Pre-Made Holiday Dinners

At those prices, you might want to look into private chefs in town who would do a dinner for you at home - it would likely be just slightly more expensive but worth it.

Gelson is good. Variety of choice and good food in all venues.

AVOID RALPHS — and I say this as pretty much an exclusive Ralphs shopper. We made the terrible mistake of getting one of their pre-made Thanksgiving dinners a couple of years ago and when we picked it up on Wednesday evening, the turkey was still frozen. The accoutrements were school cafeteria quality, and the cost was pricey. Based on that one experience, I doubt I will ever buy a pre-made dinner again—anywhere.

I second Gelsons. Our Santa Barbara store has a Thanksgiving tasting Sat. Nov. 4th from 11-2, and Friday Nov. 1oth from 3-6pm. I always love seeing what they offer.

If you can afford it, go with Lazy Acres. It pays, health wise, to go organic as much as possible.

I think Costco has decent ones? Most grocery stores have options as well. I'd go with Vons above Ralphs

Gelson's has a number of holiday meals available, including a jumbo turkey dinner that serves 12 for $179.99 We have had both turkey and rib roast holiday meals from them before with very good results.