Free Thanksgiving Dinners Offered at Local Restaurants, Urgent Support Needed

URGENT UPDATE: Local restaurants in the Waukegan and North Chicago areas are set to provide free Thanksgiving dinners on November 23, 2023, offering crucial support to community members during these challenging times. Big Ed’s BBQ will serve a free meal from noon to 4 p.m., while Juan’s Chuck Wagon and Eleven19 Kitchen & Cocktails will also participate with their own offerings.

Big Ed’s BBQ, known for its annual Thanksgiving tradition, has expanded its capacity significantly after relocating. This year, guests can choose between a drive-through meal or the option to sit down with others at a long communal table. Owner Ed Nero expressed that the sit-down meal fosters connection, stating, “No one should feel alone.” With seating for 150 people at a time, the goal is to bring the community together during a season when togetherness is especially vital.

Meanwhile, Juan’s Chuck Wagon will offer free Thanksgiving dinners from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring a hearty menu of turkey, stuffing, and various pies. In North Chicago, Eleven19 Kitchen & Cocktails will provide meals to the homeless from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a 50% discount for military and first responders from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

As local businesses face challenges due to increased federal enforcement activities, both Nero and Juan Retana of Juan’s Chuck Wagon hope these meals will aid in community recovery. Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham emphasized the importance of these initiatives, describing them as a reminder of what the holiday season embodies. “It has been a difficult year for so many,” he remarked, underscoring the need for unity and support.

With more than 150 volunteers helping to serve meals, Big Ed’s BBQ will offer a menu that includes turkey, ham, cornbread, and a selection of sides. Guests dining inside will be served directly at their tables, while those opting for takeout will receive their meals through a streamlined process.

Retana highlighted the significance of this year’s dinner, stating that many in the community are feeling vulnerable. “A lot of people are scared,” he said, as he aims to help restore a sense of normalcy.

The upcoming Thanksgiving meals represent a heartfelt effort by local restaurants to give back to the community that has supported them for years. Both Nero and Retana have rooted their Thanksgiving traditions in gratitude, and this year, they are more critical than ever.

Residents are encouraged to share this information widely to ensure no one in the community misses out on this vital support. Together, Waukegan and North Chicago can show that they care during this essential time of year.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the message is clear: come together, share a meal, and support one another.