by Ken Tsui | Orphan Thanksgiving is something of a tradition among young adults. We’ve probably all spent at least one or two of the holiday weekends away from loved ones for one reason or another. Maybe you’re an international student; your folks have moved away; or you’re dodging the annually embarrassing drunk uncle speech. Either way, you shouldn’t go hungry on Thanksgiving. So if you find yourself “orphaned” this weekend but you’re still keen on a Fall feast, Scout has you covered. Here’s our quick guide to six satisfying, fun-filled alternatives that will have you grateful for sweatpants this long weekend…

TAKE THE CREDIT
Railtown Catering | 397 Railway St. | October 9th & 10th
In coming to terms with the fact that your roasted turkey loses out to a heaping pile of birch bark in a taste test, phone it in with Railtown Catering’s Thanksgiving To-Go (pictured above). Each order comes with a cornucopia of fixings and a 16lb sage-roasted turkey as the piece-de-resistance. Ordered either ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook, you can take the credit for saving Thanksgiving. Get on it here.

SOMETHING BREWING
Faculty Brewing | 1830 Ontario St. | Tickets: $50 | October 10th
The new kids on the growing brewery scene are hosting their first Thanksgiving dinner this weekend. Grab a few of your fellow orphans and raise tall glasses of Faculty lager amidst a spread of rosemary-brined roasted turkey with all the classic fixings. You won’t want to wait on this one as tickets are moving fast! Get them here.

TAKE YOU DOWN TO CHINATOWN
Chinese BBQ Duck | 266 East Pender St. | Chinatown
Tired of turkey but looking to keep up the traditions of dining on a feathered bird? Head to Chinatown’s Dollar Meats BBQ Shop and pick yourself up a roasted Chinese BBQ Duck hanging from their shop window. A whole duck will run you about $20 but might be the holiday alternative you’ve been looking for.

PLANTING AN IDEA IN YOUR HEAD
Acorn | 3995 Main St. | 3-Courses for $45 | October 9th & 10th
The Acorn is set to plate their “Everything but the Bird” feast that consists of everything you’ve come to expect on Thanksgiving done in creative Acorn fashion. At $45 per person, the 100% plant-based dinner includes an appetizer, main course and dessert (vegan options are available). Reserve by calling 604-566-9001.

KEEP IT CLASSY
Market by Jean Georges | 1128 W. Georgia St. | 3-Course Set Menu is $69 | October 9th & 10th
For those looking for something a little fancier than family-style, Market by Jean Georges is celebrating Thanksgiving with a three-course set menu. Expect elevated interpretations of classic holiday flavours with a touch of Jean-Georges’ flair. All reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 604-695-1115.

THE LIFE SAVER
Pie Shoppe | 1875 Powell St. | Call the shoppe to order a pie
Spent the last three days preciously nurturing flavour and succulence into your turkey, all the while feeling like you may have been forgotten something? If it’s the apple or pumpkin pie, Stephanie and Andrea French from The Pie Shoppe will take care of you. With pumpkins grown and freshly harvested from local urban farmers at Yummy Yards, you can count on some of the best quality ingredients in your dessert.