Updated: July 7, 2026
When you grow up in Ohio, it’s hard not to fall in love with one particular aspect of the Ohio State Fair.
The food at the fair has taken on an iconic personality of its own over the years. America’s love affair with fair food really took off at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.
The World’s Fair was an exciting experience, offering fair-goers the chance to explore the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of the world beyond their own backyards. Foods like tamales and Vienna beef hot dogs took the country by storm, and they are still foods found at fairs around the U.S. every year.
Of course, all of the credit can’t be given to the world’s flashiest fair. In the early 19th century, county fairs were established around the country as a way to promote farming in rural communities. Just like today, there were activities like livestock judging, art showcases, technology demonstrations, and of course, food vendors.
The very first Ohio State Fair was held back in 1850, and one constant ever since has been tasty treats to snack on while you wander the fairgrounds. This year the fair runs July 29 through August 9.
The fair always cooks up some gloriously weird stuff, and half the fun is hunting down the strangest thing you can eat off a stick. There’s a free Ohio State Fair app with a searchable food map, so you can track down a favorite (or that deep-fried thing you saw on someone’s Instagram). And save room for $3 Thursday: on July 30 and August 6, vendors across the fair sell a smaller version of one of their items for just $3. It’s the cheapest way to graze your way down the midway.
Now let’s dig into some of the wildest, weirdest, and best things you’ll find at the fair.
New for 2026: The Ohio Showcase Building Food Hall
The biggest food news this year is air-conditioned. The fair is debuting the Ohio Showcase Building, a 55,000-square-foot space near the center of the fairgrounds with an indoor food hall stocked with six Ohio favorites: Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, The Cheesecake Girl, Marlow’s Cheesesteaks, Daisy’s Fish Shack, Glass City Pizzeria, and Sweet Carrot. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and a cool place to sit down in late July might be worth the walk on its own. You can read more on the new food hall here.
11” Pretzel Twists, Mini Pretzel Dogs
Where: Philly Pretzel Factory
What: These new pretzel options are served with your choice of a delicious dip: cheddar, nacho, beer cheese, mustard, or cinnamon cream.
Alfredo Stuffed Turkey Leg
Where: Hickory Tree BBQ
What: This delicious dinner is exactly what it sounds like: juicy turkey legs with creamy alfredo sauce.
Bayou Fries
Where: Waffle Bombs
What: These tasty waffle fries are served with queso cheese, diced bacon, sour cream, and green onions.
Biscuit Barn
Where: Fun Time Foods
What: Welcome to the Biscuit Barn, with biscuit sandwich options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Biscuit Barn offers a variety of biscuit options including chicken, brisket, sausage & egg, pulled pork, and more.
Cajun Waffle Dogs
Where: Waffle Bombs
What: These Andouille sausages are dipped in waffle batter, deep-fried, and served hot.
Cheese Curds
Where: Waffle Bombs
What: You may have had them before, but this year’s deep-fried white cheddar curds are served Waffle Bombs style – either original, jalapeño, garlic, or Sriracha!
Edible Cookie Dough
Where: Cookie Dough Monsters
What: Refreshingly sweet, this new Fair dessert is a nice cool option for a hit fair day. The edible dough comes cold and deep-fried.
Cornbread Funnel Cake
Where: Gobblin Gourmet
What: This food fusion combines cornbread and funnel cake, bringing you the best of both worlds.
Crack-N-Cheese
Where: Hickory Tree BBQ
What: This delicious mac and cheese bowl is topped with turkey BBQ, turkey cracklins, and sauce, and can be ordered in a bowl or a waffle cone.
Deep-Fried Sweets
Where: Cookie Dough Monsters
What: Stop by Cookie Dough Monsters for a variety of deep-fried goodies, including Devil Dogs, Oreos, Twinkies, and more.
Deep-Fried Olives
Where: Waffle Bombs
What: Enjoy a savory stick of crispy fried olives, stuffed with your choice of bleu cheese or jalapeño and garlic, served with a side of ranch.
Deep-Fried Piggy in a Pancake
Where: Tracey Concessions
What: A delicious breakfast spin on pigs in a blanket. Grab this deep-fried breakfast sausage dipped in a special Fruity Pebble-infused pancake batter.
Mac and Cheese On A Stick
Where: S & C Concessions
What: Mac and cheese served hot and golden on a stick with tangy dipping sauce.
Nutter Butter Stuffed Funnel Cake
Where: Hill Concessions
What: Enjoy classic Fair food with a new twist as this beloved peanut butter cookie meets indulgent funnel cake in a positively delightful new treat.
Soul Rolls
Where: Hickory Tree BBQ
What: Mac and cheese and collard greens are wrapped into an eggroll wrapper, served fried and crispy – a new Southern delicacy.
The Ripper
Where: Waffle Bombs
What: This savory dish is a deep-fried Nathan’s Coney Island Frank, served hot, and topped with a special relish.
Waffle Pickle Dogs
Where: Waffle Bombs
What: Meet a match made in heaven: waffle pickle dogs. Famous Dave’s Pickle Spears on a stick is wrapped in black forest ham, dipped in Belgian waffle batter, and deep-fried.
For more info on the Ohio State Fair and vendors, visit their website here.
Ohio State Fair Food FAQ
When is the 2026 Ohio State Fair?
The 2026 Ohio State Fair runs July 29 through August 9 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.
What’s new at the fair for 2026?
The big addition is the Ohio Showcase Building, a 55,000-square-foot space with an air-conditioned food hall featuring six Ohio restaurants: Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, The Cheesecake Girl, Marlow’s Cheesesteaks, Daisy’s Fish Shack, Glass City Pizzeria, and Sweet Carrot.
What is $3 Thursday at the Ohio State Fair?
On both Thursdays of the fair, July 30 and August 6, vendors across the fairgrounds sell a smaller version of one of their items for just $3. It’s the cheapest way to sample a lot of fair food in one day.
Is there vegetarian or gluten-free food at the fair?
Yes. The fair lists dairy-free, vegetarian, and other dietary-friendly options from vendors across the grounds, and the free Ohio State Fair app maps out where to find them.
