Photo by Jose Ralat Maldonado

​It's always hard to go back to work after Thanksgiving, especially if you spent the last few days chilling out in your Snuggie like we did. Before you polish off that cherry pie, check out what's happening this week at these restaurants. We also have suggestions for how to dispose of cooking oil this holiday season because we're cool like that. Honestly, we just didn't know what to do with the 6 gallons of oil left over from frying our turkey last week.

It opened last month, but The Nodding Donkey is hosting a grand opening celebration at 7 p.m. Thursday, and the party goes on through the weekend. The restaurant will have drink specials through Sunday, plus games and giveaways. With most dishes priced less than $10, you won't blow your budget on burgers and beer. How very un-Uptown.

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At the grocery store this weekend, we were stuck in a checkout line five deep. Seems that everyone but us decided to shop for their Butterballs days ahead of Thanksgiving. We aren't cooking this year because, well, we aren't keen on the idea of spending the entire day in the kitchen. Plus, how could our cooking compete with the Thanksgiving offerings at these local restaurants? We've got the scoop on the best turkey day menus for those of you who aren't basting away this holiday.

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Most prix fixe meals are going to run about $60 a person, so to save a little money for Black Friday shopping, consider dining at St. Martin's Wine Bistro. For $35, enjoy a three-course lunch or dinner featuring traditional Thanksgiving dishes and restaurant favorites. If you're not craving turkey, try the lemon sole, veal scaloppini or lamb. Dessert options include Godiva white chocolate cheesecake and a pumpkin tart. Since there's no cleanup after this meal, your only dilemma will be keeping your relatives' forks off your plate.

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It's back to the daily grind, but we have something to brighten your spirits and fill your stomach -- for free. The good folks at Jack in the Box know how much you love free food, and they've got a giveaway Tuesday you won't want to miss. After 2 p.m., head to Jack in the Box to receive two free tacos. You don't need to purchase anything to get your tacos, so enjoy a late lunch for free. Check out the hilarious commercial clip on YouTube.

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Though Thanksgiving is still weeks away, stores are already stocking the shelves with holiday lights and Christmas ornaments. You could be like our neighbors and put out the inflatable snowman right now, or you could enjoy what little time you have left before it's all turkey talk and last-minute shopping. We suggest you hold off on that inflatable snowman and enjoy this week's best events.

​Do you know who Cartman's dad is? Can you remember how many times they killed Kenny? If you're a South Park fan, grab your orange parka and head to Barley House tonight at 8 p.m. for Screw Your Quiz, I'm Going Home. The trivia quiz will feature questions about the foul-mouthed animated show. For a $5 entry fee, you'll compete for prizes between $200 and $500 just for knowing why Tom Cruise was in the closet and what's the name of that nurse with a fetus on her face. What's better than winning cash for watching South Park? Telling all your friends to respect your authoritah.

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October is long gone folks, and we here at City of Ate couldn't be happier. Thanksgiving is around the corner, and we've almost recovered from yesterday's sugar high. So let's all put away the Halloween costumes and get ready for a week of food events, many of which are benefiting charitable causes.

He's concerned about men's health.

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We hope you're excited to kick off the month of Movember. That wasn't a typo, it's the name of the month-long campaign sponsored by Snappy Salads to raise awareness of prostate cancer. Tonight at J. Black's (2409 N. Henderson Ave), the Movember campaign begins with a kick-off party featuring drink specials until 9 p.m. The celebration continues at various restaurants and bars all month, with proceeds from the events going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Men are encouraged to grow their mustaches during Movember to show support for men's health causes. Looking like Burt Reynolds is just a bonus.

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Dust off those costumes and break out the fun-size candy, Halloween is just days away. We have plenty of spooktacular food events to tell you about, but first let's talk about another holiday that's happening this week.

We love us some good chicken-fried steak, and we've been waiting for someone to celebrate this fried gift from the gods. Thankfully, Norma's Café understands our love of CFS and is hosting the First Annual Chicken-Fried Steak Day on Tuesday, October 26. Stop by the Oak Cliff location (1123 West Davis St.) or the North Dallas location (17721 North Dallas Parkway) to feast on a Texas favorite. Don't forget to vote for your favorite waitress as one will be crowned Miss Chicken-Fried Steak tomorrow. Had we known there was a competition, we'd be waiting tables right now.

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We've got a week's worth of food, festivals and fun for you, plus we'll tell you where you can meet a celebrity chef today. You'll have to get in line behind us, of course, but we'll save you a spot. We're nice like that.

​Let's start first with a TOGA party. TOGA! TOGA! No, we're not getting ready for a rowdy frat party, we're talking about the Taste of Greenville Avenue, and it's happening Saturday, October 23 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 5700 Richmond Avenue. The annual event features tasty items from restaurants on and near Greenville Avenue. The Blue Fish, Desperado's, and Cafe Izmir are among the 30 restaurants dishing out food for a few bucks a pop. We've already got our eye on $5 ahi tuna towers and $2 New England clam chowder. The King Bucks, Ricki Derek and the Vegas Six, and 2010 DOMA winners The BAcksliders are just a few of the musical acts performing at the festival. Make sure to cheer on participants in the jalapeño eating contest, because they're going to need it--and lots of water. For more information about the festival and to view the full menu, visit www.tasteofgreenvilleavenue.com.

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​Want to see some hot firemen and hot beauty queens while sampling some hot chili? Then head to the Sixth Annual Stop-Drop-n-Roll Chili Cook-Off in Grapevine benefiting the WPI Firefighters' Fund this Saturday, October 16. Last year's event raised over $110,000 for families of fallen and injured firefighters. This year's event will feature hundreds of cooks looking to take home prizes in categories such as People's Choice, Novice, and Junior, so even the kids can get in on the fun. Just make sure little Jimmy isn't left to tend that hot stockpot alone.

Ashley Smith, Miss Texas International 2010, and Natalie McLarty, Mrs. Texas International 2010, will be on hand to add a little glamour to the cook-off. There's also the Armadillo Egg Eating Contest, so if you're a pro at scarfing down fried stuffed jalapenos, start preparing your stomach and arteries now. The Stop-Drop-n-Roll Chili Cook-Off is from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops, and admission is free. To sample the contestant's fiery creation, you'll have to purchase a chili sampling cup for $5. Remember, you're eating a Texas favorite and ogling hot firemen for a good cause. For more information, visit www.wpiff.org.

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​We told you once and we'll tell you again, any season is barbecue season. Sure, you might need to trade in your swim trunks for snow boots at some point, but we're sure they'll look good with the "Kiss the Chef" apron you're wearing.

This Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10, will be the 27th Annual International Bar-B-Que Cookers Association Cook-off at Traders Village in Grand Prairie. The cook-off will feature over 100 participants preparing 600 or more samples for guests to judge. Contests include the Obie-Cue Backyard BBQ Championship, International Bar-B-Que Cookers Association Invitational, Traders Village/I.B.C.A Jackpot Series Championship cook-off for Pork Spare Ribs, and a kid's boneless pork chop cook-off.

The entry fee for the Obie-Cue Backyard BBQ Championship, which is $25, will be donated to the Kash for Kids charity. The event is free, but there will be a $3 parking fee. Barbecue cook-off organizers are also encouraging attendees to sign up to judge one of the many competitions.

For more information, visit www.tradersvillage.com or call 972-647-2331.

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All right, folks, it's that time of the year again for die-hard college football fans to take over Fair Park with their crimson red or burnt orange-painted bodies. Yes, it's Texas/OU weekend. We're sure there's about gazillion watch parties from which fans can choose to watch the Red River Shootout, but we thought we would mention a few anyway. You know, because we're nice and stuff.

Frankie's Sports Bar and Grill will host a watch party at both of their locations in Uptown and Lewisville. They'll be serving $2 orange and red jello shots, along with other daily specials. You can visit their Facebook page for more details.

The Corner Bar will show the game, and offer drink and food specials, live music, DJ and karaoke. You can check out www.cornerbardallas.com for more information.

Another place you can check out is National Sports Lounge off Greenville Avenue. They have over sixty HD televisions to watch the legendary football game, and of course, alcohol and food.

Duke's Original Roadhouse will have a huge tent party to celebrate the football madness Friday through Sunday, October 1-3, and that includes $14 Dos XX beer towers.

RA Sushi will offer two different cocktails -- Hook'em Horns and Sooner Than Later -- for $5 all this week.

OK, City of Aters, if you know of more watch parties going on, then feel free to leave a comment with all the details. We would appreciate it.

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