Chick-fil-A on Thanksgiving: Seriously, Are We Still Asking?

Nate Ryder: Your Thanksgiving Fast-Food Survival Guide (Or: How to Avoid Family at All Costs)

So, Thanksgiving's here again. Another year, another forced march to Uncle Jerry's house to listen to him rant about… well, everything. But what if, just what if, you could dodge the whole damn thing? What if freedom came in the form of a lukewarm burger and suspiciously cheap coffee?

That's right, I'm talking about Thanksgiving fast food.

The Turkey Day Escape Plan

Let's be real, the "holiday spirit" is usually just a thin veneer over simmering family resentments. So, the fact that places like McDonald's, Starbucks, and even Waffle House are slinging their usual fare on Thanksgiving? It's not just convenience; it's a lifeline. A greasy, caffeine-fueled lifeline, but a lifeline nonetheless.

Of course, you gotta check your local hours. Don't come crying to me if you roll up to a Dunkin' at noon and it's already closed. That's on you. You can consult a List of Fast Food and Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 2025 to see what your options are.

But the sheer availability of fast food on Thanksgiving… it's almost subversive, ain't it? A middle finger to Norman Rockwell and his perfect family dinners.

And hey, if you do end up at the family gathering, pre-gaming with a Big Mac ain't the worst idea. Just saying.

The Closed-Door Conspiracy

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Taco Bell, and a bunch of others? Closed. Shut down. Dark. What's that about? Are they morally superior? Nah. They're just missing out on a goldmine of holiday-avoiding customers. Either that, or they actually value their employees having a day off. I don't know which is less likely, honestly.

But seriously, imagine the lines at Taco Bell if they were the only fast-food joint open on Thanksgiving. We're talking biblical-level chaos. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise.

Then again, maybe it just proves how much corporate America hates us.

The Waffle House Exception

And then there's Waffle House. Always open. Always there. A beacon of greasy hope in the darkest of times. It's like the cockroach of restaurants; it just won't die. And honestly, thank god for that.

I can already picture it: Thanksgiving morning, hungover as hell, surrounded by the comforting aroma of cheap bacon and regret. It's… beautiful, in a way.

Is it the ideal Thanksgiving? Offcourse not. But is it a better alternative to forced conversation and dry turkey? You bet your ass it is.

But wait... what about the people working at these places on Thanksgiving? Are they sacrificing their holiday so I can avoid my relatives? Am I a terrible person? Nah, they're getting paid extra, right? Right?

It's a Sad State of Affairs, But I'm Here for It

Look, I ain't gonna pretend this is some heartwarming story about the triumph of the human spirit. It's not. It's about convenience, avoidance, and the sad reality that sometimes, a fast-food burger is preferable to family. And that's okay. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.