November 2, 2023
Gathering around the table, eating your favorite foods and spending time with family are the best parts of the holidays. So instead of being in the kitchen all day, let these local restaurants, markets, bakeries and more help with the cooking.
It’s never been easier to add Cabarrus County flavor to your holiday meal with our thriving food scene, but remember to check holiday menus, hours and availability.
Traditional Turkey Dinner
Holiday meals in Concord can turn to several delicious barbecue restaurants for this main dish including Mac’s Speed Shop where turkey comes with all the fixins with a Southern twist. Their annual festive feasts, which include turkey, gravy, sides like barbeque beans, collard greens, green bean casserole, mac and cheese and dessert, earn rave reviews. Just heat and serve, but your guests will think you’ve been preparing for days.
BBQ Feast
If you’re looking for something different for Thanksgiving dinner, order barbecue. In Concord, The Smoke Pit’s menu includes plenty of items to complete your holiday spread from pints or pans of their delicious sides to a whole honey ham.
Mt. Pleasant Smokehouse is known for making mouthwatering smoked meats, and their bulk ordering option is perfect for feeding a crowd. Order smoked meats, including pork, brisket and pulled chicken, by the pound and choose sides like slaw, baked beans, green beans and hush puppies.
Take and Bake
For the perfect charcuterie platter at your party, go to Tutti’s Italian Deli to stock up on salami, capicola, prosciutto, burrata, mozzarella and provolone. Or you could trust the gourmet deli in Concord to make an entire, Italian-inspired holiday meal. Order one of their mouthwatering grab-and-go meals like baked ziti, sausage and peppers, meatballs or eggplant parm, and your guests will be offering their thanks for the bounty.
Delicious Sides
The menu at Leo’s Gourmet Market changes with the seasons but always includes fresh baked breads, side dishes and desserts. The made-from-scratch meals that come out of their Concord kitchen are definite crowd pleasers, and the holiday menu is chock full of seasonal favorites. You can’t go wrong with their Thanksgiving pot pies made with roasted turkey, homemade stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce in a buttery pie crust along with traditional sides like stuffing, candied carrots and sweet potato casserole.
Perfect Pies
It wouldn’t be a holiday meal without pie. DOUGH, a New York-style bakery in the Afton Village neighborhood in Concord, makes seasonal favorites like pumpkin and pecan pie along with creative options like chocolate walnut pie, eggnog cream pie and pumpkin praline pie that will have you reaching for another slice.
Sweet Treats
Satisfy your sweet tooth with gourmet goodies from Cara’s Cookie Company. This Gibson Mill Market favorite has gained a loyal following thanks to a menu that includes gingerbread oatmeal whiskey cream pies and massive cookies in flavors like coffee toffee, chocolate chip and s’mores. Order individual cookies or preorder cookie cakes, their extra-large and beautifully decorated cookies that can be sliced into individual servings just like cake.
Holiday Libations
When it’s time to raise a toast, Rocky River Vineyards has you covered. The Midland winery grows muscadine grapes that are used in sweet wines like Rockin’ Red and White Gold. Their wine selection also includes cabernet sauvignon, pinot grigio, chardonnay and white zinfandel. Stock up on a selection of local wines to serve during the holidays or to offer as gifts and raise a glass to a delicious holiday meal.
Fun for the Whole Family
It’s easy to keep the family entertained when they’re in town. Our guide to family fun in Cabarrus County can help you plan a great day for all ages.
