Susie’s to host 30th Thanksgiving celebration today
Published:Thursday | November 27, 2025 | 1:54 PMNyoka Manning/Gleaner Writer
Susie’s restaurant will welcome guests today for its long-loved Thanksgiving celebration, a tradition it has proudly upheld for 30 years. Director Susan Hanna says the event has become something customers eagerly anticipate each year. “We’ve been doing it for 30 years, since we opened,” she shared. “People look forward to it. Jamaican people love to eat, they love a party — and this has always been something we’ve done from the very beginning.”
The menu offers a generous selection of dishes that combine beloved Thanksgiving classics with the rich, flavourful Jamaican cuisine Susie’s is known for, creating a celebration table brimming with hearty dishes prepared fresh on the day. Thanksgiving staples include roasted turkey with gravy and honey-baked ham, served alongside Jamaican favourites such as curried goat and oxtail with broad beans, as well as fried, BBQ, and herb-roasted chicken for diners seeking something beyond the traditional holiday fare.
Guests will also enjoy an array of sides — stuffing, rice and peas, macaroni and cheese, steamed vegetables, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry sauce — each prepared with the homely comfort Susie’s is renowned for. Dessert is an event in itself, featuring pumpkin pie, apple squares, blueberry squares, and traditional Jamaican fruitcake with pudding, all baked in-house. To complete the experience, each meal is accompanied by complimentary sorrel or lemonade, with sorrel serving as a signature nod to the start of the Jamaican Christmas season.
For Hanna, the balance between Thanksgiving tradition and Jamaican flavour has always felt natural. “We do local dishes every single day, and people love the oxtail and the curried goat,” she explained. “The turkey pairs well with other Jamaican dishes, like oxtail, or even with the gravy from the curried goat, [which] is part of what makes this a true feast.”
Although the island continues to recover from the recent hurricane, Hanna notes that the annual feast is a chance to gather and bond over food in the relaxed, conversational atmosphere of the restaurant. Beyond the food, the celebration is known for its warm, casual, and community-focused ambience. Customers who have dined at Susie’s for years often greet familiar faces across the room, creating a setting that feels more like a family gathering than a restaurant event.
The plaza is decorated for the season, and Christmas music will play throughout the space as a festive reminder that the holidays have officially begun. “We want people to come and enjoy good food in a friendly atmosphere,” Hanna said. “Everyone feels comfortable here.”
Editor's Note: Susie’s 30th Thanksgiving celebration takes place on Thursday, November 27.