Thanksgiving Day is always the 4th Thursday in November. This year, Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, Nov. 28. Thanksgiving Day is also the day many West Columbia families get together for a traditional meal  cooked in the kitchen.

But if you’re looking for a day of rest, you can let others do the cooking for you.

Richard Couture opened Signature Catering and Market in February at 509 Meeting Street, West Columbia. This the first Thanksgiving the catering business has been open. Richard is known for his award-winning shrimp and grits dish, but there are many other pre-made items that you can pick up and heat for your Thanksgiving meal.

“We have something that you’ll love for any part of Thanksgiving Day,” said Ted Nance who works the counter at Signature Catering and Market . “We have breakfast, lunch, dinner and all kinds of desserts.”  

Signature Catering and Market has grab and go lunches, take home dinners, dips and spreads, homemade soups, quiche and breakfast bakes; ; brownies; and the SueChef Kitchen Caramel Cake.

The Signature Market also stocks wine and beer, gifts, specialty foods and more. It’s open Monday through Saturday 10:30 to 6:30 pm. Ted said specialty orders need to be placed 72-hours in advance.

If you’re looking for a more traditional Thanksgiving meal, but you don’t want to cook, Maurice’s Event Catering  may be your go-to for everything.  

Chris Bennett is the nephew of Lloyd and Paul Bessingger. He is the head of the catering portion of Maurices famous Piggie Park Bar-B-Que restaurant.

“We offer full service catering,” Chris said. “If you’re serving  50 or more guests, we ask for at least a three-day notice.

Maurice’s Event Catering will set up, monitor, refill, break down, and clean up a self-service buffet food line. choose from  Maurices’s popular buffet menus or create a custom menu.

“We have all the traditional meats for Thanksgiving, and more,” Chris said. “We have smoked turkey; honey glazed ham; smoked chicken; and Southern fried chicken.
Chris said Maurice’s Event Catering also offers delivery and pick-up orders.

In addition to meats, Maurice’s offers all of the traditional sides and desserts, including: hash and rice;  macaroni and cheese; mashed potatoes; steamed cabbage; cole slaw; potato salad; cornbread; pumpkin pie; banana pudding; pecan pie; chocolate pudding; and sweet tea.

If you don’t want to call a caterer, but you want to eat out on Thanksgiving Day, there are some options.
Blossom Buffet is open on Thanksgiving Day at 2515 Sunset Boulevard, near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and I-26. It will be open from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Blossom Buffet is a Chinese cuisine buffet that offers vegetables, noodles, house chicken, salads, and 76 other dishes. There is also a sushi and hibachi bar.

If you’re looking for more traditional fare, all Lizard’s Thicket locations, including the one at 2234 Sunset Blvd. (Westland Square) will be open from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.  

If you want a less traditional meal on Thanksgiving, there are West Columbia restaurants that can handle that, too

Across from Blossom Buffet, there are two other options for Thanksgiving Day dining, Denny’s is at 2514 Sunset Boulevard. Denny’s is open 24 hours and it’s open on Thanksgiving. Denny’s is an American cuisine restaurant and offers breakfast, brunch and lunch.

Waffle House is beside Denny’s at 2510 Sunset Boulevard. It is open 24 hours and will be open Thanksgiving Day. Waffle House serves American diner fare and all-day breakfast.

There is also a Waffle House at 2506 Augusta Road, and another one at 2846 Charleston Highway. Both of those are in West Columbia.

Maybe you’ll stay home and cook and have a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, but if you don’t, there are catering businesses, and restaurants inviting you in for this special day of thanks.