Discounts and 15 Places to Carb Load For The St. Jude Memphis Marathon
If you’re gearing up for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, we’ve got the inside scoop on how to fuel your run and save while you’re at it.
If you’re gearing up for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, we’ve got the inside scoop on how to fuel your run and save while you’re at it.
From marathon-exclusive discounts to the best spots in Memphis to carb load before race day, this guide has everything you need to make the most of your marathon weekend.
DISCOUNTS FOR 2025 ST. JUDE MEMPHIS MARATHON PARTICIPANTS:
DISCOUNTS FOR 2025 ST. JUDE MEMPHIS MARATHON PARTICIPANTS:
Make sure to bring your bib or medal to get the deals!
Aldo's Pizza Pies: Participants can get 20% off food from Thursday 12/4 through Sunday 12/7. In-store only.
Amerigo Italian Restaurant: 20% off select pastas + $1 off draft beers to runners. Valid 12/5/25.
B.B. King's Blues Club: Free cover for participants all day on Saturday.
Bardog Tavern: 20% off food Thursday 12/4 through Sunday 12/7! *Bardog will also open early at 7:30 a.m. for those looking to cheer on the participants.
Birdie's: $3 Skydog beers *They'll open up early at 8 a.m. too!
Dr. Bean's Coffee: Get 10% off
Flyway Brewing: $1 off beer
Ghost River Brewing: Get $1 off your beer
Groovy Gratitude: 15% off all day for Race Day
Hard Times Deli: Get 15% off your sandwich
JEM: Complementary 3oz champagne for St Jude Marathon participants.
Kirby Wines: Celebrate with 10% off your orders through Sunday
Memphis Filling Station: All pints discounted to $6 for participants. *They'll open early at 7:30 a.m. for people to cheer on the racers with coffee, hot chocolate, beer tasters, or a Hoptane hop water with an energy shot
Memphis Made: Your first pint is on them!
Momma's: Participants can get 20% off food from Thursday 12/4 through Sunday 12/7
Soul & Spirits Brewing: Participants can come in for $5 beers. *They'll have a cheer station outside starting at 8 a.m.
Wiseacre Brewing HQ: Enjoy 20% off your draft tab. *They'll open at 7:30 a.m. Keep an eye out for Elvis who is back again this year to sing to the runners
Zio Matto Gelato: Free 4oz Hot Chocolate after the race
Have a discount you want to share? Email us at [email protected]!
+ SOME GOOD THINGS TO KNOW:
Automatic Slim's weekend brunch near the finish line features $3 Bloody Mary's and Mimosas, Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm.
Hyper Focus Run will have a fun cheer station 721 N Pkwy with The Morning After Club spinning beats, Grivet Outdoors and On
Overton Park Shell is bringing the party to the 10-mile mark! Shell on Wheels will set at the intersection of A.W. Willis Avenue and Danny Thomas Blvd with a lineup of programming beginning at 7 a.m. through 3 p.m.
CARB UP AT THESE SPOTS:
CARB UP AT THESE SPOTS:
It's all about the carbs! This guide is for runners fueling up for Memphis races—and for people who just like to eat all the breads. Coming in town for St. Jude Memphis Marathon and need to carb load before the race? Memphis has you covered.
And if you're not running in the half marathon or 5K or any other race, but you're looking for delicious pasta or pizza in Memphis, this list is also for you. I've focused on the mostly downtown Memphis area stretching a bit into Midtown area. Keep in mind, this is just a sampling!
We have tons of options. Got a favorite for pasta or other vehicles for carbs? Just leave it in the comments!
Aldo's Pizza Pies
For New York inspired pies with every kind of topping—plus a local beer selection—head to Aldo's downtown or midtown locations. The garlic knots with vodka sauce will help you carb up with flavor! While they are heavy on the pizza -- Aldo's also offers fettuccine, ravioli, and spaghetti.
Bar Hustle
Located inside South Main's Arrive Hotel, you'll find the super cozy Bar Hustle cocktail bar. In addition to great drink options, they're known for their Roman-meets-Detroit-style pizza using their own sourdough. A hearty and delicious pizza option!
Bari Ristorante
Looking for a nicer place to carb load? Bari's, in Midtown, is the spot for you! This is the city's only Southeastern Italian restaurant with some great pasta options: Rigatoni con broccoli e funghi with portobello mushrooms and goat cheese or Orzo con pomodoro e granchio with crab meat.
Catherine & Mary's
From James Beard-nominated and MICHELIN recognized chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman comes this upscale Italian eatery on the ground level of the historic Chisca Hotel. Their handmade pastas are worth every penny and upscale atmosphere give it special occasion vibes, but it's not overly fancy. They generally offer larger, runner size portions of select pastas the evening before. Reservations recommended!
Capriccio Grill
The Peabody Hotel's Capriccio Grill is an Italian steakhouse that serves all your classic pasta favorites, pizzas, and grilled meats. There's plenty of pastas to choose from and they have a bread basket, too. Capriccio is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Cocozza American Italian
Make your way to Harbor Town for one of Memphis' newest spots. Cocozza has such a cozy nostalgic vibe to make anyone feel at home. Generous portions of your favorite American Italian dishes served with a side of pasta from the Shrimp Penne Arrabbiata to the Bucatini Alla Enzo and so much more.
Dino's
Head to the no-frills Dino's in Midtown for Italian classics and comfort food. Expect pasta, including stuffed shells (pasta pockets filled to the brim with creamy cheese and spinach, topped with a meat sauce and served with a side of spaghetti "like mama made it").
Energy Famous Pasta
All the pasta you can think of—especially with Cajun flavors and proteins added— call it in, and it will ready to go for takeout meals (so you can pick up enough for post-race leftovers!) It's takeout only and is located in downtown.
Good Fortune Co.
Made from scratch noodles and dumplings. They offer a variety of noodle ramen bowls and rice bowls to fuel up on. Don't forget to try their wings--one of their most popular menu items! It does get busy so come early. They do not take reservations.
Flame Ramen
Another ramen spot! Flame Ramen has a Midtown location where you can load up on a big ramen bowl, Donburi rice bowls, or Yakisoba noodles.
Huey's
Pre-fuel or recover with Huey's long list of burgers. Cheese fries for a carb load are great too. There are many locations across the city but it's important to note that downtown's (right next to the finish line!). Celebrate with a beer and burger.
Hive Bagel & Deli
One of our favorite forms of carbs to absorb--bagels! They offer all types of bagels and spreads in addition to bagel sandwiches. You can't go wrong with a breakfast bagel or bagel & lox! There are a few outdoor patio seats but this is mostly a grab and go spot.
Little Bettie Pizza
This pizza and snack spot is seriously good stuff inside Wiseacre's downtown taproom. Just ask Guy Fieri! They have next level pizzas you can't go wrong with but the Thud Butt is one of their most notable ones to order.
The Majestic Grill
Want to eat flatbreads, pastas, and more in a 1920s Art Deco style theater? Majestic Grill on Main Street is your place. They serve lunch and dinner, plus they have a fabulous patio. They have a cheese ravioli dish on the regular menu. Reservations recommended!
Little Italy
If you need to carb up before your race in Memphis, but don't feel like getting out, Little Italy offers their beloved New York style pizza and other Italian delicacies located in South Main.
Rock'N Dough Pizza & Brewery
This new location in the Edge District is perfect for a pizza and/or pasta fix. They have a ton of pizza options to choose from and a choice of red and white Cavatappi pasta.
Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza
This Midtown cafe serves up handmade pastas, plenty of pizzas, garlic bread, and lots of other delicious Italian favorites with fresh ingredients. They're open for dinner for all your carbo-loading needs for dine-in (inside or on the outside patio) or takeout.
Again, this is only a sampling! There are tons more places to carb load in Memphis, so leave your suggestions in the comments.
For more pasta and pizzas in Memphis, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Ciao Bella, and Amerigo— which are all in East Memphis. In midtown, check out Bari for delicious pastas and southern Italian cuisine.
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