Where To Carb Load And Fuel Up Over The Chicago Marathon Weekend

As Chicago Marathon weekend approaches, many are already dreaming of the carb-fueled meals they will enjoy as they prepare for the race and the meals they'll indulge in afterwards. See below for where you can take carb load before and/or after the race! 

Amaru

Give a cheers to a good run when you order Amaru’s Holy Water — a flaming shot of rum inside a canoed lime rind tops this cocktail made with house-infused spiced rum, orgeat syrup and lemon and lime juices. To re-up energy, order the house-special Cuban Oxtail with Malanga goat cheese ravioli, Cuban style oxtail stew, charred sweet corn and kale. 

Bar Goa

Bar Goa in River North just launched a brand-new menu. Bar Goa specialities like the Pork Vindaloo Sliders with braised pork and coconut or the Butter Chicken Croquettes in Makhani sauce will take an empty tank and fill it straight to full.

Bloom Plant Based Kitchen

Bloom Plant Based Kitchen is a 100% vegan and gluten-free restaurant located in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Chef Rodolfo Cuadros’ Yuca Gnocchi features toasted yucca gnocchi, celery root puree, mushroom sofrito, kale and shaved cashew pecorino. 

Burrito Beach

With a menu and a build-your-own concept, Burrito Beach’s menu offers include burritos, tacos, bowls, and quesadillas with your choice of meat and veggie fillings.

FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar

Bite into their 2 lb Mega Pretzel with beer cheese and honey mustard or opt for a flatbread fresh out of the kitchen’s wood fired oven. 

Gemini

Nestled in Lincoln Park, diners can choose a variety of offerings from Gemini. Available on Sundays only, Southern Fried Chicken served with a biscuit, mashed potatoes, and homemade hot sauce. Also on the menu, diners can choose from Spinach Tortellini, Crispy Spring Rolls, and more. 

Michael Jordan’s Steak House Chicago

On Saturdays, dig into Spaghetti with Wagyu Meatball and San Marzano Tomato Sauce or a Tuna Poke with Sushi Rice, Seaweed Salad, Diced Tomato, Cucumber and Kimchi for a carb-fueled start to the festivities. Following Sunday’s race, enjoy a special 34 oz Porterhouse with lobster mashed potatoes or Bone-In Filet with Roasted Trumpet Mushrooms and Truffle Butter.

Nonnina

Start the meal off with a charcuterie board featuring cured Italian meats and then transition to Wood Fired Pizzas, Housemade Pastas or any of Nonnina’s Main courses like the Bistecca — a 16oz New York strip served with bone marrow, roasted potatoes, brussel sprouts and roasted garlic sabayon. 

Old Pueblo Cantina

Influenced by Ballyhoo Hospitality’s founder’s childhood in Tucson, diners can select a variety of hearty and warm dishes. Diners can choose from quesadilla, tacos, burritos, and more. 

Petterino’s

Whether it’s their Penne a La Vodka with house-made pork sausage in vodka sauce or a little Spaghetti e Polpette with a meatball, Petterino’s has the carbs needed for that extra mile. Want a little more protein? Check out the Chicken Parmesan with imported buffalo mozzarella, marinara and spaghetti.

Recess

Recess’ comfort food menu offers dishes like Philly Steak Taquitos, a Cuban Sandwich or the Quilted Hog — a giant pig in a blanket featuring a smoked pork sausage, pickled shallots and harissa aioli. 

Soul & Smoke

Chef D’Andre has crafted a menu incorporating his Chicago roots and traditional barbecue techniques. Soul & Smoke offers Meats By the Pound available for pickup and delivery including Smoked Brisket, Rib Tips and Pulled Pork. 

Tabu

The newly-opened restaurant features taco selections like, Korean Sticky Mushroom and Shrimp Po Boys, as well as a riff on Mexican Pizza with adobo beans, spiced ground beef, tomato, white cheddar and enchilada sauce. 

The Dearborn

For Brunch, signature dishes include a brunch-friendly take on The Dearborn’s tavern-style pizza. Also available, Pastry Chef Julianna Westgor’s cinnamon roll monkey bread or the beignets served with Nutella dip and raspberry jam. 

The Smith

Diners can select from a variety of homemade pastas including Rigatoni alla Vodka, Squid Ink Tagliatelle, Ricotta Gnocchi, and more. Additionally, diners can choose The Smith’s skillet roasted Mac & Cheese, Fork + Knife Fried Chicken, and more.

Wood

Wood offers a range of shareable plates on a rotating menu for dinner and Sunday brunch, focusing on peak season locally grown produce, house-butchered meats from responsible Illinois purveyors, housemade charcuterie, and bread from the wood-fired oven. Chef Devin Kreller makes his pasta in-house daily and utilizes leftover ingredients, bones, and cuts of meats for his sauces. Diners can choose from a variety of pasta dishes.

Burger Bar

Located walking distance from the finish line, just less than a mile to be exact, Burger Bar (1150 S. Michigan Ave.) makes everything fresh and in-house. This includes their Powerhouse Veggie Burger as an option for someone to order when looking to refuel those fatigued muscles. Pair your order with some housemade kettle chips, and an ice-cold beer (or water).

Epic Burger

Show your Chicago Marathon medal from October 9 - October 16 and receive a free milkshake (available at all locations). 

Lottie's Pub

For those participating in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9th, show your race ID at Lottie's Pub (1925 W. Cortland St.) and your entire group will be able to receive $2.62 mimosas, along with 26.2% off food.

Frontier

Frontier (1072 N Milwaukee Ave) will be opening their doors early on Sunday, October 9th in celebration of the Chicago Marathon. Frontier’s brunch menu and group menu will available. For inquiries on parties of 8+ guests, please email jen@pioneertaverngroup.com.

Make your reservation today via Tock.

Girl & the Goat

The restaurant will be offering a prix fixe menu, featuring their Everything Crumpets with Cured, Smoked Salmon, Potato Crepes with Vietnamese-style Sausage and lots of other dishes. This experience is $65 per person - beverages will be available for a la carte purchase.

For post-marathon brunchers, show your medal and receive a free cookie, Reservations can be made at Opentable. 

And anyone who shows their Chicago Marathon medal at Sugargoat on  will also receive a free cookie, no purchase necessary.

Mia Francesca's Lakeview

Marathoners can try the Creste de Gallo Alla Vodka e Salissica. The homemade pasta is topped with vodka sauce- a Mia’s staple- fresh basil and mozzarella, with crumbled sausage.  

Mia Francesca's Chestnut 

Steps away from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, this Mia Francesca’s location offers runners a carb-loaded menu to fuel up or refuel during the weekend. The Fettuccine della Nonna features homemade fettuccine and is topped with braised short rib, fresh herbs and parmigiano.

Joe's Imports

In Fulton Market, Joe’s Imports’ offers Joe’s Raviolo, Cacio e Pepe, or the Pappardelle- and Octopus Arancini.

Avli on The Park

From Friday, October 7 through Sunday, October 9, runners may carbo-load with Executive Chef Nikos Kapernaros’ special Autumn Vegetarian Pasta ($25), made with penne pasta, ragu of mushrooms, tomato, herbs, graviera, parmesan and white truffle oil. In addition, the full menu of Greek favorites will be available. Sunday brunch is also available for after the race. Reservations may be made via Tock.

Gene & Georgetti 

Gene & Georgetti has recently begun making all of the pasta in-house and is a spot to carbo-load while visiting the Windy City. Their list of pasta dishes include the Bucatini Carbonara ($22), with imported guanciale, creamy egg and pecorino-romano sauce;  Lumache Cacio e Pepe ($22), with cacio romano and parmigiano cheese and fresh ground pepper; and Pappardelle Bolognese ($22), with housemade wide noodle pasta and sauce. Make a reservations via OpenTable.

Chiya Chai 

Chiya Chai will offer marathon participants a complimentary small chai with purchase of a food item when they mention the code “MarathonChai”. The offer is valid at the Loop location only (79 E. Madison St.) on the day of the marathon. 

Reviver at Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile

The newly-renovated lobby bar and lounge will offer a live, interactive pasta station on Saturday, October 8 before the Chicago Marathon from 7 to 8 p.m.. The customizable station will feature sauces like Kale Pesto, Reviver Marinara and Pecorino Alfredo with assorted vegetable options and bread for $20, with options to add chicken and shrimp for an additional $5. 

Hubbard Inn

Hubbard Inn, will offer a complimentary mimosa during Sunday brunch (11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to any Chicago Marathon participant with purchase of an entree. Reservations may be made online.

Venteux

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on race day, the French brasserie, helmed by Executive Chef Whitney McMorris, is offering runners 20% off their entire meal and their first draft beer on-the-house when they show off their Marathon bib. Reservations are available on their website (https://venteuxchicago.com/reservations) and walk-ins are welcome. 

Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

The restaurant is open from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM to the public and there will also be a special menu for the marathon. There will be music set up music outside of the restaurant, a face painter, and a balloon artist for everyone.