I had a great experience and would recommend coming here. I went here for weekend brunch with a group. There was no waiting and we got a table outside on a nice day. The brunch menu had some tempting offerings all at a reasonable price. Everyone in my group enjoyed what they ordered including the burger, blueberry pancakes, and the loaded grilled cheese. The drinks were also reasonably priced and enjoyable. The staff was helpful and stressed the farm fresh ingredients in each of the menu options. I'd go back!
(4)
Nathan B.
I JUST left Marathon on the Square. I wish I could say this review was going to be about the food, but that would have required us receiving our food. We waited over an hour, watching as tables around us received their food. One table ordered 15 minutes after we did and another table SAT DOWN 30 minutes after we ordered our food and received their burgers in a timely fashion. Our waitress was very inattentive and most likely forgot to place our order. If she had been attentive it would have been easy for her to realize that we had not received our food and she could have remedied the situation. Needless to say we will never be returning here.
(1)
Gus M.
Had to give a star to get posted!! Great location & good water - stops there. Omelette made w/ egg beaters & tasteless. Home fries, Turkey sausage and toast all cold. Save your time and $$ - should have gone to Little Pete's!!
(1)
Rachel S.
I've been to every single Marathon and this might be my favorite. Helps that there is a full bar. And cozy outdoor seating as well as a corner spot which allows for lots of indoor window seats. I was there for brunch with a friend...I ordered the lox and bagel platter and she got some kale quinoa shit that I would never have gotten. Great service. They do a good job there's a reason why there's four of them in the city and they been around for so long!
(4)
Kelsey S.
DOG FRIENDLY! We came here to sit outdoors because my friend had her dog with her. The host was very accommodating and we were seated right away on a Sunday at 12:30 without a reservation. The menu had a lot of different options, including some specials which made it tough to decide what I wanted! I ended up getting the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich which came with homefries. It was a pretty standard sandwich. Others in my party got the turkey burger and veggie burger which both looked fantastic, and paired with fresh salads. You can't beat the location and prices either.
(4)
C A.
The food is pretty good here. It is also one of the few places that does not get crowded for brunch. I go to both locations a lot. But, OMG I had the worst waiter last weekend. He wasn't incompetent so much as he was rude. This person was completely out of his element dealing with people- like a vegetarian in a butcher shop or a feminist at a strip club. This person should not be waiting tables. Can't remember his name but it was a perfect onomatopoeia for the tone of his voice- was it Blaine?
(4)
Ashley S.
I think this place deserves its 3 star rating. It's average. I've come here a few times now for brunch and happy hour, and it's a solid choice. I love it in the summer when they have tables outside on 19th street. For brunch, they never seem to have a terrible wait. I think the longest I've waited was 20 min. They have a good amount of lunch options on the brunch menu, which I like. The salmon burger is pretty good, and I love that you can sub a salad for fries on the side for no extra charge. Their happy hour menu is pretty weak. 3 beers for $3, but the Yards was the only decent choice the other day (no thanks, tasteless domestic drafts). They also have $5 cocktails, but the margarita I had the other day was a little too tart for my liking. And the only food they offer are the cheesesteak wontons and fried calamari appetizers, each $5.
(3)
Ant M.
Whenever I want to break the monotony of my dining experiences the atmosphere of this location is always the ticket. Only because of where this restaurant is located does on feel like it is upscale or ritzy but it isn't - At All. This location can get pretty busy as well as the other two location and with the route 17 bus and other cars going by it can seem similar to the 16th St. location but that's fine. The day I was here, it was a beautiful, sunny day which is when I prefer to go here because its always busy in and out. I ordered my favorite, Banana pancakes with bacon and a tall glass of milk. This always hits the spot and I like the carbs it gives me to go use up after several hours prior to a working out. The servers here are very pleasant and attentive. At least when I'm there they, are. Not all of the staff have gotten the memo to be kind, pleasant and attentive however but I think they have their picks on who to be this required way with or not but it should be across the board that they show professional courtesy to everyone that comes through those glass doors.
(3)
Erin W.
A lot can change in 4+ years. Namely, my feelings towards this place. Oh, Marathon! You reliable, loveable old stand-by, you. I'm so happy I gave it another shot after that lone disastrous experience back in 2010, because I'm happy to admit now I was wrong. I feel like I'm here at least once or twice a month these days, sliding in during happy hour ($5 margaritas!) when the fridge at home is bare and we're feeling lazy. Breakfast all day, good drinks, good vibes, and you can always get a table --a rarity in this pocket of the city. Last night I had the Control Freak make-your-own salad, and the sheer amount of goat cheese they give you (so, so, so much goat cheese) solidified it for me: I love Marathon!
(5)
Alexa S.
I've lived in Rittenhouse the entirety of my Philly experience and Marathon is a staple. A HUGE plus - they have a dry Rose on the wine menu, very tough to find. Too lazy to make dinner and I'm in need of quality take-out? Marathon...My parents are in town and someone is a picky eater? Marathon. It's a beautiful day and I'm in need for a post-mass bloody mary outside? Uh, you guessed it, Marathon. Their salads are fail-safe (add the chicken or salmon and you will not be disappointed) and when you're feeling less healthy, opt for the bolognese, the burger or the club sandwich with sweet potato (or regular) fries. Simply fresh and unpretentious food served by a friendly service staff in a comfortable setting fit for any occasion. A few of my favorite (Mar Brunch: Smoked Salmon Scramble, loaded with salmon, capers, spinach, white onions and tomatoes. I get the fresh fruit (sub strawberries) or spinach on the side. Marathon's steamed spinach is amazing, truly, I hate spinach but it's so good here - trust me (unless you're not a fan of garlic). Lunch: Baby Kale & Quinoa Salad: Add Moroccan Chicken - it's topped with tons of grilled veggies (asparagus, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, roasted tomatoes) and has a light lemon vinaigrette. Less healthy: Turkey Club with the basil aioli and sweet potato fries, so good. Dinner: Blackened Chicken Quesadilla or add blackened chicken to the Marathon Caesar salad. Pasta Bolognese if you're craving a good quality pasta dish.
(4)
Lysa P.
I've sent back one meal in 42 years. I would have done it tonight, but the kids were there and time couldn't drag on. Marathon on the Square should be woefully ashamed. My meal was virtually uneaten. The roasted chicken was overcooked, the broccoli undercooked, and the potatoes were dry. My daughter even thought the hamburger was bad (when does a kid say that?). I brought this to the waitress's and manager Rory's attention twice EACH. Rory apologized but eagerly noted that several other dishes were served without complaint. The check arrived. And, yes, the inedible entree was there. Shame on them. Worst meal in over a decade. And, yes, I'm still hungry.
(1)
Alicia R.
I am obsessed with this place. Every time I get the Moroccan salmon salad and french fries as an appetizer and it's delicious. The service can be a little off when they are busy, but usually they are very friendly and I love the indoor/outdoor feel.
(5)
Josh H.
Full disclosure: I only come here during the week for an early dinner, so I cannot really vouch for the waiting time at other points, but I have always been immediately seated, from 5:30 until 6:30pm. That said, a nice cold pint of Yards Pale Ale for $3 and one of the most tantalizing burgers in Center City for $11 and change is a pretty good deal. Service is friendly, and they have seating outside (on 19th Street).
(4)
B R.
Don't bring your family or kids here. The place was empty and they gave us a hard time about having our kids here. Stay away.
(1)
Lea T.
Marathon is the standard in Center City Philly. With a location at 19 & Market, 16 & Sansom, or 19 & Spruce. Of the three this is my favorite location for a meal because although it is the smallest of the three it features black and crystal chandelier and it's a major plus that is in a very residential area and usually least crowded. All three locations offer the same menu with food and drink specials daily. I enjoy always bringing guests to Marathon since the prices are reasonable and the menu has a great variety for either brunch, lunch, or dinner. For brunch I cannot resist the Breakfast Quesadilla, Cheesesteak Omelet, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pancakes, or Breakfast Burrito. For lunch or dinner try the Matzoh Ball Soup, Cheesesteak Wontons, or Vegetarian Chili to start. Some of my favorite entrees include the Ginger Soy Salmon, Blackened Chicken Quesadilla, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, or Moroccan Salmon Salad. For dessert or to accompany your meal they also offer "Adult Milkshakes."
(4)
Keli M.
I have always loved Marathon. They have a wide selection, and the good is reasonably priced. When I lived in Philly, it was always a place that I took guests from out of town because everyone can find something on their menu. My most recent visit was after flying in. I had some errands to run in the Rittenhouse area. I was hungry after traveling, so Marathon was a great option. I love this location because I used to live in the neighborhood. It has a more intimate feel, and everyone is friendly. They even let me leave my luggage behind the hostess stand. We had the calamari for an appetizer, and then a turkey burger with a garden salad. I chose the lemon vinaigrette dressing, which was really good. The calamari was lightly breaded, and came with a delicious sauce which was a little spicy. As for the Turkey Burger, it was flavorful, on a multi grain bun, and big! It comes with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and onion. Delicious. I heart you Marathon!
(5)
Emily C.
Awesome salads that aren't too expensive!
(5)
Dan K.
Delicious. Came here on a Saturday around 11:30 and were seated immediately. Our server came over quickly (almost too quickly) and took our order. I had one of the brunch specials which was eggs, ham, cheddar and avocado on a pretzel croissant. It was delicious. Everything was perfectly done and presented. My SO had a waffle with fresh fruit which was also quite good. We each had one of their smoothies which were hands down some of the best. All in all a fantastic and very reasonably priced brunch. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Kelly W.
Marathon is great because it's pretty consistent and there is something for everyone on the menu. - Cheesesteak wontons are fantastic-- definitely a favorite - Turkey Burger is good-- the burger itself isn't anything spectacular but I love the fig jam, apples, and smoked gouda! Can't wait for the rad outdoor seating to be back!
(4)
John H.
This place is great!!! Food is fresh and decent....and always great portions. Marathon is a chain of restaurants in Philly and the menu is always reasonably innovative. I've been coming to this place near Rittenhouse Square for years and the whole staff is always fantastic, accommodating and super friendly!! PLUS the happy hour prices are outstanding with great quality wines and beers for good prices! Good go to place for a decent and not so decadent expensive meal....and casual! #WinWIN
(4)
Danan R.
Absolutely fantastic management and team with great prices and solid food. We had a table of 20+ and the manager was able to seat us all, even with last minute additions. Everyone was happy with the food, especially the Marathon burgers and the turkey platters. The veggie burger was a hit as well. If you are in the mood for the 1/2 rotisserie chicken, get here early as they ran out by 8 pm tonight. The service was great and it's a good option for a group dinner.
(4)
Jason K.
Marathon on the Square is okay. Just okay. Dining is casual and food is predictable. It is inexpensive and I think you can safely expect the meal to be what you pay for. The service, though, is generally on the weak side, even at times when the dining room does not appear to be too busy. Waiting for seemingly uncomplicated things like drink refills or the check can take a curiously longer amount of time than anticipated. It's a safe, inexpensive restaurant, but I would not recommend it if prompt service is required for your dining experience.
(2)
Arin S.
I love Marathon. The brunch is incredible and I haven't found a better salad for a casual lunch. Everything is always fresh and I can almost always be seated quickly. I also love that they have outdoor seating. Basically just an all-around solid restaurant.
(4)
Clayton F.
Food is ok, but wait time can be dreadful and underestimated by servers on weekends. Nail in coffin was waiting 45 minutes to be seated after being told it would be a short wait. Since we were trying to catch a train, after the delay we had to change our order to "to go". After waiting another 45 minutes for a salad & burger we were finally given the food, apologized to for the delay, and offered a free desert as recompense. We politely declined, as we didn't want to wait another 45 minutes for the "free desert" and miss our train. Did not enjoy being strung along with the various wait times, and as a result never plan on eating @ marathon again.
(1)
Debbie A.
Overall a very pleasant experience. We went for brunch and I got the ham and pepper omelette which was cheesy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. My fiance got the marathon breakfast with the banana pancakes. The pancakes had a little crisp to them which we found very nice. The service was good, the coffee was fresh, and the price was great. Great option for brunch. I look forward to trying lunch and dinner. Edit 04/07/14 - I am giving this place an extra star. I've been here several times now for lunch and dinner and its always great. I highly recommend the Moroccan meatballs, meatloaf, turkey burger, and chicken pot pie.
(5)
Amy B.
My friend and I came here tonight and after her praise of Marathon, I was dying to try it. Tonight we ate at a table near the window and we had a lovely time. The chicken noodle soup was very good and I ordered a turkey burger with a side of fries which was excellent! In fact, both items were so filling that I took the burger home! I am very pleased, I will definitely be back! The waiter was very kind, attentive and helpful and the ambiance was very nice, relaxing except for the upbeat music. I will be back!
(5)
Alex B.
This place is an all around solid and great restaurant. Great location, nice ambiance, modern decor, good vibe, outdoor seating. The food is delicious and consistent and very fairly priced. The cocktails are some of the best in town although they are a little on the small side. My wife loves the "adult milkshakes." Tonight, I had the chicken noodle soup which was obviously homemade but nothing too special and the chicken quesadillas which were really good. My wife LOVED her Moroccan Salmon Salad! The salmon was perfectly cooked and had a delicious cinnamon rub. She switched out the greens for kale and was very pleased. I've had burgers here before as well as some of their specials and was always satisfied. Definitely recommend this place for solid, delicious, fairly priced (if a little unimagined) food.
(4)
Ron H.
This has become a hung-over Sunday tradition for us. Despite being busy, we're always seated quickly, the staff is always friendly and the waiters attentive. The staff also seem to know the menu well and can recommend food based on what you're craving. The spinach smoothie is actually really good, try it. Pancakes are a little on the dense side, but that's an observation, not a complaint. Omelettes are quite large and paired with the potatoes and bread, make a pretty big meal. The waffle has a great flavor to it, but it's a little too dense for my taste. Sandwiches are a great size with a very good combination of sauces and quality ingredients. It really tastes like they're prepping it all themselves from scratch in the back and not buying presliced meats like so many other places. Mixed drinks are well made, although if you're just here for mimosa's and bloody mary's, there's plenty of better places to go. Hint: you can double park on the right side outfront on Sundays since this is where the church crowd gets permission to park.
(4)
Kristen M.
Solid dining experience. Plenty of tables available at 10am on a Saturday. Brunch, I had a Marathon Burger while dining partner has Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough pancakes. Priced right, service was solid. Excited to come back for drinks and sit outside when the weather gets nice.
(3)
Lauren C.
This place is great! I come here somewhat frequently depending on my craving for breakfast. My boyfriend and I arrived on Saturday AM around noon and sat right down. We were given a cup of hot, strong coffee and mulled over the menu. We ended up splitting a chocolate chip cookie dough pancake. He got the swiss and spinach omelette, and I got the breakfast quesedilla. Everything thru and thru was delicious. The food came out quick, hot, and with everything we need. I would have liked to see a bit more cookie dough presence in the pancakes, but maybe that's my inner child that just wants to eat cookies for breakfast. The quesedilla was also amazing. I love that they don't skimp on the cheese! Service was generally good. I reached the bottom of my cup of coffee a few times, but generally, i found the service enjoyable. The only strange thing was when i asked for a to-go box, i was brought a tiny little thing. I had to literally squish 2 pieces of quesedilla and potatos in there... and cram the box closed. I heated them up this morning in the toaster oven though and man were they good!
(4)
Rachel C.
Well. This was my second time here. I must say, I had a far better experience the first time. Sadly, maybe this place has gone downhill or just had an off day? We'll never know. What I do know is that my meal was just mediocre, at best. I was super excited for a Bloody Mary in my slightly hungover state. That's such a good cure, right? I was told I didn't need to ask for it spicy because they make it "very" horseradish-y. But to me, if you put too much horseradish in, it's a goner. Quite frankly, it's downright gross. I took one sip and knew there weren't going to be any more sips. It was not drinkable in my opinion. Strike One. Strike Two would be the service in general. Our waitress definitely seemed annoyed. Annoyed at us, annoyed at her job... annoyed at life perhaps? One will never know, but have ya ever heard of "fake it til you make it?" That's what you've gotta do to make the bucks, in my opinion (and it my experience!). Strike Three was the food. It was pretty bland to be honest. I ordered the swiss and mushroom omelet with hash browns and toast. Just very blah, no seasoning. I had to dump on some salt and pepper and still nothing. The best thing on the plate was the whole wheat toast, I swear! Pretty bummed after a good meal a while back. Hopefully they'll rebound someday!
(2)
Lia B.
Went here for breakfast after the gym today. This location is super loud but I feel like marathon is a good little chain that I can appreciate. They have their own marathon farm in brewery town which seems cool and anytime I've been here the staff has been excellent. Note the tofu scramble has butter unless you ask for it I be vegan I really appreciate all the vegan options at such a classically typical establishment.
(4)
Brandy H.
My husband and I made a long weekend trip to Philly during the first full weekend of September. We dined at many restaurants during our stay, most of which were recommended by friends who live in the area, and also by google/yelp research. We were recommended to eat at a place called Tria, so we actually dined there a couple of hours before we went to Marathon. We wanted to walk around and get a drink/find a new place and boy did we luck out! After easily finding a nice spot at the bar, we ordered a drink and the husband ordered a sundae for dessert. As we looked over the menu, we quickly regretted not eating at Marathon for dinner! The food looked and smelled amazing and our bartender, Cait, was probably the loveliest, funniest, nicest person we had encountered in Philly thus far. She made our two drinks wonderfully, strong, fresh and flavorful. We chatted about many things and stayed until well after the sun had set. Since we had already eaten, I decided I wanted a side (or two) of sauteed spinach, which was cooked perfectly. We would have liked to eat more, but it being our last night in the city, we had run out of time. When we visit Philadelphia again, this will most definitely be our first stop for food. I am shocked that this was not one of the places that the friend had suggested, but it was one of our favorite places of the trip.
(4)
Amanda S.
Okay .. the ONLY REASON this place is getting 3 STARS from me is because the food was delicious. Everything else was a disaster. Everything started okay. I came here with my sister, my mom, and my son who sat in a highchair. The gentleman in the front got us situated at our table and he kindly offered to take my stroller and store it in the front of the restaurant and out of our way. He was great. Our waitress was not. Man I wish I remembered her name. I need to do a better job at getting the name. She was condescending and with a "I don't feel like being here" attitude from the beginning. If you don't want to be a waitress, then don't be one. Do us all a favor, for real. She was unhelpful with the menu and unapologetic about items that were not available. She basically took our order and never came back. This place serves drinks in smaller then usual glasses, which is fine as long as the waitress comes back to fill them up as needed. We sat without drinks for about 85% of the meal. She was also no where to be found. This place is NOT that big. If your not seen on the floor in such a small place, then your probably not doing a good job. Finally she came back with our order. Before she left I asked her to bring back a extra small plate, so I could give some food to my son. I would prefer he didn't eat off the table, you know? Well that literally never happened. Since I was waiting for her to come back so I could eat, I was paying extra attention to where she was. And she was behind the bar with her back to me chatting with the bartender. Then she was over by the waitress station chatting with someone else. Then she disappeared into the kitchen. WOW. My sister ended up going to the waitress station herself and getting the plate I had waited long enough for. As she picked up the plate, the waitress of the year came out and said "Oh, I was just coming to bring this to you!". Yeah, no thanks. The Salmon Burger, the Turkey & Grain Burger, the Grilled Chic Cobb salad, and the fries were excellent. Well done on the kitchen's end. I might not remember a name but I will always remember a face. When I go back to enjoy the good food this place has to offer and I see my favorite girl at the head of my table, I will kindly ask her to give our table to someone else who can do a better job serving us.
(3)
Jessica S.
Marathon is a decent neighborhood spot offering standard breakfast and lunch fare at moderate prices. There is nothing that blows me away about their food, or anything else for that matter, but also nothing that stops me from coming back when I'm in the mood for a sandwich and a beer, or brunch when I don't feel like waiting in forever-long lines elsewhere in the city. This Marathon location is always pretty busy during brunch, but never such that you will be waiting for longer than 10-15 minutes in my experiences. The service is decent, relatively quick seeing as how busy they usually are, and mostly friendly. Haven't really had a bad experience with service here. Food is mediocre. Nothing I'm raving about, really, exception being the matzoh ball soup. They do a build your own salad for the control freaks out there. Their breakfast menu is pretty decent and you'll get a large portion. Prices, eh... kinda expensive for the quality of food you're getting, but it is center city. It's not outrageous. Only bug complain on price is for their drinks. A mimosa should never cost $7 at a place like this unless they are using real/good Champagne. They're not.
(3)
Tom I.
Despite being so close to where we live, Marathon Grill went unreasonably unnoticed by us until more recently. We went once about a year ago when an out of town guest wanted to have a cheese steak. We opted to avoid the trite options of Pat's, Geno's or Jim's and decided to keep things closer to home and try Marathon's take. We really enjoyed the grass-fed beef, the onions and peppers, and their own cheese sauce. I've spent most of my life trying to avoid food that involves the word "whiz," so I appreciated this homemade touch. Although we really enjoyed our lunch there, we didn't go back for several months. Our visits since have all been for brunch and we had success with those meals as well. We've enjoyed options from the menu like their whole wheat banana almond pancakes and their breakfast quesadilla. We've also liked some of their specials, such as their pumpkin pancakes and their breakfast burrito. If we were in the mood for a boozy brunch, we've taken advantage of their beer list specializing in local beers like Yards, Troegs, Sly Fox and Victory. Since moving to Philadelphia, we're grown to appreciate how many of our meals originate locally, so we love that Marathon has their own farm and attempts to get whatever they don't grow from other local farms.
(4)
Alex P.
What to do for lunch on a cold Sunday afternoon ...A bowl of Matzoh Ball soup hits the spot... Light broth and plenty of floating chicken... Then we shared a cheeseburger platter (split on two plates and served by the cutest little waitress) Home made fries done to perfection... A perfect lunch at a reasonable price...
(4)
Geoff And Jenni G.
We just had salads here and they were pretty average in our opinion (nothing exciting). The wine list was extremely good and we had an excellent Sauvignon Blanc for a good price. Looks more of a breakfast place though... they seemed to have some good/organic smoothies as well as other interesting brekky options, so may be worth a try for breakfast instead...
(3)
Tyler L.
I feel like I shouldn't review this place because I have been there like 20 times (like don't date a girl you work with, etc.)...probably once a week (usually saturday mornings) for like three months running. So obviously it is a good breakfast spot. I also realize there are some places I have rated three stars that are better than Marathon on the Square (btw this is only for Marathon on the Square I don't really like the other one's all that much), and I have a Yelp rep to uphold. Anyways...as breakfasts go, this place gets the job done...not as good as Parc, not as annoying as Green Eggs, better food than Day by Day, and more convenient that Ant's Pants. The veggie chili is delicious and the people are always nice. Sitting outside on a nice day always brings with it great people watching. It is also definitely the best of the Marathon's. Lunch and dinner are also good; it is a good neighborhood spot (not expensive, good food, nice people). I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a sophisticated dinner. Shout out to our girl Bobby who is awesome and seems to inevitable wait on us everytime.
(3)
Ryan H.
Good service. I'll give them that. On a Friday night, they got all the food out for our party of 12 at the same time so they get an extra star. But the food was two stars. I had the crispy buffalo chicken sandwich, which was neither crispy nor sufficiently buffalo, but was a chicken patty. I was expecting something like fried chicken on a bun. Not so. The flavor wasn't all there either. My wife's salad was meh. But there's one guy working there who looks like Charlie from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, so it has that going for it.
(3)
Catherine K.
I was at first inclined to give Marathon a 4 because it feels like 5s should be reserved for extremely exceptional places - but I couldn't really think of a significant con to this restaurant short of "it's not an extremely exceptional place." So I guess this is more a 4.5, rounded up. General pros: - Prices are very reasonable - Service has always been stellar and friendly for me. We live close by, so we've eaten here repeatedly, both inside and outside, and also at the bar. Waiters/bartenders are prompt, as is the food. - The outdoor seating is particularly nice - not a bad view, comfortable seats, and ample room. Great for those with pets! - It's open late and they do takeout Food: The food has never disappointed me here, but there are definitely some things that are just average (though again, never bad or subpar). There are also some really unique and yummy things on the menu - the cheesesteak wontons are delicious, and served with cheese and a twist of sriracha (go during happy hour to get these on the cheap!). The matzah ball soup is great, a great variation/alternative to chicken noodle. And the apple pie a la mode (while not all that unique) might actually be the best apple pie I've ever had: the perfect blend of flaky crust and caramel cinnamon apples served warm. Portions are generous but not overwhelming. The local/fresh food is a neat little bonus - always a good thing to support. Overall, it's no michelin star gourmet dining experience, but it's comparably inexpensive for the quality/amount that you get, and it's a convenient, comfortable, reliable place.
(5)
Holly T.
Marathon is one of those places we hardly ever go, despite walking by often, but when we do, we're always surprised at how good it is. For a long time, I was skeptical about going because from the outside it looks so corporate and chainy. We decided to give it a shot when we read about their Philly cheesesteak made with grass-fed beef on a Sarcone's roll, which sounded intriguing. Not only was it a very good sandwich, but we really had no idea they featured so much locally sourced food, much of it coming from their own farm. We ended up leaving rather impressed. The next time we went was for brunch, and a fair amount of time had passed since we were there last. It ended up being a big surprise all over again, with us thinking, "we really need to come here more often." Tom got whole wheat pancakes with bananas and almonds, and I got a breakfast burrito, which was a special that day. Most breakfast burritos in Philly are bland and disappointing in my book, so I tend to avoid them, but I took a chance on this one and it was actually pretty good. Could have been spicier, despite the chorizo, jalapeño, pepperjack cheese, and salsa, but it wasn't boring, and I quite enjoyed it. Beverages are solid all around. They have good coffee (locally roasted Chestnut Hill), a good selection of local beers on draft, a decent wine list, and interesting cocktails. Between food and drink, there is something for everyone here. I'll have to remember it as a good place to bring visitors. And although there are SO many choices in the neighborhood, I really need to move this up on my short list.
(4)
Aran T.
Good food. Poor service. We went on a weekend for brunch. They told us the wait would be only 15 minutes. After 30 minutes of standing there in a packed room, I asked the hostess for another estimate. She again told me 15 minutes wait! I was a bit upset but we waited anyway. The food was pretty good but not good enough to endure the frustration and annoyance of it all. The service was also quite poor once we had sat down. We had to ask for a glass of water three times before it finally arrived. Will I give it another shot? Not sure.
(2)
Sean A.
A classic. Food is always great here. Best brunch spot. Can be a bit noisy. Best outdoor dining in Rittenhouse. South 19th does not get much traffic as compared to sitting at second and market and getting choked by Septa bus fumes. Be prepared to wait on weekend mornings - however the full bar can help you pass the time. Its worth the wait.
(4)
Steve W.
Went here for breakfast today (Saturday), arrived early 8:20am and was the only person here. Pretty light volume here at least early, only 2 other tables taken by the time I left. Had the bacon, Swiss, and tomato omelet. Very good. The bacon was nice and thick. Came with bread and potatoes, which were good. Nice fresh slabs of butter for the bread. The part that seemed out of place was the cheap 2 cent Kraft jellies for the toast. Given the attention to how everything looked on the plate and the presentation of the butter, a first year culinary student would have put some high end or homemade jam in a small serving dish to go with it to finish the setting. At the very least spend and extra quarter for Knotts Berry farm jam or something similar. Service was very good.
(4)
Rebekah H.
Sad. We thought we'd found a gem, menu looked great, prices seemed fair, the decor was cute, and they sat us right away. But at 11AM on a Sunday morning, they ran out of home fries. If I hadn't ordered eggs, toast and home fries, it wouldn't have been a big deal to me at all, but for my meal, it's a vital ingredient. We were told at first it'd only be 5-10 minutes, so I said, yes I'll just wait. Then, minutes later, the server came back and said it'd be 20 minutes at least. We had somewhere to be, and we'd already waited about 20 minutes, so I asked can I change my order (to something else where the home fries are not so pivotal). He said yes of course, no big deal. So I ordered a breakfast sandwich with a side of spinach instead. Well, you'd not guess what happen. We were served, yes, and within probably 20 minutes, but.... the time that they spent preparing my food and/or waiting for me to pick something else, they let my sister's food sit. IT SAT. It sat IN THE WINDOW for 20 minutes at least. And they served it to her like she wouldn't notice. The potatoes were not warm, not hot, not even lukewarm, They were cold. They were probably the end of the potatoes he said they'd run out of at least 20 minutes prior by the time we were served. WTF. Marathon, I ask you, WTF. Well, we paid full price and still tipped 20% because we figured, it's not really the server's fault. Who does the ordering? 11AM on a Sunday, you run out of home fries? Who does the preparing? You don't realize that if you run out of a important ingredient, you need to account for that in your timing while preparing the rest of the food (FOR THE WHOLE TABLE)? And what kind of manager thinks it's okay to hustle food to a table when it's been sitting in the window for 20 minutes? I guess where the server went wrong was that he didn't think we'd notice and we definitely did. What a giant let-down and a waste of a Sunday morning brunch. We could have gone to nearby diner, paid half the price and been more satisfied. Shall never return, and never recommend to anyone else.
(2)
I Love P.
I recommend this place. It is a good location. Right off the square. Parking is a bit tough. The service is just ok. But the food is very good. I like the options for a vegetarian. Also one of the best brunch places I know. Not so good for big parties. Try it. You will like it.
(4)
Jacqueline L.
I came to Marathon On the Square for Sunday Brunch with friends. We were celebrating an engagement so our spirits were high to begin with. The place itself is clean and open, even with the dark walls and black chandeliers (which I was a fan of). The brunch menu was tasty, typical, but tasty. I opted for the breakfast burrito. It was HUGE. It had the typical fixings, but was satisfying overall. Bloody Marys were yummy. I think the only downfall was that the waitress spilled a drink and broke a glass right over one of the guests seats and instead of removing a meal, or drink from the bill, just acted like it didn't happen. That rubbed us the wrong way a little bit, but the meal was "A-OK".
(3)
Margo K.
I'm a lover of Marathon. Have been since I moved to Philadelphia. I made my first visit to this particular Marathon on a Thursday slightly before noon (we were hungry!). They have cozy outdoor seating and the atmosphere is breezy and light, inside or out, in the warmer months. This is probably my new favorite Marathon location. My mother enjoyed the Center City sandwich and I had one of my Marathon favorites, the 'Old School' Chicken Salad sandwich. This has whole grain mustard. Enough said. The service was quick and attentive. Didn't quite expect local beer (a Victory Summer Love) to be $6, but that's okay. You can always count on Marathon to please - whether you're doing brunch, lunch, dinner, with old friends, family, or out-of-towners. It's savvy, simple, and delightful.
(4)
August T.
Hostess Has a Responsibility I was in Philadelphia for just a few days and came upon this gem. The menu has lots of healthy diverse options at reasonable prices. Wine selection good and also at moderate prices. Location just on the edge of the park at Rittenhouse Square. So what's with the title? It's a drag to be seated and not get waited on! I don't believe it intentional but rather I was at the "unclaimed" server table but duh, the hostess is too busy chit-chatting to realize that the person she seated 20 minutes ago hasn't received a glass of water and duh, the person she sat after her is sipping a glass of wine. I watched this unfold and finally flagged down the woman who was hostess - there was actually a change in command in the window that I had arrived. Other than that the server was great and I ate there two evenings in a row.
(4)
Junior M.
Excellent all categories! Enough said!!!!!
(5)
Lindsay H.
What I like about Marathon is that I always know what to expect. The food is always decent, the service is always good and I rarely need to worry about too much of wait. They always have a nice selection of items to choose from on the menu with some daily specials. Sure, the menu barely changes ever but that leaves no room for surprises and I'm ok with that.
(3)
Meagan M.
Sat at the bar for drinks. I was treated like dirt. Service was horrible. Never going back.
(1)
Greg K.
This is our go to neighborhood place for a close, convenient breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I have never had a bad experience or a bad meal here, and I've been there more times than I remember. My only complaint is they are extremely stingy with their ketchup. They bring it in a tiny metal cup that is usually about a 1/3 full. Just bring me the bottle please:). The prices are very reasonable for the neighborhood. I recommend it.
(4)
Sarah F.
Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!
(3)
Stephen R.
This place is kind of like Così, only slightly better. The menu has a lot on it - perhaps too much. When I sat down to eat, it took me forever to decide what to eat because the menu is slightly confused. I like diversity on a menu, but here, it's definitely too much. The prices aren't bad. Again, it's like Così, only a little more. One of the best parts is that it's open relatively late. If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive bite to eat in the area, this is a fairly reliable option.
(3)
Alie A.
Somehow this has recently become my go-to weeknight wine and calamari bar. It's more than a typical sports bar in the fact you feel a bit more elegant, yet perfect to grab a good meal and wine and watch the game. Service is great and you'll tend to notice there is your local crowd stopping in for some warmth and a good dinner on their trudge home from a long day's work.
(4)
Fima M.
I love to support farm to table efforts, so generally those get 4-5 stars from me. I see this becoming a not thrilling but good option when I want a less meat-guilt-inducing cheesesteak (grass fed!). Service was also excellent - the waitress immediately rectified a slightly errant order and was very pleasant.
(4)
Matt V.
Food was good. Nothing to wow you or be amazed by. Service was friendly and attentive. Would I go back, sure!
(3)
raquel s.
Absolutely never again. Marathon has made it into my repeat restaurant category somehow BUT never again after today. I drove across the city for a nice lunch and got EVERYTHING but that. This includes, aggravation, wasted time, wasted money, and NO LUNCH. In fact, I didn't get to eat at all today because of their ridiculously slow service. After being there for 40 minutes, FORTY minutes, we got our SOUP. I mentioned twice I was starving and even asked if she could bring the soup while I decided what I wanted for my entree. I could go on and on, but really, there is no excuse for an absolutely empty restaurant to have this level of negligent service to their customers. But, then I remembered things like this happening before. On an empty, rainy afternoon, I requested no barbecue sauce on my Marathon burger-- twenty minutes later-- my burger was presented to me with sauce and not cooked well enough. I had to get up, go inside, and ask for my food to be wrapped to go because I had to go to work. TEN minutes after that, they started, slow as molasses to do it. Of course, the cap wasn't secured on my dressing, which they put on top of my salad. So when I got home to grab a bite or two on my way out the door, there was the most disgusting tasting vinaigrette all over my salad. The buffalo chicken sandwich my boyfriend had was as equally disgusting. It reminded me of something where people take items that don't belong together and just throw them together to be fancy and you're supposed to like it or you're not trendy enough. Well, sorry Marathon, the "baguette" was stale. And you can't make a good sandwich on a stale roll. EVERYONE knows that!
(1)
Jenny M.
Upon first seeing this place, I was nervous to go in. My friend and I were getting drunk, and definitely were not dressed very nice after a day of traveling to get to Philadelphia. However, the power of alcohol won and we stopped in. I think it was near closing time but not so close that we were those jerks who roll into a place right as they're closing. We sat at the bar and ordered fancy drinks. The bartenders were hilarious, friendly and basically totally cool. Did not regret making the choice to stop in here on our way to the next place!
(4)
Christopher L.
Went over to this local diner where we had been many times before for breakfast last week about 10 am. We were happy and in a good mood for the holidays. Hostess rudely asks us "do we have a reservation?" and then tells us thirty to forty minute wait despite many empty tables. Please! Reservations in a diner? Forget the good mood after we met that woman. We left. Won't be back. Would give you all the same advice. Many good places in center city no need to waste your time at this one. If you are requiring reservations either say so or else make a first come first served policy, which in my experience (we live two blocks away) it had always been.
(1)
Josh G.
I've been here twice--once for dinner, and once for brunch. Brunch was phenomenal, while dinner was slightly above average American pub fare. I appreciate Marathon's lack of attitude despite its proximity to Rittenhouse. The food is simple, honest, and fresh; the service is friendly; and the price is fair. Marathon is a very solid neighborhood joint--nothing less, nothing more.
(4)
Candice B.
I've been to other Marathons at some point, and have experienced everything from good to awesome. My boyfriend and I were wandering around on Sunday and decided to pop into this particular one for brunch. We were immediately seated outside and moments later greeted by a friendly server who brought us coffee and took our order. Boyfriend ordered some fancy french toast. I ordered a basic breakfast of eggs, bacon, homefries, and toast. If you think it's impossible to mess up a basic breakfast, let me introduce you to Marathon on the Square. What came to me was a pile of firmly-cooked scrambled eggs in a puddle of grease, a couple of pieces of potato in a pool of grease, and a few pieces of soggy bacon in a pond of grease. If the sun were brightly shining, I'm pretty sure I would have been blinded by glare. I'm not exactly a picky diner, and I can count on one hand how many times I've sent something back to the kitchen. I grew up in Jersey diners, so I've had my share of greasy breakfasts. This mess was just inedible. Our server offered to bring me a new plate of food, but I just requested it be taken away and off the bill. He did both, though offered no apology - it wasn't his fault, but it would have been a nice touch. I will not be back to this Marathon.
(1)
Daniel b.
I ordered the ceasar salad w/ blackened chicken and the leaves were mostly white (not green) with a few rotten leaves mixed in. This was a take - out order and you can tell by the quality of this very simple dish that they have deplorable attention to what leaves their establishment. Let me tell you folks. I understand that mistakes are made. But the worst part about this experience was the managers nonchalant attitude on the phone. First he was making excuses about the lettuce and then he said "Usually we ask people to bring the order back". Really? Like I'm lying? It wouldn't be a problem (I live next door) if I didn't lose my appetite and wanted something else, but I didn't. Then he had the audacity to tell us that they would take "half" off. As if I was "half" pleased with the rotten lettuce in my $12 salad. The funny part, if there is one, is that we told him we'd bring it back because we only live 4 doors down. Suddenly he changed his tone and offered a full refund. So it's Ok to screw people who live far away but not your immediate neighbors. I would feel so privileged if it weren't so F'd up for everyone else . Now I know why they're called Marathon. You should run as far as you can from this place. Now please excuse me while I eat this entire roll of Tums. P.S. I'm posting the pictures of the salad.
(1)
Steve K.
I was really surprised to see all the negative reviews. I've been to this location several times and twice to the one on 16th street. My experience has always been very good. The menu has plenty to choose from and its mostly local and natural ingredients which is important to me. The matzoh ball soup is excellent, as well as the fries. The sandwiches, salads and breakfast options are solid as well. The interior is pretty cool and the service is always friendly and competent. I'm not gonna go 5 stars b/c its on the expensive side for what you get, but when you consider the natural ingredients, I don't think its unreasonable either.
(4)
Fred G.
I sat at the counter today (a Sunday early afternoon). As a single, it was easy to get a seat. I ordered coffee, banana pancakes and a site of bacon ($14.63 total). Now the details. The coffee was just OK. I guess they need to appeal to everyone's coffee taste buds. My question is, why don't they brew a light and bold brew to make everyone happy? The pancakes were a bit too overdone, had limited taste and were hard. The bananas were buried in so that you can only see them if you turned over the pancake. The syrup was basic. They probably bulk buy a generic brand. I wish Cafe Estelle was in Rittenhouse...world's best pancakes!
(3)
Peter B.
Marathon serves a decent, efficient breakfast. Three of us went in on a Saturday morning and 45 minutes later we walked out having enjoyed to omeletes and a breakfast quesadilla. All the food was fresh and done well. The presentation was nothing to write home- nor complain- about and both the coffee and ice coffee were satisfying. The total price tag (including tip) was $45 which seems somewhat high for three fairly basic morning meals, but it was not unexpected. I'd go back to Marathon for breakfast and will give it a shot for lunch on a return trip to Philly.
(4)
Erin S.
I live a few blocks from here and I've been here twice now. The first time I went for dinner on a weeknight and it was basically empty. We were seated right away (obviously) but then no server came over for almost 20 minutes. People seated after us were greeted, given water, etc and we were ignored. Finally someone I was with got up and asked the hostess where our waiter was and someone came over a few minutes later. Not sure what was happening there. We shares the hummus plate, which was excellent. All of us got a sandwich of some kind and were happy with them. The second time I went for brunch on a Saturday. There were 5 of us and we waited about 40 minutes for a table. The hostesses were really nice and kept coming outside to give us updates. Once we were seated, the service was not great again. Our waitress forgot two drink orders and my boyfriend had to ask for a coffee three times. The food was good (two of us had omelettes, one a salad, two sandwiches), but took quite a while to come out. In our waitresses defense it was really busy and she was running around like crazy. I've heard so many people talk about such great experiences here, so I'm hoping my two trips were exceptions to their usual service. I'll most likely go back again.
(2)
Chris V.
Good place for some good food. Service was friendly and helpful. Three stars because didn't really have that oomph for four or holy-mother-of-peanut-butter! for five.
(3)
Amy J.
Great prices, great atmoshphere and good American food.
(4)
Carrie C.
While I still have yet to try the food here, my friends and I all love coming here after a long day at work and unwinding with their drinks menu. There is something here for everyone, and we especially like sampling drinks from the "Refresh Yourself" and "Marathon Concoctions." So far, my absolute favorite has been their watermelon lemonade (which they were out of last time...sad...), which is the perfect balance of sour/tangy with a bit of watermelon sweetness at the end. I prefer this over their usual lemonade, which is nothing to write home about, but is refreshing nonetheless. My friends have also tried the white grape martini, ginger soda, and the raspberry cocktail, all of which they loved. My friend who tried the limeade found it far too sour to be pleasant, but still tasty. The service is always friendly, and they don't mind a large group of us just sitting, chatting, and ordering drinks sometimes for a couple hours. The ambiance is very bright, relaxing, and serves as a great place to gather with friends and relax.
(4)
Louis D.
Just went for brunch this morning. Overall, pretty satisfied with the meal, but there were a couple low points: 1. Our waitress was a little out of touch. She forgot our side order of bacon (for the best in the end, as we were really full - so large portions are a plus!). We also used a google offer of $8 for $16 with free soup, and she had to redo the check twice after she forgot to do the discount and then forgot about the soup. 2. The food was mostly pretty good. Manhatten clam chowder was decent, and served in a heaping bowl. Not amazing though. Banana Brioche french toast was excellent. Cheesesteak was fine, definitely nothing special. Looking back, this review did not need numbered points, as there were only 2. Oh well. I'd go back, especially for brunch, but I'm not dying to.
(3)
John G.
The food is always good, the specials are a good value, and the staff is very nice. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Ei J.
Marathon is of my repeat restaurant category, because of its location. It is popular, and the food is good. But the menu seems never changes.
(3)
Kelly M.
I love Marathon because of the fresh selection and healthy options although get the chicken pot pie when its on special because it is oh so good. The servers are not great, the basic skills are lacking like remembering all items ordered and doing so correctly, slow on refills of drinks including top shelf which always boggles my mind. Also, last time we ate there I had to tell this guy to please stop mopping with bleach while I was eating! For crying out loud, I got nauseous and had a headache when I left. No common sense by any of the staff.
(4)
Carol K.
Oh how this place has fallen from what it once was. Stopped by for an early dinner after not having been here for a few years. (I used to live down the block and was a regular here for a long time.) The decor is cute, the menu is more casual than it used to be, but still looked interesting. We were seated and served promptly. Because it was early, there were only two other tables seated, so we expected to be in and out quickly. And then we waited. And waited. Drinks ran dry. Plates were cleaned. And still we waited. And waited some more. It was a solid hour since our food had been brought and no one even glanced at our table, let alone came over to check if the food was OK, if we needed more drinks, etc. Finally, I went up to the bartender and asked if she could please find someone, anyone who could give us our check so we could leave. She ended up doing it. Ten minutes AFTER that, our waiter came over and cleared the plates without a word. No apology, no attempt at explaining what happened. Just grabbed our plates and the check and walked away. The food was fine -- but nothing to write home about. So unless you want mediocre food and an exercise in zen mediation while you ponder the nature of time and the meaning of life, avoid. There are much better ways to spend your time and your money all over this neighborhood.
(1)
Mark H.
Exceptional service; exceptional food! Thank you for another wonderful lunch and a great experience.
(5)
Steve P.
Stopped in midday for a drink on a hot afternoon. The whole place was quiet and empty. After all it was around 2ish on a Tuesday. The specials board was done up with chalk and looked very arty. The bar was clean and the bartender regaled me with stories on how she was on a reality TV show a few years ago. All in all, it was alright, I can't attest to their food quality or service since I did not order anything, but for a quick stop to grab a couple beers, it worked out well.
(3)
Andrea T.
We were hankering for margaritas as per usual. These were the color of a margarita but tasted like well toilet water...no toilet water tastes better.... We sent them back. We went home. The waiter told us the goofy way they make them. Sorry marathon, just go buy some mixer. Oy!
(1)
Adam W.
I get take-out from here very frequently. I normally get the sandwiches, all of which are very reasonably priced and excellent. My favorite sandwiches are the Sirloin Burger and BBQ Pork sandwich. They're admittedly very close to the stuff at Village Whiskey, and very good. In short, the food is solid, the place looks good, but Philly has enough "Wow" places that Marathon on the Square gets 4 stars, not 5.
(4)
G D.
Good brunch selection, nice bloody mary, generally agreeable staff. Be prepared for a wait on weekends.
(4)
Jennifer L.
Decent place for breakfast/brunch. Have been here a few times and the food was always good. Went this past weekend and still agree. Had 2 eggs over medium, cooked perfectly. Potatoes were good, although some were still a little hard. Also ordered a side of banana pancakes and they were almost inedible unfortunately. They were so thick and dense that I though I was eating bread. Plus it looked like they were only cooked on one side...and that one side was burnt. The more burnt pancake was discreetly hidden on the bottom. The other side of both pancakes was still semi-raw. Sad! Good strong coffee though, and friendly service.
(3)
Lizette S.
I went for brunch today for the first time. I ordered a fresh squeezed OJ and pancakes. I got the OJ, took a giant gulp and realized that there were two lipstick marks on the other side of the glass (I don't wear makeup). Gross! I called the waitress over and she said "that's gross!," too then proceeded to get me another glass. Needless to say, my appetite quickly left me. I was disappointed when the waitress did not offer to comp the OJ or actually apologize. Never going back!
(1)
Stephanie B.
The service was slow and bad. Our waitress, Francesca, was also rude. She took 15 minutes to bring our drinks. I asked for the dressing on my salad (thought this would make it easier than on the side) and ended up with no dressing on the salad. I had to eat half of the salad without dressing because she didn't come back to the table for so long. When she did, I asked for the dressing twice before I got it. My father-in-law ordered salmon with his salad and it was served without salmon. Francesca rudely told him that was because he ordered it without salmon. And, my husband overheard her telling another table that she would be happy when we left. Rude and unprofessional. We won't go back.
(1)
Sheri H.
Marathon almost always hits the spot for me, for any meal, whether I am hanging out with locals or out-of-towners. They are very veggie friendly and their servers are routinely perceptive, patient, and sweet. Unfortunately, their hours can be inconsistent, possible based on who is watching? Also, oddly, they don't serve Yuengling.
(4)
Gabrielle W.
I'll make this short and sweet. Pros - none Cons- where to begin 1. took waitress 15 minutes to get 3 bloody marys because she forgot about them (I saw the look of panic when she looked at our table and was like "oh shit! they ordered $30.00 of cocktails and all my incompetent ass had to do was ring it in and walk them over and I didn't even remember to do that") ..there were only 2 tables in the restaurant 2. My server brought out my burger which was well done, I asked for medium rare so I had them remake it. This was after the fact that it took 25 minutes to make 3 sandwiches one of which was wrong. These numbers are not good folks. I did not get an apology and didn't see server again until next burger was brought out (which i saw sit in the window for about 5 minutes). It wasn't even the correct burger and there was no side of fries. I was going to have them remake my second burger but lost my mind and told them to cancel the order. After the second attempt at a simple cheeseburger I still did not receive an apology from the inept server/ some type of manager come out to say sorry..I employ a bunch of dumb asses. Moral of the story: Never setting foot in there again!
(1)
Nancy M.
The food is kind of boring, the ingredients don't stand out for freshness and so I always come away feeling "meh". Bar service is very good.
(2)
Jay M.
Cya, Marathon. We were in for the last time this past Sunday for brunch. It was a disaster. Had to flag down a server to place our order. Tables around us were being delivered incorrect orders. I sent you an email and you didn't even have the decency to reply to it. Never again.
(1)
Matthew C.
Spent about 20 minutes waiting to get a seat which really isn't that bad, if your waitress isn't lacking brain cells. Our first problem happened when she couldn't answer any questions. We asked how much a drink was and she actually had to guess. When my grandmother ordered a burger she had no idea what to do when it came out wrong. Besides the incompetent waitress, the food wasn't that terrible. The service was fast an the other waiters and waitress seemed friendly. One even took time to say hello to a baby who seemed very happy to see someone. So, if your looking for a friendly place to eat that's friendly, this is the place. Just avoid Zia.
(2)
Isaac T.
Consistent and decent dinner
(3)
Christine B.
I definitely like this Marathon better than the now defunct Marathon on Penn's campus. They have a real focus on local produce, and meat. I typically only go for lunch with co-workers. Everyone loves the chicken salad sandwich, but I usually try to get something off the specials menu. It's a nice option for the Rittenhouse area, decent food, and a little cheaper than Devon or Parc.
(3)
Catherine H.
My favorite item was the cheese steak roll appetizer. Cheese steak ingredients in a deep-fried roll. The real cheese steak entree looks a bit aggressive..didn't try any as it was a dining companion's dish. Whatever I got as an entree wasn't memorable, because I can't even remember what I ordered. Nice place for a summery dinner.
(3)
Robyn H.
The salmon burger was a bit dry for my taste. The "Marathons" used to be my favorite restaurants in Philly, but they have fallen off considerably. The last time my bf and I went to this location, the place was completely empty except for us. I think it was 8:00 on a Friday or Saturday, so that was strange. I prefer Marathon for breakfast/brunch. They get a little lazy with their lunch and dinner.
(2)
Kevin C.
As someone who has had many memorable late evening dinners here with my fiancee and our friends I could think of no better place to grab a casual and moderately priced brunch with my family when they came to town for my birthday. Sure, there are better brunch places in the same area but we were really in the mood for something simple and good and up to this point I had always been able to rely on Marathon for just that, simple and delicious food with great service. Unfortunately our experience during this visit was not as good (read: terrible) and had I not enjoyed my prior visits so much I probably wouldn't go back. After being seated we were given our menus and immediately asked if we had any questions about the specials being offered, but when we asked how much the specialty mimosas were our waitress actually stated that she didn't know and that "if she had to guess" she would say somewhere between $5 and $7. Seriously, you can't even go find out the price you just "had to guess"? Not cool. When it came time to place our food orders my mother asked what the other bread options were for the club sandwich (since she isn't a fan of sourdough) and the waitress proceeded to name off a variety of rolls and baguettes, but none that could be used to make a club. After it was pointed out that a club sandwich needs flat/sliced breads to work the waitress responded by saying "I don't know what you want me to do, that's all we have". This would have been fine had it been the truth, but the table next to us had heaping stacks of whole wheat toast and when we asked if it was indeed wheat bread the waitress retorted, "It sure looks like it, doesn't it?". Thinking the worst was behind us we received our delicious looking food and eagerly attacked it like a pack of starving wolves only to discover that this too was a giant disappointment. My mothers club still had sourdough, my grandmothers medium rare burger was so over cooked it was crumbling, and my breakfast sandwich had literally one bite of meat on it. While my mother and I decided against sending ours back due to our hunger my grandmother asked if they could redo her burger and the waitress responded that she could try to get her manager to have the kitchen do another one but couldn't promise anything. Eventually a new burger was brought out except this time it was entirely raw, like it legitimately was still pink on the top and completely uncooked on the insides. Thankfully the burger was taken off the final bill, but even this didn't make up for the fact that after leaving we had to take my grandmother somewhere else to eat since she wasn't able to eat anything the entire time we were there. As I said before, because of my prior great experiences I'm definitely going to stop in again sometime in the near future and give them another shot, but if the experience is the same as my last visit I will never be back and their rating will be changed accordingly.
(3)
John H.
I just came in to redeem my groupon that expired on Dec 1st. I am flying to Los Angeles tonight and did not have time to dine in. The fine print on the groupon required that I did. I spoke to the hostess about my situation and she said she thought she could help. Then a second waitress with her back to me whispered to the first girl that it was a no go. I asked if they could make an exception given my circumstances. The girl with her back to me again whispered to not let me have my way. I asked to speak to the manager and reiterated my case. He told me that it was my fault for leaving the groupon to the last minute and that he would not budge and give me takeout. The end result is he left a potential customer pissed off and someone who will never again dine in their establishment. Terrible customer service for a very minor issue.
(1)
Keysha T.
The burger was great and I'm not even a big meat fan. I asked for medium rare and they didn't burn it. The salads are tasty, breakfasts too. The wait staff is friendly and the African bread man is nice to look at. I go to this place because it is close to my job and not as busy as the other Marathon restaurants. It's fairly priced, clean, and you can eat outside if you like. This place is just an American-cuisine spot that is not too showy yet is still part of a chain--so don't expect the most fantastic experience of your life. But it's a good place to come to for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, and even come with a bar. Right in your neighborhood...if you live in Rittenhouse, that is.
(4)
R.E. B.
I had dinner here on a Friday night with my friend. We came in for a quick dinner and drinks. The service was very good. After reading the Yelp reviews I was not sure what to expect. It looked like they were training servers and were really working on improving their service. The food was good as well. My friend had a chicken sandwich and I ordered a salad, the fries where great. I would definitely come back here again if I am in the area.
(5)
Nate S.
I went there for lunch and was impressed. The portions are generous, the service was attentive, and the food was really good! I would recommend this place to anyone!
(4)
Vincent J.
This is my local comfort food place. Truly the best of the Marathons that remain. Great for breakfast, brunch or dinner when you don't feel like cooking and just want eat a good meal.
(4)
jaimie k.
The food is consistently good here. Nothing super-great or fancy or overly amazing or even that original, but consistently GOOD, all the time. All day breakfast, yummy eggs and pancakes, giant giant giant salads that you can, like at all the mg locations, mix and match with whatever you like. And consistently interesting enough specials. Also, soup. MMM. Matzo ball soup. MMM. And the manager, Renee is the sweetest person in history.
(4)
alexis g.
Thirty seven dollars and an hour or so later, my companion sighed and said, "well, next time I have this idea all you have to say is 'meatloaf sandwich,' and I'll remember this day and we'll go somewhere else." Yes... because while a chipotle meatloaf sandwich topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms and served with hand-cut french fries sounds fantastic, it's a cold slap of reality when said meatloaf sandwich arrives: a thin slice of pale "meatloaf" on top of a piece of generic white bread, topped with a handful of mushrooms and onions that have indeed been cooked (though "caramelized" clearly has a different definition in the Marathon dictionary than it does in mine) and doused with some kind of scarily artificially red sauce, accompanied by a sad pile of anemic french fries. My breakfast quesadilla fared no better, though I think the turkey sausage that obviously journeyed straight from the freezer to my plate was the final nail in the coffin. On the plus side, we were eating outside with our dog, who gives absolutely RAVE reviews to the soggy meatloaf sandwich remnants (and the generic frozen turkey sausage for that matter). Also, the coffee was hot and generous and the little pitcher of cream that came with was adorable so.. yay?
(2)
Tracie P.
oh marathon. i eat here fairly often as it's 1) open late; 2) close to my place; and 3) one of the few places to get soup. and yet... the food is mediocre on average. some things are really good -- the soups, the burger is pretty solid, the cobb. but where marathon fails, it fails hard. things like the calamari, which attempts to be upscale when it should just be good, and the southwest salad, which i can honestly say was one of the worst salads i've ever had. mots bills itself as organic and farm-fresh and all that, but it should really ditch the gimmick in favor of better tasting end product.
(3)
Elizabeth S.
I went here Saturday night and was very pleasantly surprised. My last Marathon experience was over a year ago at the location on 16th (or 17th) and Sansom...and it was awful! I ordered gazpacho, which was very refreshing and flavorful and the chicken breast for dinner. The chicken was amazing. It was bone-in and had perfectly crunchy skin. It was served over polenta, and surrounding the polenta was a sort of chicken gravy with more chicken pieces (I think dark meat) and lima beans. This may not sound that appetizing, but it was absolutely delicious. I have renewed faith in Marathon, at least that location. I did see that someone had an experience with a rude waiter, but the waiter I had was awesome. Very attentive and checked on us multiple times to make sure everything was okay. A good experience all around.
(4)
A G.
I came here for brunch and ate at the bar on a weekend to Philly for my friends wedding. The bartender made an AMAZING Bloody Mary! Staff was very friendly and accommodating. It was a great vibe, good menu and my omelette was pretty good. Highly recommend.
(4)
Joy G.
We enjoyed it here. We popped in for an early dinner before going to the ballet and it was a perfect little spot for us to grab a quiet bite to eat on a Saturday afternoon. Atmosphere was nice, our waitress was pleasant, no loud blaring music, our food came out promptly and very hot, wasn't too expensive. My husband ordered the salmon and I ordered the vegetable cappellini. I will say this - if somebody that works at Marathon sees this - please bring a spoon with your cappellini. I felt ridiculous trying to eat it without one, and had to wait for the waitress to come back so I could ask for one. Honestly - not a big deal, I just think its a little funny that I looked like I was cutting spaghetti for my 4 year old cousin for a little while. We'll be back here in the future!
(4)
Brittany M.
This place is a good standby. Nothing is particularly excellent, but the food is consistently good. Their Cobb salad is my favorite, but they have a good variety that you can usually find something you're in the mood for. The location is great and they have a nice outdoor seating. Their happy hour specials are pretty decent, too.
(3)
Carrie E.
Last night Alicia and I were tearing up the town, running from one place to another and realized "oh crap, we really need to eat!" Lo and behold, we looked up and there, right in front of our eyes, was Marathon. Taking it as a sign from the universe, we went inside and were seated right away, despite the fact that we were dressed like we were straight outta 1986 (we were going for a theme...). The menu choices were vast and since I can't ever make a decision, I went with the first thing that caught my eye: Garlic mashed potatoes. And they were delicious. Like, ridiculously delicious. That and a Golden Monkey beer made me very happy, as did the music (Joy Division? Oh yeah!). Our meal fortified us enough to run off to our next destination and got us through the rest of our wacky night out. (Bonus points for the gorgeous menu cover with an illustration of Tinkerbell...not really sure what the story is there but it was quite lovely). Damn, now I can't stop thinking about those garlic mashed potatoes. I think I would have licked the bowl if it were socially acceptable!
(4)
Boris M.
Listen. I eat beef salmon potato Frenched fries ketchup eggs and Caesar salad thus weekend WR the marathon after Boris run the marathon! Boris has the trouble with running. My knee start to hurt and I fall in ground screaming. Peoples no help Boris they yell "Move old man!!@" A fat kid kick Boris when he run by. I eat at the marathon and I order the marathon for the delivery. I eat too much and drink vodka and go to sleep very happy yes!
(4)
Anthony J.
Service was slow and not attentive, food was less than par and the beer selection was lacking. Went for a good dinner received an inedible meal half cooked and over seasoned. Not a good meal
(2)
Sarah C.
I used to eat here five days a week. Really. For years... and I wasn't sick of it. The servers knew what I wanted without asking (even special requests). They brought my soda to the table the first time they came. Again, the just knew. The food always came quickly and it was always right... and always good. MOTS is a block from my office and I could reliably get in and out in less than an hour. It was predictable. One day during the summer everything changed. Everything was still reliable. Reliably unpredictable. Sometimes I wait for 10-15 minutes just for a soda and the opportunity to order. More than once, I waited for an hour for lunch (a salad). Sometimes it took 10-15 minutes to get my check. Soup was cold. Food was wrong. I stopped going. Every so often I go back... just to see if maybe things are better. No luck yet. I can walk 5 blocks further, have lunch nearly anywhere else, and be back in the office more quickly. Every so often I want one of my old favorites on the MOTS menu. So... I try it again. It just hasn't been totally right since. I still really like the Center City Salad... and the Vegetarian Chili... but it's not the same. Disappointing.
(3)
Caroline C.
I liked eating here though I didn't actually enjoy my meal. The eggs Benedict's holladaise sauce was just not quite on the mark, the potatoes were equally eh. Coffee was tasty. We all shared an order of the chocolate chip cookie dough pancakes...which were...well...surprisingly, creepily satisfying...gluttony. Seriously though, the eggs benedict looked great but tasted forgettable.
(3)
Frank R.
I've eaten lunch at MOTS at least 100 times, and had dinner there a bunch. It's a very good restaurant (I've tried most things.) A few of my lunch faves: The grilled Cubano sandwich, spicy chicken quesidilla, and the Center City salad. They also have great service. They are very, very attentive and greet us when we arrive. It's one of my real faves in the city.
(4)
Chris W.
This one is just a pleasant place to grab comfort food and drinks. The interior is cool and comfortable, the lighting is chill and the food is better than average. Quality ingredients are used and the waitstaff is young and friendly. Their cocktails are money. I'm giving it 4 stars for pretty good food, and value. I'm not an expert but their Motzoh Ball soup was hearty and damn good.
(4)
Lori H.
I don't usually eat at Marathon outside of breakfast/brunch (great blueberry pancakes BTW). But in a pinch, on my way home from work, I got the Rittenhouse salad and butternut squash soup to take home for dinner one night. O. M. G. The soup was freakin amazing! At one point, (and I'm ashamed to say this) I was calling on a daily basis asking if they had the squash soup. Ridic.
(4)
Martha M.
I have tried every Marathon location many times and Marathon on the Square is consistently better than the rest. Better selection than the other Marathons, the food is always hot (when it's supposed to be) and fresh, waitstaff always accommodating of special requests. The ambiance is much nicer too. Just be sure you don't get seated too close to either the front door or the air conditioning vent! I have eaten here hundreds of times over the years and have enjoyed virtually every meal. It is also the "go to" place when out-of-towners visit. Repeat visitors always ask to go back. There are a number of long-time waitstaff, but every so often a new waiter pops up. Also don't judge the food by how well it keeps when carrying out or getting delivery. Definitely an excellent choice for brunch, lunch, and dinner! The pros: varied and tasty menu, breakfast avail all day, doesn't break the bank The cons: can get pretty packed for sat and sun brunch
(4)
Z J.
I lived around the corner for a couple of years and was a regular customer, although it has lowered my enjoyment of the regular Marathon Grill spots thanks to its ever so slightly different (and superior) menu. Everything I have had is good, with special nods to the matzo ball soup, turkey salad, and gigantic enough for two chicken breast. the brunch is excellent, and apparently there are good happy hour deals though Ive never really been there for drinks. beat the table squeeze by ordering takeout, perfect for sitting in the park
(5)
Jess D.
Met a friend for Sunday brunch here and had a great meal. I enjoyed the crispy chicken and sesame salad while he enjoyed the burger. We were both very happy with how flavorful our food was. We also enjoyed the mimosas which I would highly recommend. They had a great variety of flavors of mimosas the day we were there-- he had the grapefruit mimosa while I had the mango mimosa. I will definitely go back there again and possibly try any of their sister restaurants in the future.
(4)
Rick P.
GREAT food and service ! AND PRICES ! Normal cost for an expensive neighborhood (Rittenhouse Square).
(4)
William H.
Good food, but crazy that their catering van driver is criminally aggressive a block and a half from the restaurant. Would think they might realize they are trying to kill their own prospective customers.
(1)
Gayle B.
I went here with my cousin, she was born and raised in Philly and knew right where to go, when I said I wanted to go for breakfast. Everyone at the hotel where I was staying raved about Marathon. I loved the ambiance. It was a bit awkward when we first walked in, because no one greeted us and we had to chase someone down to put our name on a list for breakfast/brunch. The wait was short and we were seated at a cute window seat. The tables were a bit close together, but I was really happy with my meal and our service. Breakfast is my favorite and I loved the twists on normal fare. I would definitely come back here again when I visit Philly. The price was affordable and the food was good, portions were excellent.
(4)
Carlie N.
Bottom Line: Yes, it's a chain but it produces a damn good brunch. Friendly staff, simple decor. I've only been here for brunch, but the Eggs Benedict was perfection. It was accompanied by a side of chunky potatoes (parading as home fries) seasoned with something delicious. I was particularly fond of the funky chandeliers and the entertaining people-watching.
(4)
Jen H.
the food is good but the manager leslie or lisa or something? is a flat out bitch. i have never seen someone be so rude to their customers or staff. i think shes racist because she seemed to pick on this black waitress. do NOT eat there if there is a blonde lady working!
(1)
James C.
I was looking for somewhere for a Friday night and not being organised enough to book anything, I wandered around for a few minutes and stumbled upon this place. It was fairly quiet which is usually not a great indicator of a place but it worked out for the best. Service was good not pushy. I had a burger which was well cooked pretty tasty and not too expensive. My dining partner had a Salmon Nicoise salad which was the size of a house - more a full dinner than a subtle salad. All in all a reasonable tasty experience. Not fine dining but a pretty decent place to stumble upon. There menus were a little tatty and not up to date when it came to the beers on offer. I'd get a burger there again
(3)
Jesse R.
I've been to this Marathon a number of times and I'm still a fan. The menu is pretty diverse - many different meat, fish and veggie items, both full entrees and also sandwich platters. On my last visit, I enjoyed the pumpkin chive soup and the salmon burger (like a crab cake style, not a whole cut of fish - but very good!) The service is not the friendliest, but they get the job done efficiently and the manager also makes sure everything is up to par which is a nice touch in any restaurant. It has kind of a dimly lit appearance, so I would recommend MOTS for a more romantic dinner, or an intimate meet up with friends. The bar area is more well lit and has some TV screens if you want a more chill place to watch the game. I think the portions are just right - not wastefully generous, but not slim pickin's either, and the price, as well, is not too expensive for such a posh location.
(4)
Rina R.
I really like Marathon on the Square. It's a fabulous place for lunch or dinner, and they have a nice selection of food and booze. I came here for lunch in the later afternoon, and it was pretty empty. I'm not sure what the service would be like if it were more crowded, but we had a very prompt and attentive waitress that seemed like she would be just as good with ten full tables as she was with two. I had the Marathon Salad, and my friend had the grilled chicken cobb salad. Both were excellent, and they make all their dressings from scratch, with I think is a huge bonus. We also had a side of fries, which were delicious. I had a jasmine tea with my meal, and it was also excellent. For dessert, we tried their Philadelphia Cheesecake, which was really good. I think Marathon is a great place to go in Rittenhouse for excellent food at a reasonable price. I will definitely be returning.
(4)
Robyn M.
I love Marathon because the food is consistently good without breaking the bank. I ended up there twice last week out of a desire to sit outside in the beautiful weather. I'm not sure what was going on with the waitstaff, but the service was incredibly slow on both occasions. My friend and I sat outside on Friday afternoon for lunch and the service was so slow that we were both late getting back to work. Really late. I ordered a Cobb salad and she ordered the BBQ pork sandwich and service took forever. When we were done it was twenty minutes before the waitress brought the check and then she disappeared again with my credit card. I went back with my boyfriend for brunch over the weekend and it was halfway through our meal that we finally got ice water. Refills on coffee and iced tea were slow as anything and again it took forever to get and pay the bill. I always tip 20%, but this repeat incident made me drop down to 18%. Anyway, I will go back for the consistently good (and reasonable) menu, but I really hope that they resolve this issue!
(3)
Geoffrey R.
I lived across the street from Marathon on the Square for 2 years and went here often. Consistent with other Marathon locations strewn about center city, there's a wide variety of menu items mainly that appear to be your typical diner fare with a twist. Despite the variety and consistently good service, this place just never really blew me away. I guess it seemed like everything was about $3-$6 overpriced and the items rarely came out as good as they appeared to be when viewed on the menu. All told, you won't be disappointed too much here.
(3)
elizabeth t.
I always thought of Marathon as an upscale neighborhood diner which I frequented and enjoyed. Now, with the new Menu, new fancy plates, high prices and servers asking you 10 times during your meal if it is okay, I am no longer a fan. Every item on the menu that I enjoyed is gone. When I attempted twice to try things from the new menu, it was so poorly prepared it was inedible. They had a Brunch item called Breakfast Bread baked on the premises. It was sliced bought bread (and they were out of the cinammin cream cheese touted as the side) for $6 - are you kidding? I could get a full basket of fresh baked bread for free at Parc. I will not be returning.
(1)
Meredith C.
Such a disappointment. I've eaten at the Marathon at 40th and Walnut a few times (always good food and service, though a bit overpriced) and was expecting a similar experience here. Unfortunately, I am not even able to review the food because the service was so awful that my guests and I left before we even ordered. We were seated right away and provided menus; on a Saturday evening the place was surprisingly empty (including the outside seating, I'd say it was 1/4 full). Despite the relatively few tables, my guests and I waited over 8 minutes just for our water - and we only got that after we flagged down a waiter who was refilling another table's glasses. Having already neatly filed our menus away (clearly sending the message of "we're ready to order") we waited another 5-10 minutes without service, although we did notice the speed in which unused tables were being set and readied. Again, we flagged down someone (this time the host) and said we have been waiting over 15 minutes and no one's come to take our order. He apologized and quickly took drink orders. Our drinks were quickly served (just 1 diet coke & 1 iced tea) by someone we believe was a manager (compared to the wait staff/hosts, she was dressed in more 'business' attire: suit jacket, etc). We thanked her for the drinks and again mentioned that we were still waiting to order. Again, another apology and a promise that someone would be right with us. Once we were nearly done our drinks and had STILL not given our order, we decided to leave. When I asked for the check, explaining that we just wanted to pay for our drinks and leave because of the poor service, they apologized again and said the drinks (1 diet coke, 1 iced tea) would be on the house. The phrase "it's the least they could do" seems beyond appropriate.
(1)
C T.
Great drink specials during happy hour and late night. Service is okay. Food/apps/mixed drinks are okay. A good spot for a cheap drink/app before heading elsewhere. Their breakfast, though, is good and they deliver!
(3)
Joe M.
OK - you need brunch and you're too lazy to make the trek to the place that you really like. Or, you're starving for a quick and easy dinner and don't feel like going out for an expensive trendy meal. This is your place.
(3)
Kate L.
I like that I can count on Marathon for a good salad and a plate o' hummus when that's exactly what I'm craving (which is fairly often). I'll be honest--I haven't strayed far from their salad menu, (aptly dubbed the control freak menu), which lets you pick the lettuce, toppings, and dressing you want. It's dependable and decent--not particularly interesting--but certainly a good place to go with a group, when you're trying to please many different palates. Do beware, that if you order bread just to munch on, or ask for extra pita with your hummus plate, you will be charged!
(3)
Kate L.
The best thing about Marathon is the Happy Hour from 5-7 and the Late Happy Hour, from 10pm - close. $2 draft beers, $3 martinis in four flavors, and huge $4 flatbreads with gorgonzola, pears, and walnuts (normally $9). This is when the Marathon On The Square becomes a good deal, especially for the pleasant, chic, upscale-but-not-stuffy, atmosphere. The largely 'comfort foods', 'breakfast foods', salads, and fancy sandwiches menu really seems hit and miss, a lot of it overpriced come the end of Happy Hour. The frittata was the worst frittata I've ever had in my life. It tasted like someone poured raw beated egg into a porcelin ramekin and nuked it for a minute or two. (The waitress claimed that the restaurant doesn't own a microwave, but the rubbery taste suggested otherwise). A lot of items are mediocre. The calamari is good if you have a strong stomach for excess grease. The sweet potato mash has been great on all occasions, and the arugula salad with lemony dressing was appropriately airy. Desserts here are a little basic (apple pie, brownie with ice cream)-- banana bread pudding is the shape and weight of a small brick. I say find something you like and don't venture off the beaten path much. Or just come for Happy Hour with friends.
(3)
Heather C.
Loved brunch here! Zagat has it rated well for a reason. Everything was delish and well worth the 15" wait. Can't wait to go back and also check out dinner -- wonderful that they do take out & delivery!
(4)
Parisa S.
fabulous salads. i particularly like the "control freak" design your own option. because yes, i have been known to be a tad controlling when it comes to my food.
(4)
Jason B.
Marathon is a solid choice especially for brunch. The service is usually pretty slow though, even when it's not that busy. It's got a nice ambiance and the food is fresh and tasty.
(3)
Martha G.
My husband and I were major regulars at Marathon on the Square, and it was our local neighborhood place to grab a casual dinner. The food started changing and going downhill prior to the renovation. I went back last night with a friend for dinner post renovation. Here is what we ordered ... my friend had a few orange juices, we each had a matzoh ball soup, and I ordered a dinner size caesar salad...no chicken, just the salad. The total came to about $34 which with the tip (the staff was delightful, as my friend had to leave suddenly and they wrapped up our food for us) came to about $42. For virtually nothing of a meal. The salad was about $10 for goodness sake. It is so incredibly overpriced now...I can go to Smith and Wollensky and get a much more interesting salad that will serve 2 people for just slightly more. I gladly pay money for something special...but 10 bucks for a caesar salad and 3 bucks a glass for plain orange juice? Come on! They have lost my husband and me as clients until they readjust their prices, which are insane.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Evan P.
I had a great experience and would recommend coming here. I went here for weekend brunch with a group. There was no waiting and we got a table outside on a nice day. The brunch menu had some tempting offerings all at a reasonable price. Everyone in my group enjoyed what they ordered including the burger, blueberry pancakes, and the loaded grilled cheese. The drinks were also reasonably priced and enjoyable. The staff was helpful and stressed the farm fresh ingredients in each of the menu options. I'd go back!
(4)Nathan B.
I JUST left Marathon on the Square. I wish I could say this review was going to be about the food, but that would have required us receiving our food. We waited over an hour, watching as tables around us received their food. One table ordered 15 minutes after we did and another table SAT DOWN 30 minutes after we ordered our food and received their burgers in a timely fashion. Our waitress was very inattentive and most likely forgot to place our order. If she had been attentive it would have been easy for her to realize that we had not received our food and she could have remedied the situation. Needless to say we will never be returning here.
(1)Gus M.
Had to give a star to get posted!! Great location & good water - stops there. Omelette made w/ egg beaters & tasteless. Home fries, Turkey sausage and toast all cold. Save your time and $$ - should have gone to Little Pete's!!
(1)Rachel S.
I've been to every single Marathon and this might be my favorite. Helps that there is a full bar. And cozy outdoor seating as well as a corner spot which allows for lots of indoor window seats. I was there for brunch with a friend...I ordered the lox and bagel platter and she got some kale quinoa shit that I would never have gotten. Great service. They do a good job there's a reason why there's four of them in the city and they been around for so long!
(4)Kelsey S.
DOG FRIENDLY! We came here to sit outdoors because my friend had her dog with her. The host was very accommodating and we were seated right away on a Sunday at 12:30 without a reservation. The menu had a lot of different options, including some specials which made it tough to decide what I wanted! I ended up getting the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich which came with homefries. It was a pretty standard sandwich. Others in my party got the turkey burger and veggie burger which both looked fantastic, and paired with fresh salads. You can't beat the location and prices either.
(4)C A.
The food is pretty good here. It is also one of the few places that does not get crowded for brunch. I go to both locations a lot. But, OMG I had the worst waiter last weekend. He wasn't incompetent so much as he was rude. This person was completely out of his element dealing with people- like a vegetarian in a butcher shop or a feminist at a strip club. This person should not be waiting tables. Can't remember his name but it was a perfect onomatopoeia for the tone of his voice- was it Blaine?
(4)Ashley S.
I think this place deserves its 3 star rating. It's average. I've come here a few times now for brunch and happy hour, and it's a solid choice. I love it in the summer when they have tables outside on 19th street. For brunch, they never seem to have a terrible wait. I think the longest I've waited was 20 min. They have a good amount of lunch options on the brunch menu, which I like. The salmon burger is pretty good, and I love that you can sub a salad for fries on the side for no extra charge. Their happy hour menu is pretty weak. 3 beers for $3, but the Yards was the only decent choice the other day (no thanks, tasteless domestic drafts). They also have $5 cocktails, but the margarita I had the other day was a little too tart for my liking. And the only food they offer are the cheesesteak wontons and fried calamari appetizers, each $5.
(3)Ant M.
Whenever I want to break the monotony of my dining experiences the atmosphere of this location is always the ticket. Only because of where this restaurant is located does on feel like it is upscale or ritzy but it isn't - At All. This location can get pretty busy as well as the other two location and with the route 17 bus and other cars going by it can seem similar to the 16th St. location but that's fine. The day I was here, it was a beautiful, sunny day which is when I prefer to go here because its always busy in and out. I ordered my favorite, Banana pancakes with bacon and a tall glass of milk. This always hits the spot and I like the carbs it gives me to go use up after several hours prior to a working out. The servers here are very pleasant and attentive. At least when I'm there they, are. Not all of the staff have gotten the memo to be kind, pleasant and attentive however but I think they have their picks on who to be this required way with or not but it should be across the board that they show professional courtesy to everyone that comes through those glass doors.
(3)Erin W.
A lot can change in 4+ years. Namely, my feelings towards this place. Oh, Marathon! You reliable, loveable old stand-by, you. I'm so happy I gave it another shot after that lone disastrous experience back in 2010, because I'm happy to admit now I was wrong. I feel like I'm here at least once or twice a month these days, sliding in during happy hour ($5 margaritas!) when the fridge at home is bare and we're feeling lazy. Breakfast all day, good drinks, good vibes, and you can always get a table --a rarity in this pocket of the city. Last night I had the Control Freak make-your-own salad, and the sheer amount of goat cheese they give you (so, so, so much goat cheese) solidified it for me: I love Marathon!
(5)Alexa S.
I've lived in Rittenhouse the entirety of my Philly experience and Marathon is a staple. A HUGE plus - they have a dry Rose on the wine menu, very tough to find. Too lazy to make dinner and I'm in need of quality take-out? Marathon...My parents are in town and someone is a picky eater? Marathon. It's a beautiful day and I'm in need for a post-mass bloody mary outside? Uh, you guessed it, Marathon. Their salads are fail-safe (add the chicken or salmon and you will not be disappointed) and when you're feeling less healthy, opt for the bolognese, the burger or the club sandwich with sweet potato (or regular) fries. Simply fresh and unpretentious food served by a friendly service staff in a comfortable setting fit for any occasion. A few of my favorite (Mar Brunch: Smoked Salmon Scramble, loaded with salmon, capers, spinach, white onions and tomatoes. I get the fresh fruit (sub strawberries) or spinach on the side. Marathon's steamed spinach is amazing, truly, I hate spinach but it's so good here - trust me (unless you're not a fan of garlic). Lunch: Baby Kale & Quinoa Salad: Add Moroccan Chicken - it's topped with tons of grilled veggies (asparagus, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, roasted tomatoes) and has a light lemon vinaigrette. Less healthy: Turkey Club with the basil aioli and sweet potato fries, so good. Dinner: Blackened Chicken Quesadilla or add blackened chicken to the Marathon Caesar salad. Pasta Bolognese if you're craving a good quality pasta dish.
(4)Lysa P.
I've sent back one meal in 42 years. I would have done it tonight, but the kids were there and time couldn't drag on. Marathon on the Square should be woefully ashamed. My meal was virtually uneaten. The roasted chicken was overcooked, the broccoli undercooked, and the potatoes were dry. My daughter even thought the hamburger was bad (when does a kid say that?). I brought this to the waitress's and manager Rory's attention twice EACH. Rory apologized but eagerly noted that several other dishes were served without complaint. The check arrived. And, yes, the inedible entree was there. Shame on them. Worst meal in over a decade. And, yes, I'm still hungry.
(1)Alicia R.
I am obsessed with this place. Every time I get the Moroccan salmon salad and french fries as an appetizer and it's delicious. The service can be a little off when they are busy, but usually they are very friendly and I love the indoor/outdoor feel.
(5)Josh H.
Full disclosure: I only come here during the week for an early dinner, so I cannot really vouch for the waiting time at other points, but I have always been immediately seated, from 5:30 until 6:30pm. That said, a nice cold pint of Yards Pale Ale for $3 and one of the most tantalizing burgers in Center City for $11 and change is a pretty good deal. Service is friendly, and they have seating outside (on 19th Street).
(4)B R.
Don't bring your family or kids here. The place was empty and they gave us a hard time about having our kids here. Stay away.
(1)Lea T.
Marathon is the standard in Center City Philly. With a location at 19 & Market, 16 & Sansom, or 19 & Spruce. Of the three this is my favorite location for a meal because although it is the smallest of the three it features black and crystal chandelier and it's a major plus that is in a very residential area and usually least crowded. All three locations offer the same menu with food and drink specials daily. I enjoy always bringing guests to Marathon since the prices are reasonable and the menu has a great variety for either brunch, lunch, or dinner. For brunch I cannot resist the Breakfast Quesadilla, Cheesesteak Omelet, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pancakes, or Breakfast Burrito. For lunch or dinner try the Matzoh Ball Soup, Cheesesteak Wontons, or Vegetarian Chili to start. Some of my favorite entrees include the Ginger Soy Salmon, Blackened Chicken Quesadilla, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, or Moroccan Salmon Salad. For dessert or to accompany your meal they also offer "Adult Milkshakes."
(4)Keli M.
I have always loved Marathon. They have a wide selection, and the good is reasonably priced. When I lived in Philly, it was always a place that I took guests from out of town because everyone can find something on their menu. My most recent visit was after flying in. I had some errands to run in the Rittenhouse area. I was hungry after traveling, so Marathon was a great option. I love this location because I used to live in the neighborhood. It has a more intimate feel, and everyone is friendly. They even let me leave my luggage behind the hostess stand. We had the calamari for an appetizer, and then a turkey burger with a garden salad. I chose the lemon vinaigrette dressing, which was really good. The calamari was lightly breaded, and came with a delicious sauce which was a little spicy. As for the Turkey Burger, it was flavorful, on a multi grain bun, and big! It comes with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and onion. Delicious. I heart you Marathon!
(5)Emily C.
Awesome salads that aren't too expensive!
(5)Dan K.
Delicious. Came here on a Saturday around 11:30 and were seated immediately. Our server came over quickly (almost too quickly) and took our order. I had one of the brunch specials which was eggs, ham, cheddar and avocado on a pretzel croissant. It was delicious. Everything was perfectly done and presented. My SO had a waffle with fresh fruit which was also quite good. We each had one of their smoothies which were hands down some of the best. All in all a fantastic and very reasonably priced brunch. Will definitely be back.
(5)Kelly W.
Marathon is great because it's pretty consistent and there is something for everyone on the menu. - Cheesesteak wontons are fantastic-- definitely a favorite - Turkey Burger is good-- the burger itself isn't anything spectacular but I love the fig jam, apples, and smoked gouda! Can't wait for the rad outdoor seating to be back!
(4)John H.
This place is great!!! Food is fresh and decent....and always great portions. Marathon is a chain of restaurants in Philly and the menu is always reasonably innovative. I've been coming to this place near Rittenhouse Square for years and the whole staff is always fantastic, accommodating and super friendly!! PLUS the happy hour prices are outstanding with great quality wines and beers for good prices! Good go to place for a decent and not so decadent expensive meal....and casual! #WinWIN
(4)Danan R.
Absolutely fantastic management and team with great prices and solid food. We had a table of 20+ and the manager was able to seat us all, even with last minute additions. Everyone was happy with the food, especially the Marathon burgers and the turkey platters. The veggie burger was a hit as well. If you are in the mood for the 1/2 rotisserie chicken, get here early as they ran out by 8 pm tonight. The service was great and it's a good option for a group dinner.
(4)Jason K.
Marathon on the Square is okay. Just okay. Dining is casual and food is predictable. It is inexpensive and I think you can safely expect the meal to be what you pay for. The service, though, is generally on the weak side, even at times when the dining room does not appear to be too busy. Waiting for seemingly uncomplicated things like drink refills or the check can take a curiously longer amount of time than anticipated. It's a safe, inexpensive restaurant, but I would not recommend it if prompt service is required for your dining experience.
(2)Arin S.
I love Marathon. The brunch is incredible and I haven't found a better salad for a casual lunch. Everything is always fresh and I can almost always be seated quickly. I also love that they have outdoor seating. Basically just an all-around solid restaurant.
(4)Clayton F.
Food is ok, but wait time can be dreadful and underestimated by servers on weekends. Nail in coffin was waiting 45 minutes to be seated after being told it would be a short wait. Since we were trying to catch a train, after the delay we had to change our order to "to go". After waiting another 45 minutes for a salad & burger we were finally given the food, apologized to for the delay, and offered a free desert as recompense. We politely declined, as we didn't want to wait another 45 minutes for the "free desert" and miss our train. Did not enjoy being strung along with the various wait times, and as a result never plan on eating @ marathon again.
(1)Debbie A.
Overall a very pleasant experience. We went for brunch and I got the ham and pepper omelette which was cheesy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. My fiance got the marathon breakfast with the banana pancakes. The pancakes had a little crisp to them which we found very nice. The service was good, the coffee was fresh, and the price was great. Great option for brunch. I look forward to trying lunch and dinner. Edit 04/07/14 - I am giving this place an extra star. I've been here several times now for lunch and dinner and its always great. I highly recommend the Moroccan meatballs, meatloaf, turkey burger, and chicken pot pie.
(5)Amy B.
My friend and I came here tonight and after her praise of Marathon, I was dying to try it. Tonight we ate at a table near the window and we had a lovely time. The chicken noodle soup was very good and I ordered a turkey burger with a side of fries which was excellent! In fact, both items were so filling that I took the burger home! I am very pleased, I will definitely be back! The waiter was very kind, attentive and helpful and the ambiance was very nice, relaxing except for the upbeat music. I will be back!
(5)Alex B.
This place is an all around solid and great restaurant. Great location, nice ambiance, modern decor, good vibe, outdoor seating. The food is delicious and consistent and very fairly priced. The cocktails are some of the best in town although they are a little on the small side. My wife loves the "adult milkshakes." Tonight, I had the chicken noodle soup which was obviously homemade but nothing too special and the chicken quesadillas which were really good. My wife LOVED her Moroccan Salmon Salad! The salmon was perfectly cooked and had a delicious cinnamon rub. She switched out the greens for kale and was very pleased. I've had burgers here before as well as some of their specials and was always satisfied. Definitely recommend this place for solid, delicious, fairly priced (if a little unimagined) food.
(4)Ron H.
This has become a hung-over Sunday tradition for us. Despite being busy, we're always seated quickly, the staff is always friendly and the waiters attentive. The staff also seem to know the menu well and can recommend food based on what you're craving. The spinach smoothie is actually really good, try it. Pancakes are a little on the dense side, but that's an observation, not a complaint. Omelettes are quite large and paired with the potatoes and bread, make a pretty big meal. The waffle has a great flavor to it, but it's a little too dense for my taste. Sandwiches are a great size with a very good combination of sauces and quality ingredients. It really tastes like they're prepping it all themselves from scratch in the back and not buying presliced meats like so many other places. Mixed drinks are well made, although if you're just here for mimosa's and bloody mary's, there's plenty of better places to go. Hint: you can double park on the right side outfront on Sundays since this is where the church crowd gets permission to park.
(4)Kristen M.
Solid dining experience. Plenty of tables available at 10am on a Saturday. Brunch, I had a Marathon Burger while dining partner has Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough pancakes. Priced right, service was solid. Excited to come back for drinks and sit outside when the weather gets nice.
(3)Lauren C.
This place is great! I come here somewhat frequently depending on my craving for breakfast. My boyfriend and I arrived on Saturday AM around noon and sat right down. We were given a cup of hot, strong coffee and mulled over the menu. We ended up splitting a chocolate chip cookie dough pancake. He got the swiss and spinach omelette, and I got the breakfast quesedilla. Everything thru and thru was delicious. The food came out quick, hot, and with everything we need. I would have liked to see a bit more cookie dough presence in the pancakes, but maybe that's my inner child that just wants to eat cookies for breakfast. The quesedilla was also amazing. I love that they don't skimp on the cheese! Service was generally good. I reached the bottom of my cup of coffee a few times, but generally, i found the service enjoyable. The only strange thing was when i asked for a to-go box, i was brought a tiny little thing. I had to literally squish 2 pieces of quesedilla and potatos in there... and cram the box closed. I heated them up this morning in the toaster oven though and man were they good!
(4)Rachel C.
Well. This was my second time here. I must say, I had a far better experience the first time. Sadly, maybe this place has gone downhill or just had an off day? We'll never know. What I do know is that my meal was just mediocre, at best. I was super excited for a Bloody Mary in my slightly hungover state. That's such a good cure, right? I was told I didn't need to ask for it spicy because they make it "very" horseradish-y. But to me, if you put too much horseradish in, it's a goner. Quite frankly, it's downright gross. I took one sip and knew there weren't going to be any more sips. It was not drinkable in my opinion. Strike One. Strike Two would be the service in general. Our waitress definitely seemed annoyed. Annoyed at us, annoyed at her job... annoyed at life perhaps? One will never know, but have ya ever heard of "fake it til you make it?" That's what you've gotta do to make the bucks, in my opinion (and it my experience!). Strike Three was the food. It was pretty bland to be honest. I ordered the swiss and mushroom omelet with hash browns and toast. Just very blah, no seasoning. I had to dump on some salt and pepper and still nothing. The best thing on the plate was the whole wheat toast, I swear! Pretty bummed after a good meal a while back. Hopefully they'll rebound someday!
(2)Lia B.
Went here for breakfast after the gym today. This location is super loud but I feel like marathon is a good little chain that I can appreciate. They have their own marathon farm in brewery town which seems cool and anytime I've been here the staff has been excellent. Note the tofu scramble has butter unless you ask for it I be vegan I really appreciate all the vegan options at such a classically typical establishment.
(4)Brandy H.
My husband and I made a long weekend trip to Philly during the first full weekend of September. We dined at many restaurants during our stay, most of which were recommended by friends who live in the area, and also by google/yelp research. We were recommended to eat at a place called Tria, so we actually dined there a couple of hours before we went to Marathon. We wanted to walk around and get a drink/find a new place and boy did we luck out! After easily finding a nice spot at the bar, we ordered a drink and the husband ordered a sundae for dessert. As we looked over the menu, we quickly regretted not eating at Marathon for dinner! The food looked and smelled amazing and our bartender, Cait, was probably the loveliest, funniest, nicest person we had encountered in Philly thus far. She made our two drinks wonderfully, strong, fresh and flavorful. We chatted about many things and stayed until well after the sun had set. Since we had already eaten, I decided I wanted a side (or two) of sauteed spinach, which was cooked perfectly. We would have liked to eat more, but it being our last night in the city, we had run out of time. When we visit Philadelphia again, this will most definitely be our first stop for food. I am shocked that this was not one of the places that the friend had suggested, but it was one of our favorite places of the trip.
(4)Amanda S.
Okay .. the ONLY REASON this place is getting 3 STARS from me is because the food was delicious. Everything else was a disaster. Everything started okay. I came here with my sister, my mom, and my son who sat in a highchair. The gentleman in the front got us situated at our table and he kindly offered to take my stroller and store it in the front of the restaurant and out of our way. He was great. Our waitress was not. Man I wish I remembered her name. I need to do a better job at getting the name. She was condescending and with a "I don't feel like being here" attitude from the beginning. If you don't want to be a waitress, then don't be one. Do us all a favor, for real. She was unhelpful with the menu and unapologetic about items that were not available. She basically took our order and never came back. This place serves drinks in smaller then usual glasses, which is fine as long as the waitress comes back to fill them up as needed. We sat without drinks for about 85% of the meal. She was also no where to be found. This place is NOT that big. If your not seen on the floor in such a small place, then your probably not doing a good job. Finally she came back with our order. Before she left I asked her to bring back a extra small plate, so I could give some food to my son. I would prefer he didn't eat off the table, you know? Well that literally never happened. Since I was waiting for her to come back so I could eat, I was paying extra attention to where she was. And she was behind the bar with her back to me chatting with the bartender. Then she was over by the waitress station chatting with someone else. Then she disappeared into the kitchen. WOW. My sister ended up going to the waitress station herself and getting the plate I had waited long enough for. As she picked up the plate, the waitress of the year came out and said "Oh, I was just coming to bring this to you!". Yeah, no thanks. The Salmon Burger, the Turkey & Grain Burger, the Grilled Chic Cobb salad, and the fries were excellent. Well done on the kitchen's end. I might not remember a name but I will always remember a face. When I go back to enjoy the good food this place has to offer and I see my favorite girl at the head of my table, I will kindly ask her to give our table to someone else who can do a better job serving us.
(3)Jessica S.
Marathon is a decent neighborhood spot offering standard breakfast and lunch fare at moderate prices. There is nothing that blows me away about their food, or anything else for that matter, but also nothing that stops me from coming back when I'm in the mood for a sandwich and a beer, or brunch when I don't feel like waiting in forever-long lines elsewhere in the city. This Marathon location is always pretty busy during brunch, but never such that you will be waiting for longer than 10-15 minutes in my experiences. The service is decent, relatively quick seeing as how busy they usually are, and mostly friendly. Haven't really had a bad experience with service here. Food is mediocre. Nothing I'm raving about, really, exception being the matzoh ball soup. They do a build your own salad for the control freaks out there. Their breakfast menu is pretty decent and you'll get a large portion. Prices, eh... kinda expensive for the quality of food you're getting, but it is center city. It's not outrageous. Only bug complain on price is for their drinks. A mimosa should never cost $7 at a place like this unless they are using real/good Champagne. They're not.
(3)Tom I.
Despite being so close to where we live, Marathon Grill went unreasonably unnoticed by us until more recently. We went once about a year ago when an out of town guest wanted to have a cheese steak. We opted to avoid the trite options of Pat's, Geno's or Jim's and decided to keep things closer to home and try Marathon's take. We really enjoyed the grass-fed beef, the onions and peppers, and their own cheese sauce. I've spent most of my life trying to avoid food that involves the word "whiz," so I appreciated this homemade touch. Although we really enjoyed our lunch there, we didn't go back for several months. Our visits since have all been for brunch and we had success with those meals as well. We've enjoyed options from the menu like their whole wheat banana almond pancakes and their breakfast quesadilla. We've also liked some of their specials, such as their pumpkin pancakes and their breakfast burrito. If we were in the mood for a boozy brunch, we've taken advantage of their beer list specializing in local beers like Yards, Troegs, Sly Fox and Victory. Since moving to Philadelphia, we're grown to appreciate how many of our meals originate locally, so we love that Marathon has their own farm and attempts to get whatever they don't grow from other local farms.
(4)Alex P.
What to do for lunch on a cold Sunday afternoon ...A bowl of Matzoh Ball soup hits the spot... Light broth and plenty of floating chicken... Then we shared a cheeseburger platter (split on two plates and served by the cutest little waitress) Home made fries done to perfection... A perfect lunch at a reasonable price...
(4)Geoff And Jenni G.
We just had salads here and they were pretty average in our opinion (nothing exciting). The wine list was extremely good and we had an excellent Sauvignon Blanc for a good price. Looks more of a breakfast place though... they seemed to have some good/organic smoothies as well as other interesting brekky options, so may be worth a try for breakfast instead...
(3)Tyler L.
I feel like I shouldn't review this place because I have been there like 20 times (like don't date a girl you work with, etc.)...probably once a week (usually saturday mornings) for like three months running. So obviously it is a good breakfast spot. I also realize there are some places I have rated three stars that are better than Marathon on the Square (btw this is only for Marathon on the Square I don't really like the other one's all that much), and I have a Yelp rep to uphold. Anyways...as breakfasts go, this place gets the job done...not as good as Parc, not as annoying as Green Eggs, better food than Day by Day, and more convenient that Ant's Pants. The veggie chili is delicious and the people are always nice. Sitting outside on a nice day always brings with it great people watching. It is also definitely the best of the Marathon's. Lunch and dinner are also good; it is a good neighborhood spot (not expensive, good food, nice people). I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a sophisticated dinner. Shout out to our girl Bobby who is awesome and seems to inevitable wait on us everytime.
(3)Ryan H.
Good service. I'll give them that. On a Friday night, they got all the food out for our party of 12 at the same time so they get an extra star. But the food was two stars. I had the crispy buffalo chicken sandwich, which was neither crispy nor sufficiently buffalo, but was a chicken patty. I was expecting something like fried chicken on a bun. Not so. The flavor wasn't all there either. My wife's salad was meh. But there's one guy working there who looks like Charlie from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, so it has that going for it.
(3)Catherine K.
I was at first inclined to give Marathon a 4 because it feels like 5s should be reserved for extremely exceptional places - but I couldn't really think of a significant con to this restaurant short of "it's not an extremely exceptional place." So I guess this is more a 4.5, rounded up. General pros: - Prices are very reasonable - Service has always been stellar and friendly for me. We live close by, so we've eaten here repeatedly, both inside and outside, and also at the bar. Waiters/bartenders are prompt, as is the food. - The outdoor seating is particularly nice - not a bad view, comfortable seats, and ample room. Great for those with pets! - It's open late and they do takeout Food: The food has never disappointed me here, but there are definitely some things that are just average (though again, never bad or subpar). There are also some really unique and yummy things on the menu - the cheesesteak wontons are delicious, and served with cheese and a twist of sriracha (go during happy hour to get these on the cheap!). The matzah ball soup is great, a great variation/alternative to chicken noodle. And the apple pie a la mode (while not all that unique) might actually be the best apple pie I've ever had: the perfect blend of flaky crust and caramel cinnamon apples served warm. Portions are generous but not overwhelming. The local/fresh food is a neat little bonus - always a good thing to support. Overall, it's no michelin star gourmet dining experience, but it's comparably inexpensive for the quality/amount that you get, and it's a convenient, comfortable, reliable place.
(5)Holly T.
Marathon is one of those places we hardly ever go, despite walking by often, but when we do, we're always surprised at how good it is. For a long time, I was skeptical about going because from the outside it looks so corporate and chainy. We decided to give it a shot when we read about their Philly cheesesteak made with grass-fed beef on a Sarcone's roll, which sounded intriguing. Not only was it a very good sandwich, but we really had no idea they featured so much locally sourced food, much of it coming from their own farm. We ended up leaving rather impressed. The next time we went was for brunch, and a fair amount of time had passed since we were there last. It ended up being a big surprise all over again, with us thinking, "we really need to come here more often." Tom got whole wheat pancakes with bananas and almonds, and I got a breakfast burrito, which was a special that day. Most breakfast burritos in Philly are bland and disappointing in my book, so I tend to avoid them, but I took a chance on this one and it was actually pretty good. Could have been spicier, despite the chorizo, jalapeño, pepperjack cheese, and salsa, but it wasn't boring, and I quite enjoyed it. Beverages are solid all around. They have good coffee (locally roasted Chestnut Hill), a good selection of local beers on draft, a decent wine list, and interesting cocktails. Between food and drink, there is something for everyone here. I'll have to remember it as a good place to bring visitors. And although there are SO many choices in the neighborhood, I really need to move this up on my short list.
(4)Aran T.
Good food. Poor service. We went on a weekend for brunch. They told us the wait would be only 15 minutes. After 30 minutes of standing there in a packed room, I asked the hostess for another estimate. She again told me 15 minutes wait! I was a bit upset but we waited anyway. The food was pretty good but not good enough to endure the frustration and annoyance of it all. The service was also quite poor once we had sat down. We had to ask for a glass of water three times before it finally arrived. Will I give it another shot? Not sure.
(2)Sean A.
A classic. Food is always great here. Best brunch spot. Can be a bit noisy. Best outdoor dining in Rittenhouse. South 19th does not get much traffic as compared to sitting at second and market and getting choked by Septa bus fumes. Be prepared to wait on weekend mornings - however the full bar can help you pass the time. Its worth the wait.
(4)Steve W.
Went here for breakfast today (Saturday), arrived early 8:20am and was the only person here. Pretty light volume here at least early, only 2 other tables taken by the time I left. Had the bacon, Swiss, and tomato omelet. Very good. The bacon was nice and thick. Came with bread and potatoes, which were good. Nice fresh slabs of butter for the bread. The part that seemed out of place was the cheap 2 cent Kraft jellies for the toast. Given the attention to how everything looked on the plate and the presentation of the butter, a first year culinary student would have put some high end or homemade jam in a small serving dish to go with it to finish the setting. At the very least spend and extra quarter for Knotts Berry farm jam or something similar. Service was very good.
(4)Rebekah H.
Sad. We thought we'd found a gem, menu looked great, prices seemed fair, the decor was cute, and they sat us right away. But at 11AM on a Sunday morning, they ran out of home fries. If I hadn't ordered eggs, toast and home fries, it wouldn't have been a big deal to me at all, but for my meal, it's a vital ingredient. We were told at first it'd only be 5-10 minutes, so I said, yes I'll just wait. Then, minutes later, the server came back and said it'd be 20 minutes at least. We had somewhere to be, and we'd already waited about 20 minutes, so I asked can I change my order (to something else where the home fries are not so pivotal). He said yes of course, no big deal. So I ordered a breakfast sandwich with a side of spinach instead. Well, you'd not guess what happen. We were served, yes, and within probably 20 minutes, but.... the time that they spent preparing my food and/or waiting for me to pick something else, they let my sister's food sit. IT SAT. It sat IN THE WINDOW for 20 minutes at least. And they served it to her like she wouldn't notice. The potatoes were not warm, not hot, not even lukewarm, They were cold. They were probably the end of the potatoes he said they'd run out of at least 20 minutes prior by the time we were served. WTF. Marathon, I ask you, WTF. Well, we paid full price and still tipped 20% because we figured, it's not really the server's fault. Who does the ordering? 11AM on a Sunday, you run out of home fries? Who does the preparing? You don't realize that if you run out of a important ingredient, you need to account for that in your timing while preparing the rest of the food (FOR THE WHOLE TABLE)? And what kind of manager thinks it's okay to hustle food to a table when it's been sitting in the window for 20 minutes? I guess where the server went wrong was that he didn't think we'd notice and we definitely did. What a giant let-down and a waste of a Sunday morning brunch. We could have gone to nearby diner, paid half the price and been more satisfied. Shall never return, and never recommend to anyone else.
(2)I Love P.
I recommend this place. It is a good location. Right off the square. Parking is a bit tough. The service is just ok. But the food is very good. I like the options for a vegetarian. Also one of the best brunch places I know. Not so good for big parties. Try it. You will like it.
(4)Jacqueline L.
I came to Marathon On the Square for Sunday Brunch with friends. We were celebrating an engagement so our spirits were high to begin with. The place itself is clean and open, even with the dark walls and black chandeliers (which I was a fan of). The brunch menu was tasty, typical, but tasty. I opted for the breakfast burrito. It was HUGE. It had the typical fixings, but was satisfying overall. Bloody Marys were yummy. I think the only downfall was that the waitress spilled a drink and broke a glass right over one of the guests seats and instead of removing a meal, or drink from the bill, just acted like it didn't happen. That rubbed us the wrong way a little bit, but the meal was "A-OK".
(3)Margo K.
I'm a lover of Marathon. Have been since I moved to Philadelphia. I made my first visit to this particular Marathon on a Thursday slightly before noon (we were hungry!). They have cozy outdoor seating and the atmosphere is breezy and light, inside or out, in the warmer months. This is probably my new favorite Marathon location. My mother enjoyed the Center City sandwich and I had one of my Marathon favorites, the 'Old School' Chicken Salad sandwich. This has whole grain mustard. Enough said. The service was quick and attentive. Didn't quite expect local beer (a Victory Summer Love) to be $6, but that's okay. You can always count on Marathon to please - whether you're doing brunch, lunch, dinner, with old friends, family, or out-of-towners. It's savvy, simple, and delightful.
(4)August T.
Hostess Has a Responsibility I was in Philadelphia for just a few days and came upon this gem. The menu has lots of healthy diverse options at reasonable prices. Wine selection good and also at moderate prices. Location just on the edge of the park at Rittenhouse Square. So what's with the title? It's a drag to be seated and not get waited on! I don't believe it intentional but rather I was at the "unclaimed" server table but duh, the hostess is too busy chit-chatting to realize that the person she seated 20 minutes ago hasn't received a glass of water and duh, the person she sat after her is sipping a glass of wine. I watched this unfold and finally flagged down the woman who was hostess - there was actually a change in command in the window that I had arrived. Other than that the server was great and I ate there two evenings in a row.
(4)Junior M.
Excellent all categories! Enough said!!!!!
(5)Lindsay H.
What I like about Marathon is that I always know what to expect. The food is always decent, the service is always good and I rarely need to worry about too much of wait. They always have a nice selection of items to choose from on the menu with some daily specials. Sure, the menu barely changes ever but that leaves no room for surprises and I'm ok with that.
(3)Meagan M.
Sat at the bar for drinks. I was treated like dirt. Service was horrible. Never going back.
(1)Greg K.
This is our go to neighborhood place for a close, convenient breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I have never had a bad experience or a bad meal here, and I've been there more times than I remember. My only complaint is they are extremely stingy with their ketchup. They bring it in a tiny metal cup that is usually about a 1/3 full. Just bring me the bottle please:). The prices are very reasonable for the neighborhood. I recommend it.
(4)Sarah F.
Marathon does free deliveries on grub hub now!!! Fast service. Same old food...but if you're in a pinch for a burger/sandwich/salad it's nice. The smoothies are great! Love the mixed berry with honey!
(3)Stephen R.
This place is kind of like Così, only slightly better. The menu has a lot on it - perhaps too much. When I sat down to eat, it took me forever to decide what to eat because the menu is slightly confused. I like diversity on a menu, but here, it's definitely too much. The prices aren't bad. Again, it's like Così, only a little more. One of the best parts is that it's open relatively late. If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive bite to eat in the area, this is a fairly reliable option.
(3)Alie A.
Somehow this has recently become my go-to weeknight wine and calamari bar. It's more than a typical sports bar in the fact you feel a bit more elegant, yet perfect to grab a good meal and wine and watch the game. Service is great and you'll tend to notice there is your local crowd stopping in for some warmth and a good dinner on their trudge home from a long day's work.
(4)Fima M.
I love to support farm to table efforts, so generally those get 4-5 stars from me. I see this becoming a not thrilling but good option when I want a less meat-guilt-inducing cheesesteak (grass fed!). Service was also excellent - the waitress immediately rectified a slightly errant order and was very pleasant.
(4)Matt V.
Food was good. Nothing to wow you or be amazed by. Service was friendly and attentive. Would I go back, sure!
(3)raquel s.
Absolutely never again. Marathon has made it into my repeat restaurant category somehow BUT never again after today. I drove across the city for a nice lunch and got EVERYTHING but that. This includes, aggravation, wasted time, wasted money, and NO LUNCH. In fact, I didn't get to eat at all today because of their ridiculously slow service. After being there for 40 minutes, FORTY minutes, we got our SOUP. I mentioned twice I was starving and even asked if she could bring the soup while I decided what I wanted for my entree. I could go on and on, but really, there is no excuse for an absolutely empty restaurant to have this level of negligent service to their customers. But, then I remembered things like this happening before. On an empty, rainy afternoon, I requested no barbecue sauce on my Marathon burger-- twenty minutes later-- my burger was presented to me with sauce and not cooked well enough. I had to get up, go inside, and ask for my food to be wrapped to go because I had to go to work. TEN minutes after that, they started, slow as molasses to do it. Of course, the cap wasn't secured on my dressing, which they put on top of my salad. So when I got home to grab a bite or two on my way out the door, there was the most disgusting tasting vinaigrette all over my salad. The buffalo chicken sandwich my boyfriend had was as equally disgusting. It reminded me of something where people take items that don't belong together and just throw them together to be fancy and you're supposed to like it or you're not trendy enough. Well, sorry Marathon, the "baguette" was stale. And you can't make a good sandwich on a stale roll. EVERYONE knows that!
(1)Jenny M.
Upon first seeing this place, I was nervous to go in. My friend and I were getting drunk, and definitely were not dressed very nice after a day of traveling to get to Philadelphia. However, the power of alcohol won and we stopped in. I think it was near closing time but not so close that we were those jerks who roll into a place right as they're closing. We sat at the bar and ordered fancy drinks. The bartenders were hilarious, friendly and basically totally cool. Did not regret making the choice to stop in here on our way to the next place!
(4)Christopher L.
Went over to this local diner where we had been many times before for breakfast last week about 10 am. We were happy and in a good mood for the holidays. Hostess rudely asks us "do we have a reservation?" and then tells us thirty to forty minute wait despite many empty tables. Please! Reservations in a diner? Forget the good mood after we met that woman. We left. Won't be back. Would give you all the same advice. Many good places in center city no need to waste your time at this one. If you are requiring reservations either say so or else make a first come first served policy, which in my experience (we live two blocks away) it had always been.
(1)Josh G.
I've been here twice--once for dinner, and once for brunch. Brunch was phenomenal, while dinner was slightly above average American pub fare. I appreciate Marathon's lack of attitude despite its proximity to Rittenhouse. The food is simple, honest, and fresh; the service is friendly; and the price is fair. Marathon is a very solid neighborhood joint--nothing less, nothing more.
(4)Candice B.
I've been to other Marathons at some point, and have experienced everything from good to awesome. My boyfriend and I were wandering around on Sunday and decided to pop into this particular one for brunch. We were immediately seated outside and moments later greeted by a friendly server who brought us coffee and took our order. Boyfriend ordered some fancy french toast. I ordered a basic breakfast of eggs, bacon, homefries, and toast. If you think it's impossible to mess up a basic breakfast, let me introduce you to Marathon on the Square. What came to me was a pile of firmly-cooked scrambled eggs in a puddle of grease, a couple of pieces of potato in a pool of grease, and a few pieces of soggy bacon in a pond of grease. If the sun were brightly shining, I'm pretty sure I would have been blinded by glare. I'm not exactly a picky diner, and I can count on one hand how many times I've sent something back to the kitchen. I grew up in Jersey diners, so I've had my share of greasy breakfasts. This mess was just inedible. Our server offered to bring me a new plate of food, but I just requested it be taken away and off the bill. He did both, though offered no apology - it wasn't his fault, but it would have been a nice touch. I will not be back to this Marathon.
(1)Daniel b.
I ordered the ceasar salad w/ blackened chicken and the leaves were mostly white (not green) with a few rotten leaves mixed in. This was a take - out order and you can tell by the quality of this very simple dish that they have deplorable attention to what leaves their establishment. Let me tell you folks. I understand that mistakes are made. But the worst part about this experience was the managers nonchalant attitude on the phone. First he was making excuses about the lettuce and then he said "Usually we ask people to bring the order back". Really? Like I'm lying? It wouldn't be a problem (I live next door) if I didn't lose my appetite and wanted something else, but I didn't. Then he had the audacity to tell us that they would take "half" off. As if I was "half" pleased with the rotten lettuce in my $12 salad. The funny part, if there is one, is that we told him we'd bring it back because we only live 4 doors down. Suddenly he changed his tone and offered a full refund. So it's Ok to screw people who live far away but not your immediate neighbors. I would feel so privileged if it weren't so F'd up for everyone else . Now I know why they're called Marathon. You should run as far as you can from this place. Now please excuse me while I eat this entire roll of Tums. P.S. I'm posting the pictures of the salad.
(1)Steve K.
I was really surprised to see all the negative reviews. I've been to this location several times and twice to the one on 16th street. My experience has always been very good. The menu has plenty to choose from and its mostly local and natural ingredients which is important to me. The matzoh ball soup is excellent, as well as the fries. The sandwiches, salads and breakfast options are solid as well. The interior is pretty cool and the service is always friendly and competent. I'm not gonna go 5 stars b/c its on the expensive side for what you get, but when you consider the natural ingredients, I don't think its unreasonable either.
(4)Fred G.
I sat at the counter today (a Sunday early afternoon). As a single, it was easy to get a seat. I ordered coffee, banana pancakes and a site of bacon ($14.63 total). Now the details. The coffee was just OK. I guess they need to appeal to everyone's coffee taste buds. My question is, why don't they brew a light and bold brew to make everyone happy? The pancakes were a bit too overdone, had limited taste and were hard. The bananas were buried in so that you can only see them if you turned over the pancake. The syrup was basic. They probably bulk buy a generic brand. I wish Cafe Estelle was in Rittenhouse...world's best pancakes!
(3)Peter B.
Marathon serves a decent, efficient breakfast. Three of us went in on a Saturday morning and 45 minutes later we walked out having enjoyed to omeletes and a breakfast quesadilla. All the food was fresh and done well. The presentation was nothing to write home- nor complain- about and both the coffee and ice coffee were satisfying. The total price tag (including tip) was $45 which seems somewhat high for three fairly basic morning meals, but it was not unexpected. I'd go back to Marathon for breakfast and will give it a shot for lunch on a return trip to Philly.
(4)Erin S.
I live a few blocks from here and I've been here twice now. The first time I went for dinner on a weeknight and it was basically empty. We were seated right away (obviously) but then no server came over for almost 20 minutes. People seated after us were greeted, given water, etc and we were ignored. Finally someone I was with got up and asked the hostess where our waiter was and someone came over a few minutes later. Not sure what was happening there. We shares the hummus plate, which was excellent. All of us got a sandwich of some kind and were happy with them. The second time I went for brunch on a Saturday. There were 5 of us and we waited about 40 minutes for a table. The hostesses were really nice and kept coming outside to give us updates. Once we were seated, the service was not great again. Our waitress forgot two drink orders and my boyfriend had to ask for a coffee three times. The food was good (two of us had omelettes, one a salad, two sandwiches), but took quite a while to come out. In our waitresses defense it was really busy and she was running around like crazy. I've heard so many people talk about such great experiences here, so I'm hoping my two trips were exceptions to their usual service. I'll most likely go back again.
(2)Chris V.
Good place for some good food. Service was friendly and helpful. Three stars because didn't really have that oomph for four or holy-mother-of-peanut-butter! for five.
(3)Amy J.
Great prices, great atmoshphere and good American food.
(4)Carrie C.
While I still have yet to try the food here, my friends and I all love coming here after a long day at work and unwinding with their drinks menu. There is something here for everyone, and we especially like sampling drinks from the "Refresh Yourself" and "Marathon Concoctions." So far, my absolute favorite has been their watermelon lemonade (which they were out of last time...sad...), which is the perfect balance of sour/tangy with a bit of watermelon sweetness at the end. I prefer this over their usual lemonade, which is nothing to write home about, but is refreshing nonetheless. My friends have also tried the white grape martini, ginger soda, and the raspberry cocktail, all of which they loved. My friend who tried the limeade found it far too sour to be pleasant, but still tasty. The service is always friendly, and they don't mind a large group of us just sitting, chatting, and ordering drinks sometimes for a couple hours. The ambiance is very bright, relaxing, and serves as a great place to gather with friends and relax.
(4)Louis D.
Just went for brunch this morning. Overall, pretty satisfied with the meal, but there were a couple low points: 1. Our waitress was a little out of touch. She forgot our side order of bacon (for the best in the end, as we were really full - so large portions are a plus!). We also used a google offer of $8 for $16 with free soup, and she had to redo the check twice after she forgot to do the discount and then forgot about the soup. 2. The food was mostly pretty good. Manhatten clam chowder was decent, and served in a heaping bowl. Not amazing though. Banana Brioche french toast was excellent. Cheesesteak was fine, definitely nothing special. Looking back, this review did not need numbered points, as there were only 2. Oh well. I'd go back, especially for brunch, but I'm not dying to.
(3)John G.
The food is always good, the specials are a good value, and the staff is very nice. What more can you ask for?
(5)Ei J.
Marathon is of my repeat restaurant category, because of its location. It is popular, and the food is good. But the menu seems never changes.
(3)Kelly M.
I love Marathon because of the fresh selection and healthy options although get the chicken pot pie when its on special because it is oh so good. The servers are not great, the basic skills are lacking like remembering all items ordered and doing so correctly, slow on refills of drinks including top shelf which always boggles my mind. Also, last time we ate there I had to tell this guy to please stop mopping with bleach while I was eating! For crying out loud, I got nauseous and had a headache when I left. No common sense by any of the staff.
(4)Carol K.
Oh how this place has fallen from what it once was. Stopped by for an early dinner after not having been here for a few years. (I used to live down the block and was a regular here for a long time.) The decor is cute, the menu is more casual than it used to be, but still looked interesting. We were seated and served promptly. Because it was early, there were only two other tables seated, so we expected to be in and out quickly. And then we waited. And waited. Drinks ran dry. Plates were cleaned. And still we waited. And waited some more. It was a solid hour since our food had been brought and no one even glanced at our table, let alone came over to check if the food was OK, if we needed more drinks, etc. Finally, I went up to the bartender and asked if she could please find someone, anyone who could give us our check so we could leave. She ended up doing it. Ten minutes AFTER that, our waiter came over and cleared the plates without a word. No apology, no attempt at explaining what happened. Just grabbed our plates and the check and walked away. The food was fine -- but nothing to write home about. So unless you want mediocre food and an exercise in zen mediation while you ponder the nature of time and the meaning of life, avoid. There are much better ways to spend your time and your money all over this neighborhood.
(1)Mark H.
Exceptional service; exceptional food! Thank you for another wonderful lunch and a great experience.
(5)Steve P.
Stopped in midday for a drink on a hot afternoon. The whole place was quiet and empty. After all it was around 2ish on a Tuesday. The specials board was done up with chalk and looked very arty. The bar was clean and the bartender regaled me with stories on how she was on a reality TV show a few years ago. All in all, it was alright, I can't attest to their food quality or service since I did not order anything, but for a quick stop to grab a couple beers, it worked out well.
(3)Andrea T.
We were hankering for margaritas as per usual. These were the color of a margarita but tasted like well toilet water...no toilet water tastes better.... We sent them back. We went home. The waiter told us the goofy way they make them. Sorry marathon, just go buy some mixer. Oy!
(1)Adam W.
I get take-out from here very frequently. I normally get the sandwiches, all of which are very reasonably priced and excellent. My favorite sandwiches are the Sirloin Burger and BBQ Pork sandwich. They're admittedly very close to the stuff at Village Whiskey, and very good. In short, the food is solid, the place looks good, but Philly has enough "Wow" places that Marathon on the Square gets 4 stars, not 5.
(4)G D.
Good brunch selection, nice bloody mary, generally agreeable staff. Be prepared for a wait on weekends.
(4)Jennifer L.
Decent place for breakfast/brunch. Have been here a few times and the food was always good. Went this past weekend and still agree. Had 2 eggs over medium, cooked perfectly. Potatoes were good, although some were still a little hard. Also ordered a side of banana pancakes and they were almost inedible unfortunately. They were so thick and dense that I though I was eating bread. Plus it looked like they were only cooked on one side...and that one side was burnt. The more burnt pancake was discreetly hidden on the bottom. The other side of both pancakes was still semi-raw. Sad! Good strong coffee though, and friendly service.
(3)Lizette S.
I went for brunch today for the first time. I ordered a fresh squeezed OJ and pancakes. I got the OJ, took a giant gulp and realized that there were two lipstick marks on the other side of the glass (I don't wear makeup). Gross! I called the waitress over and she said "that's gross!," too then proceeded to get me another glass. Needless to say, my appetite quickly left me. I was disappointed when the waitress did not offer to comp the OJ or actually apologize. Never going back!
(1)Stephanie B.
The service was slow and bad. Our waitress, Francesca, was also rude. She took 15 minutes to bring our drinks. I asked for the dressing on my salad (thought this would make it easier than on the side) and ended up with no dressing on the salad. I had to eat half of the salad without dressing because she didn't come back to the table for so long. When she did, I asked for the dressing twice before I got it. My father-in-law ordered salmon with his salad and it was served without salmon. Francesca rudely told him that was because he ordered it without salmon. And, my husband overheard her telling another table that she would be happy when we left. Rude and unprofessional. We won't go back.
(1)Sheri H.
Marathon almost always hits the spot for me, for any meal, whether I am hanging out with locals or out-of-towners. They are very veggie friendly and their servers are routinely perceptive, patient, and sweet. Unfortunately, their hours can be inconsistent, possible based on who is watching? Also, oddly, they don't serve Yuengling.
(4)Gabrielle W.
I'll make this short and sweet. Pros - none Cons- where to begin 1. took waitress 15 minutes to get 3 bloody marys because she forgot about them (I saw the look of panic when she looked at our table and was like "oh shit! they ordered $30.00 of cocktails and all my incompetent ass had to do was ring it in and walk them over and I didn't even remember to do that") ..there were only 2 tables in the restaurant 2. My server brought out my burger which was well done, I asked for medium rare so I had them remake it. This was after the fact that it took 25 minutes to make 3 sandwiches one of which was wrong. These numbers are not good folks. I did not get an apology and didn't see server again until next burger was brought out (which i saw sit in the window for about 5 minutes). It wasn't even the correct burger and there was no side of fries. I was going to have them remake my second burger but lost my mind and told them to cancel the order. After the second attempt at a simple cheeseburger I still did not receive an apology from the inept server/ some type of manager come out to say sorry..I employ a bunch of dumb asses. Moral of the story: Never setting foot in there again!
(1)Nancy M.
The food is kind of boring, the ingredients don't stand out for freshness and so I always come away feeling "meh". Bar service is very good.
(2)Jay M.
Cya, Marathon. We were in for the last time this past Sunday for brunch. It was a disaster. Had to flag down a server to place our order. Tables around us were being delivered incorrect orders. I sent you an email and you didn't even have the decency to reply to it. Never again.
(1)Matthew C.
Spent about 20 minutes waiting to get a seat which really isn't that bad, if your waitress isn't lacking brain cells. Our first problem happened when she couldn't answer any questions. We asked how much a drink was and she actually had to guess. When my grandmother ordered a burger she had no idea what to do when it came out wrong. Besides the incompetent waitress, the food wasn't that terrible. The service was fast an the other waiters and waitress seemed friendly. One even took time to say hello to a baby who seemed very happy to see someone. So, if your looking for a friendly place to eat that's friendly, this is the place. Just avoid Zia.
(2)Isaac T.
Consistent and decent dinner
(3)Christine B.
I definitely like this Marathon better than the now defunct Marathon on Penn's campus. They have a real focus on local produce, and meat. I typically only go for lunch with co-workers. Everyone loves the chicken salad sandwich, but I usually try to get something off the specials menu. It's a nice option for the Rittenhouse area, decent food, and a little cheaper than Devon or Parc.
(3)Catherine H.
My favorite item was the cheese steak roll appetizer. Cheese steak ingredients in a deep-fried roll. The real cheese steak entree looks a bit aggressive..didn't try any as it was a dining companion's dish. Whatever I got as an entree wasn't memorable, because I can't even remember what I ordered. Nice place for a summery dinner.
(3)Robyn H.
The salmon burger was a bit dry for my taste. The "Marathons" used to be my favorite restaurants in Philly, but they have fallen off considerably. The last time my bf and I went to this location, the place was completely empty except for us. I think it was 8:00 on a Friday or Saturday, so that was strange. I prefer Marathon for breakfast/brunch. They get a little lazy with their lunch and dinner.
(2)Kevin C.
As someone who has had many memorable late evening dinners here with my fiancee and our friends I could think of no better place to grab a casual and moderately priced brunch with my family when they came to town for my birthday. Sure, there are better brunch places in the same area but we were really in the mood for something simple and good and up to this point I had always been able to rely on Marathon for just that, simple and delicious food with great service. Unfortunately our experience during this visit was not as good (read: terrible) and had I not enjoyed my prior visits so much I probably wouldn't go back. After being seated we were given our menus and immediately asked if we had any questions about the specials being offered, but when we asked how much the specialty mimosas were our waitress actually stated that she didn't know and that "if she had to guess" she would say somewhere between $5 and $7. Seriously, you can't even go find out the price you just "had to guess"? Not cool. When it came time to place our food orders my mother asked what the other bread options were for the club sandwich (since she isn't a fan of sourdough) and the waitress proceeded to name off a variety of rolls and baguettes, but none that could be used to make a club. After it was pointed out that a club sandwich needs flat/sliced breads to work the waitress responded by saying "I don't know what you want me to do, that's all we have". This would have been fine had it been the truth, but the table next to us had heaping stacks of whole wheat toast and when we asked if it was indeed wheat bread the waitress retorted, "It sure looks like it, doesn't it?". Thinking the worst was behind us we received our delicious looking food and eagerly attacked it like a pack of starving wolves only to discover that this too was a giant disappointment. My mothers club still had sourdough, my grandmothers medium rare burger was so over cooked it was crumbling, and my breakfast sandwich had literally one bite of meat on it. While my mother and I decided against sending ours back due to our hunger my grandmother asked if they could redo her burger and the waitress responded that she could try to get her manager to have the kitchen do another one but couldn't promise anything. Eventually a new burger was brought out except this time it was entirely raw, like it legitimately was still pink on the top and completely uncooked on the insides. Thankfully the burger was taken off the final bill, but even this didn't make up for the fact that after leaving we had to take my grandmother somewhere else to eat since she wasn't able to eat anything the entire time we were there. As I said before, because of my prior great experiences I'm definitely going to stop in again sometime in the near future and give them another shot, but if the experience is the same as my last visit I will never be back and their rating will be changed accordingly.
(3)John H.
I just came in to redeem my groupon that expired on Dec 1st. I am flying to Los Angeles tonight and did not have time to dine in. The fine print on the groupon required that I did. I spoke to the hostess about my situation and she said she thought she could help. Then a second waitress with her back to me whispered to the first girl that it was a no go. I asked if they could make an exception given my circumstances. The girl with her back to me again whispered to not let me have my way. I asked to speak to the manager and reiterated my case. He told me that it was my fault for leaving the groupon to the last minute and that he would not budge and give me takeout. The end result is he left a potential customer pissed off and someone who will never again dine in their establishment. Terrible customer service for a very minor issue.
(1)Keysha T.
The burger was great and I'm not even a big meat fan. I asked for medium rare and they didn't burn it. The salads are tasty, breakfasts too. The wait staff is friendly and the African bread man is nice to look at. I go to this place because it is close to my job and not as busy as the other Marathon restaurants. It's fairly priced, clean, and you can eat outside if you like. This place is just an American-cuisine spot that is not too showy yet is still part of a chain--so don't expect the most fantastic experience of your life. But it's a good place to come to for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, and even come with a bar. Right in your neighborhood...if you live in Rittenhouse, that is.
(4)R.E. B.
I had dinner here on a Friday night with my friend. We came in for a quick dinner and drinks. The service was very good. After reading the Yelp reviews I was not sure what to expect. It looked like they were training servers and were really working on improving their service. The food was good as well. My friend had a chicken sandwich and I ordered a salad, the fries where great. I would definitely come back here again if I am in the area.
(5)Nate S.
I went there for lunch and was impressed. The portions are generous, the service was attentive, and the food was really good! I would recommend this place to anyone!
(4)Vincent J.
This is my local comfort food place. Truly the best of the Marathons that remain. Great for breakfast, brunch or dinner when you don't feel like cooking and just want eat a good meal.
(4)jaimie k.
The food is consistently good here. Nothing super-great or fancy or overly amazing or even that original, but consistently GOOD, all the time. All day breakfast, yummy eggs and pancakes, giant giant giant salads that you can, like at all the mg locations, mix and match with whatever you like. And consistently interesting enough specials. Also, soup. MMM. Matzo ball soup. MMM. And the manager, Renee is the sweetest person in history.
(4)alexis g.
Thirty seven dollars and an hour or so later, my companion sighed and said, "well, next time I have this idea all you have to say is 'meatloaf sandwich,' and I'll remember this day and we'll go somewhere else." Yes... because while a chipotle meatloaf sandwich topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms and served with hand-cut french fries sounds fantastic, it's a cold slap of reality when said meatloaf sandwich arrives: a thin slice of pale "meatloaf" on top of a piece of generic white bread, topped with a handful of mushrooms and onions that have indeed been cooked (though "caramelized" clearly has a different definition in the Marathon dictionary than it does in mine) and doused with some kind of scarily artificially red sauce, accompanied by a sad pile of anemic french fries. My breakfast quesadilla fared no better, though I think the turkey sausage that obviously journeyed straight from the freezer to my plate was the final nail in the coffin. On the plus side, we were eating outside with our dog, who gives absolutely RAVE reviews to the soggy meatloaf sandwich remnants (and the generic frozen turkey sausage for that matter). Also, the coffee was hot and generous and the little pitcher of cream that came with was adorable so.. yay?
(2)Tracie P.
oh marathon. i eat here fairly often as it's 1) open late; 2) close to my place; and 3) one of the few places to get soup. and yet... the food is mediocre on average. some things are really good -- the soups, the burger is pretty solid, the cobb. but where marathon fails, it fails hard. things like the calamari, which attempts to be upscale when it should just be good, and the southwest salad, which i can honestly say was one of the worst salads i've ever had. mots bills itself as organic and farm-fresh and all that, but it should really ditch the gimmick in favor of better tasting end product.
(3)Elizabeth S.
I went here Saturday night and was very pleasantly surprised. My last Marathon experience was over a year ago at the location on 16th (or 17th) and Sansom...and it was awful! I ordered gazpacho, which was very refreshing and flavorful and the chicken breast for dinner. The chicken was amazing. It was bone-in and had perfectly crunchy skin. It was served over polenta, and surrounding the polenta was a sort of chicken gravy with more chicken pieces (I think dark meat) and lima beans. This may not sound that appetizing, but it was absolutely delicious. I have renewed faith in Marathon, at least that location. I did see that someone had an experience with a rude waiter, but the waiter I had was awesome. Very attentive and checked on us multiple times to make sure everything was okay. A good experience all around.
(4)A G.
I came here for brunch and ate at the bar on a weekend to Philly for my friends wedding. The bartender made an AMAZING Bloody Mary! Staff was very friendly and accommodating. It was a great vibe, good menu and my omelette was pretty good. Highly recommend.
(4)Joy G.
We enjoyed it here. We popped in for an early dinner before going to the ballet and it was a perfect little spot for us to grab a quiet bite to eat on a Saturday afternoon. Atmosphere was nice, our waitress was pleasant, no loud blaring music, our food came out promptly and very hot, wasn't too expensive. My husband ordered the salmon and I ordered the vegetable cappellini. I will say this - if somebody that works at Marathon sees this - please bring a spoon with your cappellini. I felt ridiculous trying to eat it without one, and had to wait for the waitress to come back so I could ask for one. Honestly - not a big deal, I just think its a little funny that I looked like I was cutting spaghetti for my 4 year old cousin for a little while. We'll be back here in the future!
(4)Brittany M.
This place is a good standby. Nothing is particularly excellent, but the food is consistently good. Their Cobb salad is my favorite, but they have a good variety that you can usually find something you're in the mood for. The location is great and they have a nice outdoor seating. Their happy hour specials are pretty decent, too.
(3)Carrie E.
Last night Alicia and I were tearing up the town, running from one place to another and realized "oh crap, we really need to eat!" Lo and behold, we looked up and there, right in front of our eyes, was Marathon. Taking it as a sign from the universe, we went inside and were seated right away, despite the fact that we were dressed like we were straight outta 1986 (we were going for a theme...). The menu choices were vast and since I can't ever make a decision, I went with the first thing that caught my eye: Garlic mashed potatoes. And they were delicious. Like, ridiculously delicious. That and a Golden Monkey beer made me very happy, as did the music (Joy Division? Oh yeah!). Our meal fortified us enough to run off to our next destination and got us through the rest of our wacky night out. (Bonus points for the gorgeous menu cover with an illustration of Tinkerbell...not really sure what the story is there but it was quite lovely). Damn, now I can't stop thinking about those garlic mashed potatoes. I think I would have licked the bowl if it were socially acceptable!
(4)Boris M.
Listen. I eat beef salmon potato Frenched fries ketchup eggs and Caesar salad thus weekend WR the marathon after Boris run the marathon! Boris has the trouble with running. My knee start to hurt and I fall in ground screaming. Peoples no help Boris they yell "Move old man!!@" A fat kid kick Boris when he run by. I eat at the marathon and I order the marathon for the delivery. I eat too much and drink vodka and go to sleep very happy yes!
(4)Anthony J.
Service was slow and not attentive, food was less than par and the beer selection was lacking. Went for a good dinner received an inedible meal half cooked and over seasoned. Not a good meal
(2)Sarah C.
I used to eat here five days a week. Really. For years... and I wasn't sick of it. The servers knew what I wanted without asking (even special requests). They brought my soda to the table the first time they came. Again, the just knew. The food always came quickly and it was always right... and always good. MOTS is a block from my office and I could reliably get in and out in less than an hour. It was predictable. One day during the summer everything changed. Everything was still reliable. Reliably unpredictable. Sometimes I wait for 10-15 minutes just for a soda and the opportunity to order. More than once, I waited for an hour for lunch (a salad). Sometimes it took 10-15 minutes to get my check. Soup was cold. Food was wrong. I stopped going. Every so often I go back... just to see if maybe things are better. No luck yet. I can walk 5 blocks further, have lunch nearly anywhere else, and be back in the office more quickly. Every so often I want one of my old favorites on the MOTS menu. So... I try it again. It just hasn't been totally right since. I still really like the Center City Salad... and the Vegetarian Chili... but it's not the same. Disappointing.
(3)Caroline C.
I liked eating here though I didn't actually enjoy my meal. The eggs Benedict's holladaise sauce was just not quite on the mark, the potatoes were equally eh. Coffee was tasty. We all shared an order of the chocolate chip cookie dough pancakes...which were...well...surprisingly, creepily satisfying...gluttony. Seriously though, the eggs benedict looked great but tasted forgettable.
(3)Frank R.
I've eaten lunch at MOTS at least 100 times, and had dinner there a bunch. It's a very good restaurant (I've tried most things.) A few of my lunch faves: The grilled Cubano sandwich, spicy chicken quesidilla, and the Center City salad. They also have great service. They are very, very attentive and greet us when we arrive. It's one of my real faves in the city.
(4)Chris W.
This one is just a pleasant place to grab comfort food and drinks. The interior is cool and comfortable, the lighting is chill and the food is better than average. Quality ingredients are used and the waitstaff is young and friendly. Their cocktails are money. I'm giving it 4 stars for pretty good food, and value. I'm not an expert but their Motzoh Ball soup was hearty and damn good.
(4)Lori H.
I don't usually eat at Marathon outside of breakfast/brunch (great blueberry pancakes BTW). But in a pinch, on my way home from work, I got the Rittenhouse salad and butternut squash soup to take home for dinner one night. O. M. G. The soup was freakin amazing! At one point, (and I'm ashamed to say this) I was calling on a daily basis asking if they had the squash soup. Ridic.
(4)Martha M.
I have tried every Marathon location many times and Marathon on the Square is consistently better than the rest. Better selection than the other Marathons, the food is always hot (when it's supposed to be) and fresh, waitstaff always accommodating of special requests. The ambiance is much nicer too. Just be sure you don't get seated too close to either the front door or the air conditioning vent! I have eaten here hundreds of times over the years and have enjoyed virtually every meal. It is also the "go to" place when out-of-towners visit. Repeat visitors always ask to go back. There are a number of long-time waitstaff, but every so often a new waiter pops up. Also don't judge the food by how well it keeps when carrying out or getting delivery. Definitely an excellent choice for brunch, lunch, and dinner! The pros: varied and tasty menu, breakfast avail all day, doesn't break the bank The cons: can get pretty packed for sat and sun brunch
(4)Z J.
I lived around the corner for a couple of years and was a regular customer, although it has lowered my enjoyment of the regular Marathon Grill spots thanks to its ever so slightly different (and superior) menu. Everything I have had is good, with special nods to the matzo ball soup, turkey salad, and gigantic enough for two chicken breast. the brunch is excellent, and apparently there are good happy hour deals though Ive never really been there for drinks. beat the table squeeze by ordering takeout, perfect for sitting in the park
(5)Jess D.
Met a friend for Sunday brunch here and had a great meal. I enjoyed the crispy chicken and sesame salad while he enjoyed the burger. We were both very happy with how flavorful our food was. We also enjoyed the mimosas which I would highly recommend. They had a great variety of flavors of mimosas the day we were there-- he had the grapefruit mimosa while I had the mango mimosa. I will definitely go back there again and possibly try any of their sister restaurants in the future.
(4)Rick P.
GREAT food and service ! AND PRICES ! Normal cost for an expensive neighborhood (Rittenhouse Square).
(4)William H.
Good food, but crazy that their catering van driver is criminally aggressive a block and a half from the restaurant. Would think they might realize they are trying to kill their own prospective customers.
(1)Gayle B.
I went here with my cousin, she was born and raised in Philly and knew right where to go, when I said I wanted to go for breakfast. Everyone at the hotel where I was staying raved about Marathon. I loved the ambiance. It was a bit awkward when we first walked in, because no one greeted us and we had to chase someone down to put our name on a list for breakfast/brunch. The wait was short and we were seated at a cute window seat. The tables were a bit close together, but I was really happy with my meal and our service. Breakfast is my favorite and I loved the twists on normal fare. I would definitely come back here again when I visit Philly. The price was affordable and the food was good, portions were excellent.
(4)Carlie N.
Bottom Line: Yes, it's a chain but it produces a damn good brunch. Friendly staff, simple decor. I've only been here for brunch, but the Eggs Benedict was perfection. It was accompanied by a side of chunky potatoes (parading as home fries) seasoned with something delicious. I was particularly fond of the funky chandeliers and the entertaining people-watching.
(4)Jen H.
the food is good but the manager leslie or lisa or something? is a flat out bitch. i have never seen someone be so rude to their customers or staff. i think shes racist because she seemed to pick on this black waitress. do NOT eat there if there is a blonde lady working!
(1)James C.
I was looking for somewhere for a Friday night and not being organised enough to book anything, I wandered around for a few minutes and stumbled upon this place. It was fairly quiet which is usually not a great indicator of a place but it worked out for the best. Service was good not pushy. I had a burger which was well cooked pretty tasty and not too expensive. My dining partner had a Salmon Nicoise salad which was the size of a house - more a full dinner than a subtle salad. All in all a reasonable tasty experience. Not fine dining but a pretty decent place to stumble upon. There menus were a little tatty and not up to date when it came to the beers on offer. I'd get a burger there again
(3)Jesse R.
I've been to this Marathon a number of times and I'm still a fan. The menu is pretty diverse - many different meat, fish and veggie items, both full entrees and also sandwich platters. On my last visit, I enjoyed the pumpkin chive soup and the salmon burger (like a crab cake style, not a whole cut of fish - but very good!) The service is not the friendliest, but they get the job done efficiently and the manager also makes sure everything is up to par which is a nice touch in any restaurant. It has kind of a dimly lit appearance, so I would recommend MOTS for a more romantic dinner, or an intimate meet up with friends. The bar area is more well lit and has some TV screens if you want a more chill place to watch the game. I think the portions are just right - not wastefully generous, but not slim pickin's either, and the price, as well, is not too expensive for such a posh location.
(4)Rina R.
I really like Marathon on the Square. It's a fabulous place for lunch or dinner, and they have a nice selection of food and booze. I came here for lunch in the later afternoon, and it was pretty empty. I'm not sure what the service would be like if it were more crowded, but we had a very prompt and attentive waitress that seemed like she would be just as good with ten full tables as she was with two. I had the Marathon Salad, and my friend had the grilled chicken cobb salad. Both were excellent, and they make all their dressings from scratch, with I think is a huge bonus. We also had a side of fries, which were delicious. I had a jasmine tea with my meal, and it was also excellent. For dessert, we tried their Philadelphia Cheesecake, which was really good. I think Marathon is a great place to go in Rittenhouse for excellent food at a reasonable price. I will definitely be returning.
(4)Robyn M.
I love Marathon because the food is consistently good without breaking the bank. I ended up there twice last week out of a desire to sit outside in the beautiful weather. I'm not sure what was going on with the waitstaff, but the service was incredibly slow on both occasions. My friend and I sat outside on Friday afternoon for lunch and the service was so slow that we were both late getting back to work. Really late. I ordered a Cobb salad and she ordered the BBQ pork sandwich and service took forever. When we were done it was twenty minutes before the waitress brought the check and then she disappeared again with my credit card. I went back with my boyfriend for brunch over the weekend and it was halfway through our meal that we finally got ice water. Refills on coffee and iced tea were slow as anything and again it took forever to get and pay the bill. I always tip 20%, but this repeat incident made me drop down to 18%. Anyway, I will go back for the consistently good (and reasonable) menu, but I really hope that they resolve this issue!
(3)Geoffrey R.
I lived across the street from Marathon on the Square for 2 years and went here often. Consistent with other Marathon locations strewn about center city, there's a wide variety of menu items mainly that appear to be your typical diner fare with a twist. Despite the variety and consistently good service, this place just never really blew me away. I guess it seemed like everything was about $3-$6 overpriced and the items rarely came out as good as they appeared to be when viewed on the menu. All told, you won't be disappointed too much here.
(3)elizabeth t.
I always thought of Marathon as an upscale neighborhood diner which I frequented and enjoyed. Now, with the new Menu, new fancy plates, high prices and servers asking you 10 times during your meal if it is okay, I am no longer a fan. Every item on the menu that I enjoyed is gone. When I attempted twice to try things from the new menu, it was so poorly prepared it was inedible. They had a Brunch item called Breakfast Bread baked on the premises. It was sliced bought bread (and they were out of the cinammin cream cheese touted as the side) for $6 - are you kidding? I could get a full basket of fresh baked bread for free at Parc. I will not be returning.
(1)Meredith C.
Such a disappointment. I've eaten at the Marathon at 40th and Walnut a few times (always good food and service, though a bit overpriced) and was expecting a similar experience here. Unfortunately, I am not even able to review the food because the service was so awful that my guests and I left before we even ordered. We were seated right away and provided menus; on a Saturday evening the place was surprisingly empty (including the outside seating, I'd say it was 1/4 full). Despite the relatively few tables, my guests and I waited over 8 minutes just for our water - and we only got that after we flagged down a waiter who was refilling another table's glasses. Having already neatly filed our menus away (clearly sending the message of "we're ready to order") we waited another 5-10 minutes without service, although we did notice the speed in which unused tables were being set and readied. Again, we flagged down someone (this time the host) and said we have been waiting over 15 minutes and no one's come to take our order. He apologized and quickly took drink orders. Our drinks were quickly served (just 1 diet coke & 1 iced tea) by someone we believe was a manager (compared to the wait staff/hosts, she was dressed in more 'business' attire: suit jacket, etc). We thanked her for the drinks and again mentioned that we were still waiting to order. Again, another apology and a promise that someone would be right with us. Once we were nearly done our drinks and had STILL not given our order, we decided to leave. When I asked for the check, explaining that we just wanted to pay for our drinks and leave because of the poor service, they apologized again and said the drinks (1 diet coke, 1 iced tea) would be on the house. The phrase "it's the least they could do" seems beyond appropriate.
(1)C T.
Great drink specials during happy hour and late night. Service is okay. Food/apps/mixed drinks are okay. A good spot for a cheap drink/app before heading elsewhere. Their breakfast, though, is good and they deliver!
(3)Joe M.
OK - you need brunch and you're too lazy to make the trek to the place that you really like. Or, you're starving for a quick and easy dinner and don't feel like going out for an expensive trendy meal. This is your place.
(3)Kate L.
I like that I can count on Marathon for a good salad and a plate o' hummus when that's exactly what I'm craving (which is fairly often). I'll be honest--I haven't strayed far from their salad menu, (aptly dubbed the control freak menu), which lets you pick the lettuce, toppings, and dressing you want. It's dependable and decent--not particularly interesting--but certainly a good place to go with a group, when you're trying to please many different palates. Do beware, that if you order bread just to munch on, or ask for extra pita with your hummus plate, you will be charged!
(3)Kate L.
The best thing about Marathon is the Happy Hour from 5-7 and the Late Happy Hour, from 10pm - close. $2 draft beers, $3 martinis in four flavors, and huge $4 flatbreads with gorgonzola, pears, and walnuts (normally $9). This is when the Marathon On The Square becomes a good deal, especially for the pleasant, chic, upscale-but-not-stuffy, atmosphere. The largely 'comfort foods', 'breakfast foods', salads, and fancy sandwiches menu really seems hit and miss, a lot of it overpriced come the end of Happy Hour. The frittata was the worst frittata I've ever had in my life. It tasted like someone poured raw beated egg into a porcelin ramekin and nuked it for a minute or two. (The waitress claimed that the restaurant doesn't own a microwave, but the rubbery taste suggested otherwise). A lot of items are mediocre. The calamari is good if you have a strong stomach for excess grease. The sweet potato mash has been great on all occasions, and the arugula salad with lemony dressing was appropriately airy. Desserts here are a little basic (apple pie, brownie with ice cream)-- banana bread pudding is the shape and weight of a small brick. I say find something you like and don't venture off the beaten path much. Or just come for Happy Hour with friends.
(3)Heather C.
Loved brunch here! Zagat has it rated well for a reason. Everything was delish and well worth the 15" wait. Can't wait to go back and also check out dinner -- wonderful that they do take out & delivery!
(4)Parisa S.
fabulous salads. i particularly like the "control freak" design your own option. because yes, i have been known to be a tad controlling when it comes to my food.
(4)Jason B.
Marathon is a solid choice especially for brunch. The service is usually pretty slow though, even when it's not that busy. It's got a nice ambiance and the food is fresh and tasty.
(3)Martha G.
My husband and I were major regulars at Marathon on the Square, and it was our local neighborhood place to grab a casual dinner. The food started changing and going downhill prior to the renovation. I went back last night with a friend for dinner post renovation. Here is what we ordered ... my friend had a few orange juices, we each had a matzoh ball soup, and I ordered a dinner size caesar salad...no chicken, just the salad. The total came to about $34 which with the tip (the staff was delightful, as my friend had to leave suddenly and they wrapped up our food for us) came to about $42. For virtually nothing of a meal. The salad was about $10 for goodness sake. It is so incredibly overpriced now...I can go to Smith and Wollensky and get a much more interesting salad that will serve 2 people for just slightly more. I gladly pay money for something special...but 10 bucks for a caesar salad and 3 bucks a glass for plain orange juice? Come on! They have lost my husband and me as clients until they readjust their prices, which are insane.
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