy just one slice of caramel cake—may not be your favorite, but it's mine—or, buy the whole thing! But aside from that, the restaurant is doing even bigger things for the holidays. Primo's offers a take-out menu that lets you choose à la carte or buy a whole meal. They're taking orders now, and you know what that means: They're bound to run out.

Rainbow Whole Foods, 2807 Old Canton Rd., 601-366-1602
For people who want a truly wholesome, tasty offering for Thanksgiving and who want to cook, go organic. So you won't get overwhelmed if you've never done it before, Rainbow provides recipe ideas to accompany their fresh produce items and baking ingredients. Customers can pre-order organic turkey, ham and tofurkey. And on your way out from picking up your pre-orders, grab a recipe to make your own cranberry sauce.

Scrooge's, 5825 Ridgewood Rd., 601-206-1211
If you want to eat your Thanksgiving dinner somewhere besides your dining room table, go to Scrooge's. They'll be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (the bar won't close until 11, though). Choose your meat and the sides you want to go with it. If it'll be more than just you and a couple of other people going, though, give them a call so they can prepare for a large party. They'll appreciate that!