Don’t be deceived by the post title, I didn’t run a marathon in Philly.
I hate using the word “chain” when describing restaurants because it tends to carry a certain (low quality) connotation. Marathon is far from fast food, but they do have a few locations in Philadelphia.
You can read more about their urban farming initiative here if you’re so inclined. The menu is seasonal, with some permanent items in the salad section.
As much as I wanted the Vegetable Capellini, we had to embrace the gorgeous weather and sit outside. Meaning I was in the mood for iced tea and a big salad.
Kyle and I did the unimaginable. We ordered the same dish. [Laaaaame]
This is something I never do try to avoid at all costs. If I’m dining with someone else and we want the same thing, I almost always find a way to get a couple of orders to share instead of both ordering the same thing.
The thing about the Moroccan Salmon Salad, was that it sounded absolutely perfect.
It’s so rare that I read an item on the menu and don’t want to tweak it in one way or another, so the fact that I planned on ordering this dish AS IS, spoke volumes.
It had crisp greens, marinated grains, cucumber, green beans, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and a lemon vinaigrette. And it was honestly one of the most delicious salads I’ve had in a long time. I gave Kyle half of my fish, but otherwise I finished the whole thing. The toasted almond slivers and dried cranberries were a beautiful contrast to the lightly marinated couscous. And I was so happy with the ratio of greens to other toppings to dressing.
Well done Marathon.
My dad got the Grilled Vegetable & Grain salad with field greens, asparagus, zucchini, portobello mushrooms, red onion, oven dried tomatoes, marinated couscous, and lemon vinaigrette.
Such creative salads! My mom got a salad too (the daily special with beets, feta & grilled chicken). As did the other two members of our lunch group. Greens for the win.
As an FYI, Marathon also serves a damn fine breakfast so if you’re in the area, give the tofu scramble or home-made organic granola a try.
That salmon salad looks amazing! I love “chains” like that – there need to be more!
I don’t have anything against chain restaurants in general – glad this one doesn’t fulfill the stereotypes!
Both of those salads look AMAZING! I love love finding things on a menu that I don’t want to tweak.. Because I too am totally a menu tweaker!
LOVE Marathon Brunch. What about Continental? Were you able to go there on this trip?
yup. for dinner. been there so many times before, but i couldnt stay away. stephen starr can do no wrong.
Totally agree!!!
Love Marathon! Went there in November after I completed the Philadelphia Marathon! Appropriate for the name and good for post-marathon refueling.
Wow that salad sounds so good! I wish there was a place like this in my area, sounds absolutely amazing. I am always tweaking things on the menu too, so if I find somewhere where I don’t tweak anything that’s a winner.
My favorite part of Marathon was the fro yo, my roommates and I would stop by there for study breaks it was so great. Their shrimp quesadillas were also amazing.
I’m the same way–I hate ordering the same thing as someone else at the table when we go out. That salad does sound pretty perfect though, so it appears that it was worth having a duplicate!
how appropriate!
i didnt realize they had froyo! yum!
yup.
ps congrats lil ms b-hut on your graduation 🙂