Marathon Dining

Hi All,

I am visiting Chicago in a few weeks for the Chicago Marathon. Ordinarily, I'd have had my food itinerary all planned out for months now, but with having to run a marathon and all, my options are limited and much tougher to find. I was hoping to get some suggestions on dining choices that would agree with my restricted pre-marathon diet. My challenge is finding places that are both good and interesting but also serve as good fuel for the run. Here's what I am thinking:

Friday dinner - not too restricted but avoiding heavy (i.e. ribs or steak) or potentially troublesome foods (i.e. raw oysters). My hotel is around the corner from Avec and Blackbird, so I was thinking about walking over but I might prefer something a bit less meat-centric.

Saturday lunch - lean and clean. Maybe a sandwich or a vegetarian meal.

Saturday night - plain ol' pasta. Thinking Cafe Spaggia, but that may be overkill. Just need something tasty and easy to digest.

Sunday brunch - I went to NoMi last year and enjoyed that, but I'd prefer something new this year. Wherever the best brunch buffet in town is, that's where I'd like to be. Post-run, nothing beats seeing an unlimited supply of food.

Will probably do an Italian beef for dinner on Sunday, but suggestions for any or all of these meals would be much appreciated. Thanks for the help.

That time of year again.....

Know that any Italian even worth considering will be nuts and probably full up by now for pre-race dining. Therefore, consider one of the many fine Thai, Viet, Chinese (ie, noodles) or, best, Polish (bland but delicious starch in every bite) places that are documented here. The GNR list is a fine place to start. The big brunches/buffets will be similarly off the charts post race. If you don't have the pierogi pre-race (if you've never had really good, hand-made pierogi, I suggest you do so), then Polish is again a fine option for massive quantites of food.

I think the beef lo mein at Orange Garden would be the perfect pre-marathon food.

I'm not really one for tradition, but my pre- & post-race routine has served me well. I do usually have pasta the night before--not because I really believe in carbo-loading (only believe it partially), but I think it's me being almost superstitious. If I shun pasta, I'm guaranteed to hit a wall at mile 20... Brunch/lunch post race for me must always include french fries, and dinner is sushi or Thai food. Always.

A few ideas for you: Maybe the grilled octopus at Greek Islands for Friday night since you're in the West Loop? Or tapas at Mercat a la Planxa with a view of Grant Park? Or if you're willing to walk and take the el a few stops, maybe dinner at Mado, which technically is meat-centric but doesn't have to be so. I've eaten there pre-race weekends because the food makes me feel good physically. Mana for a vegetarian lunch on Saturday? Their food in general is simple and clean. I think Cafe Spiaggia would be fine for Saturday dinner. I'd suggest also fresh pasta from Mado, but if you're like me, you're not going to want to stray too far from where you'll be sleeping the night before the race. I didn't run last year, but I took a marathon friend to TAC Quick for post-race dinner, which worked out very well. I prefer pierogi post race rather than pre race. Smak Tak would be a wonderful place to celebrate a marathon though it's more of a trek by public transit.

Where will you be visiting from? Knowing that might help people give you more interesting recommendations. I actually have a spot in this year's marathon, but I had some late-summer training conflicts, so I won't be running. Best of luck to you!

Greek Islands
200 S Halsted
Chicago IL 60661
312-782-9855

Mercat a la Planxa
638 Michagan Ave
Chicago IL 60605
312-765-0524

Mado
1647 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago IL 60647
773-342-2340

TAC Quick
3930 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago IL 60613-2935
773-327-5253

Smak Tak
5961 N Elston Ave
Chicago IL 60646-5504
773-763-1123

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am Indian and eat loads of spicy food, but I will probably steer clear of anything remotely spicy (i.e. Asian food) pre-race. You just don't want to end up feeling a burn in your stomach halfway through the race.

I am coming in from Atlanta. Counting this trip, my last three trips to Chicago will have been for something (Lollapalooza x2, marathon) that badly affected my ability to eat where I want. At Lolla, you get out of the show late and so dirty that you can't go anywhere nice. Now I have all the time in the world but have to steer clear of overeating or anything heavy. And the night after the marathon is the night many good restaurants in town are closed. Sucks, otherwise I'd be definitely visiting Publican, L20, and others on this trip.

my pre-marathon meal was home cooking. Post-marathon reward is pizza and fried mushrooms from La Villa with Count Chocula for dessert. Don't you dare judge me.