Chicago Marathon: Carb up and refuel at favorite Chicago hotspots

Whether you’re running or just watching the Chicago Marathon, these Chicago hotspots are top choices to carb up and refuel for the world class running event.

After months of training, runners are ready for the annual Chicago Marathon. The entire Windy City celebrates this world class running event. Since Chicago is known for its excellent restaurants, it makes sense that restaurants across the city will welcome runners and spectators this weekend. From carb loading meals before the race to refuels after the exhausting run, these Chicago hotspots are celebrating the Chicago Marathon in style.

Chicago Marathon: Carb up and refuel at favorite Chicago hotspots, photo provided by Wagstaff Worldwide

Carb loading means pasta and more pasta

Running a grueling 26.1 miles requires lots of carbs. Luckily several Chicago hotspots will offer delicious pasta specials for the annual Chicago Marathon. From bowls of pasta to even some mouthwatering pizzas, these Chicago Marathon specials will energize runners for the entire race.

Dolce Italian

Located in River North, the Dolce Italian special Marathon menu will feature “including unlimited salad, pasta, and pizza with one beer or non-alcoholic beverage.” For $30, runners and race fans can fuel up on Saturday, October 7 with this special menu. Also, prior to Sunday’s race, runners can stop by the restaurant’s fuel-up station. Starting at 7:30 a.m., runners can find “orange slices, bananas, and Dolce Italian’s house-made Gatorade to restore electrolytes” outside the restaurant on LaSalle Street and Huron.

20 East

Who wants a plain bowl of pasta the night before a marathon? 20 East will serve a flavorful pasta meal for those marathon runners. For $12, the 20 East marathon special is “Linguini con Granchio: luscious linguini pasta coated in spiced tomato sauce with extra virgin olive oil, herbed ricotta cheese, rich king crab, and sweet basil. Even if you aren’t running, this pasta dish sounds like a delicious meal.

Torali Italian

Modern Italian cuisine is highlighted at Torali Italian. The chef-driven Italian menu features several, house mail, fresh pastas. For Chicago Marathon runners or fresh pasta fans, three popular fresh pasta dishes include “3 Cheese Tortelloni with cherry tomatoes, fennel pollen, acqua di Pomodoro and the Garganelli with lamb bolognese, english peas, fiore sardo.” If these cotemporary pasta dishes should keep runners fueled for all 26.1 miles.

The Gwen

From a good night’s sleep before the race to a filling carb-loading meal the night before, The Gwen is helping marathon runners prepare for the big day. On October 7, The Gwen will offer “Fresh Semolina Pasta, Rye Pasta and Butternut Squash Tortelli. Also, the morning of the marathon, The Gwen will have a race refreshment stations with “fresh fruit, granola bars and water.”

Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap

While Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap is known for its world famous chicken wings, the restaurant will offer a carb heavy special in honor of the Chicago Marathon. The Flatbread Mac Daddy combines pizza and pasta in a single dish. The dish features “crispy pizza dough topped with tomato sauce, house made Mac n cheese, local hot link, cheddar and garnished with green onion.” These carbs will keep runners going strong throughout all the Chicago neighborhoods.

Macello Ristorante

Macello Ristorante offers house made pastas and risotto featured on its menu daily. But, for the Chicago Marathon, the restaurant will feature a “special Orecchiette pasta with zucchini and arugula pesto, mushrooms and shaved caciocavallo cheese.” From this special menu item to its other classic favorites, Macello Ristorante is a popular choice during the marathon weekend.

Roanoke

Want more than just pasta? Head to Roanoke for both pizza and pasta specials for marathon weekend. Executive Chef Ryan Kikkert will offers pumpkin ravioli, chicken penne pasta, tagliatelle pasta and marathon pizza. The Marathon pizza features “macaroni and cheese, pepperoni, sausage, bacon and jalapeno.”

Chicago Marathon: Carb up and refuel at favorite Chicago hotspots, photo provided by Wagstaff Worldwide

Post Marathon re-fueling

After finishing the 26.1 mile race through Chicago’s neighborhoods, runners are ready to celebrate their accomplishment. From indulging on a lavish meal to celebrating with a cocktail, the options are many. Kick off those sneakers, put your feet up and relax with these post-marathon restaurant specials.

I|O Godfrey

Runners can celebrate their running accomplish at I|O Godfrey. The gorgeous rooftop restaurant will host a lavish full brunch buffet for the ultimate marathon refueling meal. Also, any marathon runner who shows his marathon bib will receive a free beer with his brunch. After all who doesn’t want a beer after all that running? Lastly, I|O Godfrey will have an engraver at the restaurant who will personalize participant medals. The post-marathon brunch is $39 per person.

The Signature Room

As runner enjoy inspiring views of the city, The Signature Room will offer the extravagant, all-inclusive brunch after the Chicago Marathon. From brunch favorites like Banana Nut Bread French Toast and Brunch Burger to hearty options like chilled seafood and Seared Baby Lamb Chops, marathon runners won’t leave this brunch meal hungry. Don’t worry about the calories. After all that training, a few extra calories won’t make a difference.

Joy District

Craving some delicious Asian fusion after that marathon run? Head to Joy District and receive a 26.2 discount off your meal. Runners showing their marathon bib will receive the mile run discount on menu favorites like “Tuna Poke Cones, Asian BBQ Duck Steamed Buns and Togarashi Seared Tuna.”