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It’s a no-stress Thanksgiving this year in Atlanta, Georgia. Why? Because you’re not cooking (and that’s a good thing).
Whether you’re craving a lavish buffet with skyline view, a cozy prix-fixe family meal, or a heat-and-serve feast for home, local restaurants have you covered. From Midtown’s bustling spots to Buckhead’s elegant eateries and beyond, we’ve rounded up standout specials for Thursday, November 27.
Check Out Thanksgiving Food Specials at These Atlanta Restaurants
Pro tip: Book now—seats are filling faster than a Thanksgiving table. Reservations recommended unless noted.
Dine-In Delights: Gather ‘Round the Table
Marcus Bar & Grille (Old Fourth Ward)
Dive into a soulful holiday buffet featuring smoked and fried turkey, barbecue pork ribs, slow-cooked collard greens, oyster dressing, and a sweet potato bar for dessert. Priced at $65 per adult ($30 kids under 12), available all day. Reserve via their site.
El Super Pan
This year, El Super Pan at The Battery is taking care of your Thanksgiving feast with their delicious catering menu! Enjoy appetizers like empanadas and pastelitos, show-stopping mains such as Pavochón or a whole suckling pig, and desserts including Pumpkin Passion Cheesecake and Flan de Calabaza—plus plenty more. Order online now, and pick up your Thanksgiving spread at The Battery Atlanta location from Monday, November 24 through Wednesday, November 26.
Lazy Betty
Bring the Lazy Betty experience home this Thanksgiving with our chef-curated gourmet feast. At the heart of the meal is a stunning crown-roasted duck, joined by an array of seasonal sides and our signature house-made accompaniments.Every order comes with easy re-heating instructions so your holiday stays effortless and delicious. Pick up your feast at Lazy Betty on Tuesday, November 25 or Wednesday, November 26.
Each package feeds four to six guests and includes:
- Lacquered Crown Roasted Peking Duck
- Truffled Brioche Dressing with foie gras & duck confit
- Duck Gravy
- Cranberry Orange Relish
- Green Bean Casserole with haricot vert, bechamel & fried onion
- Yukon Gold Pomme Puree
- Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
- Parker House Rolls
- Pecan Pie (extra pies are available for purchase)
Delbar’s Holiday Lamb Leg
Bring the heart of Persian hospitality home this holiday season with Delbar’s signature Harissa-Spiced Lamb Leg – tender, slow-cooked perfection that feeds a crowd and steals the show.Holiday Lamb Leg Feast – $270
Everything you need for an unforgettable spread (serves 4–7 adults):
Harissa-spiced lamb leg + sabzi polo (herb rice) + dill labneh + garlic toum + green zhoug + torshi pickles + feta + sumac onions + warm, freshly baked taftoun bread.Lamb Leg Only – $190
Just the star of the show: our signature slow-roasted, harissa-spiced lamb leg. No sides, all flavor.All orders come fully prepared and chilled with easy reheating instructions – so you can relax and enjoy the holiday.
Pre-order now for pickup at Delbar. Limited availability – reserve yours today!Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View
Elevate your feast with a five-course menu boasting cider-brined turkey breast, beef tenderloin, or vegan options, all enjoyed with panoramic city views. $125 per person (plus tax/gratuity), open Thanksgiving Day. Book on OpenTable.
5Church (Midtown & Buckhead)
Indulge in a festive buffet with carving stations for turkey, ham, and prime rib, plus creative sides like miso-glazed sweet potatoes. $75 adults ($20 kids under 12), 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Call for reservations.
AltaToro (Midtown)
A Latin-infused twist on tradition with a buffet of turkey and prime rib, lamb meatballs in harissa, antipasto platters, and flan. $65 adults ($20 kids 12 and under), 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Highly recommended via Resy.
South City Kitchen (Midtown, Vinings, Buckhead)
Southern comfort shines in a three-course prix-fixe with fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or classic turkey. $79 adults ($39 kids under 12), all day. Encourage reservations online.
Le Bilboquet
French flair meets holiday cheer in a three-course menu with roasted turkey and chestnut stuffing, plus a complimentary Champagne toast. $110 adults ($40 kids), 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Reserve on OpenTable.
The Southern Gentleman (Buckhead)
Buffet bliss with herb-roasted turkey, glazed ham, fried chicken, and desserts like sweet potato cheesecake. $75 adults ($35 kids), 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Book via OpenTable.
Serena Pastificio (Midtown)
Italian holiday vibes with a buffet of cedar-plank salmon, prime rib, wild mushroom lasagna, and pumpkin cannoli. $70 adults ($25 kids under 12), 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Recommended via OpenTable.
The Betty (Buckhead)
Three-course elegance at the Kimpton Sylvan with butternut squash soup, pan-roasted branzino or turkey, and brioche pudding. $85 adults ($32.50 kids under 12), 4–8 p.m. Encourage reservations.
Brasserie Margot (Midtown)
Luxe brunch buffet with roast turkey, prime rib-eye, caviar-topped halibut, and seafood towers. $168 adults ($82.50 kids), 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Required reservations.
Takeout Treasures: Holiday at Home, Chef-Style
- Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Midtown): Iconic Southern Family Feasts for 4 or 10, with carved turkey, cornbread dressing, potato soufflé, and pies. Preorder online for pickup; dine-in also available 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Multiple locations): Smoked turkey or ham kits with gravy, sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, and pie. Packages start at $180 for pickup Nov. 24–26.
- Auburn Angel (Sweet Auburn): Catering packages with Cajun fried turkey, peppercorn pork tenderloin, cornbread dressing, and candied yams. Starts at $250; call 404-955-7123 or DM on Instagram.
- Tio Lucho’s (Poncey-Highland): Peruvian-Peruvian fusion feast for 8, including spatchcocked turkey, tamales, collard greens, and bread pudding. $250 for pickup Nov. 26. 13
- Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails (Alpharetta/Crabapple): To-go full feast for 4–6 with slow-smoked turkey, mac and cheese, and sorghum-glazed carrots ($205), or just the bird ($130). Pickup Nov. 26; dine-in option too.
From skyline buffets to smoky takeout, Atlanta’s got the gratitude—and the grub—covered this Thanksgiving. Which spot’s calling your name? Share your plans in the comments, and happy feasting, ATL!
More Food Coverage:
Here Are The Best New Restaurants In Atlanta
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In a stunning conclusion to one of the most high-profile legal battles ever to grip Fulton County, a state prosecutor has formally dismissed the racketeering charges against former President Donald Trump and his allies for their alleged efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.
The decision, announced Wednesday, marks the end of a saga that began in Atlanta’s courthouses and jails, drawing national attention while straining local resources and spotlighting the city’s role at the heart of American democracy.
The case, which centered on Trump’s infamous January 2020 phone call pressuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to secure the state’s electoral votes, was spearheaded by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
Filed on August 14, 2023, the sweeping indictment accused Trump and 18 co-defendants—including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and attorney Rudy Giuliani—of orchestrating a criminal conspiracy under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to unlawfully alter the election outcome in the Peach State.
End of Trump Case Concludes 2020 Election Legal Saga
For Atlantans, the case became a symbol of the city’s pivotal place in national politics.
Trump himself surrendered at the Fulton County Jail in downtown Atlanta in August 2023, enduring a brief but historic booking process that produced the first-ever mug shot of a U.S. president.
The image, snapped in the very facility that houses thousands of local inmates, went viral and underscored the gritty, real-world implications of federal-level drama playing out in Atlanta’s justice system.
The downfall of the prosecution traces back to turmoil within Willis’s office.
In early 2024, a motion filed by co-defendant Michael Roman exposed Willis’s romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she had hired to lead the investigation.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March 2024 that Willis could remain on the case only if Wade resigned—a move he made shortly after.
But the controversy escalated, with a Georgia appeals court disqualifying Willis entirely in December 2024 over the relationship and questions about her prosecutorial conduct.
The Georgia Supreme Court declined to intervene in September, leaving the case in limbo.
Enter Peter Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, who stepped in as the interim overseer.
In a detailed order released Wednesday, Skandalakis cited a litany of insurmountable hurdles—including constitutional challenges, presidential immunity claims, jurisdictional disputes, and the sheer timeline of a potential trial stretching into 2029 or beyond—as reasons to pull the plug.
“Given the complexity of the legal issues at hand… bringing this case before a jury in 2029, 2030, or even 2031 would be nothing short of a remarkable feat,” Skandalakis wrote.
He emphasized that continuing would impose “undue burden and cost” on the state and specifically on Fulton County taxpayers, whose courts and staff have been tied up in the proceedings for years.
Skandalakis, a former elected official who has run as both a Democrat and Republican, framed his decision as apolitical.
“As a former elected official… this decision is not guided by a desire to advance an agenda but is based on my beliefs and understanding of the law,” he stated. He likened the case to a patient on “life support,” opting against prolonging what he called an unviable path forward. Four defendants, including three attorneys tied to Trump’s post-election efforts, had already pleaded guilty to lesser felony charges in plea deals, but the core RICO allegations against Trump and the remaining co-defendants now evaporate without a trial.
Trump’s lead defense attorney in Georgia, Steve Sadow, hailed the outcome as a victory over “lawfare.”
“This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this political persecution,” Sadow said in a statement.
The dismissal also aligns with the earlier dropping of federal election interference and classified documents cases brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, leaving Trump free of criminal accountability for his 2020 election challenges.
Locally, the news reverberates through Atlanta’s legal and political circles. Willis, a Democrat elected in 2020 on a promise to tackle high-profile corruption, saw her career trajectory altered by the scandal.
Her removal from the case has fueled debates about prosecutorial ethics and the pressures on Atlanta’s district attorneys, who often juggle national headlines with everyday local crime.
Community advocates worry about the precedent: Does this embolden future election meddling in a battleground state like Georgia, where Atlanta’s diverse electorate played a decisive role in Biden’s narrow 2020 victory?
Fulton County officials have yet to comment on potential resource reallocations, but the end of the case frees up courtrooms and personnel long dedicated to what was once touted as the strongest state-level threat to Trump’s return to power.
As Trump prepares for his second term, Atlantans are left reflecting on a chapter that put their city on the map—and in the mug shot books—forever.
This story will be updated as reactions pour in from local leaders and the Fulton County community.
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With the Turkey Day here, shoppers in the vicinity are making last-minute runs to Atlanta grocery stores for the Thanksgiving holiday. But before you go there, you should ask this question: Are they open?
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the Thanksgiving Day store hours for the major supermarket chains around Atlanta.
Is Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Whole Foods And More Open For Thanksgiving?
On holidays we know that grocery store hours tend to change. Some stores are closed, while some adjust their hours to remain open just a while.
For the latest information, you should call your local grocery store to see if they have changed their hours on any particular day.
Quick Links: Grocery Store Holiday Hours
What Are Costco’s Holiday Hours?
Costco usually stays open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. For Thanksgiving, the store will be closed.
What Are Publix’s Holiday Hours?
Publix locations around metro Atlanta are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Florida-based store typically closes for Christmas as well.
Sam’s Club Holiday Hours
Sam’s Club has altered its operating hours during the holidays, including on Thanksgiving, The store will be closed so that store associates and other workers can enjoy the day with their families.
Here are Sam’s Club’s holiday hours in Atlanta:
- Nov. 27: Closed – (Thanksgiving Day)
Is Walmart Open On Thanksgiving?
Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Aside from Christmas, it’s the only day of the year when Walmarts all over are shut down.
Walmart Holiday Hours:
- Nov. 27: Closed (Thanksgiving Day)
Whole Foods Holiday Hours
Whole Foods is operating on modified hours during the holidays, including on Thanksgiving,
Here are Whole Foods holiday hours in Atlanta:
- Nov 27: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Thanksgiving Day)
What’s Open On Thanksgiving In Atlanta?
In addition to major groceries stores, the following stores are also open for Thanksgiving:
- Big Lots
- CVS
- Dollar General
- Dollar Tree
- Family Dollar
- Rite Aid
- Starbucks
- Stop & Shop
- Walgreens
- Wegmans
Final Word
Stores are becoming packed with people shopping for what’s on sale. If you need to make your way to the grocery store, you might be wondering when the particular location near you opens and closes.
If you need any last-minute items, you can rest assured that gas stations will be open. But many drug stores, including CVS, Rite-Aid and Walgreens will all be open on Thanksgiving Day.
Again, for specific stores near you, it is best to give them a call before you get in your car and drive there.
If you’re serious about finding some deals, Atlanta has a bunch of malls as well as antique shops and consignment stores to find some great sales. Always see if you can comparison shop to find the deals.
Looking to Shop Electronics? Check Out These Deals
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters and operations in Atlanta, Georgia have been like a real-life X Files more times than not. So, what do you know about the agency?
In this article, we’ll explore some amazing, amusing or just plain wild facts about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, headquartered right here in the largest city in the Peach State:
1. It Began As the Communicable Disease Center
The CDC started in 1946 as the “Communicable Disease Center” with one mission: kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes in the war-surplus army buildings on Clifton Road.
Its first employees were mostly entomologists and engineers, not doctors. The agency’s founder was Dr. Joseph Mountin, a career U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) officer who would eventually become assistant surgeon general.
His descendants donated Mountin’s microscope to the CDC in 2012.
The agency’s original budget was $10 million and it literally began as a malaria-spraying operation run out of a tiny office in downtown Atlanta (the old U.S. Public Health Service building on 15th Street).
2. The CDC Owns the World’s Deadliest Pathogens
The CDC owns one of the world’s largest collections of deadly pathogens — including live smallpox virus. Only one other place on Earth (Vector in Russia) is allowed to keep it.
The samples are stored in a ultra-secure freezer in Building 18 on the Roybal Campus, guarded 24/7 by armed officers who carry fully automatic weapons.
3. The CDC Once Employed a Full-time ‘Vomitologist’
Dr. Michael Beach (the former deputy director of the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases) spent decades studying how norovirus and other bugs spread on cruise ships and in swimming pools. He proudly called himself the agency’s official expert on projectile vomiting patterns.
Most recently, Beach was seen protesting Trump Administration cuts to the agency.
“To cut the scientific staff to the bone, to close laboratories, to cut off all of the data coming in about maternal health, about violence, about environmental health, about prevention of HIV and STDs and TB — those sorts of things are going to have a huge impact on the health of this country,” he told NPR.
4. There’s a CDC Museum With All Types of Curiosities
The CDC Museum (officially the David J. Sencer CDC Museum) has an original iron lung, a real Guinea worm extraction pipe used in Africa, and — weirdest of all — a life-size replica of a 1918 influenza ward. It also displays the actual freezer tray that held the world’s last naturally occurring smallpox case (Ali Maow Maalin, Somalia, 1977).
5. The CDC Solved the Legionnaires Outbreak in Philly
Many don’t realize it but Legionnaires’ disease was named after a mysterious outbreak in Philadelphia that sickened hundreds of American Legion veterans in the summer of 1976.
During the outbreak in Philadelphia, CDC scientists solved the mystery by growing the previously unknown bacterium in fertilized chicken eggs — the same method used to make flu vaccine — inside a makeshift lab set up in a hotel basement.
6. The CDC Stopped a Flu Pandemic Way Back in 1957
Photo credit: Walter Sander/CDC
On April 17, 1957, Dr. Maurice Hilleman, a virologist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, spotted the first clear warning of an impending pandemic. That morning, a short item in The New York Times described a severe influenza outbreak sweeping Hong Kong. One sentence stood out: Clinics were so overwhelmed that “women carried glassy-eyed children tied to their backs” while waiting in line.
Recognizing the telltale signs of a new, highly transmissible strain, Hilleman immediately sounded the alarm among public-health officials and began urgent work on a vaccine, aiming to have it ready before American schools reopened in September.
The virus had actually emerged two months earlier, in February 1957, in a remote area of Guizhou Province in southwestern China. By mid-April, when Hilleman read the report, the outbreak had exploded in Hong Kong: roughly 250,000 people—about 10 percent of the city’s population—were already seeking treatment.
Hilleman alerted U.S. officials to speed production of a vaccine using fertilized chicken eggs, which was the standard method at the time and is still widely used today.
By September 1957, around 40 million doses were available in the United States, produced by several pharmaceutical manufacturers across the country. This swift action is credited with saving an estimated 1 million additional lives in the U.S. and is considered the only time a flu pandemic was successfully “averted” with a vaccine.
7. The CDC Almost Caused an Anthrax Incident, but Averted Disaster
In June 2014, up to 75 CDC scientists in Atlanta were potentially exposed to live anthrax, according to news reports. This happened because a high-security lab transferred samples to lower-security labs that were not cleared to handle the live, un-inactivated pathogen due to a safety lapse in following procedures to kill the bacteria.
Although nobody died, it was determined that procedures to kill the bacteria before they were transferred were not followed. The incident prompted an internal review and the closure of some CDC anthrax and flu labs.
The CDC monitored the employees and provided them with antibiotics as a precaution.
8. The CDC’s Scary Blogs Can Cause Panic
Every year on Halloween, the CDC typically releases a fun blog post written as if zombies actually attacked. The most famous one (“Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse,” 2011) was originally a joke blog post by Rear Adm. Ali Khan… and it crashed the CDC servers from traffic.
It remains the most popular public-health blog post in history and is still used to this day used to teach emergency preparedness.
Final Word
Bonus Atlanta-specific weirdness: If you walk the path behind the CDC campus at dusk, you’ll occasionally run into employees in full biosafety Level-4 suits taking out the (triple-bagged, autoclaved) trash. Nothing makes you feel quite like you’re living in a sci-fi movie set like that sight on a quiet Emory-adjacent evening.
Check Out Our Atlanta Travel Guide
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It’s no secret that Atlanta restaurants are serving Thanksgiving meals, but you may have the notion — chef skills – to cook your own turkey this year.
In this article, we’ll show you a simple way to cook a turkey at home. Following these steps, your bird will be done in no time.
Because we’re in Atlanta, we’re going to make a “Dirty Bird” turkey, which means we’ll season it with Kosmos Dirty Bird Seasoning, one of our favorites.
Turkey can be cooked in a variety of ways, making it a versatile ingredient for many dishes. It can be roasted, grilled, smoked, or braised. It can also be used in salads, sandwiches, and soups.
How To Cook a ‘Dirty Bird’ Turkey: Atlanta Recipe
When cooking turkey, your goal is to achieve a heat that gives you a texture that is both tender and juicy. White meat, which is found on the breast, is lower in fat and therefore more prone to drying out. Dark meat, which is found on the legs and thighs, has more fat and is therefore more moist and flavorful.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cook a turkey:
Ingredients:
- 1 turkey, thawed and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 bunch of fresh herbs, such as thyme, sage, and rosemary
Equipment:
- Roasting pan
- Roasting rack
- Meat thermometer
- Baster
- Aluminum foil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity and discard.
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Rub the turkey with softened butter.
- Rub the turkey down with Kosmos Dirty Bird Seasoning.
- Season the turkey with salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Stuff the turkey cavity with the onion, lemon, and herbs.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan.
- Roast the turkey for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).
- Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes.
- Cover the turkey with aluminum foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent it from drying out.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Enjoy your delicious roast turkey!
Final Word
Cooking a turkey can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple. When cooked properly, turkey can be a very delicious and flavorful meat.
Make sure you enhance the turkey’s flavor by adding your choice of herbs and spices. Common seasonings for turkey include salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
More Food Coverage:
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With Thanksgiving here, it’s time to craft your Atlanta travel game plan if you’re headed here for the event-packed weekend. Consider this article a guide to getting to where you need to go this holiday season.
Thanks to Google Maps, we have some traffic and travel data to help us find our way. The site has supplied us with data to get a closer look at when, where and what to visit during Atlanta’s holiday season.
We’re also going to cover:
- Best times to get on and off the road
- Atlanta places to visit for the holidays
- Atlanta places to eat during the holidays
When To Avoid Traffic
Because we know that I-285 goes around and around, we want to make sure we don’t get caught up in gridlock. If you’re planning on leaving for a Thanksgiving road trip, here’s what to know:
- Nationally: The day before Thanksgiving between 3 and 4 p.m. is the worst time to travel (by 6 a.m., you’re good)
- In Atlanta:
- The best time to leave before Thanksgiving is Thursday at 6 a.m.
- The best time to leave after Thanksgiving is Sunday at 6 a.m.
- The worst time to leave before Thanksgiving is Wednesday at 3 p.m.
- The worst time to leave after Thanksgiving is Sunday at 3 p.m.
How To Avoid The Holiday Crowds
Who likes loud noises and throngs of people? Few adults, that’s who. Because public places are going to transform into bustling spaces full of people, you need to know when to go out and about:
To find this out, Google looked at Popular Times data at key holiday destinations during Thanksgiving week to find when the crowds tended to swell.
Google analyzed when crowds usually grow at five of the largest holiday-heavy places in Atlanta: Bakeries, grocery stores, liquor stores, movie theaters, and shopping centers.
Here’s When To Go Out & About in Atlanta
- Bakery: The best time to visit a bakery is on Thursday at 9 a.m. (least crowded). The worst time is on Wednesday at noon (most crowded).
- Grocery store: The best time to visit a grocery store is on Thursday at 7 a.m. The worst time is on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
- Liquor store: The best time to visit a liquor store is on Tuesday at 10 p.m. The worst time is on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
- Movie theater: The best time to visit a movie theater is on Tuesday at 11 a.m. The worst time is on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
- Shopping center: The best time to visit a shopping center is on Thursday at 7 a.m. The worst time is on Wednesday at noon.
- Black Friday: On Black Friday, the best time to visit a shopping center is at 8 a.m. The worst time to visit a shopping center is at 3 p.m.
Here Are Atlanta’s Popular Places
Google Maps also was able to pinpoint some of the most popular places in Atlanta during the Thanksgiving travel season.
Atlanta Falcons Vs. New Orleans Saints
Photo Credit: AtlantaFi.comThe Atlanta Falcons face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 in a key matchup for both teams. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET in Glendale. Get tickets.
Need streaming options? You can watch the Falcons game for free here. Watch immediately upon signup.
Not going to the game? Watch the Falcons at these Atlanta bars.
Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
1133 Huff Rd NW #D, Atlanta, GA 30318
Holeman and Finch Public House
2277 Peachtree Rd NE Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30309
Want more food options in Atlanta? Here are ATL restaurants open for Thanksgiving.
Popular Atlanta Attractions Thanksgiving Week
Zoos and museums will see huge crowds over Thanksgiving weekend as people visit the city’s downtown area.
Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Being under water isn’t usually a good thing, unless it’s at the Georgia Aquarium. Get tickets.
Beyoncé By Candlelight
If you’re a member of the BeyHive, you’ll love this Candlelight Concert featuring all of Beyoncé’s hits. Great for date night and more. Get tickets.
World of Coca-Cola
121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Photo credit: Youtube.com The World of Coca-Cola is a tourist magnet, and that ain’t about to change anytime soon. Here’s how to go.
Tutankhamun
Experience the tomb of Tutankhamun, a wonder of one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, in all its splendor. Get tickets.
Van Gogh
If you’re the artsy type, you’ll love this immersive Van Gogh experience being offered in Atlanta. Get tickets.
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Zoo Atlanta can get wild, if you know what I mean. Here are 7 things to know before you go.
Most Popular Shopping in Atlanta
There are plenty of cozy fall activities you can get into in Atlanta. Here are a few great places to go:
- GameStop
- Barnes & Noble
- Sam Ash Music Stores
Want to know what’s on sale right now? Check out these deals in Atlanta.
For more information and to see specific data for other U.S. cities, visit www.mappingthanksgiving.com.
Explore Atlanta Proper
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
- For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
- For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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The percentage of consumers leaning on restaurants for their Thanksgiving feasts continues to rise year over year, but economic unease has them cutting back on spend whether they are ordering out or cooking at home.
More than half of U.S. consumers (53%) plan to order takeout or delivery from restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner, up from 37% in 2024 and 32% in 2023.
Another 5% expect to dine in person at a restaurant on Thanksgiving, on par with last year and below a high of 17% in 2023 as more consumers opt for comforts of home.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Dine In or Out?
That is according to a nationwide study of U.S. consumers, conducted from November 16 to November 17, 2025, by restaurant tech leader Popmenu.
A majority of consumers (59%) plan to reduce their spend on Thanksgiving dinner this year compared to 2024. On average, they expect to spend $165.
What’s behind the shift from home-cooked to restaurant-made?
When asked why they were turning to restaurants for all or part of their Thanksgiving meal, consumers said they want to spend more time celebrating the day, avoid headaches and manage costs.
- 63% want to enjoy the holiday and not worry about cooking
- 40% believe it’s cheaper or costs about the same to buy all the ingredients and cook at home
- 35% don’t want the hassle of buying the ingredients and cooking themselves
- 26% would rather have a professionally cooked meal
- 19% are too busy to prepare a meal or dish
Where are consumers cutting back?
Consumers say they are decreasing their spend on Thanksgiving this year because groceries have become too expensive (69%), their household budget is tighter (58%) or they are being more conservative with finances due to inflation and concerns over the economy (31%).
To manage Thanksgiving expenses, consumers say they are taking the following actions:
- 39% plan to reduce the number of side dishes and desserts they serve
- 33% are celebrating the holiday with fewer people
- 31% are buying less expensive brands of food and beverages
- 29% are asking guests to bring a dish
- 26% are choosing recipes with fewer or cheaper ingredients
- 19% are serving a less expensive main dish
Consumers also say they are eliminating the following to make their Thanksgiving meal more affordable:
- 31% – Mac ‘n cheese
- 28% – Cranberries
- 26% – Sweet potatoes
- 23% – Pumpkin pie
- 22% – Corn
- 19% – Green beans
- 15% – Turkey
What are consumers serving?
Turkey will continue to be the star of the show with 84% of consumers planning to serve it, followed by ham (46%) and chicken (19%). Other dishes guests can expect to see on some tables include lasagna or another pasta dish (15%) and even pizza, tacos and chili or stew. Nearly 1 in 5 consumers (19%) expect to have a fast food dish on the table this year.
“What we hear from Thanksgiving hosts every year is a growing desire to spend more time visiting with guests and enjoying the holiday than sweating in the kitchen,” said Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu. “This year’s study also shows elevated concern over household economics—causing consumers to cut back on some holiday favorites, hunt for special deals from restaurants and adopt other strategies to keep expenses in check.”
Popmenu offers the following tips for consumers still finalizing dinner plans:
- Align your menu and budget. Use grocery store apps to total the prices of ingredients you need to buy and compare that to what a ready-made meal from a restaurant may cost. The professionally cooked meal may be easier on your budget and stress level.
- Order directly from the restaurant’s website. Not only will you find full menus and limited-time Thanksgiving specials, you can set a preferred pickup time for your meal and skip third-party fees. You can also see dish photos, portion details, allergens and more.
- Set up an alert. Use platforms like OpenTable to view openings nearby. Automated alerts make it easy to snag a table as soon as one becomes available.
Popmenu conducted an anonymous, nationwide study of 1,000 U.S. consumers, ages 18 and older, from November 16 to November 17, 2025.
Where To Eat in Atlanta for Thanksgiving
Read our guide on Atlanta restaurants serving Thanksgiving meals.
More from AtlantaFi.com:
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In a move that’s set to shake up the local entertainment scene, Atlanta-based social media powerhouse Fanbase is teaming up with powerhouse producer Ty Walker and executive producer Keisha Perry Walker to roll out a fresh slate of microdramas starting next year.
The collaboration, announced today, spotlights the city’s growing clout in digital storytelling, bringing high-stakes, emotion-packed shorts straight to fans’ phones.
Fanbase, the innovative platform founded by Atlanta native Isaac Hayes III — son of the legendary soul icon Isaac Hayes — is no stranger to empowering creators.
Now, it’s diving headfirst into the booming world of microdramas: ultra-short, scripted series crafted for on-the-go viewing, think gripping tales that hook you in under 10 minutes.
Launching exclusively on the app in Q1 2026, these series will champion diverse voices and multicultural narratives, creating a pipeline for indie filmmakers and production outfits to shine.
At the helm is Ty Walker, the veteran producer behind hits like Imperium and Kevin Hart’s Die Hart franchise, leading the charge through his Braveheart Entertainment banner. Joining him is Keisha Perry Walker of Wild Peach Studios, a key executive producer whose expertise in nurturing bold, inclusive content aligns perfectly with Fanbase’s mission.
Together with Hayes, they’re not just producing — they’re building an ecosystem that could put more Atlantans back to work amid Hollywood’s ongoing challenges, from strikes to streaming shifts.
“This partnership with Fanbase lets us introduce a new kind of storytelling that delivers maximum emotion in minimal time,” Walker said in a statement. “We’re excited to push creative boundaries and spotlight compelling voices in this evolving space.”
Hayes echoed the enthusiasm, highlighting how Fanbase’s built-in tools for short-form video, creator subscriptions, and app development make it the ideal launchpad. “The microdrama genre is scaling fast, and Fanbase is the perfect home,” he added. “
Development is already underway inside the app, and we are excited to partner with Ty and Keisha at Braveheart and Wild Peach.”
As microdramas explode globally — captivating audiences from Seoul to São Paulo — this Atlanta-rooted venture positions the Peach State as a frontrunner in the U.S. market.
It’s a win for local talent, too, offering fresh gigs for actors, writers, directors, and crew in a format that’s as accessible as it is addictive.
For more on Fanbase and upcoming series, download the app or visit fanbase.app. Stay tuned to Atlanta Daily Buzz for updates on how this homegrown project unfolds.
Final Word
The vast majority of dramas filmed in Atlanta, won’t be done on an app. Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the latter part of the year and the foreseeable future.
Because of the steady flow of movie and TV productions, Atlanta has been called the Hollywood of the South and it’s not just a label.. If you want to be an actor, the city has classes you can take as well as places that provide headshots and more. You can also audition at numerous casting calls to build your movie and TV reel.
Coming 2 America is just one of many films filmed in Atlanta. See our Movies Page for more.
Are you interested in becoming an actorin Atlanta? You’re in the right place!
With more than 900 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.
There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.
See Atlanta Casting Calls And Auditions Available Right Now
Want to work in Georgia film & TV? Here are the latest Atlanta casting calls
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Atlanta’s own Elle Duncan is poised to redefine streaming sports coverage as the new face of Netflix’s burgeoning sports division, according to The Athletic.
The Emmy-nominated anchor, who cut her teeth in the Peach State’s bustling media scene, is reportedly leaving her prominent role at ESPN to helm the streaming giant’s push into live sports and analysis, sources confirmed to The Athletic.
Elle Duncan: The New Face of Netflix Sports?
For Atlantans, Duncan’s ascent feels like a homecoming story on steroids. Born and raised in the city she now calls home, Duncan launched her broadcasting career right here in 2003 as a 20-year-old intern for the syndicated sports talk radio show 2 Live Stews on 790/The Zone.
What started as fetching coffee and screening calls quickly evolved into on-air contributions, where her sharp wit and infectious energy caught the ear of producers. “Atlanta gave me my first break, and I’ll always be grateful for the grit and grind of starting out in a city that demands excellence,” Duncan reflected in a 2021 interview, crediting the local airwaves for honing her unfiltered style.
By 2005, Duncan had leveled up to a seven-year gig at V-103 (WVEE-FM), Atlanta’s powerhouse urban radio station, where she juggled traffic reporting with entertainment anchoring.
Listeners tuning in for morning rush-hour updates on I-85 snarls were just as likely to hear her dishing on the latest Falcons drama or Hawks highlights. She even moonlighted as a sideline reporter for the Atlanta Hawks, bringing her charisma courtside during the team’s gritty playoff runs.
espnpressroom.com It was a far cry from the polished ESPN sets she’d later command, but those early days in Atlanta’s competitive media market — sandwiched between radio booths and traffic choppers — built the foundation for her national stardom.
Elle Duncan: From Atlanta To Bristol
A University of West Georgia journalism grad, Duncan carried her Southern roots to Boston in 2012, joining NESN as a sports anchor and reporter. There, she covered everything from Red Sox heartbreak to Bruins triumphs, earning her stripes before ESPN came calling in 2016.
Since then, she’s been a fixture on SportsCenter, co-hosting the 6 p.m. edition and launching hits like the YouTube series First Take Her Take alongside Andraya Carter. Her bold takes on women’s sports, social justice in athletics, and unapologetic commentary have made her a fan favorite — and occasionally a lightning rod, as seen in recent backlash over an on-air quip.
Now, at 42, Duncan is betting on the future of sports media with Netflix, a platform that’s aggressively expanding beyond binge-worthy docs like The Last Dance into live events. Think NFL games, tennis majors, and perhaps even a slice of the NBA — all under her steady hand. While details of her exact title and start date remain under wraps, insiders say she’ll oversee content strategy, on-air talent, and the streamer’s signature blend of storytelling and spectacle.
sports.yahoo.com Her departure leaves ESPN’s SportsCenter lineup in flux, but for Duncan, it’s a chance to pioneer in a space where streaming meets sports like never before.From dodging potholes on 11 Alive’s traffic desk to anchoring Netflix’s sports empire, Elle Duncan’s journey is peak Atlanta: resilient, innovative, and impossible to ignore.
As the city that launched her watches with pride, one thing’s clear — the girl from Georgia is about to take the world stage by storm. Stay tuned, folks; this is just the tip of the binge.
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Oh, honey, grab your popcorn because the queen of Old Lady Gang just dropped a bombshell that’s got the entire Peach State buzzing! Kandi Burruss, one of the most loved alums of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, finally broke her silence on her impending divorce from husband Todd Tucker during a raw and real Amazon Live session.
And let us tell you, it’s messier than a Bravo reunion twist.
In the emotional clip that’s already racking up views faster than a Cynthia Bailey wig reveal, Kandi gets candid with her “Amazon family,” admitting she’s been riding an emotional rollercoaster.
Kandi Burruss Breaks Silence on Divorce
“I’m up and down,” she confesses, her voice cracking just enough to remind us she’s human under all that glam. “Going through a divorce is definitely not the easiest thing.” But the real gut-punch? She confirms she filed papers this Friday—yes, the same week we’re all supposed to be thankful—but stresses this split has been simmering like a pot of her famous burrata for months.
“This has been brewing for a while,” Kandi reveals. “All the times you’ve seen me online like… all of it means nothing. I have been going through it. Life has been lifing.”
Watch the video here to see her tell her side:
For those living under a rock (or just binge-watching RHOA reruns), Kandi and Todd tied the knot back in 2014 in a fairy-tale Bahamian wedding that had us all ugly-crying. The power couple built an empire together—think Bedroom Kandi toys, that iconic restaurant empire, and raising their blended fam of four kids like total pros.
But whispers of trouble have been floating around ATL’s elite circles for ages: financial flubs with restaurant ventures, those shady RHOA storylines hinting at bedroom woes, and Mama Joyce’s not-so-subtle side-eyes that could curdle sweet tea.
Fans have long speculated if Todd’s “yes-man” vibes turned into something more sinister, especially after Kandi’s recent lawsuits over unpaid rents on her spots. Coincidence? Or the final straw in paradise lost?The video, shared by celeb gossip mavens
Users on social media quickly offered support as Kandi has done to others in the past.
Social Media Reacts
@graciejones730, urged, “Kandi you got this. But if you need to cry go for a ride, a walk, cry in the shower… Don’t hold your tears in.” Others weren’t so gentle—
@Sweetfancyface dragged up old RHOA beef, wondering if Kandi regrets how she shaded Phaedra Parks during her Apollo divorce: “She said the same thing… kicking it with friends made it lighthearted but she still hurt.” And let’s not forget the prayer warriors:
@toyaluvxo quipped, “Mama Joyce and her prayer warriors about to have Todd ass fighting every weapon. And they will prosper! Poor Kandi, she don’t deserve that!”Speculation is running wild— is this the end of an era for RHOA Season 16? Will Andy Cohen swoop in for an emergency sit-down? (
@StaceyRuschQVC is already calling for it: “I need Andy and a camera.”) And
@Jaycee761060 went full detective: “Tbh I think money is a big part… those businesses Todd kept pushing to open failing was the final straw.” Ouch. But through the drama, Kandi’s resilience shines—Taurus stubbornness at its finest. As
@IAmKingTez put it, “That’s why I love @Kandi she so real… Stay strong kandi hope it all gets better.”
Kandi, if you’re reading this (and girl, we know you are), Atlanta’s got your back. You’ve slayed bigger dragons than this. Now spill more tea on the next Live—we’re tuned in, mics hot, and ready for the full download. What’s your take on this RHOA earthquake? Hit the comments and let’s gossip!
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