Thanksgiving Take-Out Ideas: 5 Pick-Up Options for Kansas City Families

Every year is different, but right about now is the time we’ll whip out our family recipes or Pinterest dreams and start thinking about Thanksgiving, including the meal we’ll serve and gather around. Whether you’re planning to cook the whole Thanksgiving feast from scratch, go for a hybrid with some homemade sides and some ready-to-go, or choose full takeout this year — you deserve a holiday that feels relaxed, plentiful, and meaningful. In Kansas City we’re lucky to have local spots that bring thoughtful, high-quality food to the table, so you can spend less time in the kitchen (if you want!) and more time around the people you love.

McLain’s Bakery + Market — A longtime Kansas City sweet tradition

McLain’s began in the Waldo neighborhood back in 1945, and over the decades it’s become a Kansas City institution known for its buttery pastries, community-friendly vibe, and (of course!) the signature “cupcookie.” For Thanksgiving 2025, McLain’s is taking pre-orders for seasonal pies and cupcookies — the perfect dessert or treat to round out your table. Ordering is live now and quantities go quickly, so reserving your sweets early is wise.

Stroud’s Restaurant — Comfort-food carry-out with KC roots

Stroud’s brings you a full Michigan-style comfort dinner with deep Kansas City area presence. For Thanksgiving this year they’re offering carry-out packages that include turkey or ham, classic sides, and their famous cinnamon rolls. You can choose whether to pick up hot on Thanksgiving Day or cold earlier and reheat at home. Pickup slots are limited and you’ll want to reserve as soon as you know your plan.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant — Chef-prepared meal kits to enjoy at home

Known primarily for its wine and dine experience, Cooper’s Hawk is offering 2025 Thanksgiving meal kits in the Kansas City region that come prepared, part-heated or ready to finish at home, and include chef-designed menus with turkey, sides and dessert. For families that love elevated flavors but want convenience, this is the right pick. Quantities are limited and (you guessed it!) booking early will secure your kit.

Whole Foods Market — Premium prepared-meal options for the holiday

In the Kansas City area, Whole Foods offers prepared Thanksgiving dinners, family-size side trays, vegetarian or vegan alternatives, and desserts for 2025. It’s a great choice for families who value high-quality ingredients, variety and convenience in one stop. To make sure you get the selection you want, check the holiday menu online, reserve your trays and secure your pickup slot as soon as possible.

Rye KC — Elevated bakery & signature pies for the finishing touch

Rye KC is offering holiday pre-orders for 2025 that include handcrafted pies and cinnamon rolls — perfect for a dessert upgrade or elegant pastry addition to your Thanksgiving table. Their announcement lists an order deadline of Sunday, November 23 at 5:00 p.m., with pickup on November 24–26. While they don’t list a full entrée meal kit yet, pairing their bakery items with one of the other mains at home gives you an elevated holiday feel.

Ordering Tips

Kansas City families LOVE leaning into take-out or hybrid Thanksgiving meal ideas. It allows you to be present. Enjoy sipping that first cup of coffee before the chaos begins, laugh with the kids, and intentionally choose how much time you want to spend at the stove. These local spots give you elevated, thoughtful food — not just standard take-out — and they let you choose your level of cooking involvement: from full homemade to full take-out, or something in between. When you’re ordering, aim to lock in your plan early. Confirm whether your meal arrives hot and ready, or cold and needs reheating. Know exactly when and where you’ll pick up. Factor in parking, travel time, and how you’ll keep everything warm (or cold) on the drive home. And don’t skip dessert — those final bites often become the favorite memory. You’ll enjoy putting your own personal touches on the meal, so make it intentional and take some of it off your plate if possible (pitty laugh for my dad joke, please!?).

If your extended family is coming into Kansas City and you’d like a fresh set of photos — I’d love to help. I’m offering a limited number of holiday sessions designed for families who would love a relaxed session documenting your family legacy, your own connections with each other. Inquire with me and we’ll chat.

Here’s to a joyful, relaxed Thanksgiving here in Kansas City — where the food is delicious, the seats around the table are full, and you spend the day exactly where you want to be: together.