Twenty four flavors of ice cream can be had, in addition to burgers and Southern specialities at Tony's Ice Cream in Gastonia, NC, about 20 miles from Charlotte off interstate 85. A local favorite and in business since since 1947, Tony's Ice Cream makes the frozen treats on the premises in the factory next door to the ice cream parlor.
Given that the ice cream is homemade, I was disappointed to read that many of the ingredients that make up the ice cream were not more natural. Cutting corners by using high fructose corn syrup instead of natural, unprocessed sugar and other chemically named additives, took some of the appeal away as did the simpleness of the flavors. The most exotic flavor appeared to be peanut butter ribbon in vanilla ice cream and Lord knows what kind of peanut butter is used in that recipe.
The simple brick facade on the corner of 604 E. Franklin in downtown Gastonia can easily be missed, but just look for the parking lot full of trucks with hungry ice cream diners.