My friend Alan Helgeson and I were chatting about the fact that now that he and his wife Linda are empty nesters, they've decided to forgo the traditional making of the Thanksgiving feast at home. He was wondering which Sioux Falls restaurants would be open on Thanksgiving and I decided to try and find out for him.

Granite City is open and offering a three-course family-style meal featuring slow-roasted Turkey as the star accompanied by cranberry chutney and gravy with "a delectable selection" of "traditional and unique Thanksgiving sides and decadent desserts". Call for reservations at 605-362-0000 and see them on Facebook.

One of my favorite restaurants in Sioux Falls, Carnaval Brazilian Grill (full disclosure; I sang with a jazz group that was lucky enough to work and eat there every weekend for almost two years) is also taking reservations for Thanksgiving at 605-361-6328. They'll have turkey and all the trimmings, of course, but you can also opt for their traditional meat-a-palooza Rodizio.

Marlin's Family Restaurants, another Sioux Falls favorite, with 2 Sioux Falls locations, 108 South Minnesota Avenue, and at 3850 North Cliff Avenue, and also a location just off I-29 at exit 73 in Tea, will all be open on Thanksgiving and no reservations are needed. I checked them out on Facebook and now I'm craving breakfast food, so beware!

Royal Fork will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 AM to 7 PM with traditional roasted turkey, as well as ham, roast, fried chicken and of course all the sides and desserts you can stuff down! No reservations are necessary, just show up hungry!

All three Sioux Falls Fryn' Pan  locations (41st Street, East 10th Street and West 12th Street) will be open on Thanksgiving but only until 2 PM, so if you're an early Thanksgiving diner this should work for you, or just fill up for breakfast and take in your traditional Thanksgiving meal at another one of these great eateries.

Perkins Restaurant & Bakeries at 3400 S. Gateway Boulevard and at 5304 North Cliff Avenue will be open and you don't need reservations. Even if you're making the turkey at home, you may want to have Perkins do your pies or maybe you could just stop in for pie after your turkey settles a bit.

I'm sure there are more restaurants that will be serving the bird and fixins' this Thanksgiving, but at least this gives Alan, and you, a place to start!

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