Question about Thankgiving etc

[Shaka Khan]

So I'm spending my first Thanksgiving with my family, and since we won't be celebrating it the traditional American way (because of Haram/Halal dichotomy), I'm looking into the best alternatives.

For starters, will all businesses be closed this Thursday? If not, maybe I can persuade into doing something nice or eat at a decent place offering a taste of thanksgiving.

And speaking of which, what should I expect the following day? For a bunch of people who're uninterested in sales, will the city be functional/navigable? I want to take them to *at least* two museums and a spend an entire afternoon downtown, and unfortunately tomorrow is out of the question.

[etiolate]

There will be heavy traffic on Black Friday anywhere near a shopping area. If the museums are far away enough from shopping hubs then you should be fine.

I don't know of any eatery chains that will be open on Thanksgiving. Maybe a Denny's or Sizzler? It will be hard to find decent edibles.

[Joe Molotov]

Eat at Golden Coral on Thursday.

Stay at home on Friday.

[Himu]

A lot of businesses are open from late morning (10 am) to 3 pm, mostly grocery stores. Some restaurants are open on Thursday so you can eat there, but I'd rather you eat a traditional American thanksgiving dinner.

Also, I don't see why they can't celebrate thanksgiving and christmas and fail to see how it is haram given that many Arab Muslims celebrate both in the USA using hilal turkey or chicken.

Black friday will have a lot of traffic as most people are off on Black Friday, as well as Thanksgiving. Traffic will be bad, going to the any store that contains electronics or major xmas shopping items will be full and annoying to shop at. Don't bother going out on Friday if you are not interested in shopping for Christmas, or if you do, avoid major stores.

[Shaka Khan]

Gah, thanks for the heads up.

but I'd rather you eat a traditional American thanksgiving dinner.

I would've if I was in STL. Various people were nice enough to invite me over, including STL bore.

Also, I don't see why they can't celebrate thanksgiving and christmas and fail to see how it is haram given that many Arab Muslims celebrate both in the USA using hilal turkey or chicken.

Oh, I was mostly kidding with that part. I just realized when I came to their place how it was lacking necessary cooking ware to prepare something at home, and that they haven't gotten to know anyone well enough to be invited like foreign leeches.

[nudemacusers]

You could go to a movie on Thanksgiving, I've done this with friends in the past. Won't be too many people, either. Check with the theatre though, they usually have shorter hours.

Definitely stay away from stores on Friday. Not so much because of shoppers (there will be tons of them, even later in the day), but the staff will be tired and basically hate their existence. but as stringer mentioned, anything vaguely cultural that doesn't involve being a giant consumer whore should be OK.

[Steve Contra]

A Thanksgiving handjob to any guest who comes over is traditional.

[Steve Contra]

If that was your question, I didn't read the post.

[ToxicAdam]

Actually, Golden Corral isn't a bad suggestion on a place to eat on Thanksgiving. The only downside is that you have to eat alongside people that go to Golden Corral.

[Mr. Gundam]

So I'm spending my first Thanksgiving with my family, and since we won't be celebrating it the traditional American way (because of Haram/Halal dichotomy), I'm looking into the best alternatives.

For starters, will all businesses be closed this Thursday? If not, maybe I can persuade into doing something nice or eat at a decent place offering a taste of thanksgiving.


And speaking of which, what should I expect the following day? For a bunch of people who're uninterested in sales, will the city be functional/navigable? I want to take them to *at least* two museums and a spend an entire afternoon downtown, and unfortunately tomorrow is out of the question.

You're in Seattle, so I'll answer this.

1. A lot of businesses will be closed on Thanksgiving. I'm not sure of specific restaurants, you should check slog.thestranger.com or their Question Land section, I'm sure people are wondering.

Also, there are some Halal stores along Aurora and Lake City Way, they might be able to answer your question for a place to eat.

2. Traffic downtown will be fine, the big "camp all night for a $5 TV" stores (Target and Best Buy. We don't have Wal-mart in the city) are at Northgate, not downtown. Are you thinking of going to SAM?

[Brehvolution]

Actually, Golden Corral isn't a bad suggestion on a place to eat on Thanksgiving. The only downside is that you have to eat alongside people that go to Golden Corral.

According to the local ads, these are people who would rather jump out of a moving car than share an appetizer.

[Phoenix Dark]

Actually, Golden Corral isn't a bad suggestion on a place to eat on Thanksgiving. The only downside is that you have to eat alongside people that go to Golden Corral.

My only knowledge of Golden Corral comes from rap music. They make it sound like a high class place where only ballers can afford to eat weekly. From your tone I gather its no Olive Garden or Red Lobster?

[Shaka Khan]

1. A lot of businesses will be closed on Thanksgiving. I'm not sure of specific restaurants, you should check slog.thestranger.com or their Question Land section, I'm sure people are wondering.

An, thanks for this. I'll check it right away.

2. Traffic downtown will be fine, the big "camp all night for a $5 TV" stores (Target and Best Buy. We don't have Wal-mart in the city) are at Northgate, not downtown. Are you thinking of going to SAM?

Yeah, I was thinking about taking my dad to one museum today (Chihuly Garden & Glass) and the SAM on another day. I just checked their website and it seems that it'll be closed tomorrow, but open on Friday. But it's good to know the crazy people won't pack the downtown area.

[ToxicAdam]

My only knowledge of Golden Corral comes from rap music. They make it sound like a high class place where only ballers can afford to eat weekly. From your tone I gather its no Olive Garden or Red Lobster?

If they ever make a Wal-mart that has a Golden Corral and a Cabelas in it, some people might never leave.

Maybe down south it's considered 'fine dinin'?

[nudemacusers]

My only knowledge of Golden Corral comes from rap music. They make it sound like a high class place where only ballers can afford to eat weekly. From your tone I gather its no Olive Garden or Red Lobster?

If they ever make a Wal-mart that has a Golden Corral and a Cabelas in it, some people might never leave.

Maybe down south it's considered 'fine dinin'?

Pairing with K-Mart would be a better fit

[Huff]

i didn't think kmart still existed?

[nudemacusers]

i didn't think kmart still existed?

they might be hard to see, the last time I went to one the lights were dimmed.

[Mr. Gundam]

There's a K-Mart in North North Seattle. I have no idea how they stay in business. It's creepier than Wal-mart inside.

[brawndolicious]

Black Friday sales are usually cleared out immediately after the doors open at midnight or early morning, so the streets should be fine in the afternoon unless you're actually in a mall or electronics store.

You should be able to find a hallal butcher or restaurant. Zabihah.com should tell you the local ones. I highly doubt Golden Corall has anything hallal.

[Great Rumbler]

Actually, Golden Corral isn't a bad suggestion on a place to eat on Thanksgiving. The only downside is that you have to eat alongside people that go to Golden Corral.

My only knowledge of Golden Corral comes from rap music. They make it sound like a high class place where only ballers can afford to eat weekly. From your tone I gather its no Olive Garden or Red Lobster?

This is Golden Corral:

[tehjaybo]

That is an actual photo taken inside an actual Golden Corral.  I think I went there once.

[Himu]

I remember in High School I was in a black teen organization. One of the girls always wanted us to go to Golden Corral if we were going to have a dinner out.

"Let's go to Golden Corral!"

"No Lindsay."

It's a good thing she stayed on the track team.

[Shaka Khan]

I spent a few hours this morning looking for nice places to eat, only for my plans to be shot down for "let's go to Bellevue and look around for anything open!"

Fork meet eye.

We ended up going to Mogganio's Lil Italy on Bellevue Way. The four course Thanksgiving menu wasn't too bad, but it was packed so the service suffered.  3/5

[Mr. Gundam]

Bellevue?!?!? SMFH

[Shaka Khan]

"All my friends say it's a really nice place. Quite fancy, too!"

I drove 20 minutes and left dozens of options behind me for a tiny, dull and dead downtown. Not the mention the mediocre, overpriced Italian place.

But what do I know? I'm only the guy who keeps "wasting time planning ahead, over-think everything, and lack spontaneity." SMH if this is the alternative

[Mr. Gundam]

There is nothing spontaneous about Bellevue. Nothing.

Rock on, brotha. Rock on. Keep preaching the truth about Bellevue.