Ordering a Whole Smoked Turkey: Where?

I got suckered into cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year. Not a huge shindig, just me and the wife and two friends. But it was late enough notice that I'm starting to get nervous, and removing the bird from the cooking equation would be very helpful.

My wife keeps talking about the whole smoked turkeys that her mom used to order in Maryland for Thanksgiving. Anyone happen to know where I could get a good whole smoked turkey (or just a couple of smoked turkey breasts) in time for T-day? Failing that, where's a good non-Jewel/non-Dominick's store to order a cooked bird from?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Hecky's in Evanston offers whole smoked turkeys. Many years ago I got one and it was quite good. Better phone in your order soon, if you're interested.

i think paulina market on lincoln is probably your best bet

Hi,

The prior incarnation at the this location was O's BBQ. On the premises is an Oyler BBQ Pit, which they use for smoking items for their restaurant. They will smoke a turkey. If someone uses them, I do hope you will report back your experience.

Paradise Grill
209 West 120
Lakemoor, IL 60051
815/363-8067

For fast and easy, check out your local Dominick's. They have both oven baked, and smoked turkeys for $15.00. They average 10 pounds each. I have had the oven baked in the past, and they are good. Not as great as home cooked, but good.

ToniG wrote:

"Hecky's in Evanston offers whole smoked turkeys. Many years ago I got one and it was quite good. Better phone in your order soon, if you're interested."

Just wanted to second Toni G's recommendation of Hecky's turkey. Last November I had one, along with two of their smoked ducks. Tender and moist. But it'd be a good idea to get your order in ASAP.

I didn't point out in the OP that I live in Evanston: so, Hecky's was a short drive away. Order placed! I did so before i saw the post mentioning the cheaper smoked turkeys at Dominick's, but hey, we got a turkey drumstick to snack on when we placed the order, and it was pretty darn tasty!

Will report on the turkey later.

Edit: Thanks!

It's too late for Thanksgiving, but for Christmas or Hannukah try a Greenberg smoked turkey made by Sam Greenberg of Greenberg, TX at:

www.gobblegobble.com

Or, as an alternative, call on a LTH'r

I have capacity for a minimum of 5 turkeys in my smokers.

I would be more than happy to smoke turkeys for one and all, no charge.

Location is key, and I am far West.

I am smoking 2 turkey breasts, and frying a whole bird.

But I would be more than willing to smoke birds the weekend before. Reheating a smoked bird is easy, and no loss in tenderness.

Actually, I could arrange that the smoked bird is done early on Thursday, so reheating is minimal.

I start cooking about 3pm on Wed. and the smokers are "hot" till around midnight on Sat.

Glutony to the extreme.

Never pay for shipping when you can get something local for free You supply the bird, I supply the smoke

PS I just got 10# apple, and 10# pecan, just for TDay Smoking

S I just got 10# apple, and 10# pecan, just for TDay Smoking Cool

Great choice of woods for smoking turkeys!

I, too, tend to try to smoke my own, but in pinches, these have been damned fine mail-order choices (although it's probably too late to get a pre-holiday shipment this year):

New Braunfels Smokehouse

Burger's Smokehouse

They both heat up nicely, and are smoky and moist.

Cheers,
Wade