Bucking Christmas Dinner Tradition

Bucking Christmas Dinner Tradition
on the North Shore

My family’s big celebration night – the night we open all the gifts -- is Christmas Eve, and it has been that way since I can remember. I guess our family was “special” because we were clearly the first on Santa’s route. It’s easy to fool kids when it means opening gifts early.

When we moved to Chicago in 1971, we didn’t have any extended family here, and decided to eat out for our big Christmas Eve dinner. Our tradition for years was deep dish pizza and the colossal salad bar at the Carousel on Waukegan in Northbrook. Sadly, the Carousel has since closed, but we have taken on the new tradition of ordering Christmas Eve dinner from Carson’s Ribs. Nothing like a half slab and some cheesy potatoes to usher in the holiday season.

I think my mom cooked a ham a few years in between Carousel and Carson’s, but with all the hussle-bussle and stress of the holidays, it just made it easier not to cook; everyone could relax and enjoy the evening.

So what did we do Christmas day? For years my parents and I would go to a movie at Old Orchard, and then have an early dinner at The Bagel. Four words: Turkey Reuben and pickle tray. Okay that’s five. We were in holiday heaven.

If you have a big, extended family, I can understand that getting together and cooking a big meal may be your way of celebrating. But there is a definite allure to being treated to a meal out for the holiday. If you’re curious to try this new tradition on for size, these restaurants are happy to have you over to their house for a Christmas Day celebration without the dirty dishes:

The Bagel
4999 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie
847.677.0100
8am-9pm

Di Pescara
2124 Northbrook Court, Northbrook
847.498.4321
Noon-7pm

Flatlander’s
200 Village Green, Lincolnshire
847.821.1234
10am-3pm, Holiday brunch buffet, $25
3-8pm, Dinner menu

McCormick and Schmick
4999 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie
847.763.9811
Noon-8pm, dinner menu

Laura Folkl