Review: SWEET CARROT - A Fresh, Innovative Approach to Homemade Comfort Food

Hop on over to the SWEET CARROT on Tuesday, November 13th when it launches its newest location on Sawmill Road in Dublin, Ohio. I had the fortunate opportunity to catch a sneak peek prior to its opening. Serving all natural, made-from-scratch comfort foods with an emphasis on dietary needs, this restaurant offers much more than just carrots and alfalfa sprouts.

First, SWEET CARROT makes everything from scratch. From smoking their melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket for 16 hours to smoking pulled pork for 14 and even smoking tomato for an hour, you can be sure that every single ingredient that hits your palate is sourced from the most natural, freshest ingredients Ohio has to offer.

With a "hospitality/people-first" philosophy, SWEET CARROT caters to real people with real dietary restrictions. With separate menus for soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegetarian options, you are sure to find the perfect dish to suit your needs. This includes being a strict nut-free restaurant and operating separate fryers and griddles for gluten/gluten-free needs so that there is absolutely no risk of cross-contamination. Even the staff are prohibited from bringing in their own lunch or outside food that contains any nut products whatsoever. And going above and beyond, the gluten-free cookies are wrapped separately so there is no contact with their counterparts.

Food safety is a top priority. SWEET CARROT has the highest grade blast chillers available and trains their staff and crew to ensure proper food preparation for each guest. SWEET CARROT also understands family. From the moment you walk inside, you will see a handmade wooden wagon with kids' menus, brightly colored whimsical decor with hand-drawn cartoon bunnies on the walls, and even pint-sized mirrors and stools in the bathrooms for the little ones.

The concept is simple. You start with a base of griddled corn cake, organic kale salad, sweet buttered roll sandwich or mac-n-cheese. Then you add a protein such as beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey, or Ohio chicken meatballs. And finally top it off with house made dressings, sauces, aiolis, artichokes, corn salsas or cole slaw. The result? A fresh, innovative approach to healthy, homemade cuisine with all the sweet goodness to satisfy every customer.

Owner, Angela Petro, started with a catering business serving boxed lunches, then bought a food truck and a smoker and launched her very first event at the Columbus Arts Festival. On a truck and a dream, Petro was then catapulted into quick success. Featured in 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,' Food Network's Guy Fieri calls the Ohio Chicken Meatball Sandwich "spot-on." Petro opened her first official SWEET CARROT restaurant in Grandview 3 years ago, then her second location in Polaris in February of this year. Good news (and food) travels fast, so it's no surprise that Petro is launching her latest Dublin location, and it probably won't be long before her concept is franchised. When asked about her success, she will not take credit alone. Although solo owner and operator, Petro swaps "I" for "we," emphasizing team playership and accountability. "It takes a village," Petro says.

Hop on board and come check out all the goodness SWEET CARROT has to offer. Tuesdays kids eat free with a paying adult. Eat in, deliver courtesy of Uber Eats or Door Dash, or cater your next event. Wine and beer is served seasonally. Visit https://www.sweetcarrot.com/ for more information.