One ice cream flavor here reportedly sells out every single day, and it’s grape. Not chocolate, not vanilla.
Grape, the flavor most shops skip entirely.
People drive in from other towns just for a scoop of it. I love that a purple dessert can cause that kind of loyalty.
It makes me wonder how many folks have shown up too late and left a little heartbroken.
The ice cream gets made right next door, so it doesn’t travel far before landing in your cone. The family behind it has been at this since 1915.
That’s over a century of practice, which explains a lot.
This little North Carolina creamery also serves fried bologna sandwiches and hot dogs. I believe that combo alone deserves a road trip.
So how early do you need to show up to beat the grape crowd?
The Purple Scoop That Vanishes Before Dinner
Grape ice cream sounds like something from a kid’s birthday party in 1962. At Tony’s Ice Cream, it’s the flavor that reportedly sells out every single day.
Most shops never even put grape on the board. That rarity is part of the magic, because you can’t just grab it anywhere in town.
The flavor sits right on the official menu, so it isn’t a secret item. The trick is simply getting there before everyone else does.
People reportedly drive in from outside Gastonia just to try it. That’s a serious commitment for a scoop of purple dessert.
My advice is simple and a little bossy. Don’t save grape for your second visit, because there may not be any left.
The shop opens early on most days, which helps your odds. Showing up in the afternoon rather than late evening seems like the smarter move.
If grape is gone, don’t panic and storm out. You’ve still got plenty of other homemade flavors waiting behind the counter.
Still, I can’t imagine leaving without at least trying. A flavor this rare deserves a real effort, and maybe an alarm clock too.
A Family Recipe Book That Started Rolling In 1915
Carmine Coletta came to America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1911. Just a few years later, in 1915, he started the business that became Tony’s Ice Cream.
His early sales didn’t happen in a cozy shop. By the 1920s, he was selling ice cream from pushcarts and horse-drawn wagons around town.
Picture chasing a horse for dessert. Kids back then really earned their scoops.
The building you see today came later. Antonio Janetta, Carmine’s son-in-law, built it on East Franklin Boulevard in 1947.
That means the current shop has stood for decades. It has watched entire generations of families grow up on its cones and shakes.
The business is now in its third generation. Grandsons Louis and Robert Coletta manage things these days, keeping the family thread unbroken.
I like knowing exactly whose hands are behind my ice cream. Family-run spots often protect their recipes like treasure.
That long history earned the place landmark status in the area. Many folks call it a true Gaston County tradition.
So when you order, you’re tasting more than sugar and cream. You’re tasting a story that began over a hundred years ago.
Fresh From Next Door Means Barely Any Commute
Some ice cream travels hundreds of miles in a freezer truck. Here, it makes a much shorter trip from the family plant right next door.
Tony’s Ice Cream makes its own homemade ice cream on site. That setup keeps things fresh and puts the family in full control of every batch.
The lineup includes 28 different flavors. That’s enough to keep you busy for weeks if you try one per visit.
Black cherry with fruit chunks is a popular pick. Black walnut, an old-fashioned Southern favorite, also has a loyal following.
Black walnut might sound like something your grandparents ordered. Honestly, that’s a good sign at a shop this old.
The plant does more than stock the local counter. Tony’s also distributes its ice cream to other stores and restaurants across North Carolina.
So you may have tasted it somewhere else without knowing. Eating it at the source still feels a bit more special.
My tip is to try one familiar flavor and one totally new one. Comparing them side by side is half the fun.
With 28 options, indecision is basically guaranteed. Bring a friend who doesn’t mind sharing spoons.
Milkshakes Built With Whole Milk And Zero Shortcuts
Whole milk. That’s the starting point for every milkshake at Tony’s Ice Cream, and it’s a big reason shakes count as a specialty here.
Better yet, you can get a shake in any of the 28 ice cream flavors. Yes, that includes grape when it’s available.
A grape milkshake might be the boldest order in the building. It’s also a clever way to enjoy the famous flavor through a straw.
Butter pecan, black walnut, and lemon are other options worth considering. Each one comes from the same homemade ice cream sold in cones.
Shakes are a smart pick on a warm Carolina afternoon. They’re easier to manage than a dripping cone in the car, too.
Having all 28 flavors available means you can get creative. Pair black cherry for a fruity treat, or go classic with chocolate.
I like that the shakes aren’t treated as an afterthought. A shop that bothers with whole milk clearly cares about the details.
Planning a family stop? Let everyone pick a different flavor and pass them around.
That turns one visit into a full tasting tour. Nobody will complain about that kind of homework.
Fried Bologna Deserves Its Own Fan Club
Ice cream gets the headlines, but the grill holds its own. The sign outside even reads Tony’s Ice Cream and Sandwiches, so the food isn’t a side hustle.
Everything savory is made to order. That includes sandwiches and hot dogs that local newspapers have recognized as Best of the Best.
The star of the grill might be the fried baloney sandwich. It comes with a secret chili and onion recipe the family keeps to itself.
Secret chili is exactly the kind of mystery I support. Some questions are better answered with your taste buds.
Hot dogs pair naturally with that same chili and onion combo. It’s a classic Southern lunch, done the old-school way.
Here’s a practical plan for a full visit. Start with something from the grill, then finish with a scoop for dessert.
Doing it in that order just makes sense. Ice cream before a chili dog feels a little backward, even for adventurous eaters.
The shop opens at 7 am on most days, too. That makes it an option for an early bite, not just an evening treat.
Lunch and dessert in one stop? That’s efficient planning.
Yellow Walls And Red Stools Feel Like A Time Machine
Yellow walls, a long counter, and a row of red stools set the mood inside. It’s cheerful in a way modern shops rarely try to be.
The menu hangs on a blue board with yellow lettering. You’ll probably spend a few minutes staring at it, deciding between 28 flavors.
That counter is where the classic experience happens. Grabbing a stool feels like stepping into an older chapter of American dessert culture.
Kids tend to love spinning seats, and adults secretly do too. Nobody needs to know you spun twice.
The colors work together like a vintage postcard. Red, yellow, and blue make the whole room feel bright and welcoming.
I like that the place hasn’t chased trendy makeovers. The look fits a building that’s been standing since 1947.
Snapping a photo at the counter is almost required. That blue menu board makes a fun backdrop for your cone shot.
Sitting inside also gives you a break from the summer heat. Your ice cream will thank you for the extra few minutes.
Comfort is the real win here. It’s easy to relax and enjoy every bite.
Look For The Red Sign And Striped Awning
Spotting the shop is half the fun. A red sign on a pole out front reads Tony’s Ice Cream and Sandwiches, so there’s no guessing involved.
The building itself is yellow brick with a striped awning. It looks like it belongs on a classic road trip postcard.
Near the entrance hangs a vintage Pepsi Open sign. That little detail adds plenty of retro charm before you even reach the door.
You’ll find everything at 604 E Franklin Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054. Plug that into your map and keep an eye out for that red pole sign.
The location sits right on a main road in Gastonia. That makes it a handy stop if you’re cruising through Gaston County.
My suggestion is to take a quick photo outside first. The awning and signs make a great shot in daylight.
Early afternoon light shows off that yellow brick nicely. It’s also a solid time to chase down the grape before it disappears.
Some buildings just look like dessert. This one pulls it off without trying.
Once you’ve seen it, you won’t forget where to come back.
Plan Around The Clock To Win The Grape Race
Timing matters when the most famous flavor reportedly sells out daily. Luckily, the hours at Tony’s Ice Cream give you plenty of chances.
Monday through Saturday, the doors open at 7 am. On Sundays, things start a bit later at 10 am.
Friday and Saturday nights run until 10 pm. Sunday also closes at 10 pm, which makes weekend evenings easy to plan.
Weekday closing times can vary a little, so double-check before heading out. Nobody wants to arrive to a locked door and a sad stomach.
Early openings are a quiet advantage here. You could grab a grill sandwich in the morning and an ice cream later.
For grape fans, earlier is better. A late-night craving might end with a different flavor in your cup.
Weekend trips from out of town need extra planning. Build your route so Tony’s lands earlier in the day, not as the last stop.
I believe a little strategy beats disappointment every time. Think of it as a friendly competition with everyone else craving purple.
Winning that race feels great. The prize is cold, creamy, and totally worth it.
Southern Living Noticed What Gaston County Already Knew
Being called iconic by Southern Living is a pretty big deal. Tony’s Ice Cream earned a spot on the magazine’s list of iconic shops.
That recognition didn’t come from flashy marketing. It came from more than a century of steady scoops and family pride.
Around Gaston County, the shop is considered a true landmark. Many folks describe it as a local tradition, passed down like a favorite recipe.
Few businesses in North Carolina can say three generations have kept the same family name on the door. That kind of staying power is rare anywhere.
Third-generation owners Louis and Robert Coletta keep that legacy going. Their grandfather’s pushcart dream still shapes every cone today.
I love when national attention lands on a small family shop. It proves big flavor doesn’t need a big chain behind it.
So go for the grape, but stay for the story. Grab a shake, a fried baloney sandwich, or a scoop of black walnut too.
Bring the grandparents, the kids, or a curious friend. Everyone can find something on that blue menu board.
Just don’t wait too long. That purple scoop won’t wait for you.
