Thanksgiving brings thoughts of feasting on the traditional turkey with all the fixings and pie, but some don’t relish the thoughts of prepping, cooking, serving and cleaning to make it happen. More importantly, some people in need may think they can’t, especially in these days of increasing food insecurities in Door County and across the country.
But Door County residents and visitors have chances to enjoy Thanksgiving without spending all day in the kitchen. And in some cases, without having to pay for it.
Several restaurants on the Peninsula – more than in recent years – are not only open for service but offer special Thanksgiving dinners for eating out or bringing home to eat in. And not only are a couple of area churches hosting free Thanksgiving dinners, one of the restaurants this year is offering a free buffet for those in need. And a local nonprofit is providing the ingredients for people in need to make their own meal.
Here’s where you can get your 2025 Thanksgiving dinner in Door County (all on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27).
Feed and Clothe My People helps you get cooking
Local organization Feed and Clothe My People of Door County will hand out all the basic makings for a Thanksgiving dinner for free to Door County families in need from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until they’re gone) Saturday, Nov. 22.
The meal consists of an 8- to 10-pound turkey, canned green beans, yams, cranberry sauce, rolls and butter, a whole pumpkin pie and a gallon of milk. Dinners will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and, as noted, they’re only available until they’re gone. Those in need looking to get the foods must be Door County residents.
To get the ingredients for the meal, go to the side pantry doors at Feed and Clothe My People, 204 N. 14th Ave., Sturgeon Bay. For more information, call 920-743-9053 or visit feedmypeopledoorcounty.com or the “Feed and Clothe My People of Door County” Facebook page.
46 years of community dinners at Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church
It’s the 46th straight year Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church has offered its free All Community Thanksgiving Dinner to hundreds of people from across the area who can dine with others in the church’s fellowship hall or have their meals delivered to their homes. Reservations must be made by Friday, Nov. 21.
The home-cooked meal will consist of turkey, all the trimmings and homemade pie.
Dinner will be served starting at 4 p.m. Deliveries of up to four meals will be made after 3 p.m., and those requesting delivery should place a chair or small table outside their door as a place for the delivery person to set the dinners.
For reservations or more information, call the church office at 920-743-3241.
St. Paul’s Lutheran gives Algoma a community dinner
All are invited to the free community Thanksgiving meal at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Algoma. Turkey with all the fixings and dessert is available for dining in, taking out or delivery, and reservations are requested by Sunday, Nov. 23.
Meals will be served for dining in and curbside pickup is available from 11:15 a.m. to noon, while deliveries will be made from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
St. Paul’s is at 406 Fourth St., Algoma. For reservations or more information, call 920-487-5712; reservations also can be made by visiting stpaulsalgoma.org/thanksgiving-meal.
Door County restaurants: Dine-in, take-out and a free meal for those in need
Here’s a quick look at Door County restaurants offering special Thanksgiving meals.
● The Carrington restaurant at The Landmark Resort is offering its annual all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet, but this year it’s also offering some Thanksgiving help to those in need – anyone with an EBT or SNAP card is invited to dine for free, and The Landmark is taking donations from those who would sponsor a seat at the table for someone.
As for the menu, it has carved oven-roasted turkey, marinated ham, smoked salmon, gravy, sage stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, whipped sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, honey-glazed carrots, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, shrimp cocktail, garden salad, pumpkin and Door County cherry pie, flourless chocolate torte, and Door County Coffee, hot or iced teas, lemonade and soft drinks for beverages (specialty cocktails available for an extra charge).
Seatings for the buffet are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Carrington at The Landmark Resort, 7643 Hillside Road, Egg Harbor. Cost is $42 for ages 13 and older, $22 ages 12 and younger. Reservations are recommended. For reservations, visit forms.gle/YnzQzudVAo7PzaM77; for more information, email mlemke@thelandmarkresort.com.
Those who wish to donate by sponsoring a seat can visit form.jotform.com/253113805731046. Donors can have their names given on a Recognition Wall at the meal or remain anonymous.
● Scaturo’s Baking Co. & Cafe in Sturgeon Bay is cooking up a turkey and fixings platter for take-out only. Orders must be for two or four platters, which can be picked up hot and ready to eat between 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
The dinner has carved fresh-roasted turkey, sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, fresh dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, apple crisp and pumpkin pie squares. Cost is $29.99 per platter, and fresh dinner rolls (white, wheat and limpa) or whole pies (not just pumpkin) can be ordered from the bakery as well.
Scaturo’s is at 19 Green Bay Road, Sturgeon Bay. Deadline to place orders is Monday, Nov. 24. For orders or more information, call 920-746-8727 or visit scaturos.com/holidays.
● The Lodge at Leathem Smith will serve a dine-in Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The buffet features the traditional turkey and smoked ham along with baked salmon, honey-glazed carrots, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, rolls and cherry stuffing, along with chicken alfredo, a pasta bar, a soup and salad bar and dessert station filled with homemade treats.
The Lodge at Leathem Smith is at 1640 Memorial Drive, Sturgeon Bay. Cost of the Thanksgiving buffet is $27.95 for ages 11 and older, $14.95 ages 4 to 10, and reservations are recommended. For reservations or more information, call 920-743-5555 or visit thelodgeatls.com.
● The Log Den in Egg Harbor offers a Thanksgiving buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Roast turkey will be available with cherry chutney, and other entrees on the buffet are smoked ham, stuffed pork loin, beef tips, Parmesan haddock, smoked salmon and fried shrimp. Traditional sides include sage stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato and green bean casseroles, and rolls and butter, and there also are balsamic-glazed Brussels spouts and carrots, fresh fruit, a salad bar and a dessert bar.
The Log Den is at 6626 State 42, Egg Harbor. Cost of the buffet is $34.99 for adults, $16.99 ages 5-17, and reservations are recommended. For reservations or more information, call 920-868-3688; more information also is available at thelogden.com or facebook.com/thelogden.
● The Fireside Restaurant in Egg Harbor holds an all-you-can-eat buffet with seatings every hour on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and reservations are required.
The buffet will offer a carving station with roast turkey and other specialties, joined by what the Southern/Cajun-fusion restaurant’s website calls “an elegant selection of traditional holiday favorites and creative seasonal sides, prepared with signature Fireside style” and accompaniments.
The Fireside is at 7755 State 42 (across the road from Main Street Market), Egg Harbor. Cost of the buffet is $42 per person for ages 13 and older, $18 ages 12 and younger. For reservations, visit thefiresiderestaurant.com and click on the Thanksgiving buffet graphic on the home page; for more information, visit facebook.com/TheFiresideRestaurant.
● The English Inn in Fish Creek serves an all-you-can-eat plated Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Along with the traditional turkey and ham, the menu includes Swedish meatballs, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, glazed carrots and cranberries, with a choice of soup or salad and choice of banana cream, pumpkin or raspberry pie.
The English Inn is at 3713 State 42, Fish Creek. Cost is $39.95 per person and reservations are recommended. For reservations or more information, call 920-868-3076, text 920-421-0758 or visit theenglishinn.com/specials.
● Alexander’s of Door County filled up its reservations for its plated Thanksgiving dinner back on Oct. 23, but it is taking to-go orders for pickup between 10 a.m. and noon. To place an order or for more information, call 920-868-3532 or visit alexandersofdoorcounty.com.
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@gannett.com.
MORE: Door Community Auditorium announces its 2026 winter season
MORE: Here’s your guide to 2025’s holiday celebrations in Door County
FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Thanksgiving 2025 in Door County: Dine-in, take-out and free community dinners on the menu
Reporting by Christopher Clough, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
