The 43rd running of the Chicago Marathon comes to town on Sunday, Oct. 10, and perhaps nothing is as important as the post-race meal. One must celebrate the runner's achievement and refuel after a grinding trial.
Of course, this doesn't mean you need to suffer for the food. Check out our recommendations for the best spots to chow down after the 26.2-mile sprint!
See also: 4 Festive Fall Recipes from Celebrity Caterer Andrea Correale
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400 N Clark Street, River North / Website
Recommended by several Chicago food blogs, The Smith is perhaps one of the best deals for runners and spectators alike with its famous “Red Sauce Sundays.” The deal includes dinner for two at a flat rate of $45, featuring chicken parmesan, caesar salad, rigatoni alla vodka and parmesan garlic bread, along with two rainbow cookies for dessert. The rest of the menu is not to be missed either, so fuel up at this perfect spot!
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205 N Peoria Street, Fulton Market / Website
No, this isn’t a sandwich stop for your toddler; the initials stand for Pizza, Beer and Jukebox, and it has plenty of all three. The West Loop staple features several special pies, including elote pizza made with Mexican street corn; loaded baked potato 'za, and a burrata and balsamic pie. If you must bring your kids, the tavern does feature a children’s menu for any young marathon-hopefuls, so no need to stress over meals.
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59 W Hubbard Street, River North / Website
This one comes with a deal! Between Oct. 8 and 10, the famous Italian restaurant will make its marathon special of slow roasted chicken ragu, made with bucatini pasta and topped with caramelized fennel, alta cucina tomatoes and fresh oregano. Not a chicken fan? Porcellino’s signature burrata lasagna comes standard, and its garlic bread has earned reviews from around the town. Be sure to order ahead or make a reservation, because this place will be packed come race day!
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2119 S Halsted Street, Pilsen / Website
Of course, not all carbo loading is done with pasta. If you prefer meat for your carbs, check this tavern located right on the marathon route in the Pilsen neighborhood that features some of the best meat pies in the city! In addition to a perfect pre-race meal, spectators of the race can sit for a spell and watch the runners, taking in a perfect day and waiting for their special someone to run by. If you’re not carbo loading, try to fish and chips; they’re almost as good as London’s!
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2300 N Lincoln Street, Lincoln Park / Website
Okay, this one’s not really “carbo loading,” but we wanted to give Min Ami Gabi notice for one of their sweet deals: if a marathon runner in your party shows their medal, the restaurant will take 26.2 percent off the food charge. Not a bad deal from the French bistro! One of the premier french cuisine locations in the region, the roast chicken, duck confit, streak-frites and more are all highly recommended online. Definitely worth the nearly 30-mile jog!
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224 N Michigan Ave, Loop / Website
Another French destination, another great deal: this time, if you show your race bib, you’ll receive 20 percent off for your party of up to six. While Chicago is not known for fantastic oysters, Venteux prides itself on an extensive choice of shellfish, which online reviewers say is plenty fresh and cold. What’s more, the location’s prices at Happy Hour can’t be beat, so that may provide motivation to finish the race in record time.
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145 N Dearborn Street, Loop / Website
This one comes recommended from the Loop itself. An American tavern with leather booths, subway tile and murals of Chicago’s history, this is a chill place to cool down after the lengthy sprint. Those absolutely starving should treat themselves to the Dearborn burger, one of the most popular sliders in the Midwest, as well as a cocktail from the bar. For a true sitdown Chicago experience, there’s not much to beat here.
Photography by: Amirali Mirhashemian / Unsplash
