Foodies freak as long-closed local eatery returns

Since its sole brick and mortar space closed nearly five years ago, Columbus foodies have continued to mourn the loss of Sweet Carrot.

Now—for a limited time— the popular eatery is back.

Sweet Carrot is one of six vendors to take up shop in the Ohio State Fair’s Food Hall, which is new for 2026. Located in the center of the Fair inside the Ohio Showcase Building, the new Food Hall is open daily during the Fair (which runs until Aug. 8) from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

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It includes:

The Cheesecake Girl

Daisy’s Fish Shack

Glass City Pizzeria

Marlow’s Cheesesteaks

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus

Sweet Carrot

With the temporary return of Sweet Carrot, local foodies took to social media to voice their excitement. Sweet Carrot, which still operates today as a caterer only, made a post announcing their first day at the State Fair, and the response was energized. The post was liked hundred of times and received a long list of comments voicing excitement.

“Ugh stoppp I missed you guys so much,” one user wrote, others added “Okay now I have to go [to the Ohio State Fair],” and “I am soooo happy you guys are doing this. My family and I missed your food so much!”

According to Sweet Carrot founder and CEO Angela Petro, the response to the temporary reopening has been “100% gratifying and not surprising.”

Does this signal a brick and mortar return for the brand? While Petro said the eatery has a “never say never” approach to that end, she noted Sweet Carrot’s focus currently is on expanding perfecting their catering services.

You can check out Sweet Carrot’s State Fair menu here, which combines old favorites with several new items, including the best-selling Griddled Corn Cakes.

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