Ep 11. Ohio State Fair / NC Potato Festival

In the eleventh episode of season one of Carnival Eats, host Noah Cappe heads to two different fairs in the United States - the Ohio State Fair and the North Carolina Potato Festival - to explore the unique and delicious food offerings at these exciting events.

At the Ohio State Fair, Noah samples a wide range of carnival eats, starting with a giant turkey leg that he estimates to be at least three pounds in weight. He then moves on to try a plate of deep-fried mac and cheese, which features crispy breadcrumbs and ooey-gooey cheese on the inside.

Next up, Noah samples a popular Ohio classic: the Buckeye burger. This dish features a beef patty topped with melted peanut butter and chocolate, and it is inspired by the Buckeye candy, which is made from peanut butter and chocolate. Noah savors the sweet and savory flavors of the burger, which he describes as an "unconventional masterpiece."

As he explores the fair, Noah comes across a stand that specializes in giant donut sandwiches. These confections are made by cutting a donut in half and filling it with a variety of sweet and savory ingredients, such as fried chicken, bacon, and jam. Noah tries a donut sandwich filled with pepperoni and mozzarella, which he declares to be "a revelation."

At the North Carolina Potato Festival, Noah discovers even more unique and imaginative dishes. He starts with a loaded baked potato that comes topped with everything from bacon and cheese to BBQ brisket and coleslaw. The massive potato weighs in at over a pound, and Noah enjoys every bite.

Next, Noah visits a stand that serves up fried mashed potato balls, which are essentially deep-fried mashed potato croquettes. These crispy and savory treats are served with a variety of dipping sauces, and Noah loves the way the creamy interior contrasts with the crispy exterior.

One of the most interesting dishes Noah tries at the North Carolina Potato Festival is the potato corn dog. This dish is essentially a corn dog with mashed potato batter instead of cornmeal batter. Noah loves the way the mashed potato batter adds a creamy richness to the classic corn dog flavor.

As he explores the fair further, Noah comes across a stand that specializes in fry bread tacos. These tacos feature a crispy and chewy fry bread base that is topped with a variety of meats, veggies, and sauces. Noah tries a fry bread taco filled with a braised brisket, and he loves the way the bread adds a unique texture and flavor to the taco.

In the end, Noah concludes that both the Ohio State Fair and the North Carolina Potato Festival are full of delicious and unique carnival eats that are worth traveling for. From the Buckeye burger to the fry bread tacos, these fairs offer a wide range of tasty and inventive dishes that are sure to satisfy any hungry carnival-goer.