UMD “monument” Marathon Deli is expanding to Georgetown

People walk in front of the entrance to Marathon Deli located in College Park, Maryland on May 16, 2022

Marathon Deli’s owner George Soldatos said he had plans to open a new Marathon Deli location in Georgetown but was fearful of what that would mean for this small business. 

Soldatos said he planned to expand the 50-year-old College Park deli prior to the covid-19 pandemic, intending to open a new location next to Georgetown University in 2023. 

The businesses’ primary customers are students from this university, Soldatos said. Opening another university location could offer the same business, according to the business owner. 

“The late nights, they help us a lot,” Soldatos said, since business is slow during the day. 

Senior chemical engineering major Ethan Small, a frequent late-night customer, recalled the one time he went on a Thursday afternoon. The emptiness was “very surprising.” 

Marathon draws in most of its customers at night. 

“It’s always funny because somehow I managed to get in and out even though there’s a huge crowd,” Small said. 

Transfer sophomore environmental science and policy major Maggie Groff went to Marathon once during the late-night rush. She did not get anything to eat but described it as “the most unreal experience” and “chaotic.” Like Groff, sophomore radiology student Alyssa Buckel has never eaten at Marathon, but agreed that the night rush was hectic.

Marathon Deli cashier Olive Muller said they could get over 500 orders by the end of Thursday through Saturday alone, their busiest times. 

“For the students it's like a monument,” Muller said.

In 2020, the owners moved around the corner, which has offered more space and a better social atmosphere, Small said. But their fries never changed, according to them. 

“I just love their fries,” Small said, “But recently I tried their food other than their fries and it’s good.”

Groff noted what she knew about Marathon were the fries and the Marathon sauce. Buckel added that the fries are “really good.”

“I’m excited to try it,” Buckel said.

The Marathon sauce is constantly improving based on customer feedback. 

“The multiple sources are everything,” the owner said. 

The food is made from scratch, which brings a “homestyle” feel to the Greek-owned business, head chef Jose Valasquez said. 

The most popular items he cooks are the steak and cheese or the gyro meal but Soldatos was always experimenting with new menu ideas, Valasquez said. 

Feedback from the customers help Soldatos to “make sure the people here are happy and make sure that he serves them the good food they want,” Valasquez said.