Seinfeld Did Not Have a Special Thanksgiving Episode, But There’s One That Fans Watch Every Year
- 'Seinfeld' may not have a classic Thanksgiving episode, but 'The Mom and Pop Store' is a good choice.
- The show has plenty of food-related episodes like 'The Soup Nazi' and 'The Chinese Restaurant.'
- Plus, other shows like 'Friends' and 'Gossip Girl' offer great Thanksgiving episodes to binge.
When you think of Thanksgiving, you probably think of turkey, family time, and of course—holiday episodes from your favorite TV shows. Shows like Friends and Gilmore Girls have memorable Thanksgiving episodes that fans would look forward to every year.
But what about Seinfeld? Well, if you were hoping for an iconic Seinfeld Thanksgiving special, you might’ve been a little disappointed. Let’s dive in and figure out what Seinfeld really has to offer when it comes to Thanksgiving.
And if you’re still craving more Seinfeld after that, there are plenty of episodes packed with food that are perfect for a Thanksgiving binge. Plus, we’ve rounded up a few Thanksgiving episodes from other popular shows that will make your holiday TV marathon even more fun.
Does Seinfeld Really Have a Thanksgiving Episode?
No, Seinfeld didn’t give us a classic Thanksgiving episode like Friends or The Office. The show didn’t focus on Thanksgiving in the same way other sitcoms did. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth watching.
There is one episode that sort of fits the Thanksgiving theme, and it’s called The Mom and Pop Store. It’s not exactly about Thanksgiving, but it’s probably the closest we’ll get. In this episode, Elaine is trying to help her boss get the chance to hold the famous Woody Woodpecker Balloon at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Meanwhile, Jerry is debating whether he should go to his dentist’s Thanksgiving Eve party, and Kramer does what Kramer does best: he gives Jerry’s sneakers to a local store, leaving him stuck with cowboy boots. And George? Well, he buys a car that might belong to someone famous.
Even though Thanksgiving isn’t the main focus, there’s enough going on to make this a fun episode to watch when you’re in the mood for some holiday humor. So, while it might not be a traditional Thanksgiving episode, fans still watch it around the holidays because of its quirky, Seinfeld charm.
Seinfeld‘s Best Food-Themed Episodes for Thanksgiving Viewing
Seinfeld might not have many Thanksgiving-themed episodes, but it sure knows how to make food a big part of its humor. And let’s be honest, Thanksgiving is all about the food! If you’re planning a Seinfeld binge over the holiday weekend, here are a couple of food-related episodes you definitely need to check out.
First up, there’s The Soup Nazi. This one is a classic. The gang discovers a local soup stand with some of the best soups they’ve ever tasted. But the ordering process is incredibly strict. If you don’t follow the rules, you don’t get any soup.
Elaine gets kicked out for not following the rules, and she’s not happy about it. It’s a funny, fast-paced episode that will have you laughing—and maybe even craving some soup yourself.
Another episode you can’t miss is The Chinese Restaurant. This episode takes place entirely in a Chinese restaurant where the gang is waiting for a table. The whole episode is just about them waiting, watching other people get seated, and dealing with their frustration.
They never actually get a table. It’s one of those typical Seinfeld moments where they turn a completely ordinary situation into something absurd and hilarious. If you’re into the show’s humor, this episode is a must-watch.
And if you want a bit of turkey, there’s The Merv Griffin Show. It’s not about Thanksgiving, but there’s a subplot involving turkey, which makes it a great option for a Thanksgiving binge. It’s a weird, funny episode from the show’s final season that still has all the Seinfeld quirkiness you know and love.
Other Thanksgiving Episodes You Can Stream Now
Okay, so Seinfeld didn’t give us a full-on Thanksgiving special, but don’t worry—there are plenty of other TV shows with awesome Thanksgiving episodes. First, there’s Friends—and you know Friends always delivers when it comes to Thanksgiving.
The episode The One with All the Thanksgivings is a fan favorite. In this episode, Chandler’s past Thanksgiving mishaps come back to haunt him, and the gang has some classic Thanksgiving moments.
From Chandler’s childhood trauma to the infamous knife drop scene, this episode is packed with laughs. If you haven’t seen it yet (or just want to watch it again), it’s available to stream on Max. If you want something with more drama, Gossip Girl’s Thanksgiving episode, Blair Waldorf Must Pie! is perfect.
In this episode, we see a flashback to last year’s Thanksgiving and how Serena and Blair’s friendship has changed over time. It’s emotional and full of juicy drama, which is exactly what you’d expect from Gossip Girl. Stream it on Netflix if you’re in the mood for some drama and a little bit of turkey.
And if you want to laugh and enjoy a bit of slapstick comedy, don’t miss How I Met Your Mother’s Slapsgiving. It’s the first of three Slapsgiving episodes, where Marshall gets to slap Barney as part of a bet. The episode is hilarious, with a side of Thanksgiving chaos. Plus, you’ll get the famous You Just Got Slapped song, which is a fan favorite. You can stream it on Hulu.
Seinfeld is available to watch on Netflix!
