Feeling hungry? Here’s a list of budget-friendly restaurants open Christmas
If you’re not a fan of cooking for the holidays, Christmas dinners can be hard to find — and expensive.
You can also forget about visiting La Carreta, Versailles or any other spot that caters to Cuban cuisine for dinner on Christmas Eve.
Most of them will be closing early for Noche Buena.
If you don’t mind a pricey bill, head on over to Miami.com for a list of restaurants that are ready to serve you wine and holiday cheer on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
But for those of you who plan to be on the road or want to have a more low-key, budget-friendly meal, one of these spots might be just for you:
El Palacio de Los Jugos
If you’re craving lechón, congri, yuca and a side of chicharrón, you’re in luck. El Palacio de Los Jugos will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
While most popular Cuban cuisine spots such as Versailles, Sergio’s and La Carreta will be closing in the early afternoon on Dec. 24, you’ll be able to have a proper Noche Buena dinner at El Palacio without spending a fortune.
You can get a pound of roasted pork, a healthy serving of yuca or calabaza squash with onions and a bag of chicharrones for under $20, according to our Miami Herald food editor.
If you’ll rather eat it at home, you can place an order to go. Keep in mind that each location will probably be bustling with order pick-ups for the celebrations. Place your order in advance to make sure you don’t leave empty handed.
El Palacio has 10 South Florida locations; hours will vary so you do need to call in advance.
But don’t expect to make a late-night run. On Dec. 24, El Palacio locations at 8700 SW Eighth St. and at 555 Jefferson Ave. in Miami Beach will close at 8 p.m. The restaurant at 5721 W Flagler Street will be closing at 7 p.m.
El Palacio locations will also be open on Christmas Day and should be back to their regular hours of operation. Regular hours are 6 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. depending on which location you visit.
To find El Palacio de Los Jugos near you, visit elpalaciodelosjugos.com
Hours: Christmas Eve — Hours vary by location. Christmas Day — Regular schedule.
IHOP
Trying to make breakfast plans? All IHOP locations will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a company spokeswoman said. Since the popular breakfast spot is operated by franchisees, you should call ahead of time to check holiday hours.
Participating IHOPs also have a “Family Feast for the Holidays” takeout and delivery option.
Some of the holiday-themed menu items include a bacon, sausage links, ham-and-eggs combo that comes with two “Jolly Cakes,” green pancakes topped with cream cheese, icing, whipped topping and “elf” sprinkles.
A “Little Elves Merry Marshmallow” hot chocolate is also available for the kids. If you have a child who is 12 years or younger, make sure you ask for the Kids Eat Free special. If you order an adult entree, your child’s entree will be free.
The special is typically available every day from 4 to 10 p.m., though holiday hours may vary.
To find an IHOP near you, visit ihop.com/en/restaurants
Hours: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day — Hours may vary by location.
Shorty’s BBQ
If what you’re craving for the holidays is pork, pork and pork, how about some ribs?
If you don’t mind an early dinner, Shorty’s BBQ will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the company said in an email. (Chicken and beef are also on the menu.)
All restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day.
To find a restaurant near you, visit shortys.com
Hours: Christmas Eve — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Day — Closed
Boston Market
If you want a more traditional Christmas Day lunch or dinner, check out Boston Market outlets.
While the restaurant’s full menu will be available on Christmas Eve, a special “Christmas Day” menu will be available on Dec. 25.
You’ll be able to pick your choice of hand-carved ham, sliced roasted turkey breast or half signature rotisserie chicken, with two sides, a dinner roll and a slice of apple or pumpkin pie.
Cost: $13.99 per plate. The “Feast for 3” option costs $39.99
To see participating restaurants or to check out the complete Christmas Day menu, visit bostonmarket.com
Hours: Christmas Eve — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Christmas Day — 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Olive Garden
If you scoff at the thought of lechón, a bowl of fettuccine Alfredo might be what you need. Olive Garden locations will be open on Christmas Eve, though some may close early.
For instance, you’ll need to eat before 8 p.m. if you’re visiting the Olive Garden at 8201 W. Flagler St. in Miami, 1350 W. 49th St. in Hialeah or 5550 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.
The company says each restaurant’s management team will be deciding the hours of operation so other Olive Garden locations might have a different closing time. This means you should call the restaurant in advance to confirm its hours.
All Olive Garden locations will be closed on Christmas Day.
You can see which restaurant is near you by visiting olivegarden.com/locations.
Hours: Christmas Eve — hours vary by location. Christmas Day — Closed
Pizza Hut
If you’re craving Italian but don’t want pasta, you can have pizza for dinner. All Pizza Hut locations are open on Christmas Eve, though hours may vary by locations.
Most Pizza Huts will be open between 10:30 a.m. to midnight, according to a company spokesman.
If you’re planning to have a pizza holiday party, call ahead to confirm your delivery.
The good news about ordering pizza? You can save some for Christmas Day, when all Pizza Hut locations will be closed.
To find a Pizza Hut near you, visit locations.pizzahut.com
Hours: Christmas Eve — 10:30 a.m. to midnight. Christmas Day — Closed
Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill
Should you have fish? A burger ? Baby-back ribs? If your family’s divided on what to eat this holiday season, you might want to head to Flanigan’s.
The South Florida-based chain is open 365 days a year and usually offers a special every day of the week.
On Tuesdays, you can get a free order of Tumbleweed Onions with your first pitcher (beer, iced tea, lemonade or soda) while on Wednesdays you can get 10 free wings with every pitcher you purchase of beer, iced tea, lemonade or soda.
All restaurants will be operating during normal hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and will be “fully decked out in Christmas decorations for those really in the holiday spirit,” a spokeswoman said.
If you’re looking for a late-night celebration, this might be your ideal spot. Most of the restaurants are open past midnight, though hours may vary by location.
To find a Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill near you, visit flanigans.net/locations/
Hours: Open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, hours vary by location.
Versailles
The iconic Cuban restaurant known for drawing lines of tourists and locals almost every night will go dark at 2 p.m. Dec. 24. No Noche Buena dinner there.
But you won’t have to miss its Cuban food for long. The restaurant will be back to its regular schedule on Christmas Day.
Versailles, 3555 SW Eight St. in Miami.
To see its menu, visit versaillesrestaurant.com
Hours: Christmas Eve — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas Day: Regular hours
PF Chang’s
If you’re a fan of Mongolian beef, hand-rolled dim sum or craving an ahi tuna poke bowl, PF Chang’s could be the place to go for Christmas Eve.
While one of the more expensive restaurants on this list, the company says the food is made from scratch every day using the “time-honored tradition of wok cooking,” according to its website.
It also has an online special that might work well for large families. You can get a $20 bonus reward with any $100 gift card purchased by Dec. 31.
Advance reservations are recommended, especially if you’re a large party.
To find a PF Chang’s near you, visit pfchangs.com/locations/
Hours: Christmas Eve — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., hours may vary; Christmas Day — Closed
Panda Express
If your idea of a holiday dinner includes orange chicken, noodles and a fortune cookie, Panda Express might be the place to go if you don’t want to spend too much time waiting for your food.
Most Panda Expresses will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but some of them might have alternative holiday hours, a spokeswoman said.
You can use the restaurant’s website locator at pandaexpress.com to find a restaurant near you, along with adjusted holiday hours.
Hours: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — Hours may vary
La Carreta
If you’re craving a cortadito, make sure you visit the restaurant’s busy ventanita before it closes for Noche Buena.
Holiday hours vary by location for Dec. 24, but all of the restaurants will be back to normal hours on Christmas Day.
Here’s an idea of what type of holiday hours you can expect on Dec. 24:
▪ La Carreta, 8650 Bird Road in Miami, is set to close by 1 p.m.
▪ La Carreta, 3632 SW Eighth St. in Miami (across from Versailles) will be closed by 2 p.m.
▪ La Carreta, 10633 NW 12th St. in Miami (by International Mall) will be closed by 3 p.m.
To find a La Carreta near you, visit lacarreta.com
Hours: Christmas Eve — Hours vary by location, Christmas Day — Normal hours
Denny’s
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Whether you’re in Miami Beach or chilling at home in Kendall or Hollywood, you can count on your local Denny’s to make you breakfast, lunch or dinner no matter the day or time. Most Denny’s will be open 24 hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
If your kids don’t want to leave the house, Denny’s “on Demand” delivery service will also be available.
The casual diner is also offering a “Turkey & Dressing Dinner Pack” carry-out option at select locations until Dec. 25. The holiday dinner special can feed up to four guests and includes tender carved turkey breast, savory stuffing, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, red-skinned mashed potatoes and one additional side.
Orders have to be placed online at Dennys.com by Tuesday, Dec. 24.
To find a Denny’s near you, visit Dennys.com
Hours: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day — 24/7; may vary by location
Puerto Sagua
If you’re looking for inexpensive comfort food in South Beach, check out Puerto Sagua. The Cuban restaurant has an almost five-star rating on Google, has a parking garage nearby and is located in the Art Deco Historic District.
It’s also open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Puerto Sagua, 700 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
Hours: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day — 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Wawa
OK, it sounds totally strange and unusual to celebrate Christmas at a convenience store, but it could be your saving grace if you’re traveling through the night.
Wawa has more than 750 convenience retail stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Marlyand, Virginia and Florida. More than 500 of these stores also sell gas.
Stop for a fill-up, then stroll inside for a hoagie or a soup, along with sides like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes or stuffing — plus an Eggnog Frozen Cappuccino.
Most of the stores are open 24/7, including holidays. Make sure you call and inquire about holiday hours before you plug it into your GPS.
To find a store near you, visit wawa.com
Hours: 24/7
Staying in the Keys?
If you’re tempted to have seafood this holiday season but don’t want to see your credit card bill skyrocket, here are some budget-friendly options to try in the Keys. Even the locals like them.
And don’t worry, all of these locations have other dishes available for those in your family who dislike fish.
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen
The family-owned restaurant is the longest running business in Key Largo and has several awards under its belt, according to the restaurant’s website.
It also has two locations you can visit, so don’t be confused when Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen and Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen II pop up on your GPS.
Both will be open on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day.
To see each location’s menu, visit mrsmacskitchen.com/Home
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen. 99336 Overseas Highway in Key Largo; open Christmas Eve 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Christmas Day — Closed
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen II, 99020 Overseas Highway in Key Largo, open Christmas Eve 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Christmas Day — Closed
Mangrove Mike’s Cafe & Catering
Don’t be fooled by this Islamorada’s diner’s low-key vibe.
Its wedding and special-event catering service won it the 2019 Couples’ Choice Awards on WeddingWire, a website that specializes on helping soon to be newlyweds find venues, caterers, florists, photographers and anything else they need for the big the day.
Why does this matter? It means the food must be good.
To check out the menu, visit mangrovemikes.com
Mangrove Mike’s Cafe & Catering, 82200 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
Hours: Christmas Eve: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Christmas Day — 6 a.m. to noon
Dillon’s Pub & Grill
Like the other choices in our Keys recommendations, the authentic Irish Pub in Tavernier has a string of awards to its name, including Best Bar, Best Wings and Best Staff, according to its Facebook page.
It also has daily specials, a full bar, nine HDTV’s, a 116-inch projector screen and typically stays open until 1 a.m. or later, depending on the bartender’s mood, its website states.
The pub expects to stay open at least until midnight on Christmas Eve. It will be closed on Christmas Day.
To see its menu, visit dillonspubandgrill.com.
Dillon’s Pub & Grill, 91200 Overseas Highway, Tavernier
Hours: Christmas Eve — 11 a.m. to at least midnight; Christmas Day — Closed
This story was originally published December 21, 2019 at 7:00 AM.
