TYLER, Texas — Preparations for Thanksgiving are underway at many East Texas restaurants.
This is the first Thanksgiving since Traditions closed and it's passed on the baton or in this case, the turkey leg over to other local businesses as they prepare Thanksgiving meals for East Texans.
Although the Potpourri House has been open for 43 years, it's working with the former owner of Traditions to keep the Thanksgiving meal tradition alive. This will be their first year selling turkey and ham.
"We actually have the chef from traditions that have done the hams, they are doing those for us. So, it's really exciting for us to do that and continue that tradition," said Les Ellsworth, vice president of Potpourri House.
Ellsworth said the community is excited about this addition of Tradition, and the number of orders received for turkey and ham orders continues to grow.
With help from the Traditions owner, Robert Owens, they’re able to serve 1,700 Heartland hams Traditions was previously famous for. And around 120 honey-glazed turkeys.
"It's a little overwhelming, just the amount and quantities we're talking about. We've got a great crew and it's just really nice to have the help of some of the Tradition staff there for us to help us through this transition," Ellsworth said.
And that’s not the only East Texas restaurant swamped with Thanksgiving orders.
"Majority of them (have) already placed the order in, but we do cook extra ones," said Victor Erwin, general manager at the Texas Best Smokehouse.
Erwin said they’re preparing early to avoid any supply issues.
"We had put a special order in," Erwin said. "We usually get it and make sure the vendor has them in early for us."
Although Thanksgiving is about three weeks away, owners of both restaurants urge the East Texas community to place their orders in early before preorders fill up.