Open on Christmas?

[Tina]

I'm not going "home" this year to celebrate with family. Instead, I'm just going to hang out for the day with a friend. Does anyone know what restaurant chains (not fast food) are open on Christmas day? Cheesecake Factory? Outback? Olive Garden? Etc.

 

[lastminutemom]

Very little is open Christmas Day, at least around here. Movie theatres are open and so are Chinese restaurants, but that is about it.

Most chains are closed-- though I think Waffle House is open.

I think most fast food places are closed as well.

 

[disfan07]

Chinese restaurants!

They are all definitely open. We are Jewish and we have what we call a Jewish Christmas. Movie and Chinese food.

 

[OhMari]

Our Chinese resturants are closed on Christmas.
We will be traveling on Christmas Day, and luckily our hotel will have breakfast and I am going to make a meal and freeze it for when we get home that nite.

 

[quentina]

Denny's

 

[Tina]

Unfortunately, I'm no fan of Chinese food.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Your choices are going to be very limited. None of the major chains will be open except places like Denny's and Waffle House. All of the places you mentioned will be closed.

Why not plan to cook something at home?

 

[Tina]

I'm cooking for Christmas Eve so I'm not interested in cooking again on
Christmas. It looks like McCormick & Scmick's is open in my area. It looks like that may be the place to go.

 

[disneychrista]

Starbucks will be open, depending on your area. Ours is open 7am - 5pm

 

[Tina]

Starbucks will be open, depending on your area. Ours is open 7am - 5pm

We're looking for a little more substantial meal than a muffin or scone.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Crockpot, or make a double batch of whatever you prepare Christmas Eve, or make a casserole in advance and freeze it, and just bake it Christmas Day. Understood that you don't want to cook that day, but really, it's one of rare holidays when most places are closed so most workers can stay home and celebrate the holiday with their families.

 

[FireDancer]

If you have any non-Christian ethnic neighborhoods in your area that would probably be your best bet. I'm not sure if chains will be there but if there is a substantial Jewish neighborhood there might be some locally owned restaurants. Other Asian neighborhoods besides Chinese might also be opened. Since you don't like Chinese you might be able to find a Thai, Korean or Vietnamese restaurant in the area.

This is what I would try at least. If you are in the DC area of Northern Virginia I imagine there will be more choices then a smaller city.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Big chain hotels often times do a buffet on Christmas Day. Just google "Christmas buffet" and your home town and you will probably find a few things.

 

[tasha99]

Lots of restaurants are open on Christmas! We used to go to a fine dining (non chain) restaurant every year since my mom had it in her head that it was a burden to cook (I finally convinced her I enjoy it). Of the chains, I think anyplace that caters to older people will be open (hometown buffet, marie callendars, Shari's etc. and they'll have a Christmas special that's ham or turkey.)

Edit (I just looked up Marie Callendars, and only select locations are open. Still, some are, and I think there will be places open except in the most rural areas.)

 

[Tina]

Edit (I just looked up Marie Callendars, and only select locations are open. Still, some are, and I think there will be places open except in the most rural areas.)

I do like Marie Callendars, but unfortunately we don't have them on the east coast. I wish they would expand this way.

 

[Tina]

Crockpot, or make a double batch of whatever you prepare Christmas Eve, or make a casserole in advance and freeze it, and just bake it Christmas Day.

Thank you for your suggestions, however, I think you missed the question. We want to go out. We don't want to sit around my house for the day.

I did some searching on the Open Table reservations system and found tons of nice places open (although not the chains I mentioned). We decided on McCormick and Schmick's (ALL locations are open) and made a reservation for a mid-afternoon dinner. It's right near a theatre, so we can see a movie afterwards as well.

 

[RUDisney]

In our area, there are places that will serve a ham or turkey dinner to anyone who has no other place to go on the holiday or who can't afford or are unable to make dinner for themselves.

You could check into one of these dinners. They aren't just about feeding the poor. They are about fostering a sense of community on the holiday and they are free.

 

[anniemae]

glad you found a place!! I was going to suggest checking hotels since some do Christmast buffets, but it sounds like you have a plan. Have fun!

 

[Tina]

In our area, there are places that will serve a ham or turkey dinner to anyone who has no other place to go on the holiday or who can't afford or are unable to make dinner for themselves.

You could check into one of these dinners. They aren't just about feeding the poor. They are about fostering a sense of community on the holiday and they are free.

Are you suggesting I take my friend to a shelter/soup kitchen for Christmas dinner? Um... no thanks. We were looking for a nice place to have dinner out together and we've found one (see post above). We are both very gainfully employed. Why would I eat a free meal that could have gone to someone who needs it?

 

[kydisneyfans]

Hotel restaurants are almost always open, Dennys and Waffle House too. Sonic is open 5 PM-midnight.

Beyond that, it's a ghost town around here Christmas Day.