With six locations throughout Philadelphia, who hasn’t been to a Marathon Grill? And if you haven’t, their new menu should be a reason to start.

A twelve-time Best of Philly winner, Marathon Grill has proven to be a favorite for eating in, taking out (they deliver too!), happy hour, late night dining, and weekend brunches since its 16th and Sansom location opened 16 years ago. In early April, the long-time favorite bar meets grill introduced entirely new matching menus at all six locations to make for a more chic and even trendier dining experience.

Although they still serve favorites like the Marathon Burger ($11), Chicken Quesadillas ($10.5), and their much loved and ten-time Best of Philly Matzoh Ball Soup ($5), Marathon has made noteworthy menu changes. Swapping dishes like loaded nachos and cheese fries for more esoteric fare like quinoa and soba noodles is a chancy transition for even a small chain-restaurant to tackle. This menu evolution could easily come off as too much too soon for regulars, and might appear a little pretentious. But Marathon pulls it off; simply because their food still tastes great, still looks great, and most importantly still costs the same.

The most noticeable change is separate lunch and dinner menus. New dishes include sandwiches like the pulled pork ($10), a juicy 24-hour braised pork shoulder, paired with broccoli rabe and in-house bbq sauce; the spicy chicken wrap ($11), encased securely in a tortilla are chicken strips bathed in homemade buffalo sauce cooled down by crisp leaves of fresh romaine, smooth asadero cheese and tangy blue cheese dressing; an enticing Vietnamese hoagie ($10), a hearty baguette slathered in a spicy mayo with marinated tofu and kimchi (Korean style seasoned veggies) snuggled inside. Entrees that will please even the most exacting diners including dishes like the pappardelle with shiitake and cremini mushrooms ($13.5), lasagna Bolognese ($13), and chicken ‘alla griglia’ ($14).

Salads, listed somewhat misleadingly as mere “greens” on the menu, are taken to an entrée level. Surprising combinations that could persuade even a meat and potatoes type, include a grilled vegetable and grain ($9.5), field greens, squash, zucchini, portabella mushrooms, oven dried tomatoes, red onions, pearl barley, and couscous, served with a lemon vinaigrette; the crispy sesame salad ($11.5), crispy chicken on top of Napa cabbage, cucumber, carrot, edamame, snap peas, red onion, sesame seeds, crispy wontons, and almonds, invigoratingly-accompanied by a citrus sesame vinaigrette; and the grilled salmon Nicoise (12.5), a filet of salmon pan-seared to create a lovely crisped skin that deliciously contrasts with the melt-in-your-mouth meat, topped on a bed of greens, snap peas, new potatoes, olives, and hardboiled egg, drizzled with sherry vinaigrette.

Aside from the University City location (40th and Walnut), Marathon devotees are going to be pleased that Marathon hasn’t revoked their all-day breakfasts and long-time favorites like Chef Dave’s banana brioche French toast ($9), another Philly Best, can still be enjoyed all week long. Menu revisions are evident in the weekend-only brunch menu, running from 11am to 3pm, and boasts starters like Greek yogurt parfaits ($6.5), homemade and organic granola ($5), and fresh fruit ($4.5).

There are an array of stylish egg options, paired with the likes of pancakes, steak, or turkey bacon. Try the Croissant Sandwich ($8), a sophisticated breakfast trio of turkey bacon, goat cheese, and crunchy apples sandwiched between a warm, flaky croissant; or the classic American Breakfast ($9), two eggs the way you like ‘em served with blueberry pancakes and multigrain toast; or a breakfast built to satisfy: the Steak and Eggs ($13.5), grilled skirt steak, two eggs with tomatillo sauce. They’ve also kept their plate-sized omelets ($9), and favorites like Eggs Benedict ($9.5). Some newbies, but soon-to-be favorites are the smoked salmon potato hash ($12.5); a tofu scramble ($8.5), a sunny stir fry of organic tofu, roasted tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and onions; and banana almond whole grain pancakes ($9.5).

Marathon’s food menu isn’t the only thing to change for the better; so has the bar. While bartenders will be more than happy to serve you a Jack and Coke or gin and tonic, they’ve established their own set of Marathon originals. Some appealing Marathon mixings include, the mango Mai Tai ($8.), fresh mango, Bacardi rum, and fresh tropical juice and a white grape Martini ($10), vodka, sauvignon blanc, and white grapes. Happy hour specials vary depending on location, but 5-7PM, Marathon offers a warm welcome to the after-work crowd. They also have an extensive beer selection with four beers on tap and eleven bottled, including a gluten-free option. The beers selection ranges from Chimay Grande Reserve ($14) to that warm-weather favorite, Corona ($5). And Marathon’s list of red and white wines will make wine-snobs smile. By the bottle or glass, wine styles range from rich cherry reds to aromatic and full-bodied whites.

Marathon Grill’s 40th and Walnut music venue, Marbar, has also undergone some changes. What was once an underager’s dream of fifty-cent drinks now features a recently remodeled space with a brand new sound system and stage for bands and DJs. On Wednesday nights from 9-11PM, boozers can munch on dollar tacos. For those who want to get rowdy from 11AM-3 PM on Sunday afternoons, Marbar is mixing up $1 Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Check out Marbar’s website for events and daily specials.

There’s a reason Marathon Grill has made the Philly Best list time and time again; be it Center City, Rittenhouse, or University City, when you’re looking for a place to dine, drink or both — Marathon delivers. 

Marisa McStravick studies journalism at Drexel University in Philadelphia and plans to attend law school in fall 2010. She has written for Philadelphia City Paper. Check out her blog at: http://imallergic.wordpress.com/.

Article photograph from House of Sims, via Flickr (Creative Commons), "Eat Drink Philly" photograph from suvodeb, via Flickr (Creative Commons), "Philly" photograph from camardella, via Flickr (Creative Commons).