Turkey House Relishes Thanksgiving Revelry

Thanksgiving. Turkey time. And restaurants are capitalizing on the holiday and the decision by many families and friends to eat out and leave the fuss and bother of the big dinner preparation to someone else.

But at the O'Brien Turkey House in Arlington, it's business as usual.

"Every day is Thanksgiving at the Turkey House," says Kerry O'Brien, the third generation of O'Briens to work the popular restaurant. "Actually,Thanksgiving is our second-busiest day of the year." He said the busiest holiday is Mother's Day.

"On Thanksgivings, moms still land up slaving away in the kitchen. On Mother's Day, they get the day off and come here."

The O'Brien Turkey House has been in business since 1961, a long-time fixture east of Interstate 5 at Exit 208. O'Brien said the restaurant will offer the same menu it does year-round, which is largely (though not exclusively) turkey items. "We'll add a ham dinner on Thanksgiving for the folks that don't like turkey."

O'Brien said that last year the restaurant served about 900 diners. He said the number could have been higher, but the restaurant had just re-opened in its new location. "A lot of people didn't know we were here yet," he said. "I think it'll be better this year."

Along with turkey dinners, O'Brien's also sells home-made pies for home consumption. A week and a half before the holiday, the restaurant already had taken 300 orders.

One thing the Turkey House doesn't take, however, is reservations.

"We tried that one year," O'Brien remembered. "It was a disaster. We're so close to the freeway, people just figure they can drop in. Here we had all these tables waiting for the reservations, and all these people standing outside going, `Well, why can't we have that table?' We'll never do that again."

This year the O'Brien Turkey House will open for breakfast at 7 a.m. and expects to serve until around 8:30 p.m.

Of course, O'Brien's won't be the only restaurant in Snohomish County serving up turkey specials. Some other establishments offering holiday fare include:

EDMONDS

Arnie's, 300 Admiral Way. Four-course dinners, turkey, salmon and prime rib from $12.95 to $15.95; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations. 771-5688.

Bickford's, 23025 100th Ave., Edmonds. Prime rib, salmon and turkey specials; open noon to 6 p.m. Reservations. 775-4363.

Fishhouse Charlie's, 144 Railroad Ave. Turkey buffet, $12.95 for adults, $10.95 for seniors; seating 1 to 7 p.m. Reservations. 771-8100.

Sophie's, 20221 Aurora Ave. Turkey buffet, $10.95 for adults, $9.95 for seniors, $4.95 children; noon to 9 p.m. Reservations. 546-2441.

T.J. Bayshore's, 51 W. Dayton. Turkey, prime rib and salmon; serving 1 to 8 p.m. Reservations. 672-0660.

EVERETT

Bacchus by the Bay, Everett Marina. Turkey, salmon, prime rib specials; open at 11:30 a.m. Reservations. 258-6254.

Black Angus, 8413 Evergreen Way. Turkey dinner with all the fixings, $8.95. Reservations. 355-7400.

Cascade Restaurant, 13428 Hwy. 99. Special turkey dinner for $6.95; live music by the Island Cowboys. No reservations. 745-1590.

LYNNWOOD

Black Angus, 20102 44th Ave. W. Turkey dinner with all the fixings, $8.99. Reservations. 774-6556.

Yankee Diner, 4010 196th S.W. Turkey dinner with all the fixings, $9.95; served from noon to 9 p.m. Reservations. 775-5485.

MILL CREEK

Christopher's, 18001 Bothell-Everett Hwy. S.E. Full turkey dinner; noon to 5 p.m. Reservations. 483-0866.

Mill Creek Cafe, 16430 9th Ave. S.E. Regular menu; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations. 743-2333.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE

The Brookside, 22312 70th Ave. W. Special menu; 1 to 6 p.m. Reservations. 670-2444.

MUKILTEO

Arnie's, 714 2nd. Four-course dinners, turkey, salmon and prime rib from $12.95 to $15.95; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations. 355-2181.

The Seahorse, 707 Front St. Turkey, salmon, fillet mignon specials, 1 to 7 p.m. Reservations. 353-6477.

-- Many of the chain restaurants - Denny's, Petosa's, Clair's Pantry, The King's Table, Mitzel's and The Keg - will be serving Thanksgiving dinner as well.

Prices, specials, and times vary. Happy turkey!