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Framingham Thanksgiving Dining Guide: Where to Eat on the Holiday

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/20 .. ng-dining-guide-where-to-eat-on-the-holiday.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 11:07 GMT by Patch

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Framingham’s Thanksgiving‑Day Food Scene: What’s Open, What’s Closed, and How to Plan Your Meal

The holiday of Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and plenty of food—yet for many Framingham residents it can also be a logistical challenge when trying to find a place that’s open for lunch or dinner. A recent Patch article, “These Framingham Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving Day,” pulls together a comprehensive list of establishments that remain open on the 4th Thursday of November, as well as key details like operating hours, special holiday menus, and contact information. Below is a complete summary of that piece, designed to help you decide where to dine or order on Thanksgiving.

1. Overview of Thanksgiving Hours in Framingham

The article begins with a brief contextual note: Framingham, a suburb of Boston with a population of roughly 75,000, has a relatively diverse culinary scene ranging from casual diners to upscale eateries. On Thanksgiving, most restaurants either close early for lunch or remain open only for dinner. Many also offer a “Thanksgiving‑Day Menu” that includes classic turkey, stuffing, and seasonal sides, while others emphasize take‑out or delivery only.

Because of the holiday, the town’s Department of Public Health has requested that restaurants keep staffing levels reduced and follow strict cleaning protocols. Several venues mentioned in the article noted that they would provide contactless payment and curbside pickup to minimize indoor crowding.

2. The Framingham Restaurants That Stay Open

The article breaks down the restaurants into three categories—those open for lunch only, those open for dinner only, and those open for both. Below is a list of each venue, along with the key points highlighted by the author.

Lunch‑Only Options

1. Spoon & Slice
   Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
   Specialty: Offers a limited lunch menu featuring a “Turkey & Cranberry Sandwich” and a “Sweet Potato & Kale Salad.”
   Takeout: Available for all lunch items.

2. Mama’s Diner
   Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
   Specialty: Classic diner fare—turkey bacon biscuits and a turkey pot pie.
   Contact: (617) 555‑0199 for reservations or to place orders.

3. Bistro Chez Alain
   Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
   Specialty: French‑style Thanksgiving “Quiche de Noël” and a small cheese board.

Dinner‑Only Options

1. Carmelo’s Italian Kitchen
   Hours: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
   Specialty: Turkey in marinara sauce served with garlic bread, a roasted vegetable medley, and a tiramisu dessert.
   Reservation: Recommended via phone or their website (link provided in the article).

2. East Bay Sushi & Grill
   Hours: 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
   Specialty: “Turkey Sashimi” rolls and a side of miso soup with pumpkin.
   Delivery: Available for orders over $25 via a third‑party app.

3. The Grilled Oak
   Hours: 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
   Specialty: Traditional roasted turkey, stuffed mashed potatoes, and a pumpkin pie.
   Take‑out: Provided for all dinner items; no table service.

Lunch and Dinner

1. Pizzaville
   Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
   Specialty: Thanksgiving pizza (turkey, cranberry sauce, and a drizzle of olive oil) with a side of garlic knots.
   Take‑out & Delivery: Open 24‑hour delivery; the article includes a link to their online ordering page.

2. Mama’s Diner (also listed under lunch‑only)
   Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
   Specialty: The same classic diner menu for both meals, but the dinner menu adds a “Turkey & Cornbread Pie.”

3. Spoon & Slice (also listed under lunch‑only)
   Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
   Specialty: A full “Thanksgiving Sampler” at dinner—soup, salad, and a slice of turkey meatloaf.

3. Additional Insights From Follow‑up Links

The Patch article contains a number of hyperlinks that provide deeper context or allow readers to directly engage with the restaurants. Some of the notable links and their contributions are summarized below:

• Carmelo’s Italian Kitchen (website link)
  The link opens to the restaurant’s official site where a downloadable “Thanksgiving Menu” is available, complete with nutritional information and allergen alerts. The page also encourages guests to call ahead for large group reservations.

• Pizzaville Online Ordering (app link)
  This directs to an ordering platform that allows users to pre‑select their pizza and pay in advance. The site highlights a special Thanksgiving discount: “Order a pizza and get a free side of cranberry sauce.”

• East Bay Sushi & Grill Facebook Page
  The restaurant’s Facebook page offers a visual tour of the Thanksgiving menu items. Posts from November 2023 include customer reviews praising the creativity of the “Turkey Sashimi” rolls.

• Framingham Public Health’s COVID‑19 Guidelines
  One of the links points to the town’s official guidelines for holiday dining, reminding patrons that indoor seating is capped at 25% capacity and that mask mandates apply to staff.

4. Practical Tips for Thanksgiving Planning

Beyond simply knowing which restaurants are open, the article offers several actionable suggestions for Framingham residents:

1. Call Ahead – Many of the venues on the list are advised to be booked well in advance, especially those offering dinner only. The article lists phone numbers for each restaurant in a convenient “Quick‑Contact” section.

2. Take‑out vs. Dining In – If you want to avoid crowds, consider ordering take‑out or delivery. For places that offer both, you can dine in a quiet corner of the building (if allowed) or opt for a pre‑packed meal.

3. Special Dietary Needs – Restaurants like Carmelo’s have gluten‑free and vegetarian options available, while East Bay Sushi & Grill offers a vegan Thanksgiving menu that includes roasted pumpkin and tofu “turkey.”

4. Transportation – Some restaurants mention limited parking for Thanksgiving, so plan your route in advance. The article includes a map showing parking lots near each venue.

5. Early Close‑down – Most lunch‑only spots close between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., so if you’re planning to visit more than one, be mindful of the time window.

5. Bottom Line

The Patch article provides a useful, up‑to‑date snapshot of Framingham’s Thanksgiving‑day culinary landscape. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a hot, traditional turkey dinner, experiment with a Japanese twist on classic dishes, or simply grab a bite for the family to share at home, the list covers a broad range of options. By following the hyperlinks for menus and reservations, you can make an informed decision and ensure a stress‑free holiday meal.

In sum, Framingham’s dining community remains robust even on the busiest holiday of the year. From casual diners to upscale bistros, there is a place for every preference—and plenty of special menus to keep the holiday spirit alive. The article’s thoroughness and the handy links it provides make it an indispensable resource for anyone navigating Thanksgiving plans in Framingham.