Because not everyone wants to cook a ham.
Kat Schuster, Patch Staff
LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Not everyone wants to cook Christmas Eve supper or Christmas Day dinner, but there will be some places open in and around Lake Elsinore that will cook up something delicious for your group — if you get a reservation now before they’re snapped up.
The following eateries are still accepting reservations for Christmas Eve within driving distance to Lake Elsinore, according to Open Table:
The only closest restaurant to Lake Elsinore open on Christmas Day is Benihana, according to Open Table.
Several national chains are also open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or both. Participation and hours may vary by location, so be sure to call ahead:
Applebee’s: The casual restaurant is usually open but closes early on Christmas Eve, although that varies by location. Restaurants are closed on Christmas Day.
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Arby’s: The fast-food chain is open on Christmas Eve but will be closed on Christmas Day.
Bar Louie: The restaurant and bar is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Reduced hours may apply.
Benihana: The Japanese and sushi restaurant will be open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but hours of operation will vary by location.
Black Bear Diner: The diner will offer a three-course meal on Christmas Day, with a choice of turkey, ham or prime rib.
Bob Evans: The casual chain is open on Christmas Day and offers a Farmhouse Feast menu.
Bonefish Grill: The seafood restaurant is open on Christmas Eve, but not on Christmas Day. Hours may vary by location.
Bravo! Italian Kitchen: Most restaurants are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Brio Italian Grille: The Tuscan-inspired restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Buca di Beppo: The fast casual Italian restaurant is on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, though participation may vary by location.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Restaurants are open on Christmas Eve, but may close an hour or so earlier than usual. Hours on Christmas Day vary by location and local regulations, but most will be closed.
Burger King: The fast-food chain will be open for regular hours on Christmas Eve and some will be open for reduced hours on Christmas Day.
Carl’s Jr: The fast-food restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve but will be closed on Christmas Day.Carrabba’s Italian Grill: The restaurant is open on Christmas Eve, although hours vary by location, and closed on Christmas Day.Chart House: The upscale restaurant chain’s restaurants are all open on Christmas Day.Chicken Guy!: The fast-casual restaurant is open on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.
Chili’s Bar & Grill: The restaurant is open on Christmas Eve (hours may vary by location) but is closed on Christmas Day.
Chipotle: The Mexican restaurant is open on Christmas Eve but not on Christmas Day.
Cracker Barrel: Restaurants are open until 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
Dave & Buster’s: The sports bar and restaurant is open Christmas Eve but closed on Christmas Day.
Del Frisco’s Grille: The bar and restaurant known for its upscale American cuisine will be open from 12 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 12 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Del Taco: The Tex-Mex fast food restaurant is open Christmas Eve but not on Christmas Day.
Denny’s: The diner-style restaurant is open 24 hours a day.
Domino’s Pizza: Pizza deliveries will be made Christmas Day, but participation may vary by location.
El Torito: The casual Mexican restaurant offers a fixed-price menu on Christmas Day.
Fleming’s Fine Steakhouse & Wine Bar: This upscale steakhouse and restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Fogo de Cha?o: The Brazilian restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Golden Corral: The buffet-style restaurant is open on Christmas Eve, with most locations open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and closed on Christmas Day.
Hard Rock Cafe: Most locations will be open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Hardee’s: The fast-food restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve but will be closed on Christmas Day.
Hooters: Locations will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Christmas. Locations in Kansas City will be open from 11 a.m. for the Chiefs game and close at 10:30 p.m.
IHOP: The casual breakfast chain will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but for limited hours at certain locations.Joe’s Crab Shack: The fast-casual seafood restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 3 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.KFC: The fast-food restaurants will be open for regular hours on Christmas Eve but closed on Christmas Day.Kona Grill: Restaurants are open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Legal Sea Foods: Some locations of the casual dining seafood restaurant will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including many airport locations.
McCormick & Schmick’s: The fine-dining restaurant is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and is offering both its regular menu and a special holiday menu.
McDonald’s: Many but not all locations of the fast-food restaurant will be open on Christmas Day.
Morton’s The Steakhouse: The fine-dining steakhouse offers a special menu on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours may vary by location.
Olive Garden: Some locations of the fast-casual Italian restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve, but all locations will be closed on Christmas Day.
Outback Steakhouse: The Australian-inspired steakhouse is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
P.F. Chang’s: The Asian bistro is open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Panda Express: The fast-casual Chinese restaurant is typically open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, although participation and hours may vary by location.
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery: Many locations will be open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, although hours may vary by location.
Red Lobster: The seafood chain’s restaurants will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill: The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. The full menu will be available.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House: The upscale steakhouse is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, though hours may vary by location.
Shoney’s: The casual restaurant is open for regular hours on Christmas Eve and from 11 a.m. to close on Christmas Day.
Smith & Wollensky: The steak and seafood restaurant is open on Christmas Day. Some locations may be open Christmas Eve.
Sonic Drive-In: The fast-food restaurants close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and are closed on Christmas Day.
STK Steakhouse: The steakhouse and lounge are open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
TGI Fridays: The casual restaurant will be open for regular hours on Christmas Eve but will be closed on Christmas Day.
Village Inn: The casual restaurant is open regular hours on Christmas Eve and until 4 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Waffle House: The fast food sit-down restaurant never closes, meaning it will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Wendy’s: The fast-food restaurant will be open for regular hours on Christmas Eve and some may be open on Christmas Day.
This list of national chains was curated from emails to Patch, restaurant websites, USA Today, Good Housekeeping and Cozymeal.