Marathon on the Square Reviews

my family and i have been going to Marathon, right around the corner from us, for years and years. the food is more basic, nothing frilly or fancy, but is always great. everything from the sandwiches to the entrees to the breakfast-brunch items, to the weekly and seasonal specials, the recipes are well thought out and are always well prepared. Burgers are great, made with a proprietary blend of beef, i have never been disappointed. The rack of ribs, short rib, gazpacho, matzoh ball soup, salmon, swordfish, seasonal salads are all fantastic. the servers are almost always very friendly and attentive. there are times when they are swamped, and even then, you can see everyone doing their best to get stuff out and to tables. it is also a great place to take kids with a good selection of kid's meal offerings. all of this and at moderate prices. though the food is more basic (i hesitate to consider it like a fancy diner because the recipes are more interesting and creative than a diner, but there is a lot of variety and always something for everyone to chose from), over the hundreds plus times i have dined here, there is rarely an exception to it being one of the most all-around consistent restaurants we dine in. thank you for being there everyone at Marathon.

great place if you want a business lunch in the sun

On vacation staying at a condo rental down the street, we are here three times! Everytime was excellent. I recommend the burger, the salmon dinner, the grilled cheese at brunch and the crab cakes. Dessert is beyond amazing, apple pie and chocolate cake are the best! Service was great too! Five stars would eat here again! They have different types of food and have smoothies to go as well.

Our son took us here when we visited. We enjoyed our meals, our server Remi, was very friendly and attentive. Nice atmosphere and value.

A colleague and I had lunch here on a Thursday afternoon around 1:30- so a little after the lunch rush. Our server was terrible. He had no idea how to keep our water and ice tea glasses full, we must have asked at least 3x. Also our food- Salads took over 40 minutes. It took so long I had to leave to feed my meter so I would not get a ticket. Even after he dropped our food he didn't ask how it was. We had to ask for the check. And when we left, he didn't even look at us or say thanks for coming. Food was good, but this dude was terrible.

I went here several times for lunch and dinner during my stay in Philadelphia. The service was reliably great, the food was nice and plenty, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. In particular, I fondly remember Jason at the bar who was amazing each time. Overall, the place is affordable and definitely nice.

My experience here was better than average, but not quite "very good." I ordered Matzoh Ball soup after reading the reviews about it, but wasn't thrilled at all. The first bowl came, and the matzoh ball was ice cold. The bartender was super nice about it and got me a replacement straight away, but the second matzoh ball was also ice cold. I chopped it up and swirled it around in the broth to warm it up a little. The broth itself was good but very, very salty and after a few spoonfuls, I ended up just eating the chicken and carrots, and most of the lukewarm bits of matzoh ball. The salad I had was decent. It was a vegetable salad with what seemed to be bulghur wheat on it. I added chopped grilled chicken to it, and the chicken had a great flavor - like it was marinated in some terrific dill marinade. The dressing was also tasty - a lemony vinaigrette if I remember correctly. The vegetables weren't bad. Very big pieces, and cumbersome to eat, and some tastes of burned grill, but overall not bad. The great part was having a tasty specialty drink at the bar while I ate. The bartender was making "spicy cucumber margaritas" and after having one with Jalapeno, he offered a spicier one with habanero. YUM! Very good, but that spicier one is not for the faint of heart. I would definitely return there for the drink, and for the moderately priced food. The atmosphere was a bit loud, like a typical diner or casual grill. I didn't have any major issues wtih it being too crowded at the bar. Nice wait staff.

Been living in Philly for 20 years, there's tons of places To go for Sunday brunch but my standard is Marathon. They have all the staples on the menu and do them well.

It's like my kitchen away from home. I go here whenever I don't feel like cooking but want something healthy and tasty. The service has been much improved in the last two years.

We had dinner at Marathon on the Square before going to the theater. The neighborhood around Rittenhouse Square was fun and interesting to look at. The wait staff was excellent and the food was terrific! Highly recommended!

The service is awful. The food is so-so. If you need any help in figuring out the overall quality, consider the fact that one marathon was seized for not paying rent and another went bankrupt for not paying rent. I worry about places that cannot get that basic right.

Just avoid it. There are better places nearby. The food is ok if you do ok. The service is awful. What else can I say?

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...

Our salads and hummus were not super exciting. Where this excels is if you have a large group where everyone wants something different. Also good for kids. Nice outdoor dining area.

I have been here many times now and keep going back for the quality of the food. I've had a lot of options from the menu and whether it is the burger, Caesar salad or eggs Benedict, the quality is always first class. I believe they source local ingredients and that really shows in the quality and freshness of food. I always find service to be extremely good too. I have found the bartender Jason to be extremely friendly and helpful and the waitresses are always topping up water or coffee supplies. The cocktails are particularly appealing! Prices are pretty reasonable ,$13+tax for a large chicken salad or $12 for a burger. It's become my go to brunch spot at the weekends

We stopped in on a beautiful spring evening after the Philly Flower Show. Unfortunately, the outdoor tables were all taken. But the full length windows were open and we had a nice breeze. Our waiter was ok. My friend and I both ordered the salmon. She specifically asked that it be well done. Well, he wasn't paying attention and he mixed them up. So she had to send her order back to be finished. Then the waiter didn't bring back silverware for her. We tried, unsuccessfully, to get his attention. I ended up taking a place setting from an empty table nearby. The salmon was very nice, with an excellent mustard sauce. Asparagus was grilled and delicious. Mashed potatoes were fine. Definitely worth checking out if you want a casual night out that isn't excessively expensive.

Always good food. Always busy with a nice feeling inside. Weather permitting, they have outdoor seating. They always have specials so there is a lot to choose from. Soups good; sandwiches good, salads good, entrees too. I had the salmon burger but also love the chicken pot pie and the turkey/swiss grilled sandwich that comes with soup. Staff very upbeat and efficient. Location is right off Rittenhouse Square.

From 5-7 many of the apps are half priced as are select wines and beers. The Calamari and Cheesesteak wontons are out of this world. Paired with a glass of white at the counter with the sincerely friendly and kind Mixologist Jason, it is a relaxing experience which will make you fell as though all is right with the world.

On a recent trip to Philadelphia, Marathon was recommended to us by the innkeeper at the B&B we were staying at. Everything he said was spot on. A friendly, clean place with great food and decent prices. We got window seats, which although it was winter, it was still fun to sit and watch the world go by. We look forward to going back soon.

Marathon on the Square is a great option for reliable diner style food. You are not going to be wowed by anything nor overtly disgusted. There are reliable standards on the menu, multiple salad choices, sandwiches, comfort food such as meatloaf, etc and they are executed as well as can be expected. This is not a chef-driven kitchen so the plating & execution is pretty standard. This location of Marathon is good for large groups, families with children or those with limited time or limited palates. Service was friendly & efficient.

The website and menu for this place looked quite attractive, and our Saturday brunch experience matched. We sat outside on a mild October day, were well-served and our breakfast quesadillas were simple, filling and tasty. I don't know much about other food options, but the place seems popular with local people and they support local farmers for their food supply, I would go there again to try more of their offerings. Imagine a merge of Milestones and the Gumboot (Robert's Creek, BC), if you know these places you will get this place perfectly! The name is misleading,it's located one block from Rittenhouse Square, not "on the Square."

Probably the worst dining experience I’ve had in Philadelphia. The food came out after sitting 45 minutes, and came out cold. Part of the order was wrong, but we didn’t feel like correcting it after waiting so long. Also, one of the meals was missing completely. It took them another 30 Minutes before we finally just decided to get up and leave. Additionally, I am a type 1 diabetic and took my insulin 15 minutes after ordering. Ultimately my wife had to go to the bar and order an orange juice because we hadn’t seen our server for 30 minutes. The management at Marathon would not allow us to box the food to go, and the manager was rude about it. They also charged us for the orange juice, which is absurd. I will never return here, and I wish I had the power to put them out of business, that’s how horrible the experience was. I’m not sure that I’ve ever left a review before, but unfortunately it had to be done. 0 stars

Been here but have no plans on going back.

it's a diner because you're sure to find something you'll like, but it's better and fresher. This Marathon has a slightly better and different menu (that we could tell) from the other Marathon's in the city. It was great. Big and bright windows; great food fast. Great for a quick lunch that satisfies if you're looking for something better than average but not not a scene.

I highly recommend this restaurant for breakfast or brunch. We sat outside and enjoyed a great view and friendly service. The menu offered many gourmet options. I enjoyed the baby kale salad, grilled veggies, grains with poached egg on top. I also had a side of bacon and it was the perfect balance of salty, smokey, with a hint of sweet. I saw other guests enjoying gorgeous french toast with fresh fruit and cream and more typical egg based dishes. I would eat here again in a heart beat.

Good choice for a casual brunch/lunch, especially when meeting up with friends. Mac and cheese appetizer is a large portion great for sharing, or to order while you're waiting for the rest of the food. Turkey club sandwich is too tall to properly eat. Turkey is dry (although fresh), so be sure to order extra mayo on the side. Caesar salad has a very weak and slightly acidic dressing, it's not really a traditional version, but it's good. Omelette's are huge and cooked great. Feel free to order off menu and make your own special requests. Pancakes are also huge, we usually order a plate with brunch for the table to share. The green shake sounds kinda gross (spinach and yogurt...) but it's actually really, really good. If you're not starting off brunch with this, you should be ordering the bloody mary or mimosa. The staff is really attentive, the busboys almost too much so as they'll be there to clear your plates as each person finishes. You almost get the impression that they're rising to get you out the door so they can turn the table, and then you look-up and see the 4 groups of friends and 2 small families pushing strollers waiting for one of the tables to free up. Come early or come late, but "just after church" is by far their busiest time so be prepared to wait.

Good food and wine in a trendy but relaxed environment. Near Rittenhouse Sq. it was a great way to have dinner in a kid friendly (but not loud) restaurant.

The kids’ menu was outrageously comprehensive. Every effort was made to help my kids tailor their wants. It is hard to eat gluten-free here, even if choosing the control freak salad. Most dressings (not all!) contain gluten, which is ridiculous. Bathrooms were dark and dirty.

My friend and I were looking for a very late brunch type of place - not heavy like may of the options at someplace like Reading Terminal, but filling and satisfying. I had the avocado toast which also had salmon and sunny side up egg. It was SO delish! My friend had a salad which she loved, as well as the hummus which came like a large ice cream scoop. She said it was excellent and very filling. We would go there again!

When in town we enjoy the Parc Bistro for a Sunday brunch, but, unable to obtain a reservation we decided a search was in order for a substitute spot. We found Marathon on the Square during our search. We were very happy with our choice. Quick service with no wait, we ordered The Huevos Rancheros and the Salmon Burger. These were great choices for us. Our meals were served hot and full of eye appeal and flavor. For out of town people the Marathon on the Square was a top choice for us.

Seriously, the food and service were acceptable, but how can you dine comfortably swatting your face every few minutes? The doors were closed, but I guess the waitstaff had to go in and out to serve those dining on the sidewalk outside. Were all these flying critters in the kitchen as well? ::sigh::

I have eaten a fair amount of Marathon over the years in the city, but for some reason although it may taste good going down I always end up feeling sick later.

Good place for a quick snack or light lunch or dinner. Service is friendly. Close to Rittenhouse Square.

We like this place for casual meals any time during the day. It attracts a lot of families with kids of all ages, as well as older singles. Everyone feels comfortable here. The waitstaff is very courteous and pleasant. I highly recommend it.

Salads, Burgers, Platters, you name it and Marathon has it. This one is very friendly as it is in a neighborhood. You don't need a reservation and the food is always consistent.

Went there today at 10.30 am to have breakfast. I was told they open at 11 am. I was not asked to sit or wait or in any way accomodated. The manager himself answered to my questions (I was then trying to find out where the next Marathons is) in a rather snippy and uninterested way. When I told him that on the application foursquare their office hours are not correct, it was obvious that he was not listening as his answers had nothing to do with what I was saying. I like the Marathons on 16th and Sansom and had breakfast there twice. But the one on the Square, I will be avoiding due to this kind of service.

This was my fallback choice for brunch when we had company in town. The food is consistently good and the atmospher is casual. Nice location close to Rittenhouse.

Ate dinner at this restaurant in October 2017. Was very pleased with the service, the selection on the menu, the location & the ambience of the restaurant. The prices were very reasonable. There were other diners there ranging frim families with small children to older couples. Would definitely recommend.

Found this little place when I was walking in the Rittenhouse Square District of Philly. One of the lunch specials was tilapia with couscous and roasted veggies. So good. Was about $13. My favorite food item that I have had since I have been in Philly was the walnut apple pie and ice cream. So delicious - a special item also. I also had a cup of coffee. Check- $23.76. Very reasonable for what I got and for this part of town. Comfortable, nice atmosphere, and friendly staff!

Standard breakfast an lunch place in Philly. There are about nine all over the place. Wouldn't go there for dinner though.

Ate here last night with 2 others. Good upscale bar food. Upscale burger, sandwiches, smoothies, etc. Not a huge menu, but good food well executed.

The winter weather kept us from some of our favorite local restaurants. Better weather last week and we started to venture out quite a bit. One of our first stops was Sunday Brunch at Marathon on the Square. Didn't mind the 20 minute wait. Seated, ordered and they were so busy, we didn't get return visits from the staff. The waffle I ordered came out cold and rubbery, after 2 bites I sent it back. The noise level was so high that my husband and I could not have a conversation. It wasn't until we finished and left the restuarant that I had the opportunity to ask my husband how his eggs benedict was. He said, aside from being served cold, the muffin was not toasted, but since no servers came back to the table, he let it go. Sorry to see another restaurant not have enough staff and adequate staff in the kitchen that knows how basic food should be prepared.

We live in Center City Philadelphia, so we have an incredible array of restaurants from which to choose, most of which are within walking distance. Everyone needs a place where you can be sure that there are a number of dishes on the menu that are appealing and, if you dine out frequently, reasonable in price. Marathon on the Square, one of three locations in Philadelphia, meets the test. The luncheon and dinner menus have all of the old standbys, several very good salads, good vegetarian chili ($5.50 the bowl) and a good mix of burgers, usually done to perfection. I am a particular fan of their salad dishes. The crisp Sesame Chicken salad is very satisfying and the Chicken Cobb is very very good. They have a full bar and the noise level is usually tolerable. Marathon is a reliable winner!

Dependable food and service for casual dining . Very reasonably priced and mostly a local clientele. Neighborhood restaurant .

Went with my daughter for dinner. The menu had lots of fun choices and options. Server was fine. Manager was very friendly. We both enjoyed the Moroccan Meatballs and calamari. The pineapple margarita was a little too sweet. We both had salmon dishes that were quite good.

We go here regularly as it's only a few blocks from where we live. It has a nice atmosphere, reasonably priced dinner options and is just a nice place to be. Service is good but can occassionally be a little slow. Nothing that deters us from going back again and again. It's not where I would go for a spectacular meal, but for a good reliable dinner we come back time and again! Recommended.

My significant other and I had quite a poor experience here. During our meal: 1) We were ignored by staff who delayed in taking our order then forgot to bring our drinks. 2) The food then came late. The table next to us was seated at least 10 minutes after us but got their food at least 10 minutes before us. 3) The food that came was then substandard, to put it mildly. My significant other couldn't take more than 3 bites of her meal because it was so bland (think of microwaved, scrambled eggs with no flavoring), and ended up sharing mine. We both left hungry. 4) Finally, the cleanliness of the restaurant left a lot to be desired. When the waitress finally brought out my (forgotten) drink, the glass had lipstick marks on it. When I told the waitress, I did feel bad because she was so embarrassed. She went and got me another glass. What makes this matter worse is, later on, I wrote to the restaurant with feedback. I didn't want to make the wait staff or restaurant management feel bad on the spot, so I figured email communication would be better; however, I was mistaken. They ignored my complaints and correspondence. At the very least, from a customer service perspective, listening to and offering an apology for a frustrated customer would have gone a long way. Overall, a poor dining experience that we aren't going to forget anytime soon.

We loved our Sunday Brunch visit. Marathon has a nice bar and seating for about 100. It is a nice size with great energy and a fun menu. They have three kinds of French Toast...our party of four had three different ones and we all shared...no agreement on the winner! I loved the Yogurt & Granola bowl with fruit. Service and staff were excellent. Can't wait to come back for dinner.

Three of us had a very good lunch here. I ordered a Turkey and Grain Burger ($11.50) which was a turkey burger on a whole wheat bun, but it also had bacon, smoked Gouda and apple slaw - semi-healthy, right? It was very good. My wife, a light eater, had Elijah's Baked Mac and Cheese from the "Starter" menu ($7), and our friend had a salad, I think it was the Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad ($11.50). Both of these were generous servings and were rated very good. Despite what was reported in other reviews, we were served promptly, courteously and efficiently, and were offered refills of our drinks (iced tea, soda) as soon as we had drained the original ones.

Staying at La Reserve just around the corner we needed a restaurant in close walking distance and Marathon was recommended. Ambience is up market casual, service was excellent and food- mainly tapas/ burger type-quite satisfactory without being exceptional. Prices were reasonable and servings over generous. We can thoroughly recommend the Malbec from a shipper we did not know- as being rather better than this type of restaurant would normally serve.

Some dishes here are very good, and other are not. I've had a hit-or-miss experience with this restaurant. Good variety of selections on the menu, and breakfast served all day.

We eat here all the time. It's one of those places that you go to when you just can't think of where you want to eat. It's just a great stand-by. Friendly, efficient service, and a fairly large menu with everything on it from breakfast food to ...well, to whatever you want. Good drinks, too. The chicken pie is really good.

Very mediocre

Really nice food. Outdoor dining as well as indoor. Tables or booths. Can get noisy. Will lower the music if asked.Daily specials as well as regular menu. Staff very friendly. Nothing is too much to ask of them.Turkey dinner is very good Offer extensive salad menu. Also, serve breakfast all day.

If you can get into this local place on a weekend go for it, you will be happy you did. I always start out with a Mimosa or Spicy Bloody Mary, both fantastic. The portions are big, the food is served quickly, I like the egg white wraps. My son & I devour the pancakes. Everything we ever ate there was incredible. Yummy! Must have for weekend breakfast/brunch. ;)

If I could give this restaurant 4 and a half stars, I would, because we really loved it! There were only a couple of minor snafus, which made me feel like I couldn't quite give it a full 5 stars, but I do feel it deserves 4 and a half! The restaurant was just off of Rittenhouse Square, where we were staying, so it was a very convenient, easy walk from our hotel. We ate dinner there on the 4th of July, and we made a reservation in advance, since we weren't sure if restaurants would be more crowded than usual or less crowded than usual, due to the holiday. As it turned out, a reservation wouldn't have been necessary, as the restaurant was not busy (due to the holiday, I'm sure), but better to be safe than sorry! They let us choose our table, and we selected a booth, which was perfect! The server was very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable. The food was GREAT! I ordered a turkey burger and sweet potato fries, and my husband ordered pancakes, eggs, and bacon (he loves breakfast for dinner!). He thought his meal was top-notch. My meal had a minor issue in the beginning -- when they brought my burger, the caramelized onions on it were cold. I mean cold. Like "straight out of the refrigerator" cold. It was very odd. I brought it to the waiter's attention, though, and he immediately took my plate away and returned a few minutes later with fresh, hot onions on my burger. (I sort of wish he had just let me keep my plate, though, and brought out the onions on the side, so I could have eaten my fries while I was waiting.). The turkey burger was great, though. It was topped with smoked gouda that actually TASTED like smoked gouda. I'm always disappointed when restaurants advertise flavorful cheeses like smoked gouda or havarti and then deliver bland, flavorless slices of cheese that might as well just be Kraft singles. But Marathon on the Square evidently uses the real deal when it comes to cheese! The gouda was smokey and flavorful -- delicious! Also, the turkey burger comes with a topping called apple mostarda, which is basically applesauce mixed with mustard. That may sound like an odd combination, but it was SOOOOO good! It really took the burger to the next level! But even with all that deliciousness, it was the sweet potato fries that really put the meal over the top. They were the best sweet potato fries I've ever had! They are fried in a light batter that makes them crispy, but in a very light way. It's hard to describe, but they are different than other sweet potato fries. Very light and crispy. SO good!!! There was one issue that did mar our experience a bit, but since we did not bring it to the manager's attention, we can't blame the restaurant. However, we were not aware that the restaurant was dog-friendly. Where we live, dogs are only allowed on patios, not inside restaurants, so we did not think to ask not to be seated near any dogs. Not that I don't like dogs -- I do! But I am very allergic to them (not their fur; just if they lick me, I will break out in hives), so when a party with a dog came in and sat directly behind us, in the booth that shared a back with my seat, I became very nervous. Unfortunately, the owner of the dog sat right behind me, and since the backs of the booths are very low, the little dog was often putting his paws up on the back, right behind me. It ended up being fine -- he never touched me -- but I was kind of on-edge from that point on, so I really couldn't relax and enjoy my meal as much as I might have otherwise. Again, we didn't bring it to anyone's attention (we didn't want to seem like high-maintenance jerks), and I guess if I was REALLY uncomfortable, I could have switched seats with my husband (but I felt like that would have come off as rude, as if I didn't want to sit by the other people), so I can't hold it against the restaurant, as I'm sure they would have moved us if we'd asked. But since there were tons of tables open, I just wish they had sat the other party at a little bit of a distance from us. Anyway, overall we loved the food at this restaurant and would definitely recommend it!

This was a diner type setting but so much more! Our waitress was friendly and efficient and our food came out quickly after we ordered.Great service. Quality food for a very reasonable price. We were on our way to a show on a weekend and this was the perfect place to grab a bite in a clean, bright setting.

Used to be a great place for everyone in any group with huge selection, great food and service but latest experience was with really bad service from both wait staff and manager as well as only mediocre food. Wouldn't recommend any more.

We were with a group of nine including three kids. Our server, Francesca was wonderful. Happy to wait on the kids and the adults. She provided cups with lids, coloring pages, and ample warning to the kids about hot plates. The food was good, the menu varied without being overwhelming. Even with nine people we were served at a good pace and everyone received food at the same time! Three of our group were running a half marathon the next day. They all enjoyed the pasta and vegetables. I had a salmon burger with a very tasty sauce. Overall a great dining experience with a large party.

Always a great lunch for food and conversation. Warm welcome, wide menu choices, convenient location and friendly service. Vegetarian chili best I've had in years. Table seating comfortable and no rushing. Great place to meet, eat and connect.

Had the salmon which was good but the portions are rather small surprisingly. The atmosphere is nice overall and the place is close to Rittenhouse square. My cousins had large salads and seemed very happy with them so that may be a better choice.

I think this location is the best of the chain, and the food tastes better because of it.....

Everytime I go in here I have a different experience - sometimes good, sometimes bad. High waitress turnover rate. Lots of food. Soup is often luke-warm. Overly expensive

My family was in Philadelphia for the marathon, and this was one of the restaurants offering a special menu for runners: a three course meal for $20. I had my choice of several entrees, but the salad and desert were set. Trouble is, I don't care for Caesar salad. Never did. I asked to substitute, but the answer was no. I asked if I could even get a house salad (less costly), but no. I asked if I could pay more for a salad I actually wanted. Of course I could pay full price for another salad. Of course I could pick something else on the regular menu, but the whole point of me coming to the restaurant was to get the special. So I ended up giving my salad to my wife. I was surprised at how inflexible the restaurant was about this. I wasn't trying to get something extra. I was just trying to be happy with my meal. This is bad for business. I am giving four stars because the waitress was nice enough (though didn't have much success finding an amicable resolution) and attentive, the food I ate was actually quite good. I had Pasta Bolognese, which carbed me up well. My daughter had pancakes with cookies & cream; it was more than she could eat so I got to sample it. Really something. The ambiance was upscale, though families are welcome. The salad unpleasantry made it difficult to enjoy the evening, though. I doubt we'll be back.

always crowded and good

I have been here quite a number of times for brunch and the food is always good! I wouldn't say it blows me out of the water, but I have never heard complaints from anyone at my table and will continue to go.

We frequent Marathon quite a lot. The food is very good and consistently so. The restaurant gets pretty crowded on the weekends and it's a bit cramped but the atmosphere is very nice and it's always a lot of fun whether with children or adults. Kind of a good all around solution.

Great bloody mary's

Asked if they had “real “ maple syrup before I ordered pancakes. I was told yes so I ordered them. Well, it wasn’t so I sent them back and watched my husband eat his food ( his home fries were cold). Any reputable restaurant will give you the option of real syrup, with an up charge which is ok. Won’t be going back there.

Food was reasonably priced, if a touch pricey but portions were generous. Based on food alone I'd probably only give this average but the staff were incredibly accommodating for my friend's 9 month old baby, helping us get the high chair set up and being pretty attentive. The crab cake sandwich (a special that day) was great value while the rest (buffalo chicken sandwich, cheesesteak) were fairly average. Good for a working lunch but probably not a special place to go out.

We have been eating at Marathon for many years and it never disappoints. They maintain good service,excellent food,and a pleasant atmosphere. Since Covid so many restaurants continue to increase their prices to excessive levels, Marathon has not even though they operate in the same industry. It is a neighborhood gem.

Located just outside of Rittenhouse Square Marathon has outside seating and open air views. You can enjoy some beautiful architecture while have a quick bite to eat. The food was good and bargain priced for the area. A quick and casual lunch visit is more than worth it.

Three of us visited this great neighborhood restaurant, as we have many times before. They are a reliable standard - very good service, excellent quality food and beverages, and reasonable prices. We have never been disappointed the times we've eaten at this location.

Bustling lunch spot, great salads and sandwiches, reasonable prices. okay service. Interesting soups -- of special note.

I have frequented this restaurant for years, as a single city dweller and now as a mom from the suburbs. After our meal this weekend I just had to post how impressed I am with this place. It's Great with kids. The kids men has great variety and wonderful prices. But more importantly, it's a fun place to come as an adult...wonderful selection of delicious, quality, healthy food that won't break the bank! The kale and quinoa salad with Morrocan Chicken was to die for. And my husband loved his turkey burger! Plus! they serve wine! What more could a mom want! Great service from Chris. A++++++. We will return again and again!

Warm welcome, Good food and reasonable prices add up to an excellent choice for a casual lunch or dinner. Salads Sandwiches and soups are excellent. Many choices, creative combinations, and careful preparation and presentation. Highly recommend.

Pity as the food is ok here. But the slow service (I was seated at a table and it was sometime before I was served in a more than half empty restaurant). I was finally served when the host asked if I had been looked after ( 10 mins later) and who then had to go back to the service area and ask why. A gum chewing blond waitress and a dim waiter looked at each other and eventually ambles over to ask if I was ready to order. Lol. No water by this stage either. Pity as the food is reasonable. If the service was better this would be a cracker of a place. Maybe the manager should review his staff cos they ain't worth a tip....

Had marathon burger - humongous and great. Egg cup and breakfast burrito. 3 drinks. $45 inc tip. Nice service and very central. Parking locally a nightmare so plan to take 20 mins to park !

Marathon is a fine neighborhood restaurant for downtown Philly. We were unhappy when we showed up on time for our reservation but had to wait 15 minutes But a nice waiter made us feel better and did a fine job serving us. The food here is perfectly fine, but still not quite over the top enough to get a fifth star. We would, of course, eat here again.

We are a mid 40's couple with two picky teen boys. We were having dinner prior to a comedy show on Sansom. Parked on Sansom for about 5 hours in a lot for $10. Location is one block from the square. All were satisfied with Marathon. Drinks were ordered and delivered quickly. Philly cheesesteak wontons were interesting and good with a variety of dipping sauces. Meals arrived hot and decent portions. Veggie burger was great. The boys ate their burgers/fries and turkey club. Service was spot on. We had 3 cocktails, 2 apps., 4 entrees, 2 smoothies -- $124 including tax and tip. As far as I'm concerned this is a gem in the city. Will definitely visit here again.

This is by far the noisiest restaurant in the area. Food is decent and consistent but we can no longer stand the noise. Ok in weather when one can sit outside.

"On the Square" is a stretch as it is not. It is just a couple of blocks off Rittenhouse Square so maybe "Near the Square" would be a better identifier. We were delayed in meeting our guest for lunch and were disappointed that we had missed the full lunch menu. We chose Marathon for location and the wide range of choices on the lunch menu. There was, however, an adequate mid-afternoon menu available with broad-appeal choices. Our server was very pleasant and perfectly attentive. The turkey club and the salad that our guest ordered were perfectly fine.

Marathon on the Square is a fantastic place for breakfast or, on Sat-Sun, brunch. Their menu offers a variety of dishes for all tastes, and they are consistently delicious. You can order breakfast/brunch food, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and specialty dishes. They also make greeat smoothies. This place is popular, especially for brunch on weekends, so you may have to wait for a table at those times, but it is worth the wait. Our favorite breakfast place in Philly.

Had a light dinner with family. Food was wonderful with a varied menu. We were looking for lighter fare and enjoyed salads with grilled salmon that was perfectly done and presented. There were a variety of bistro-like offerings including sandwiches and even breakfast. They were equipped to satisfy my 3 year old granddaughter as well. They also have more substantial meals and a full bar. It is a center city neighborhood gem that I intend to visit more often. You won't be disappointed.

This restaurant is known as Rittenhouse's Kitchen for good reason. I have been in the area on business since October 2015. The staff and the food are impeccable. Help hints: ask for what you want or variation of what's on the menu. The food is very good. I enjoy the price as well......

yummy sweet potato fries

Great brunch!

We loved this place so much we hit it up twice on our Philly vacation. It's a great place close to Rittenhouse Square- lots of light and plenty of (socially distanced) seating, while still being cozy. We first had lunch there on our first day and were really into how clean the food is. We had the tuna wrap and the pierogis, and both were delicious and not heavy at all. Second visit was for breakfast on the way back from Philly, and they didn't disappoint. We had the omelet and veggie breakfast wrap and we couldn't have had a better breakfast in the area. The menu isn't extensively crazy, which is good. That being said, what they do have on the menu is fresh and made caringly.

Big menu with lots of options. I was fortunate to be seated in a prime window setting. Service was super quick (maybe dial it down a little to let diners relax a little more). Really tasty and nicely presented food. And a well priced wine list too. Something here for all palates and the kitchen seems to manage a rush well.

Walking back from Rittenhouse Square we stumbled upon Marathon, and let me tell you how thrilled we were! I opted for the jalapeno guacamole bacon grilled cheese, matzo soup and tea. SO DOGGONE GOOD! The next weekend went back again, and I got the tofu scramble, ALSO GOOD! Marathon delivers the goods every time. I feel bad for our other breakfast spot we used to frequent, they won't be seeing us anytime soon. Will be going back to Marathon again!

I ordered a beef burger and strawberry and vanilla shake- first order came quickly but was totally wrong- turkey burger not beef and no shake Restaurant was great in redoing order and it came about 30 minutes later- burger was awesome and done the way I asked - shake was thick, although a little sweet for my taste more strawberry purée was needed Overall I would order food again, burger was good and service recovered well

Came here with friends for a birthday and though staff were nice the food was just bland. It looked fantastic but the calamari had almost no seasoning from what I could tell and pasta was kind of a mass with no real "umph" so to speak. I have eaten at other marathons before but this was by far my least enjoyable dinner. I'm rating it as average and not poor because it wasn't bad ... Just nothing overly special. Close though for me.

nice decor, solid americana.

Best for breakfast. Good banana bread French toast. Friendly help. If you like to sit in booths, it is a perfect place. Wouldn't go there for dinner.

My family and I really enjoyed an early dinner here in their outdoor seating area. It was well-ventilated (COVID times consideration). The staff was friendly. The food was served in good portions and had tasty flavors.

very good burguer there. a good place, not very expensive and with several different options of food. Brunch is good as well.

Excellent salads

Not sure why it takes forever to get a couple salads but this place is slow. I usually don't want to linger over a mid week lunch and expected the food to be delivered in a reasonable amount of time. Maybe it's because the waitress only takes the orders and some guy delivers the food. Perhaps the kitchen is short-staffed. The food is average. The water glasses are tall and thin-a bit awkward to drink out of so they give you a straw.

I've been to Marathon a few times and it never disappoints. Service is always friendly and efficient, and whatever I have ordered (several different dishes) has always been very good. This time - not wanting a full meal - I ordered a chicken flatbread pizza appetizer. It was both delicious and more than enough!

Chicken soup with matzo balls betterthan almost any mother ever made.

We had chosen a different direction for a nice long walk each of our mornings in Philadelphia, and it was on the last morning's walk that we happened upon Marathon on the Square. It was a few minutes before opening time, and the proprietor (or manager) was busily arranging the numerous outdoor tables and freshening the flowers on each table. We chose an indoor table as it was fairly breezy, and immediately ordered cups of the very nice coffee. Our smiling and kind server, Sopa, was helpful with menu questions, and we ordered two different omelets- one with Applewood smoked bacon, swiss, and tomato; the other with Cerini mushrooms, spinach and swiss. Both were pleasingly made from free-range eggs from the owner's farm. The omelets were delicious and filling, served with nicely browned potatoes and whole wheat toast. Sopa refilled our coffee as we sat and enjoyed those moments, reluctant to leave for the airport. How fortunate you Philadelphia locals are to be able to frequent the three Marathon locations as often as you like!

Our son and his family live nearby, so we go there often. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, we've always had great food & great service.

Very nice place with a local neighborhood feel. Solid menu with a lot of salads and plenty of choices. Our meals were just fine, with pretty good service. Just not quite interesting enough to earn a full fifth star, but we would happily return here. Not expensive for a downtown setting.