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Thanksgiving facts to spread around the dinner table

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Tomorrow is a day for celebrating family, friends, + community. To get you in the spirit (and help you be the most in-the-know person at the dinner table), we gathered some facts about Thanksgiving you might not know.

🦃 46 million turkeys are eaten in the U.S. each year on Thanksgiving (22 million on Christmas).

🥧 50 million pumpkin pies are eaten on Thanksgiving.

🔈 Female turkeys don’t gobble, but chirp instead.

🎩 200 years went by after the first Thanksgiving before it was declared a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln.

🇨🇦 Canada also celebrates their own version of Thanksgiving in October. The first occurred in 1578 when Martin Frobisher (an explorer from England), found the Northwest Passage to North America.

💰 We have Thanksgiving to thank for TV dinners. In 1954, an order mix-up at Swanson caused them to sell 10 million turkey dinners in aluminum trays, complete with cornbread dressing, gravy, peas + sweet potatoes for 98 cents each.

🇺🇸 Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday every year. But, in 1939 it was celebrated early, because businesses during the Depression Era hoped a longer shopping season would help the economy.

📞 Need help cooking tomorrow? Butterball has a Turkey Talk-Line which can act as your sous-chef. It’s available via phone, text + Alexa.

If you’re not planning to spend the day in the kitchen, here are some restaurants that will be open for business tomorrow:

The Swamp Fox at The Francis Marion Hotel | 387 King St. | 843-724-8888 | Thanksgiving buffet ft. a carving station with roasted turkey + molasses-honey glazed ham, multiple side dishes, and a dessert bar. Full menu.

Tavern & Table | 100 Church St., Mt. Pleasant | 843-352-9510 | Choose between a traditional turkey, smoked prime rib, or a roasted halibut dinner. There will also be a children’s Thanksgiving dinner available. Full menu. Kids menu.

Wild Dunes Resort | 131 Grand Pavilion Dr., Isle of Palms | $58 adults, $27 kids | Enjoy a massive Thanksgiving feast with turkey, ham, + seafood.

82 Queen | 82 Queen St. | 843-723-7591 | Three-course Thanksgiving feast ft. gourmet versions of classics like fried oyster mac + cheese, herb-roasted turkey breasts with giblet gravy + cranberry chutney, and sweet potato cheesecake. Full menu.

Lowcountry Bistro | 49 S. Market St. | 843-302-0290 | The regular all-day menu will be available along with Thanksgiving specials like butternut squash + andouille bisque, herb-roasted turkey breast, and pumpkin pie with cinnamon pecan ice cream. Full menu here.

Tradd’s | 167 East Bay St. | 843-414-7661 | A classic Thanksgiving spread with roasted turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, cranberry cobbler, + more. Reservations can be made by phone or online.

Le Farfalle | 15 Beaufain St. | 843-212-0920 | Le Farfalle will be serving regular menu items + some Thanksgiving specials. Call for more info and to reserve a seat.

Sticky Fingers | 235 Meeting St. + 341 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt. Pleasant | 843-853-7427, 843-856-7427 | All-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet w/ smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, + more for $22 a person. More info here.

The Palmetto Cafe | 205 Meeting St. | 843-722-4900 | Enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving brunch ft. a buffet of appetizers, crab cakes, carved turkey, lamb, + more. Full menu.

Charleston Grill | 224 King St. | 843-577-4522 | Special three-course Thanksgiving dinner with oysters, braised turkey leg, apple bread pudding, + more. Full menu.

Middleton Place | 4300 Ashley River Rd., West Ashley | 843-556-6020 | Thanksgiving buffet ft. smoked turkey, prime rib, honey baked ham, + a selection of sides. Full menu.

Saltwater Cowboys | 130 Mill St., Mt. Pleasant | 843-856-0700 | A traditional holiday meal will be offered in addition to selections from the regular menu. Full menu.


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