SF's Thanksgiving Guide 2009

1101 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94109 (map)

Ok, so this isn't fine dining, but if you approach this SF institution with the right ironic attitude, you won't be disappointed by the hefty portions of carved turkey, cheap drinks and impressive beer list, not to mention the cast of characters you'll be spending your holiday with.

2100 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

This Castro comfort food destination offers a prix-fixe, three-course holiday menu ($40/person) that won't set you back too much, plus a full bar perfect for beating the holiday blues. Make reservations if you'll have a big group--if it's a table for one, you shouldn't have a problem.

770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

For many, Thanksgiving is less about eating and more about drinking--there's guaranteed to be football on the screen and beer on tap at this very local, very neighborly Haight/Cole Valley pub. There may even be more drunks than your usual family gatherings.

3506 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

Try the "Going Home for Thanksgiving" sandwich at this Castro mainstay; with turkey, cranberry and havarti in addition to all the usual fixings (and Ike's legendary dirty sauce), it's the best part of Thanksgiving leftovers without the cooking.

1751 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

Skip the old tired turkey and go global this Thanksgiving--Poleng's offering a menu of Filipino delights (pancit, lumpia and the like) for a table of 10-12 people for $200.

2800 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

The only thing rougher than being with your family for Thanksgiving is being away from them, and the only thing rougher than that is also being broke. Thankfully, Pop's puts out a free Thanksgiving spread today for the Mission's flannel-clad orphans, and won't judge you for ladeling cheap hooch down your gullet until your barmates feel like familia.

1881 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (map)

There's nothing like a Thanksgiving movie (or three) to fill a lazy day, and hitting Kabuki can easily be done solo or with a giant group of friends.

330 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

This popular church turkey dinners by the ton on Thanksgiving and needs hundreds of volunteers to help scoop and serve to those in need. Shifts are available all day in approximate two-hour blocks, so it's an easy commitment and will make you feel a whole lot less guilty enjoying your own feast later.

900 N Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109 (map)

The minute those Thanksgiving dishes are cleaned up, it's time to move onto the next holiday. Ring in the Christmas season early and head to Ghirardelli Square (there's also one in Union Square ) on Nov. 27 at 5:30pm for the annual tree lighting ceremony.