From Everyday Comfort To Adventurous Appetites, There's Something For Every Taste At the Coastal Carolina Fair

Jeff Walker,  Food & Beverage Writer 

State and county fairs in the United States date back more than 200 years. What started strictly as agricultural and livestock competitions expanded in the late 19th and 20th centuries to include midways, carnival rides, 4-legged/youth group programs (like 4-H and FFA), live concerts, and regional foods.

Our own Coastal Carolina Fair took shape back in 1922 as the Charleston County Fair. After several location moves, the Exchange Club of Charleston took over ownership in 1957 setting up camp on Dorchester Road by 1960, moving to its current location at the Exchange Club of Charleston on Highway 78 in Ladson in 1979.

Without question the majority of people who do venture out to the fair come for one of two reasons. Kids of all ages can't get enough of carnival rides, with foodies coming out to chow down on what is best described as a 'cornucopia of flavors' presented annually at the Coastal Carolina Fair. Aside from a few new rides and revolving entertainment, the biggest changes or the most welcome advancements year to year seem to come from food vendors at the Coastal Carolina Fair.

The beauty of food at the fair is not only the eclectic mix, but the overall accessibility. The fair alone offers up nearly 100 locations (booths & kiosks) to order food and drink. Not to worry, your familiar favorites are always on hand including popcorn, hotdogs, burgers, cotton candy, peanuts, lemonade, and a host of fried foods. And in 2026 the fair and many of its food vendors are celebrating the 250th anniversary of America. Hail the red, white, & blue.

Among the newcomers making a splash this year at the Coastal Carolina Fair are three locations owned and operated by Rick Ukmar and his sons. The Florida residents run two Rick's Pizza and a separate Korean Corndog stand. Rick's Pickle Pizza has become one of the most popular fair foods in 2026 with patrons lining up for 30 minutes or more at the Minnesota and Wisconsin State Fairs.

No great mystery here. Rick's near NY style thin crust pizza is topped with his signature white sauce and layered in dill pickle chips, similar to what you'd see on a pepperoni pizza. Don't knock it until you try. And once you do you'll be lining up again and again, and putting the Pickle Pizza on your must do list every time you visit the fair. Maybe celebrate the country's anniversary and have a slice of their American 250 Pepperoni Pizza adorned in a red, white, & blue drizzle.

Rick's have one location near the long standing candy vendor and another just inside the Midway on the left. Next door to the former location you'll find Korean Corndogs, serving up traditional favorite with a twist. Instead of just a hot dog, they are commonly stuffed with stretchy mozzarella cheese o a mix of half-hot-dog and half-cheese. Kids love them!

After dipping in batter, they are often rolled in panko breadcrumbs, crushed ramen noodles, or diced french fries ("Kogo style") before deep-frying, or coated in Flamin' Hot Cheetos or Fruity Pebbles after fried for a mix of savory or sweet & crunchy. You can get them complete with dusted cinnamon sugar, and finished with drizzles of ketchup, mustard, spicy mayo, or sweet chili Thai sauce. An ideal way to tantalize the tastebuds!

Also on the newbie list is Maryland Boys Crab Cakes offering up one helluva crab cake sandwich made from crabs off the coast of Baltimore, where they harvest some of the best tasting crab in the world. Not feeling this delectable seafood delight, maybe opt for their French Dip Sandwich. Savory thin sliced roast beef tucked in a soft roll served with a side of au jus (natural juices). 

Maryland Boys Crab Cakes is in a league of their own, because their fair food fare caters to a more preferred palate. Hey, it's the fair, and it only comes once a year, so live a little and enjoy really good handhelds while you're recuperating in between rides and exhibits.

First timers in 2026 include Fork’et Me Not with a diverse menu including half pound burgers, smash quesadillas, tacos, and their signature Mac and Cheese Bowls, as well as their famous Freedom Fries with cheese, chicken, bacon, fried onions, and BBQ ranch, or Hurricane Fries. Serving up patriotism is always tastes good.

Operated by Ju-lees Concessions, a family-owned mobile food vendor Ju-Lee’s Pickle Shack, the newly introduced addition to their classic funnel cake and elephant ear stands, the Pickle Shack brings unique, adventurous, and trendy pickle-themed menu treats to the regional carnival circuit. Ju-lees features a diverse menu centered entirely around pickles, catering to the growing culinary craze for sour and spicy snacks. Dill-licious! Pun intended.

Owned and operated by Ronnie & Kim Netterfield and the Netterfield family the century old third generation food concession business bring some of the most sought after and outrageous festival foods to the Coastal Carolina Fair each and every year.

Netterfield's operate roughly 12 stands surrounding the midway the entrance to the midway including Italian & Polish style sausages, as well as chili dogs, and turkey legs. Eat and repeat with Netterfields! 

Returners from last year include colorful Moose Joose stand home to a wide selection of flavorful slushies served in plastic size Mason jars or large keepsake sippy cups. Enjoy varied fruit and popular beverage flavors, topped with whipped cream and a cake pop for an additional sugar rush.

Also returning, Fluffy's Hand Cut Donuts serving up a wide variety of yeast raised donuts, several with unusual toppings, such as Oreos, gummy worms, heath bar crunch, and more. Like a bit of sweet and savory, maybe opt for the their hottest addition the Cookie Batter Cheesecake Donut, a warm handheld treat frosted in cream cheese and rolled in crumbled Biscoff Cookies before being drizzled with cookie butter. Find them near the entrance to the Midway. Ideal when paired with their Cookie Butter Coffee Float. Decadent yum yum! 

Over at the entrance to the agriculture building you'll find Belgium and Dubai Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Another decadent and sweet treat. Just across the way and with a second location over by the Lakefront Stage you'll find Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co., where for a nominal price you can purchase an iconic metal mug that is refillable all night long from their nostalgic pure cane sugar homemade flavors such as root beer, cream, and black cherry soda.

DeAnna's Diner offers up a mouthwatering Campfire Burger, sure to tantalize the taste buds, as well as donut burgers, mac n' cheese hotdogs, and garlic & butter seasoned steak on a stick. And from Dr. Vegetable comes Nashville Hot Pickles drizzled with Hot Nashville Sauce. Be on the lookout for a dessert called a Pig Trough aka a six scoop double banana split with a half dozen toppings. Find it at Ye Olde Fashioned, a lowcountry favorite. Iconic Americana!

If it's oriental cuisine you have a hankering for, then I suggest making your way to Boardwok Noodles, where they serve up hot and tasty noodle or rice bowls with fresh veggies topped with chicken, steak, or shrimp with hints of teriyaki. It’s not just fair food, it’s a full-on meal that's easy to eat (fork friendly) and downright just a total crowd-pleaser.

I could go on and on. Simply put, if you're an adventurous foodie, then the fair offers a wide range of everyday comfort foods as well as a few that are outside the norm. There's plenty of beverage, including soft drinks, lemonade, boba tea, lattes, slushies, and hot and cold coffees.

However, for those 21 and over I would be remiss if I didn't mention the very popular Beer Gardens. Yes there's two! There's a larger covered area up front just down from Gate 1 to the left. The facility has plenty of tables and a large screen TV to keep up on the latest sports, with a couple of smaller screens to carry additional games, offering up entertainment almost non-stop.

The second, dubbed the Midway Beer Garden due to its proximity to the midway got a facelift over the past year. The old TV broadcast building was torn down and the exchange club paved the area, allowing for an open air area facility complete with tables, family friendly axe throwing, and a big screen for sports.

Local brewer Rusty Bull is on tap, alongside Mich Ultra, Bud Light, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, and Sam Adams. But not just beer. Fruit of the vine lovers have chardonnay and rose options care of Porch Pounder. As always, drink responsibly!

Basically at the Coastal Carolina Fair you're getting everyday comfort foods combined with unusual foods that reflect tastes from around the country, and from around the world. You can get all the food you can imagine and a whole lot of foods you could never even imagine. Whether your palate is tame or daring, the food at the fair is unique and tempting all in the same manner.

Want to give yourself a head start in your food & beverage journey, check out their food vendor map at https://viewer.mapme.com/07547f21-e486-46d3-83e5-8f7eaad6b631?categories=58c32ea4-03f5-4385-95e8-8490c6cef82e and for info on the Coastal Carolina Fair overall visit https://coastalcarolinafair.org/ 'Something Exciting Is Happening Out There'.