It takes anywhere from two hours to half a day to prepare a turkey, depending on how many mouths there are to feed, and that's not including the side dishes. If you're pressed for time this year, or just don't want to go through the hassle, Oak Park and River Forest have a wide variety of options to keep the family full and happy.

Whether you're in the market for something quick and inexpensive, or something that will provide an endless amount of leftovers, there is no shortage of good eats around town this Thanksgiving.

Robinson's No. 1 Ribs, located at 940 Madison St., serves up a mean platter of ribs, as the name implies, but it also offers other barbecue favorites, including some very seasonal turkey wings. The specialty rib joint will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.

Grandma Sally's Family Restaurant, 7301 North Ave. in River Forest, is offering pumpkin sweet potato pancakes and additional pumpkin-flavored treats for breakfast and lunch, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Another River Forest restaurant opening its doors on Turkey Day isn't much a turkey joint at all. Boston Market, 7211 Lake St., will provide its usual menu of finger-licking chicken with all the fixings between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

If chicken's not your bag, take a quick walk down Lake Street to Subway Restaurant, 1000 Lake St. Offering up cold cuts and toasted sandwiches from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Subway is just one of a handful of chain stores open on Thanksgiving day.

The International House of Pancakes can be found at 6501 North Ave. and will be serving its name-brand breakfast items from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thanksgiving may be a Thursday tradition, but there's always something going on at T.G.I. Friday's, 401 N. Harlem Ave. Boasting an impressive menu that includes typical bar food and American-style cuisine, the candy cane-colored eatery will stay open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Health nuts can grab a shake and a snack at Fit Cafe, 1114 Lake St. The cozy, nutrition-friendly hot spot — located on the third floor of Fitness Formula Club — will open its doors at 8 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. The Fit Cafe is open to non-members.

There is also George's Family Restaurant & Pancake House, a neighborhood staple for pancake lovers located at 145 S. Oak Park Ave. But get there early, as they're only open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.

After three helpings of turkey and stuffing, and three football games on the TV, just about anybody could go for a drink. Seafood giant Poor Phil's Shell Bar, 139 S. Marion St., will open at 4 p.m. and maintain its standard daily drink specials until 1 a.m. Bar Louie Oak Park, 1122 Lake St., will keep its kitchen open and keep whistles wet from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.