Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

The Wildest, Weirdest, and Best Food At The Ohio State Fair

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 started back at the World’s Fair in Chicago back in 1863.

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.

From the first Ohio State Fair back in 1850 to this year’s triumphant return, one constant at the fair has always been tasty treats for fair-goers to snack on while enjoying a day at this annual event.

This year, the fair is offering some extremely interesting (and sometimes kind of weird) food items. There’s also an app that you can download that has all of the fair info you could ever need, including a detailed food map that will show you exactly where you can find your favorite fair food items. Don’t forget to grab a bite on “Three-Dollar Thursdays”, where all of the food vendors will sell their own, special item for just $3.

Now, let’s dive in and see what unique dishes they’ll be serving up this year.

via Facebook

11” Pretzel Twists, Mini Pretzel Dogs

Where: Philly Pretzel Factory – Near Taste of Ohio Café and Show Place Pavilion

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 – WNCI Food Highway north of WCOL Celeste Center near Main Street Stage

What: This delicious dinner is exactly what it sounds like: juicy turkey legs with creamy alfredo sauce.

Bayou Fries

Where: Waffle Bombs – WNCI Food Highway on the east side near Bricker Marketplace Building and Paddock
What: These tasty waffle fries are served with queso cheese, diced bacon, sour cream, and green onions.

Biscuit Barn

Where: Fun Time Foods – WNCI Food Highway north of WCOL Celeste Center near Main Street Stage
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 – WNCI Food Highway on the east side near Bricker Marketplace Building and Paddock
What: These Andouille sausages are dipped in waffle batter, deep-fried, and served hot.

Cheese Curds

Where: Waffle Bombs – WNCI Food Highway on the east side near Bricker Marketplace Building and Paddock
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 – West side of Land & Living Building, near the east edge of Kiddieland
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 – West side of Land & Living Building near the east edge of Kiddieland
What: 
This food fusion combines cornbread and funnel cake, bringing you the best of both worlds.

Crack-N-Cheese

Where: Hickory Tree BBQ – WNCI Food Highway north of WCOL Celeste Center near Main Street Stage
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 – West side of Land & Living Building, near east edge of Kiddieland 
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 – WNCI Food Highway on east side near Bricker Marketplace Building and Paddock
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 – WNCI Food Highway near west side of Cardinal Patio

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 – Kiddieland, near Giant Slide and SkyGlider 

What: Mac and cheese served hot and golden on a stick with tangy dipping sauce.

Nutter Butter Stuffed Funnel Cake

Where: Hill Concessions – Near Taste of Ohio Café and Show Place Pavilion 

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 – WNCI Food Highway north of WCOL Celeste Center near Main Street Stage
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 – WNCI Food Highway on the east side near Bricker Marketplace Building and Paddock 

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 – WNCI Food Highway on the east side near Bricker Marketplace Building and Paddock
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.

More Fair Fun