The Guide for Things to Do in Lake Norman – Listed by Town
- Guide to Weekend Events & Activities in Lake Norman
In addition to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the AKC dog show and football, the most fulfilling part of the day for me on Thanksgiving is the traditional dinner with family and loved ones.
Well, this year I was running solo and was very thankful to have a friend running solo also. I found myself sticking around town for the holiday…and upon deciding it is definitely not worth kitchen cleanup duty for one person, or throwing in the backup turkey lean cuisine, so I hit the town with another TDS Ninja (Thanksgiving Day Solo Ninjas) in search of Thanksgiving dinner … yes, on Thanksgiving Day — last minute, imagine that!
As I drove along the perimeter of the Lake, I had flashbacks of watching those old westerns with the ghost towns, rolling tumbleweeds and banging shutters … yes, Lake Norman was a ghost town. The entire east side of the lake was quiet, the only thing open was fast food drive-through and all the parking lots were empty. I was waiting for that tumbleweed to roll by and that whistling western music to pop on my car radio … alas, no tumbleweeds in sight.
So, I was doing a hallelujah dance in my car when I called Choplin’s and they answered! The gal was so pleasant and told me although they had a full reservation list for the day, if we could get there in the next 10 minutes we could be served at the bar and enjoy our wonderful full-course Thanksgiving dinner!
Or anything else on the menu. Sooo, upon arriving on time, we were seated immediately. Then, we were greeted by the sweetest bartender who offered up the most crisp, cold martinis! I opted for their Cosmo with Grey Goose and she ordered the house special.
As my stomach was growling and my friend and I were chatting over these beautiful liquid masterpieces we were making more friends with some introductions to the couple next to us. The bar is a cozy 4-seater and just the quaintest and located smack in the center of their poshly designed restaurant. You’ll even find a framed photo of Marilyn Monroe if you wander off to the powder room.
We spotted that Thanksgiving Day feast entrée on the menu and we both ordered it. It was a tossup because my favorite thing here is the Duck with Orange Glaze and the French Onion Soup, but I went in search of turkey, so turkey it is! Within a few martini sips our dinner was served, we even had cranberry sauce on the side. Oh what a feast. Sliced turkey, sliced ham covered in some kind of maple-sugary-honey glaze, “yummy”, and yes I said that out loud. There was a buttery mound of mashed potatoes, moist homemade dressing (I’d like to know that recipe since I thought I made the best dressing ever), green bean casserole AND sweet potato casserole. I couldn’t have made a better Thanksgiving meal if I tried — and what a treat, no dishes to wash!
As our sweet bartender boxed up half of our feasts, I was so full and content, and also feeling grateful to be around friends and nice people. I couldn’t think of anything but the sofa now, stretchy pants and football, Maybe a nap during half time. My friend must’ve had the same thought because she ordered the caramel cheesecake to go! As I waddled to my car like a duck instead of a stealth Ninja, I’m thinking I can see this becoming a great holiday tradition!
Click here to see Choplin’s location, hours, etc.
Click here for more reviews.
Click here for our restaurant guide. Note the guide can be viewed by food type such as Italian food, German food, Irish food, or by town, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Troutman, Mooresville or Denver.
Debbie Amyotte is a self-proclaimed “Giant FOODIE”. She loves everything about food from fine dining to hidden gems that only the locals know about. Traveling is a big passion and she has visited about 30% of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. Grami to two awesome grandkids she visits them as much as she can. Sundays at her house, are meant for two things: church and football!
She is active in the community as a Rotary member, the organizer for Ladies Luv Adventures in Lake Norman, and she hosts a monthly mystery book club called A Good Night for Murder.
Her professional life includes being a Realtor for Keller Williams Mooresville, a travel agent for Travel Planners International, Inc., and a local, independent, contracted pet sitter — caring and understanding special pet needs. Contact Debbie by email, [email protected].
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our writers belong solely to them
and do not represent LKNConnect.com, its publisher or its staff.
