So, you’re sitting out Sunday’s LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon (again). But, hey, cheering is hard work too. To maintain your strength, try these tasty brunch spots, all close enough to the course so you can watch your favorite runners without missing a bite.
NEAR MILE 1.5
Atwood Cafe
1 W. Washington St. 312-368-1900
Rise and shine. The marathon starts at 8 a.m., but unless you’ve eaten your Wheaties, your stomach might be rumblin’. Instead of congregating with the masses at Grant Park, head to this Loop spot. Most seats offer views of State Street, so you can dine on fancy filet and eggs with bearnaise sauce ($19) or mascarpone-stuffed brioche French toast ($11) as the runners dash past. Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NEAR MILE 4
English
444 N. LaSalle St. 312-222-6200
Going strong! This River North hot spot, right on the course, recently debuted a new brunch menu. Choose from an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet with made-to-order omelets, hash browns and toast ($10.95); or go for a la carte options such as an English breakfast of two eggs, applewood-smoked bacon and ham, sauteed mushrooms, potatoes and a crusty baguette ($10.95), or the decadent rum-infused Belgian waffles topped with bananas and cinnamon whipped cream ($8.95). Open 10:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.
NEAR MILE 8
Melrose Diner
3233 N. Broadway. 773-327-2060
Keep up the pace … This Lakeview mainstay offers great views of Melrose Street and Broadway, where fabulous fans dance and blare disco from portable speakers — look out for ‘hood faves the Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps (R.O.T.C.). Open 24 hours, Melrose gives you plenty of time to stake out a spot near the front. But be warned: This diner’s always busy, so get in early to ensure primo seats. Once you’re in, choose from a wide selection of monstrous omelets ($6.50-$7.95), such as the Spartan with spinach, feta and mushrooms.
NEAR MILE 10
O’Brien’s
1528 N. Wells St. 312-787-3131
More cowbell! Noisemakers and cheering are part of this Old Town grill’s annual marathon-day festivities. With an awesome beer garden that flows right onto the sidewalk opposite the course, the pub opens early with live entertainment. Satiate your hunger with crepes stuffed with asparagus, ham and cheese ($10), or a traditional Irish breakfast of homemade corned beef and hash ($9). Be sure to smile: WBBM-Ch. 2 cameras will be rolling out front. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
NEAR MILE 13
Stanley’s on Racine
324 S. Racine Ave. 312-433-0007
Half-way home. By the race’s mid-point, you’ve really worked up an appetite. This sibling to Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap, located just off the course by the UIC Pavilion, offers an $11.95 all-you-can-eat Southern-style buffet. Fried chicken and biscuits, sausage and gravy and mac and cheese will stick to your ribs for the rest of the race. Need a mid-race pick-me-up? Hit the build-your-own bloody mary bar. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
NEAR MILE 18
Sweet Maple Cafe on Taylor
1339 W. Taylor St. 312-243-8908
The home stretch … This cozy Taylor Street brunch spot offers prime brunch options and prime race viewing. Regulars freak about the homemade, buttery biscuits that come with every meal (or topped with eggs and cheese, $4.35) and the giant banana-buttermilk pancakes ($6.55). Warning: Get there early or expect a wait. If you can’t get a table right away, chill outside by participating at the rally stations two streets west on Ashland Avenue and Taylor Street. The designated cheering spots are new this year. Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
NEAR MILE 26
Eleven City Diner
1112 S. Wabash St. 312-212-1112
They did it! Watch the winners break through the tape, then bring your favorite runner to this deli and diner near the Buckingham Fountain finish line. Keep it healthy with the 26th Mile Special, a tower of homemade granola and yogurt ($8.95) topped with fresh berries or bananas plus challah toast and fresh-squeezed O.J. Or, splurge on that Hoppel Poppel scrambler ($9.95), super chunky pieces of salami, crunchy green peppers and potatoes with a bagel and homemade cream cheese on the side. It’s never too early to start carbo-loading for next year, right? Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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metromix@tribune.com
