Story by Dave Eckert
Thanksgiving, as we all know, if just around the corner, which begs the question, “Have you got all you need for your Thanksgiving feast?” For most of us, I fear, the answer is “No!” often followed by “Help!” Well, you’re in luck because that’s exactly what this article is all about: area businesses that are offering a wide array of Thanksgiving table staples to carry out, and in at least one case, deliver right to your front door.
Of course, the centerpiece of any Thanksgiving meal is the turkey. Oven-roasted, deep fried, or smoked, the preparation doesn’t matter if you don’t have the right bird. May I suggest one local business where that issue can be taken off the table with one trip: Paradise Locker Meats.
Photo courtesy of Paradise Locker Meats
Paradise Locker Meats
For nearly 20 years, Paradise Locker Meats has been perfecting its beloved in-house sugar-cured, slow-smoked turkey. It’s a standout any time of year, but it truly steals the spotlight during the holidays. Juicy, deeply flavorful, and fully cooked, it makes entertaining effortless: simply reheat, carve, and enjoy. Turkeys average 10–12 pounds and start at $125 plus tax (and shipping). Or, you can pick one up at the Paradise Retail Store.
Founded in 1946, Paradise remains a family-owned processor with a long commitment to Berkshire breed hogs, premium beef, naturally raised turkeys, and more — all sourced from trusted local farmers and crafted start-to-finish by its in-house butchers. Paradise also supplies notable restaurants throughout the country, butcher shops, and barbecue joints. Locally, the list of restaurant customers includes Lidia’s Kansas City, The Town Company, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Local Pig, Scott’s Kitchen, Pizza Tascio, and Yoli Tortilleria.
Photo courtesy of Paradise Locker Meats
“We like to say Paradise sells wholesome meats, raised and butchered with honest traditions,” said Nick Fantasma, who owns Paradise Locker Meats with his brother Louis, as part of the second-generation leadership. “We’re honored to serve Kansas City and chefs across the country, and this time of year we’re especially grateful for the people who choose to celebrate with our products.”
You can find Paradise’s award-winning meats online at www.paradisemeats.com and in their retail shop, which is located in Trimble, Missouri, north of Smithville. It might be a long trip for some, but take it from someone who’s made the trip and sampled their wares often, it is well worth it!
Photo courtesy of Broadmoor Bistro
Broadmoor Bistro
Of course, man does not live by turkey alone, especially on Thanksgiving. For everything else you need and crave for your Thanksgiving meal, look no further than Overland Park’s Broadmoor Bistro and its annual Everything But the Turkey sale.
“Everything But the Turkey” (EBTT) is Broadmoor Bistro’s annual Thanksgiving food sale, produced by students in the Shawnee Mission School District Culinary Arts program. The fundraiser gives students real-world experience running a professional kitchen while raising funds that go directly toward helping students travel and compete in regional, state, and national culinary competitions—where they have opportunities to earn college scholarships worth up to $250,000,” the Bistro’s Matt Ziegenhorn shared.
“Each year, hundreds of pies, sides, and breakfast items are made from scratch at Broadmoor Bistro’s teaching kitchen inside the Center for Academic Achievement in Overland Park, Kansas. I think you can imagine what 55 gallons of turkey gravy looks like!”
Photo courtesy of Broadmoor Bistro
Ziegenhorn says the EBTT sale started a little over ten years ago. “When Chef Justin Hoffman was a student in the Shawnee Mission School District’s culinary program, he created a Butterscotch Praline Streusel Apple Pie for a scholarship contest. That pie won him his first scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and even helped him fund his senior trip. That sparked what became an annual student-led fundraiser Everything But the Turkey.”
Broadmoor Bistro is a signature program within the Shawnee Mission School District’s School of Agriculture and Biosciences. It serves as a full-scale restaurant and culinary learning lab. More than 100 students are enrolled across the culinary and baking pathways, gaining real-world experience in kitchen management, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.
To learn more and to order, visit everythingbuttheturkey.com. Preorder sales close on November 24. Pickup is November 25, 2:00-5:00pm of November 26, 8:00am-12:00pm.
Photo courtesy of Wheat Photography / Extra Virgin Grab & Go
Extra Virgin Grab & Go
You can also get everything but the turkey at Extra Virgin Grab and Go in the heart of The Crossroads. Rolls, sides, gravy, broth, sauce, and pies can be ordered from EVG&G under the supervision of James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Smith. “Thanksgiving can get overwhelming fast,” says Smith. “We’ve built this menu to take the pressure off while still giving people the kind of food we’d be proud to serve in our own home. It’s simple, it’s flavorful, and it lets you focus on the day instead of the stress.”
Extra Virgin Grab & Go offers scratch-made dishes, sauces, desserts, cheeses, crackers, olives, and small-batch olive oils, pastas and sauces, pantry staples, and prepared meals crafted by Smith and his Extra Virgin and Farina culinary teams. Guests can explore an excellent selection of great wines and unique spirits hand-picked by Wine Director Nancy Smith.
Here’s all the information you need to access their amazing Thanksgiving offerings.
- Extra Virgin Grab & Go: 1900 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64108
- Call (816) 381-9025 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday- Saturday to order & pay for THANKSGIVING TO-GO 2025.
- Tax added when ordering | Available to-go only
- Please, no social media or voicemail orders accepted | No refunds
- Order deadline: Friday, November 21
- Pickup days at EXTRA VIRGIN GRAB & GO Nov. 24-26 | 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
THANKSGIVING TO-GO MENU 2025
R O L L S $ 1 8 / D o z e n
- Parker House Rolls
S I D E S $ 1 8 / 6 – 8 s e r v i n g s
- Apricot & Black Currant Stuffing
- Roasted Carrots
- Potato Gratin
- Creamed Spinach
G R A V Y, B R O T H + S A U C E
- Giblet Gravy $20/Quart
- Turkey Broth $14/Quart
- Ben’s Cranberry Sauce $8/Pint
P I E S 1 0 – I n c h
- Pecan $28
- Pumpkin $24
Photo courtesy of Sugar Whipped Bakery
Sugar Whipped Bakery
For a different spin on dessert this Thanksgiving, you might try heading to Plattsburg and Melissa Jensen’s Sugar Whipped Bakery. “We try to offer up a few things different from the classic pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. Our flourless chocolate torte is for all the chocolate lovers out there. A little slice goes a long way. It’s also gluten friendly. We also have our dinner rolls sold by the half dozen, pumpkin cheesecake, honey whiskey cake and savory breakfast bread pudding,” Jensen shared.
I asked Jensen if she had a personal favorite? “My favorite is a toss-up between the honey whiskey cake and the breakfast bread pudding. We’ve made the bread pudding a tradition of ours at our own home. It’s so great to warm up in the oven on Thanksgiving morning and serve with some eggs or hashbrowns. We make our farmhouse white bread, slice it up into cubes and soak it overnight with milk, cream and egg mixture, crumbled sausage, a lot of cheese and minced sauteed onions. The bakery smells amazing when we bake these for the customers!” Jensen exclaimed.
Photo courtesy of Sugar Whipped Bakery
She went on to describe her other favorite, the honey whiskey cake, “We had a regular customer task us with making this for her husband’s birthday, and we were hooked ever since. The recipe includes coffee, honey, whiskey, orange juice and a mix of all the amazing fall spices- topped with cream cheese frosting. It’s an incredible fall dessert.”
To sweeten your Thanksgiving meal with some Sugar Whipped goodies, you can pre-order by Sunday, November 23 via email at sugarwhippednyc@gmail.com. Pickup is Wednesday, November 26th 8:00am-6:00pm at their storefront 107 North MainStreet in Plattsburg, MO.
Photo courtesy of Kravin’ It KC
Kravin’ It KC
Finally, for those who want it all, and want it delivered to their front door, there is Kravin’ It KC’s Thanksgiving 2025 menu. Kravin’ It KC is the catering creation of Bradley and Brittany Gilmore of Lula Southern Cookhouse fame, so you know it’s got to be good. Of course, you can also pick up your choice of Thanksgiving items at Lula, or if you like, have it delivered to you on Thanksgiving from 3:00-7:00pm anywhere in the Kansas City metro for just $25
Visit kravinitkc.com/thanksgiving to check out a very impressive Thanksgiving culinary lineup, and choose a Thanksgiving meal that is perfect for you!
