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DEL.ICIO.USChristmas Eve — What are Your Plans?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My family has a tried-and-true tradition of eating out at a divey Mexican joint every Christmas Eve.
We all gather at an El Toro, or some other chain similar, and eat tacos and enchiladas while singing “Winter Wonderland” as loudly as possible at the table, usually incorporating as much help with the tune from the wait staff as possible. We’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember, and other than the fact that we all love Mexican food, I have no idea why.
This year, we actually tried to go a little more upscale and make reservations at Original El Taco, but they are closed that night.
Do you dine out on Christmas Eve traditionally? If so, where do you eat?
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By reservoirDAWG
December 22, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
We go to church and to my parents for chili or a casserole. Then it’s home to get the kid to bed for Santa.
By emjay
December 22, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
We gather at my cousin’s house (my family and hers) and have dinner together. My great-aunt makes homemade chicken & dumplins, turnip greens, creamed corn, and sweet potato pie. Then we all sit around in the den, watch tv, talk & catch up while drinking too much warm apple cider. Next to my mom’s homemade potato salad for Christmas lunch, our Christmas Eve gathering is my favorite thing about Christmas.
By wes
December 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Where is a good place for a nice Christmas day brunch?
By Rodney
December 22, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Not really on Christmas Eve, but my family has, on occasion, gone to the Dairy Queen in my home town for supper on Christmas Day.
Our big family meal is Christmas morning - everyone gathers (after seeing what Santa brought, of course) at my Mom’s, or this year my sister’s, and we cook family breakfast. From grits to casseroles to biscuits and jelly … bacon, sometimes ham, most times sausage, always eggs … it’s a spread.
Then the kids go out to play and we adults “wallow” in our post-gluttony comas for a little while.
By TheServerGuy
December 23, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
There are only a handful of places that will be open Christmas day. I would try the Spice Market in the W Midtown. Not exactly Christmas fare, but still dang good.
By redtop
December 23, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Growing up, my daddy always had a huge fish fry Christmas Eve. All the family was there and it was great fun! Unfortunately, he’s no longer with us and that tradition went with him. We all live in different cities now, so we don’t have much of a tradition to look forward to. But I do have very fond memories of the one we had.
By Annie
December 23, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
We do a candle light buffet of easy appetizers & christmas treats, walk with lighted tapers to “Silent Night” and place baby Jesus in the manger. Then we drink eggnog, sing Christmas carols and exchange 1 family gift per person. Finally, well fortified, we attend Midnight Mass.
By TonyPC
December 23, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
My family has had a tradition for several years of dining at Cafe Sunflower then attending midnight mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. It’s a great tradition!
By mystery poster
December 23, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
If you choose to eat out on Christmas eve, please don’t show up 5 minutes before closing. Remember that the staff has holiday plans too.
By dmmecobb
December 24, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Chili’s in East Cobb. It’s one of the few places open in that neck of the woods.
By Lee
December 24, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
For the past 8 or 9 years, my friends and I have had Christmas Eve dinner at Agnes & Muriel’s in Midtown, but they’re not open for Christmas Eve this year. I guess the important thing is getting together with family and friends, even if the venue has to change. Merry Christmas, y’all!
By We always...
December 24, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
…have a Christmas Eve lunch at a local restaurant - my kids pick and I pay - this year it’s Ted’s Montana Grill! Then it is off to Christmas Eve services at 4pm, then home for appetizer based “dinner” - been doing this same routine for 23 years now (that is the age of my oldest son).
By Mr. C
December 24, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
we open some of our gifts at home and then go to the Varisty in Atlanta and get meet with friends,family for our Christmas eve supper