Katie wrote:The Libertyville Sunset usually has a decent supply of frozen Ho-Ka turkeys out the week or so before Thanksgiving. Personally, I don't see a need to reserve one in advance unless I want to pick up up an unfrozen one the day before Thanksgiving.

because i don't want a frozen one, I need a fresh one on Friday since I'm having my get together this Saturday.

Chitown B wrote:

Katie wrote:The Libertyville Sunset usually has a decent supply of frozen Ho-Ka turkeys out the week or so before Thanksgiving. Personally, I don't see a need to reserve one in advance unless I want to pick up up an unfrozen one the day before Thanksgiving.

because i don't want a frozen one, I need a fresh one on Friday since I'm having my get together this Saturday.

Right, sorry about that. Can't think now why that seemed to make sense when I wrote it.

j0emv wrote:I want a small turkey and for the life of me I can never find one year after year. I remember once watching the Barefoot Contessa, Ina had an 8lb turkey she made mid year. The smallest turkey I've been able to source has been 10lbs but since there are only 3 or 4 of us and I'm not that big a fan of turkey anyway, leftovers are out. What's the smallest turkey you guys have seen out there?!

budrichard wrote:Its just simply not economical for a large producer to sell small animals under market weight.
Just purchase a good sized bird, cut in half and freeze.-Dick

Au contraire! Well, I don't know, this may be very true for fresh turkeys, but not so much for frozen. (Yes, I know the thread topic is fresh turkey, but j0emv didnt say he/she was looking for a fresh one, just a small one.) I just bought an 8.39-lb frozen Butterball turkey at Sunset in Libertyville today. Both large and small were labelled Butterball Premiums; the smaller ones were labelled "young." $1.79/lb so $15 for my turkey, minus $4 off with a coupon from the Sunday Trib. The large ones greatly outnumbered the smalls in the frozen case.

p.s., Target's Sunday ad showed Butterball frozen turkeys on sale this week for $0.88/lb, but that price is for turkeys between 10 and 24 lbs.

I actually was able to order a heritage turkey that should be between 6-8lbs when it arrives next week from Caveny Farm. I called and they said the turkeys were averaging 7lbs around the time I called a few weeks ago so they thought they would be closer to 8lbs by then. I'll give them another call to check up since I think 8lbs is the perfect size if you factor in shrinkage for 2-4 people.

fed 18 people on my 24lb Ho-Ka with tons to spare even after people took leftovers. Of course, there were MANY sides to be had, since it was a potluck. Love turkey bags - cooked my 24lb to 180 degrees in 3.5 hours

Bumping an old thread...any updated suggestions (or affirmations that places mentioned here are still good) for places to buy a turkey that hasn't been frozen?

Received an email flyer from Local Foods/Butcher Larder today with a list of turkey producers, prices, sizes and individual parts available. ----> Link to flyer

Bought a tasty fresh 14/lb turkey from Harrison's in Glenview last week. Family in from out of town and niece requested smoked turkey. Harrision's also had fresh whole duck on hand.

chgoeditor wrote:Bumping an old thread...any updated suggestions (or affirmations that places mentioned here are still good) for places to buy a turkey that hasn't been frozen?

John's Live Poultry on W Fullerton.
What you are getting is a turkey that was live when it got to John's.
Most turkey's that say 'Fresh' have been previouslt processed and kept at 28F for weeks.
Call for order especially for Thanksgiving.
Have cash and a cooler with ice if you want them to process while you wait as you have to cool the bird down.
If not, they will have it ready for you but get there early as there is a high demand.-Richard
BTW I would have a cooler on hand to transport as even in a plastic bag, you may still get some drippage.

G Wiv wrote:Received an email flyer from Local Foods/Butcher Larder today with a list of turkey producers, prices, sizes and individual parts available. ----> Link to flyer

Bought a tasty fresh 14/lb turkey from Harrison's in Glenview last week. Family in from out of town and niece requested smoked turkey. Harrision's also had fresh whole duck on hand.

TurkeyInst6.JPG

TurkeyInst7.JPG

Holy Sh*t! You could bring back a million turkey hatin' folks with pictures (and I'm sure the aromas/taste too) like that . . . incredible!

I've bought fresh Thanksgiving turkeys from C&D Family Farm (Crystal and the white van!) for the past 4 years--always spectacular. You can request sizes and they have a variety of pick up locations around the metro area. I know they are taking orders now but I don't see anything on the website--best is to call or email--they also may take a few days to get back to you (busy farmers!!) but it's worth the effort.

http://cdfamilyfarms.com/contact/

LTH thread: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=27399&hilit=CD+farm&start=30

I order a Ho-Ka turkey every year from Fresh Farms Niles. It's always excellent.

boudreaulicious wrote:I've bought fresh Thanksgiving turkeys from C&D Family Farm (Crystal and the white van!) for the past 4 years--always spectacular. You can request sizes and they have a variety of pick up locations around the metro area. I know they are taking orders now but I don't see anything on the website--best is to call or email--they also may take a few days to get back to you (busy farmers!!) but it's worth the effort.

Crystal gets her poultry from Gunthorp and while I didn't ask the price this year, it has been less than Butcher & Larder the past few years. She did raise her prices on most other things this year so it may be more in line. She did say that the birds would all be fresh this year when I placed my order.

Got my ho-ka from Gene's Sausage Shop this year. $3/lb. Great service and price.

Chitown B wrote:Got my ho-ka from Gene's Sausage Shop this year. $3/lb. Great service and price.

I always order mine from Treasure Island. $2.99/pound. Did a dry brine this year and it turned out great.