MOST sane Aussies have long since given up on railing against “Americanisation” of our culture, deciding instead to sift the good from the bad, but Thanksgiving has hardly blipped on our radar.

Wedged neatly between the lollyfest (sorry, not calling it “candy”) of Halloween and the food coma of Christmas, Thanksgiving began in the US when grateful expat Poms sank to their knees and thanked God for a bountiful crop (they’d relied on food from native Americans when supplies ran out) in 1621.

It then took Abe Lincoln to name the last Thursday in November as the official big day.

So now, naturally, we (or certain restaurants/pubs) in Sydney do Thanksgiving.

Judging by social media, even some Americans and their “folks” based here aren’t aware of where to chow down, so in the name of Roger Ramjet, the Super Bowl, stars and stripes and good old Homer Simpson, we present our guide (with a few fun facts further down) ...

media_camera Pumpkin pie — this one with a meringue topping — is an essential part of Thanksgiving for many Americans. Picture: AP

TGI Fridays

Track down a branch of this American giant (first branch opened in New York City in 1965) for a roast turkey dinner and/or Mom’s Tasting Plate For Two (a sample of traditional apple pie, pecan pie and individual pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream). Kids’ portions also available.

Bridge Street Garage

Turkey, craft beer, cocktails and pecan pie on offer from Wednesday to Saturday this week from 6pm. Executive chef Oscar Gorosito has spared no expense with the traditional fare, so expect to indulge on all the trimmings. The hero dish is a succulent stuffed turkey roulade served with a side of creamy sweet potato mash, cranberry sauce and signature gravy ($26pp). Followed by the American style pecan pie semi-freddo ($15pp). Or experience both courses for a thankful $36pp. 17-19 Bridge Street, Sydney, (02) 9251 9392

Hard Rock Cafe

The Darling Harbour hangout is serving a traditional Thanksgiving menu with roast turkey, honey-glazed leg ham and pumpkin pie. Flash your US passport and get a free cocktail. Thursday. info@hardrockcafe.com.au or call +61 2 9280 0077

media_camera Cauliflower Hotel offers a taste of Thanksgiving that’s easier on the pocket.

Cauliflower Hotel

For Thanksgiving on a budget, head to this Waterloo venue for roast turkey and trimmings for $18 and roast turkey wraps and salad for $12. Thursday to Saturday.

Feather and Bone

Pick up a turkey from this bespoke butcher and create a bespoke Thanksgiving feast and enjoy

over a picnic lunch at one of Sydney’s most scenic spots such as Barangaroo Reserve, Nielsen

Park, McKell Park or Shelley Beach.

media_camera American food — including fancy hot dogs — is never far from the menu at The Soda Factory.

The Soda Factory

Enjoy live music with a group of friends at this Surry Hills premises with a special menu available from 5pm. Choose from a big kahoona burger, royales with cheese or caramel & whiskey shakes. Thursday, 16 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills

media_camera Aromas at the Dove and Olive in Surry Hills will include those of turkey and New York-brewed lager.

Dove & Olive

Celebrate “Turkey Day” at Surry Hills’ Dove & Olive with a special menu including gnocchi al

pumpkin and maple-glazed turkey breast with cranberry orange sauce served with

schooners of Brooklyn Brewery Lager. To Sunday, 156 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills.

Bar Luca

Feast on American-style “dude food” including grilled corn, onion rings, fried chicken wings,

cheese burger and fries at this CBD bolthole.

media_camera American style is never out of fashion at Brooklyn Boy Bagels in Marrickville.

Brooklyn Boy Bagels

It doesn’t have to be about the bird — for a true American-style bagel, baked and boiled the traditional way, drop into this place in Matraville. Choose the bagel flavour and shmear that takes your fancy – Americans love the garlic bagel topped with Bacon, Bourbon & Maple. 448 Bunnerong Road, 7am to 3pm.

Circa 1876

Further afield, this Hunter Valley venue is throwing a decadent American-style feast on Sunday. The traditional four-course menu by executive chef Trent Barrett includes a whole roast turkey carved at the table with candied yams, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and turkey jus. And it can’t be a Thanksgiving celebration without a classic pumpkin pie served with vanilla bean ice cream. Tickets are $95 per adult, $50 per child. Bookings essential: 02 4998 4998 or info@circa1876.com.

media_camera Thanksgiving hunting? Just follow the crowd.

THANKSGIVING: FUN FACTS

■ There are towns called Turkey in Texas and North Carolina and a Turkey Creek in Louisiana.

■ The largest pumpkin pie was baked in Ohio and weighed 916kg, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

■ Cranberry production in the US hit 340 million kilograms in 2010.

■ The woman who worked to make Thanksgiving a national holiday (Sarah Josepha Hale) also wrote Mary Had A Little Lamb.

■ More than 42 million Americans travelled at least 80km (50 miles) over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2010.

Thanks to Destination NSW, www.history.com