Better not forget to buy the Thanksgiving turkey this year — a last-minute trip to Giant Eagle will leave you empty-handed.
The O’Hara-based company announced Wednesday that its Giant Eagle grocery stores, Market District stores and GetGo gas stations will all be closed on Nov. 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Giant Eagle said in a news release that its goal is to give its workers the chance to enjoy the holiday.
“Our team members have been working tirelessly to provide a safe shopping environment for our guests while ensuring access to essential food, fuel, and medicines,” company spokesperson Jannah Jablonowski said in a statement. “We cannot thank them enough for the dedication they have shown day in and day out.”
Giant Eagle’s transportation and retail support centers will also close for the holiday.
The company encouraged shoppers to make sure to stock up on stuffing, pumpkin pie and gasoline in advance.
Stores and offices will reopen as normal Nov. 26 for Black Friday.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Local charitable organizations across the Pittsburgh area will be providing Thanksgiving meals to thousands of residents in the next week while balancing the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
Beginning on Monday, Light of Life Rescue Mission will package over 1,800 Thanksgiving dinner boxes for families in need on the North Side.
After that, on Thanksgiving Day, Light of Life will provide 1,000 meals to those in need along with handing out winter hats, gloves, scarves, and hygiene kits.
Light of Life Director of Development Doug Smith ensures all events can take place safely during their busiest week of the year.
“Obviously, we’ve had to make a lot of changes all throughout the year,” Smith said. “We were prepared very early.”
Light of Life Rescue Mission has remained open throughout the pandemic. Their Thanksgiving outreach typically packs their Northside building.
Smith says that won’t be the case this year, but they still plan to serve as many people as needed.
Meals will either be delivered, served to-go, or inside a heated tent outside the building. Everyone, including volunteers, must have masks on and keep their distance.
As coronavirus cases rise in Pittsburgh, many are looking towards an unusual Thanksgiving, following advisories to stay at home instead of partaking in large family gatherings. Make the holiday feel special this year despite the circumstances by ordering takeout and more from these city spots.
Bistro 19 711 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. bistro19.com The Mt. Lebanon bistro is offering pre-ordered Thanksgiving meals to feed four people for pick-up on Wed., Nov. 25, which includes all the traditional fixings: turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and more. The meal runs for $140, with optional add-ons available.
Bitter Ends Garden & Luncheonette 4613 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. tillthebitterends.com Grab some holiday essentials from this Bloomfield eatery. Pies, bread, and more are available for pre-order and pickup on Wed., Nov. 25.
Photo: Courtesy of Black Radish Kitchen
Thanksgiving at Black Radish
Black Radish Kitchen blackradishkitchen.com Chef Kate Romane and her team at Black Radish are offering family-style meals for the holiday. Choose from a turkey day “happy hour,” which includes small bites for six to eight people, full vegetarian and meat-eaters Thanksgiving meals, and “just the bird.” Prices range from $200 to $350, and meals are available on their website for pick-up and delivery (within the restaurant’s designated radius) on Wed., Nov. 25.
Butterjoint 200 North Craig St., Oakland. butterjoint.com Find turkey pot-pie, sides, and much more on Butterjoint’s online Thanksgiving menu. Pickup is on Tue., Nov. 23 and Wed., Nov. 25.
Chef’s Table 2193 Babcock Blvd., North Hills. chefstablepgh.com The Chef’s Table full Thanksgiving meal includes turkey, stuffing, and more, with pies available for an additional charge. The dinner runs for $135 and is available for pick up on Wed., Nov. 25. All orders need to be placed by Sat., Nov. 21.
DiAnoia’s Eatery 2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com Cookies and half-cheesecakes are available through the restaurant’s online shop. Pickup is on Wed., Nov. 25 and Thu., Nov. 26.
Photo: Jeff Swensen
Lamb shank from Khalil’s
Khalil’s 4757 Baum Blvd., Shadyside. khalilsrestaurant.com Go mediterranean with the Thanksgiving menu at Khalil’s. The $130 pre-order dinner — all orders need to be placed via phone by Fri., Nov. 20 — includes lamb shanks, Syrian-style stuffing, pumpkin baklava, and more. Some items are also available for a la carte purchasing.
Market St. Grocery 435 Market St., Downtown. marketstreetgrocery.com
Order Thanksgiving dinner for four, eight, or 12 people from the Downtown grocery. Packages include turkey and traditional sides, and run for $75-145. Wine from their wide selection of bottles, is available to add on. All orders must be placed by Sun., Nov. 22 and picked up Wed., Nov. 25.
Morcilla 3519 Butler St., Lawrenceville. morcillapittsburgh.com Meal kits for two, composed of a half-roasted chicken, a mix of sides, and an apple crisp, is available for pickup Wed., Nov. 25. Proceeds from each kit sold will benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.
My Goodness (Market) 1104 South Braddock Ave., Regent Square. mygoodnesspgh.com The Regent Square market is offering Thanksgiving meals for pick-up and delivery on Wed., Nov. 25. The meal includes turkey and a choice of assorted sides and desserts.
Pane é Pronto 2627 Penn Ave., Strip District. paneepronto.com Find Thanksgiving for two, including porchetta gravy, cacio e pepe mashed potatoes, cauliflower casserole, and more on the eatery’s website. Breads and a mix of hot dishes are available as well. Pick-up is on Tue., Nov. 24 and Wed., Nov. 25.
Proper Brick Oven & Taproom 139 Seventh St., Downtown. properpittsburgh.com Pre-order Proper’s Thanksgiving menu for pick-up by Sat., Nov. 21. The meal, for either two or four people, includes turkey, pumpkin brulee cheesecake, butternut squash bisque, and more.
Senti Restaurant & Wine Bar 3473 Butler St., Lawrenceville. sentirestaurant.com Find a four-course Thanksgiving meal at Senti in Lawrenceville. Courses include a choice of soup or salad, pasta, a choice of entree — turkey, braised short ribs, or roasted squash — and a dessert.
Spirits & Tales 5130 Bigelow Blvd., Oakland. spiritsandtales.com Spirits & Tales’ traditional Thanksgiving set menu is available for takeout.
CP photo: Maggie Weaver
Stuffed Squash from Sprezzatura
Sprezzatura 112 East Sherman St., Millvale. sprezzaturapgh.com Find stuffed acorn squash, traditional sides, and more on Sprezzatura’s takeout Thanksgiving menu. All items are a la carte and available for pickup on Wed., Nov. 24.
Square Cafe 134 S. Highland Ave., East Liberty. square-cafe.com Though the East Liberty restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving, they are offering holiday catering. Find turkey, sides, and more on their menu. All orders must be placed 48 hours before pick-up and will be available for delivery and pickup Wed., Nov. 25.
Health experts are advising people to have smaller gatherings, which means less turkey being served.
With the demand for smaller turkeys expected to rise, more Pennsylvanians plan to ditch the pots and pans.
“This is a family tradition, something DeNunzio’s restaurants have done for many years,” said Anthony DeNunzio II.
The take-out meal is a Thanksgiving tradition for the Westmoreland County Italian staple.
“This is something our entire family is part of, in fact our owner Ron has been taking food from our kitchen and straight out to our customers’ vehicles and he has done this with his sons and every member of our family contributes to the cause on Thanksgiving,” DeNunzio said.
Since 1977, it’s meant preparing a traditional Thanksgiving menu for pick-up.
“Whether it’s someone who is a large family eating at home or someone just eating at home with a small group, we have the ability to provide that as well. Even individual meals too,” DeNunzio said.
DeNunzio’s is adjusting to the pandemic, as they have done all year, and they are anticipating smaller-sized orders.
“We are very thankful that we are still able to be open and provide for our customers, provide for our families, and provide for our friends,” DeNunzio said.
Many other Pittsburgh area restaurants are joining the Thanksgiving take-out train, including STATION in Bloomfield, Bob’s Diner in Carnegie and Bistro 19 in Mount Lebanon. They all say you should place your Thanksgiving order as soon as you can.
(CNN)If you want to visit your family for Thanksgiving and avoid passing coronavirus on to them, experts say you need to quarantine for 14 days.
That’s two weeks of doing even less than we’re doing now, and it needs to start today.
CNN talked to CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and a visiting professor at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, to find out what that entails. Here’s her guidance.
CNN: Why do we need to quarantine before seeing relatives?
Dr. Leana Wen: The United States is suffering through the worst part of the pandemic that we have seen yet. We have added 1 million new infections in just 10 days. Hospitals in multiple states are already diverting patients because their emergency rooms and intensive care units are too full.
Remember that people we love can carry the virus as much as strangers can. When the level of virus in the community is so high, it’s not safe to get together in person, indoors, with anyone not in your immediate household bubble.
If you want to get together with other households for an indoor Thanksgiving, you need to quarantine for 14 days and then get tested.
CNN: Why is quarantine 14 days long?
Wen: Fourteen days is the maximum incubation period for the virus that causes Covid-19. If you quarantine for less time than 14 days, you could be infected and not know it. I am certain that none of us would want to inadvertently spread Covid-19 to those we love the most. Taking a test too early — before a 14-day quarantine — may not pick up on the infection.
Wen: In this case, quarantine refers to staying away from others and minimizing your risk as much as you can. It doesn’t mean staying locked in your house. Getting fresh air is good and important for your physical and mental health. So it’s fine to take walks and exercise outdoors. Try your best to stay away from other others, and keep at least a 6-foot distance when outdoors.
We know Thanksgiving can involve a lot of cooking, and therefore grocery shopping. Going to the grocery store can also be low risk, although you should try to go during off-times and try to go just once during your 14-day period. You could also try to order groceries or the entire meal to be delivered to your home.
Wen: Here’s what’s high risk and should be avoided during this period. Do not go to indoor bars or restaurants. Avoid gyms. Most important: do not get together with anyone else outside your household for anything indoors — no dinner parties, no birthday celebrations or any other get-together indoors. If you are socializing outdoors, make sure you keep a 6-foot distance from others at all times.
If you’re getting together with other households for the holiday, you should discuss what other activities you would be OK with. Many doctors’ offices have put in place precautions and it’s probably low-risk to visit the doctor. Many workplaces have instituted many protocols to reduce risk, and it may even be very low-risk to go to work if you can keep at least a 10-foot distance from others and wear masks at all times.
CNN: Does everyone have to quarantine?
Wen: Yes. The key is that every member of every household that wants to get together must participate in the quarantine for 14 days. If one person breaks quarantine, that person is exposing everyone else to their risk. This requires a lot of trust, so set that expectation in advance.
CNN: What about daycares and schools?
Wen: This is a tough one. Daycares and schools may be necessary for a lot of families when it comes to childcare for working parents. They may be relatively lower risk for transmission, especially for younger children. However, there is an infection risk, especially given the high level of coronavirus across the country. I would not consider a family that’s still sending kids to daycare or school to be low risk enough to be part of an indoor celebration. But if kids stop daycare or school now and then get tested in 14 days, they could see other relatives indoors.
CNN: Can we still see one another if we don’t quarantine for 14 days?
Wen: Yes, but you can only see them outdoors, with households spaced at least six feet apart. You can still host safely and have fun! But do not get together indoors.
CNN: Are there other ways to celebrate if we can’t get together with our family?
Wen: Yes! Being safe doesn’t mean we should stay isolated. Maybe we can’t get together in person with family. You can plan an outdoor “Friendsgiving.” Bundle up and bring warm blankets. Be flexible if it turns out that we can’t celebrate Thanksgiving on that day because of the weather.
CNN: What if we have to travel to see family for Thanksgiving?
Wen: I’m less concerned about the travel itself than the activities before the travel. The 14-day quarantine period should happen before the travel. Then do everything you can to minimize risk while traveling.
CNN: Is driving better than flying?
Wen: Driving will be safer than flying because you can control who’s in your car. Keep rest stops to a minimum. Make sure to wear a mask if you’re using a public restroom and sanitize your hands after leaving. Even flying has relatively low risk, with only a handful of infections reported for flights where everyone is wearing masks. Make sure to wear a mask the entire flight, ideally an N95 or at least a 3-ply surgical mask.
Still, I urge everyone to reduce nonessential travel. Even though the travel itself is low-risk, I worry about people coming from all over the country, since nearly every part is a coronavirus hotspot at this point.
CNN: What about college students coming home for the holiday?
Wen: Many colleges have had outbreaks. Young people tend to be asymptomatic spreaders, and returning college students should be treated as being very high risk.
It’s probably not practical for students to quarantine for 14 days before they return. In that case, they need to quarantine once they return home. That means staying in an area of the house that’s totally separate from anyone else. They should not be in any indoor areas with other people for 14 days. They can socialize outdoors only during that period.
