Restaurants open Christmas Day in the evening?

[Cindy B]

this doesn't help the OP, but actually Brio and Maggiano's aren't open. Food stores and wawa operate on reducyyed hours. Houlihan's is the only one I'm sure is open.

The signage in the plaza said that Brio would be open-- it's the same plaza as Houlihans-- so maybe they wanted some of the potential business. This plaza, Brio/Houlihans and Maggiano's are right near the movie theater, which does a very brisk business Christmas Eve/Christmas--along with the Chinese food restaurants (no, it's not just a Jewish stereotype.. it really is true!)

Wawa is open until 10 or 11.. no reduction.

 

[wvjules]

Ooh..As someone who was in retail for many years may I just say YES!!!.

Please, Please, Please, do NOT go into any open establishment (grocery, c-store, restaurant, etc) and say to the person behind the register "What a shame you have to work on Christmas!"

Can't tell you how many times it happened to me and all I could do was smile when what I really wanted to say was "If it weren't for people like you insisting stores be open I wouldn't have to!"

I have never understood why people just don't plan better. With very rare exceptions, there is nothing that you absolutely must have on Christmas day. And if something was that vital to your well-being you should have made darn sure you got it the day before. It's one day a year people!

Most of the people I had to wait on Christmas day were just out looking for something to do. They were bored. Me, personally, I would much rather be at home with my family enjoying the holiday.

Who cares if people want to go out shopping or out to eat on Christmas. If you don't want to work those holidays then don't take a job that may require it.

 

[Styx Fan]

Who cares if people want to go out shopping or out to eat on Christmas. If you don't want to work those holidays then don't take a job that may require it.

Give me a break! if life was always that easy.....should they just go get another job? Don't know where you live, but in most places the economy is in really bad shape and jobs are hard to find. And most responsible folks are not going to quit a job over having to work 1 or certain days. My husband was out of work for a year. And let me tell you he would have taken a job that required holiday work, with just a groan.

I worked for 8 years in a movie theatre as a young person. Open 99% normal hours, 365 days a year. No over time or holiday pay...straight time. My DBIL worked for 15 years at a Block Buster video store. Opened at noon on Christmas Day. Salary. My best friend works in a diner type restaurant. Open all over the map. At least some people tip better on a holiday. We all stayed in these jobs for personal reasons. But that doesn't mean we should be at work while most of the country is with family and friends.

I pretty much refuse to buy anything on major holidays. I plan ahead. Nobody needs to rent a movie at noon on Christmas day. Got a new player? Plan ahead. My family had to plan around Block Buster for years due to DBIL schedule. Nuts! I would gladly cooperate if he would have been in a vital job....police, fire, etc. I sucked it up when DH had to work on 1/1/00 as he was in the IT field. But we don't need to be at the mercy of other folks greed and selfish attitudes.

 

[wvjules]

Give me a break! if life was always that easy.....should they just go get another job? Don't know where you live, but in most places the economy is in really bad shape and jobs are hard to find. And most responsible folks are not going to quit a job over having to work 1 or certain days. My husband was out of work for a year. And let me tell you he would have taken a job that required holiday work, with just a groan.

I worked for 8 years in a movie theatre as a young person. Open 99% normal hours, 365 days a year. No over time or holiday pay...straight time. My DBIL worked for 15 years at a Block Buster video store. Opened at noon on Christmas Day. Salary. My best friend works in a diner type restaurant. Open all over the map. At least some people tip better on a holiday. We all stayed in these jobs for personal reasons. But that doesn't mean we should be at work while most of the country is with family and friends.

I pretty much refuse to buy anything on major holidays. I plan ahead. Nobody needs to rent a movie at noon on Christmas day. Got a new player? Plan ahead. My family had to plan around Block Buster for years due to DBIL schedule. Nuts! I would gladly cooperate if he would have been in a vital job....police, fire, etc. I sucked it up when DH had to work on 1/1/00 as he was in the IT field. But we don't need to be at the mercy of other folks greed and selfish attitudes.

And you know what? If I want to go to to the movies, to the grocery store or to a restaurant on ANY holiday I will. It has nothing to do with being greedy or selfish. If it is how I want to spend my time then that is how I'm going to spend it. If a place doesn't want my business on that day then they can close for those hoildays. I'll just go somewhere else.

I am driving to visit my parents on Christmas day. I may need gas or coffee along the way. I'm going to stop somewhere.

Besides, there are people out there that don't celebrate Christmas. Should they be forced to sit at home because the Christian America doesn't feel like they should have to work?

 

[jandel]

And you know what? If I want to go to to the movies, to the grocery store or to a restaurant on ANY holiday I will. It has nothing to do with being greedy or selfish. If it is how I want to spend my time then that is how I'm going to spend it. If a place doesn't want my business on that day then they can close for those hoildays. I'll just go somewhere else.

I am driving to visit my parents on Christmas day. I may need gas or coffee along the way. I'm going to stop somewhere.

Besides, there are people out there that don't celebrate Christmas. Should they be forced to sit at home because the Christian America doesn't feel like they should have to work?

Way to put words in someone's mouth - who said anything about being a Christian American? Nobody is forcing anyone to stay at home - obviously retailers want your money and they are going to stay open to get it.

But - if you would just....you know what...nevermind. It's not worth it.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Joyous Fill-In-The-Blank according to your beliefs everyone Here's hoping yours is a good one!

 

[crazelion]

As you are probably aware, the south is ill prepared for winter precipitation.

Here is the latest advisory for Atlanta. Pay attention to the fact that it says the Southeast.

If it were me, I would pack food in the car and stop if the roads are ok and things are open. It doesn't take much winter weather for things to close up.

WINTRY PRECIPITATION STILL POSSIBLE FROM CHRISTMAS DAY THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA...

A STRONG STORM SYSTEM CURRENTLY MOVING ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE DESERT SOUTHWEST... WILL MOVE INTO THE SOUTHERN PLAINS FRIDAY AND ACROSS THE DEEP SOUTH SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT... AND BRINGING A CHANCE OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION TO MUCH OF NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA. AT THIS TIME ALL COMPUTER MODELS ARE DEVELOPING A SURFACE LOW OVER THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO FRIDAY NIGHT AND CHRISTMAS DAY... THEN MOVING THE LOW ACROSS NORTH FLORIDA AND OFF THE GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA COASTS BY SUNDAY MORNING. THIS WILL BEGIN SPREADING MOISTURE INTO THE STATE BEGINNING LATE FRIDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING. IF THE CURRENT FORECAST TIMING AND TRACK HOLDS TRUE... ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS AND TEMPERATURE PROFILES WOULD SUPPORT THE INITIAL LIGHT RAIN CHANGING OVER TO SNOW ACROSS NORTH GEORGIA BY EARLY CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON... THEN CHANGING OVER TO SNOW FOR MOST OF CENTRAL GEORGIA BY LATE CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON. LIGHT SNOW COULD CONTINUE ACROSS NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA SATURDAY NIGHT... THEN GRADUALLY ENDING FROM WEST TO EAST THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING OR EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON AS THE SYSTEM MOVES UP THE ATLANTIC EAST COAST. CURRENT FORECASTED TEMPERATURES SUGGEST WIDESPREAD 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW ACCUMULATIONS MAY BE POSSIBLE... AND MAINLY FOR AREAS ALONG AND NORTH OF A COLUMBUS TO MACON LINE... WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS LIKELY ACROSS THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS.

ANYONE PLANNING TRAVEL ACROSS NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA OR THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES OVER THE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND SHOULD KEEP ABREAST TO THE LATEST FORECAST ON THIS DEVELOPING WINTER STORM SYSTEM.

That is so true. It does not took much to shut the city. Yes I am talking about work and school to. I am so condition when see snow ground to go back to bed. School and work is cancel. Yes even the Wal-mart closes to. LOL

They is talking about coming in Friday night now. I am scare suppose go to a Christmas Eve party I might no go.

 

[disneymom3]

We tried to eat out 2 years ago on Christmas night, and both of the Denny's by my house were closed. We were totally shocked. We finally found a local sports bar open.

Hey, we tried to go there that night too....we ended up at Burger king.

Now you guys have me worried about driving during a snow storm in the south! I have experience with this as we were once stuck in Atlanta on the road when there was maybe 2 inches on the ground. I think that was around 1997 or so? We were coming back from Spring Break in Florida.

Anyway, I am thinking about taking an alternate route and going from Chicago towards Memphis on I-57 then head toward Mobile, AL mostly through Mississippi and then across the Panhandle of Florida. Does that sound like we would avoid most of the snow and mountains in the snow? Do you think its worth it? We have friends in Mobile we haven't seen in forever and it might be nice to have dinner with them or something.

Thanks,
Maggie

Hon, your name deal over to the left says you are from Chicago. Is that right? You will be just fine in the south. Just remember that the other drivers may not know how to drive in snow and of course, if the roads close, that is a problem. DH drove through an ice storm in TN last year on his way home from FL. The good news was that anyone who lived in TN was inside.

Ooh..As someone who was in retail for many years may I just say YES!!!.

Please, Please, Please, do NOT go into any open establishment (grocery, c-store, restaurant, etc) and say to the person behind the register "What a shame you have to work on Christmas!"

Can't tell you how many times it happened to me and all I could do was smile when what I really wanted to say was "If it weren't for people like you insisting stores be open I wouldn't have to!"
.

Yep. That is why my personal policy is to never shop on a holiday. I think it stinks that people have to work. Don't care what anyone else does, I just make it a point for ME to not support that.

 

[elgerber]

Hey, we tried to go there that night too....we ended up at Burger king.

Blech, we saw they were open in Rogers and Elk River. I said no way in h#@% I was eating there on Christmas!! We ended up at Time Out, and they were playing Wall-E, so it was actually a really nice night!

 

[pixiechick]

The signage in the plaza said that Brio would be open-- it's the same plaza as Houlihans-- so maybe they wanted some of the potential business. This plaza, Brio/Houlihans and Maggiano's are right near the movie theater, which does a very brisk business Christmas Eve/Christmas--along with the Chinese food restaurants (no, it's not just a Jewish stereotype.. it really is true!)

Wawa is open until 10 or 11.. no reduction.

I know where you mean. My SIL decided not to cook and tried to book a dinner. She called both Maggiano's and Brio. Both said they were closed Christmas Day. Houlihan's said they would be open. I believe she called within the last week.

I stopped in WaWa on the way home to hit MAC, and I checked their hours. Open until 10. In past years, I'm sure our store has closed much earlier. But obviously not this year.

As far as the OP's original question. I guess the safest thing is too assume nothing!

 

[mum4jenn]

OP...Food is the LEAST of your worries!! What about GAS????
A few years ago we came home a day early from WDW and we thought there would be lots of gas stations open on Christmas Day....NOT. We almost ran out of gas. We traveled on 1-75 and we had about 2 gallons of gas left when we finally found a place.

Of course this was about 10 years ago so maybe that has changed but you need to think about travel on Christmas Day.

 

[mtblujeans]

Chinese places are normally open on Christmas

 

[mtblujeans]

Fah-rah-rah-rah-rah!!!

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

OR...."you'll shoot your eye out".

 

[kristenrice]

Ooh..As someone who was in retail for many years may I just say YES!!!.

Please, Please, Please, do NOT go into any open establishment (grocery, c-store, restaurant, etc) and say to the person behind the register "What a shame you have to work on Christmas!"

Can't tell you how many times it happened to me and all I could do was smile when what I really wanted to say was "If it weren't for people like you insisting stores be open I wouldn't have to!"

I have never understood why people just don't plan better. With very rare exceptions, there is nothing that you absolutely must have on Christmas day. And if something was that vital to your well-being you should have made darn sure you got it the day before. It's one day a year people!

Most of the people I had to wait on Christmas day were just out looking for something to do. They were bored. Me, personally, I would much rather be at home with my family enjoying the holiday.

Who cares if people want to go out shopping or out to eat on Christmas. If you don't want to work those holidays then don't take a job that may require it.

But that doesn't mean we should be at work while most of the country is with family and friends.

I would gladly cooperate if he would have been in a vital job....police, fire, etc. But we don't need to be at the mercy of other folks greed and selfish attitudes.

I work as a paramedic and my DH is a police officer. I work a 14-hour shift out of the ambulance, NOT a base station. We are sent to a point and given only a 1-mile radius from that point where we are allowed to sit. On Christmas, which is generally a slower day, we might get stuck sitting in the ambulance for hours at a time. Gas stations and fast food restaurants are often our only choices for food or a restroom break. People have told me that they are thankful that I am working on Christmas (and given the nature of my work, they often do not have the option of seeing me) but I am just as thankful for the people who are working at the gas stations and restaurants. They are my "life savers".

This year, because ALL of our shifts work alternating weekends, half of our street medics will be working BOTH Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day. Only 2 people are allowed to take vacation per day so that leaves a lot of people who must either work both days or find someone to cover their shift. In our chosen profession, we don't have the option of closing up shop for the day. Without convenience stores, gas stations, plow trucks, etc, our Christmas would be miserable.

Since my family gets together on Christmas Eve, I offered to work Christmas Day from 6-10pm for a co-worker so that he can have Christmas dinner with his family. So, I did *choose* to work Christmas this year, but I did it in the spirit of giving. I will be able to eat before work and bring a soda with me to work since I'm only working 4 hours. My DH has to work Christmas Eve but he has enough seniority that he was able to get Christmas Day off so we will celebrate Christmas morning and afternoon.

Merry Christmas to all!

 

[mtblujeans]

I work as a paramedic and my DH is a police officer.....

Merry Christmas to all!

THANK YOU to you and your DH! Best wishes for the New Year!!

 

[Cindy B]

OP...Food is the LEAST of your worries!! What about GAS????
A few years ago we came home a day early from WDW and we thought there would be lots of gas stations open on Christmas Day....NOT. We almost ran out of gas. We traveled on 1-75 and we had about 2 gallons of gas left when we finally found a place.

Of course this was about 10 years ago so maybe that has changed but you need to think about travel on Christmas Day.

Gas isn't a big issue for us. My DH probably fills up maybe ever 8-10 WEEKS and I take about 10 days to 2 weeks to fill up. We don't drive anywhere on Christmas so this is a little concern.

Gas stations around here are open. There are a few that are run by a Malaysian family and they are open every day.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Gas isn't a big issue for us. My DH probably fills up maybe ever 8-10 WEEKS and I take about 10 days to 2 weeks to fill up. We don't drive anywhere on Christmas so this is a little concern.

Gas stations around here are open. There are a few that are run by a Malaysian family and they are open every day.

And don't forget pay at the pump - nobody has to be in the shop, swipe your card - fill up and go.

 

[Cindy B]

OP...Food is the LEAST of your worries!! What about GAS????
A few years ago we came home a day early from WDW and we thought there would be lots of gas stations open on Christmas Day....NOT. We almost ran out of gas. We traveled on 1-75 and we had about 2 gallons of gas left when we finally found a place.

Of course this was about 10 years ago so maybe that has changed but you need to think about travel on Christmas Day.

And don't forget pay at the pump - nobody has to be in the shop, swipe your card - fill up and go.

Its illegal to self serve in my state. Full serve only. They need to have an attendant there.

 

[crazelion]

Its illegal to self serve in my state. Full serve only. They need to have an attendant there.

I actually had picture taken with gas station attendant in NJ. LOL I could not believe they exist.

They now talking about 2 inches in the valley. On the mountain expect 4 inches or more.

I think this be the first Christmas that I have not be over someone house. I don't drive in ice snow.

 

[maggiew]

OP...Food is the LEAST of your worries!! What about GAS????
A few years ago we came home a day early from WDW and we thought there would be lots of gas stations open on Christmas Day....NOT. We almost ran out of gas. We traveled on 1-75 and we had about 2 gallons of gas left when we finally found a place.

Of course this was about 10 years ago so maybe that has changed but you need to think about travel on Christmas Day.

Yes. I was thinking about gas too. I was thinking maybe the truck stops would be open??

We really don't have much choice but to leave Christmas Day. It takes 2 full days to drive from Chicago to St. Pete, FL. That means we are using 4 days of the vacation driving. We have to be back on Jan. 2 since my DD has to start back at college on the 3rd. So, even with leaving on Christmas Day we will only have 5 days with the inlaws. We usually fly, but this is a recently planned trip due to my FIL having a stroke and my step-FIL being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

We are just going to play it by ear. If we need to stop because of no gas or the weather, so be it. I went grocery shopping today and bought some food for the road just in case. I bought stuff for sandwiches (ham and also PBJ), soup in a cup; chips, fruit cocktail cups, cereal bars, trail mix, and some 100 calorie packs of snacks.

In order to avoid the storm, I think we decided to take I-57 to Memphis, then 55 to Jackson, then to Mobile, AL. Then across 10 to 75 and south to St. Petersburg. We are taking the opportunity to stop by and see a friend in Mobile we haven't seen in 18 years. (only maybe to have dinner, if timing is right)

Thanks for all your ideas. If it weren't for you, I would't have known about the impending storm!

Maggie

 

[kydisneyfans]

Sonic is open at 5 around here, and I have emails from TGI Fridays that they will be open after 5, they even sent a buy one meal get one free coupon for Christmas Day only.

I saw several McDonalds in the Nashville area are open regular hours on Christmas Day, I am unaware of any open in Central KY.

I also will not patronize businesses on Christmas Day unless it is an emergency. I remember a Christmas Day about 10 years ago where my wife was so sick I make 5 trips to Walgreens for Gatorade. I can see a few places being open on Christmas Day-but the trend for more and more places to be open is nothing short of greed to me.