You can count on Country Market Restaurant at the Flying J Truck Stop to fill your plate on Thanksgiving. They'll serve dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 27, and the buffet includes roast turkey, roast ham, fried chicken, Salisbury steak and glazed meatloaf for the entrees. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and vegetables round out the meal.
Included are the soup and salad bar, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie as well as other desserts. It's $9.99 for adults and $4.59 for children age 5-12. Children 4 and under are free.
We go here whenever my husband gets lonesome for the food he enjoyed while on the road. I like the buffet and have several favorites including stuffing and gravy and bread pudding and the treats from the ice cream machine. Call 761-2578 for information.
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
There are a few things happening tonight you might want to investigate. St. Thomas Child & Family Center presents Festival of Trees from 7 to 10 at St. Thomas Center. There is a no-host bar and hors d'oeuvres for $25. Call 761-6538 for information.
For a special dinner, 3D International has Alaskan king crab nightly. A one-pound king crab legs dinner is $24.95, and a pound of crab can be added to any entree for an additional $14.95. Angus beef prime rib is also available. Call 453-6561.
Rikki's Friday special is five cheese and tomato pizza, a delicious combination. Find Rikki's at 1220 9th St. S. or call 761-8052.
At the Portage Grill at Holiday Inn, the Friday special includes salmon croquets or popcorn shrimp. They're located at 400 10th Ave. S. Call them at 727-7200.
On Saturday the Heisey Benefit Art Auction takes place at 313 7th St. N., beginning at 5:30. Dinner and a silent auction start at 6 p.m. with a live auction to follow. All proceeds benefit the Heisey Youth Center. Call 453-1211 for reservations. Tickets are $5.
IT'S SOUP SEASON ALL OVER TOWN
When it comes to enjoying a good bowl of soup, readers reminded us about the The Daily Grind, which offers two soups and chili each weekday. I've enjoyed their soups in the past, but have not been there for a while.
I know they always have good desserts and pie you can order for Thanksgiving.
Find them at 320 1st Ave. N.
Charlie's Coffeehouse at 223 Central Ave. has a couple of soup choices each day, homemade, delicious and sometimes quite unique. They are open Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or call 899-8850.
Today's soup specials at Penny's Gourmet To Go are apple-squash, seafood chowder with shrimp and mixed bean chili. Penny's also offers artichoke pasta salad, artichoke quiche, bean burritos, chicken salad with grapes and pecans, and Sicilian meatloaf.
Visit them at 815 Central Ave. or call 453-7070.
The VFW Club & Post 1087 at 4123 10th Ave. S. serves wonderful clam chowder that draws many fans each Friday. Lots of people come for take-out for the bargain price of $4.50 for New England clam chowder. It's made from scratch along with a hot roll, fresh from the oven.
They start serving at 11 a.m. Friday and, according to a loyal customer, they are usually out by 1 p.m.
Call 454-1166 for information.
Still another customer recommended Eddie's Supper Club at 3725 2nd Ave. N. for their homemade soup. They are open for dinner only and also have great steaks and the lovely house dressing, a bleu cheese made either oily or creamy style.
STILL LOOKING FOR TURKEY DAY MENUS
Not many restaurants submitted their Thanksgiving menu, but I will get as many in as I can for next week. The deadline is Nov. 18.
Sharon Hansen is a freelance writer and restaurant reviewer. Write to her at P.O. Box 3381, Great Falls MT 59403 or e-mail shansen85@bresnan.net.
