Eatzi’s pioneered the idea of not cooking at home. “We fired Mom,” executive chef Jay Valley says. As Thanksgiving approaches, the take-out market offers a holiday meal for four at just $18 for an alternative to grocery store meals to-go. And it’s all there — sliced turkey, sweet potatoes, cornbread stuffing, wild rice salad, gravy and green beans. With 35 different types of bread and 400 varieties of wine, Eatzi’s has Thanksgiving dinner covered, right down to the flowers you put on the table. “We try to keep it traditional,” Valley says. “When we have our Christmas menu, that’s when we get to experiment more.” A trip inside the eatery resembles an authentic European market with a smorgasbord of gourmet foods, and the place is crawling with employees appropriately dressed in white chef uniforms. There’s the bread station, the deli, the dinner to-go area, the meat market and rows of wine bottles. Valley says that unlike similar establishments, Eatzi’s is 80 percent prepared and only 40 percent grocery. The market on Oak Lawn has thrived since 1996, and the Inwood Village location opened in April. Valley has been in the business for more than 30 years, and has learned a few tricks to running a successful restaurant. “It’s having good, fresh, consistent food. Listen to your customers. They’ll tell you what they want. You make it their store.”

Eatzi’s Market & Bakery
Lovers & Inwood · 214.358.3100

Three more spots for holiday grub

1 The Mercury
This acclaimed, upscale restaurant from culinary mastermind Chris Ward has a Thanksgiving buffet, featuring all the staples.
-Preston & Forest
-972.960.7774

2 TJ’s Seafood Market
This take-out spot offers fresh seafood creations like crab cakes, cooked shrimp and smoked salmon, but there are plenty of Thanksgiving entrées for those who want to keep it traditional. Place orders early because TJ’s is closed Thanksgiving Day.
-Preston & Forest
-214.691.2369

3 Bread Winners Café & Bakery
Roasted turkey, glazed ham, sour cream mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and homemade pies can be picked up or delivered to your doorstep for an easy Thanksgiving dinner.
-Lovers & Inwood
-214.351.3339