THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF FOOD BLOGS, BUT ONLY ONE CULINARY NO-NO!

It’s the most anticipated dinner of the year.

Hot, tender, juicy turkey with a couple dozen sides. Sensational.

And cheap, too.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has not released its annual survey of the cost of items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table just yet, but the 2018 survey showed the average cost of last year’s feast for 10 was $48.90, or less than $5.00 per person.

After adjusting for inflation, the cost of last year’s Thanksgiving dinner was $19.37.

“Since 2015, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner has declined steadily and is now at the lowest level since 2010,” said AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton.

Turkey: $1.36 per pound

Milk (1 gallon):  $2.92

Sweet potatoes (3-pound bag): $3.39;

Green peas (1-pound bag): $1.47

A dozen rolls: $2.25

A 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.65

A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $3.33

A 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing: $2.87

Two nine-inch pie shells: $2.47

A 1-pound veggie tray was $.75.

A group of miscellaneous items including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and flour): 3.01.

A half-pint of whipping cream: $2.08.

Pays to eat at home, doesn’t it. But not everyone does, or can.

In 2017 the National Restaurant Association reported 1 in 10 people would eat out on Thanksgiving. Forbes noted it was more like 1 in 4.

Why spend the holiday at a restaurant?

The convenience. No cooking. No cleaning.

Don’t have the space to host.

Dining companions’ preference.

Just prefer to.

Traveling. No choice.

The latter is the boat our family is in since we’ll be out of state, and let me tell you, at this juncture finding an pen spot can be tough, not to mention expensive. Here are a few examples.

Close to home…

The Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

They offer a Thanksgiving Brunch, and I’m sure it’s wonderful because it has a lot more than just turkey on the menu.

Are you ready?

$69 Adults, $27 Children 3 to 10 years, 2 and under free
Tax and gratuity are not included

Now I’ve been to some expensive brunches, but none where the star attraction was turkey.

Let’s head down the street from the Pfister.

Adults $43  Children  $15

$45 per person

We’ll be in Kentucky and do have a reservation. It will not be at…

The elegant Brown Hotel in Louisville. This place has been called one of America’s iconic restaurants, a must destination. And it knows turkey.

Home of the famous Hot Brown, an open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a delicate Mornay sauce.

The Brown Hotel holds a AAA Four-Diamond rating. The Formal Thanksgiving meal has side items served buffet-style, including shrimp and andouille gumbo, Hot Brown canapes and oysters on the half shell.

$69 adults, $22 children.

That was another noted Louisville option.

$50

No thanks.

Gouging? Rip-offs? Steak and lobster can be found that’s less expensive. Thankfully there are plenty of places open on the holiday. Whatever your choice you’d better hurry. Tables are filling up fast.

CULINARY NO-NO BONUSES

The dangerous life of food delivery drivers

All 50 states, ranked by their food

Reddit users share ‘wrong’ and bizarre ways to eat certain foods: ‘It was absolutely horrifying’

The Hospital on a Mission to Bring Home-Cooked Meals to Its Patients

ICYMI…Culinary no-no #629