ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Thanksgiving is usually all about cooking at home, but this year, restaurants across Roanoke are seeing more families choose a different approach: letting someone else handle the meal.

“We’ve definitely seen an uptick every year that I’ve been here and this year, around 150 more people than we normally get,” said Barry Caldwell, general manager of 419 West.

For many, cost is a big part of the decision. Some families find it cheaper to eat out than to buy all the ingredients for a full Thanksgiving feast.

“The prices to do your own Thanksgiving was probably more than coming out here… and you had to take the time to prepare it,” Caldwell said.

Convenience matters just as much. Families want to enjoy the holiday without worrying about cooking, cleaning, or prepping f

See Full Page