Sure, everyone loves pumpkin pie, but the old standby dessert may start to feel a bit tired over the years. If it sounds like blasphemy to write off your annual Thanksgiving pie, you’ll quickly forget your guilt once you read about these equally sweet, mouthwatering dessert alternatives.

Cranberry Orange Parfait [foodnetwork.com]
Add a tangy, zesty flavor to your holiday dinner table with mini parfaits that are just as pretty as they are delicious. A combination of heavy cream, rich vanilla, and orange marmalade creates a thick, pudding-like base, while chopped pecans add a bit of flavorful crunch that makes this dessert truly decadent.

Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake [smittenkitchen.com]
If you simply can’t bear to part with your pumpkin dessert, breathe new life into it with a cheesecake base and a bit of bourbon. This cheesecake features a graham cracker crust, pumpkin cheesecake filling, and bourbon-infused sour cream topping that's equally creamy and sweet.

Apple Blueberry Crumble [dinnerwithjulie.com]
For your guests who are die-hard pie fans, this traditional fruit pie topped with a thick, flavorful crumble is the perfect ending to the Thanksgiving meal.

Fig Tart [chezpim.com]
Figs may traditionally be a Christmas treat, but this fig tart is so good that your guests won’t even notice. It only takes five ingredients for the filling and three ingredients for the crust, so it’s also incredibly simple to make.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/elizaraxi

"Everything in this trailer is vegan, but even if you're a meat-eater you'll be happy here," says one Yelp reviewer of Arlo's. The self-described "curb-side kitchen" shirks all processed ingredients in favor of local, non-GMO, organic grub from Texan farmers. And despite the fact that there's not an animal product anywhere to be found in the kitchen, its vegan fare still appeals to all types of eaters thanks to chefs' creative impulses.

Regulars highly recommend the bac'n cheeze burger, which actually features a patty made from soy in-house, topped with seitan bac'n, vegan cheeze, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and the classic tomato, onions, pickles, and lettuce. You can also grab a barbecue burger or chick'n sandwich. Tacos show up on the menu, too, stuffed with either soy or seitan and grilled pico de gallo, chipotle sauce, and lettuce.

Arlo's is parked along Red River Street with an umbrella-shaded, fenced-in outdoor space for eating, so feel free to grab food and stay for a while at the food trailer.

Arlo's
900 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 840-1600
www.arlostruck.com
www.yelp.com/biz/arlos-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr smkybear

While the words “gourmet” and “cookout” aren’t normally used in the same sentence, they are at Jasper’s restaurant in Austin. This uniquely conceptual eatery is stylish and upscale, but its menu of so-called backyard cuisine is anything but pretentious.

Enter the sleek, modern dining room, with its dim lighting and artistic décor, and you’ll be met with a menu filled with Maytag bleu cheese potato chips, Texas gulf crab cakes, and Pimentón Rotisserie Chicken, as well as slow-smoked baby back ribs prepared just like they are in backyards all across Texas. Cast iron sides are the perfect accompaniments, and Jasper’s full bar churns out thoughtful cocktails, craft beers and premium wines to go along with the meal. For a gourmet spin on a taste that’s truly Texan, Jasper’s is one of the very best spots in town!

Reservations can be made online or by calling Jasper’s directly.

Jasper’s
11506 Century Oaks
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 834-4111
www.jaspersaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jaspers-austin-7

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr stu_spivack