Where to Get a Festive Dinner (or Brunch) in Dallas on Christmas Day

Little known fact: A home-cooked feast on Dec. 25 is not a requirement. Leave it to professionals. It’s fine. Sure, cooking all day and doing dishes may be a great way to escape family drama or a televised sporting event, but it might be just as rewarding to leave a handsome tip for an awesome dinner out and get home before everyone has time to argue the greatness of America.

Fortunately, there are some banner menus to be had for Christmas dinner, and with proper planning, some may even keep on giving … with leftovers. Season’s eatings and all that.

Gorji Restaurant
5100 Belt Line Road, 972-503-7080
It’s not three French hens; it’s three fabulous courses. With seatings from 5 to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Gorji is serving up the celebration with entrée options of turkey, pork chop, steak, salmon and vegetarian lasagna. Prepayment is required for the $59-$69 per person dinners, and so are reservations (which are limited).

Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn Ave., 214-628-7900
Dad doesn’t need to man the prime rib this year. Let chef Robbie Lewis take over for Christmas dinner, the Meddlesome way, from 5 to 11 p.m. The slow-roasted rib is $45-$55 (and yes to that horseradish cream, thanks) while a stunner of mixed seafood cocktail platter rings in the magic at $75. Reservations recommended, but walk-ups are welcome should appliances or in-laws blow a fuse.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
2323 Olive St., 972-490-9000; 5905 Legacy Drive, Plano, 972-312-9115; 812 Main St., Fort Worth, 817-877-3999
If the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but are sadly not filled with wagyu or dry-aged anything, all three Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouses are ready and waiting to step in as Steak-a Claus. The restaurants claim a “limited menu,” but things don’t look so limited: seven starters (yep, the wedge and the lobster bisque are there), seven non-steak entrees, filets, prime rib, rib-eyes, strips, so many sides (hey there, creamed corn) and 10 desserts. Ten. Santa’s elves got nothing on Del.

Howard Wang’s
3223 Lemmon Ave., 214-954-9558; 4343 W. Northwest Highway, 214-366-1606; 1471 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817-488-4666; 6740 Winning Drive, Frisco, 469-213-2002
After celebrating the grand opening of the new Howard Wang’s at the Star, the location is joining in the tradition of the others in the brand to bring the varied menu to Christmas revelers Christmas Eve and from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Christmas Day. As always, the restaurant mixes in vegetarian and gluten-free dishes with its traditional Chinese and signature offerings, so it’s a great option for accommodating the whole family. The full bar helps, too.

CBD Provisions
1530 Main St., 214-261-4500
Breakfast? Brunch? Dinner? Have it all. Have one and then cook the other ones. Have one and drink the other ones, or get all of them and have leftovers for the next day. CBD Provisions is open for breakfast, brunch and dinner Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a regular a la carte menu, as well as a special Chateaubriand steak dinner for two (with two sides) for $99. Reservations are recommended.

The Statler
1914 Commerce St.
Overeasy, 469-320-8998; Fine China, 469-320-8996; Bourbon & Banter, 469-320-8990
Power up before roasting that turkey or heading over to the in-laws. Overeasy is serving breakfast 7-11 a.m. After that, head out, or head over to Fine China for lunch and dinner. Service lasts from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bourbon & Banter and Waterproof will be open during regular hours for a perfectly poured holiday escape.

Shell Shack
2326 N. Henderson Ave., 844-588-2722; and other DFW locations
When everyone starts bitching they didn’t get enough during the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, just pack up and head to Shell Shack starting at 3 p.m. All locations will be offering up crispy calamari, gator and crawfish, along with the usual grilled, boiled and shucked selections. Go solo with a platter or share a big boil with the fam, but no fighting over hushpuppies.

Sushi Marquee
3625 The Star Blvd., Frisco, 972-833-1608
Need a clearer head for the holidays? It’s all about the wasabi. Head to Sushi Marquee at The Star. The giant restaurant opens at 3 p.m. and offers wasabi mashed potatoes, in addition to stunning specialty rolls and classic sushi and entrees ranging from a grilled pork tomahawk to blood orange ginger scallops.

The Rustic
3656 Howell St., 214-730-0596
Escape the drama around the domestic Douglas fir and Drink the Tree at the Rustic. The bar, restaurant and venue open at 5 p.m. — well after Grandpa has fallen asleep — and offers up $3 Firemans #4 to wash down a limited menu featuring a selection of tamales and queso. Elaina Kay takes the stage at 7 p.m.

Bowl & Barrel
8084 Park Lane, 214-363-2695
Eating turkey is so lunchtime, and sandwiches are so … tomorrow. But bowling a turkey is an entirely different matter. With that in mind, grab the cool cousins and get a bar food fix at Bowl & Barrel. From 3 to 9 p.m., the limited menu rolls out a giant pretzel, buffalo chicken dip, stuffed mushrooms, a burger duo and more.