Best place to order a Thanksgiving Turkey?

[BellatrixStar]

Looking to order a Turkey for Thanksgiving either cooked or uncooked...does anyone have any reccommendations? I was thinking Whole Foods but please give me any other suggestions.
Thanks!

[emilief]

We had a deep fried turkey from Summer Shack. It was delicious even beyond expectations! Also, they were very organized in packing and instructions and pick up. WE also got the mashed, gravy, squash etc from them. All were excellent (although I made my own stuffing and put theirs in the freezer.

[BellatrixStar]

I would never even think of Summer Shack for that but thanks for the info! Maybe next year :-)

[BellatrixStar]

I went with a Turkey from Trader Joe's out of convenience. It was brined by TJ's and really wasn't sure what to expect but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised...the meat was really juicy and moist and cooked to perfection!

[justbeingpolite]

Did TJ cook it for you too, or are you just tooting your own horn?;o)
JK as my daughter says.
I've heard great things about the TJ pre brined bird. This year decided to brine, then debone my own. Got it from Wagon Wheel nursery in Lexington, who says they get their fresh birds from a farm in western MA. About 2.80pp.
Came out really good, I think in part the bird, the brining, and the 2hours and 15 minutes it took to cook an 18lb deboned stuffed turkey. Definitely no Americas test kitchen controls there.
the family liked it.
I was very happy with the turky itself and would go back to Wagon Wheel next year.

[BellatrixStar]

haha I guess I am tooting my own horn a little ;-) haha! I was definitely giving credit to the pre-brining though because it was much more moist than last year's turkey which was not brined. TJ's does not cook the bird.
I did an herb butter rub all over and put bundles of fresh sage, rosemary and thyme, sliced onion and lemon in the cavity of the turkey. Chicken broth, carrots, celery and onions on the bottom of the roasting pan.

[BellatrixStar]

Thank you so much for the replies! All great suggestions...now I just need to make a decision :-/ Hmmm! I also noticed that other post AFTER the fact, so sorry!

[Chris VR]

No problem, we were all new here once! Welcome and do report back on that thread if you can- it will come in handy for next year's newbies :-)

[Chris VR]

I just saw signs up at Trader Joes's in Saugus that they have fresh turkeys, and I think I've read good things about their turkeys in previous years. They are mentioned in the other thread on this topic at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/665325

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Trader Joe's
1427 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

Many current replies here:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/665325

[momoftwo]

I just read in my local paper that Verrill farm in concord is taking orders, they are sourcing from a farm in VT