North Carolina’s Hidden Roadside Shack Serving The South’s Best Fried Bologna Sandwich
On a quiet stretch in Gastonia, Tony’s Ice Cream Company serves up more than sweet treats; it’s home to the South’s best fried bologna sandwich.
Crispy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced between soft bread, each bite turns a humble sandwich into a culinary delight. Locals swear by it, making the short detour a must.
Visitors quickly understand why this hidden roadside shack has earned legendary status, proving that sometimes the simplest dishes leave the biggest impression.
A Century-Plus Family Legacy
Opening its doors in 1915, Tony’s has survived world wars, economic crashes, and the invention of the drive-thru without breaking a sweat.
The Coletta family is now in their third generation of ownership, proving that some recipes for success never go stale.
Grandkids are learning the same tricks their great-grandparents perfected over a hundred years ago. That kind of dedication doesn’t just make good ice cream; it makes legends.
Homemade Ice Cream Magic
Right next door to the main shop, Tony’s churns out roughly twenty-eight classic flavors of ice cream the old-fashioned way.
No fancy molecular gastronomy or liquid nitrogen tricks here, just cream, sugar, and a whole lot of elbow grease.
Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, butter pecan, and more line the freezer cases like edible works of art. Each batch is made with the same care and attention that built this place’s reputation decades ago.
Fried Bologna Royalty
Forget your fancy artisan sandwiches with seventeen ingredients you can’t pronounce. Tony’s keeps it real with thick-cut bologna sizzled on the grill until the edges curl up like crispy little meat bowls.
Slap it on white bread with mustard and maybe some onions, and you’ve got Southern perfection. They also serve a bologna-and-egg combo that’ll fuel you through any workday or hangover with equal efficiency.
That Distinctive Yellow Brick
You can’t miss Tony’s even if you tried. That bright yellow-brick building has been a Gaston County landmark for so long that locals give directions based on it.
The structure stands out like a beacon for hungry travelers and ice cream addicts alike.
Its vintage charm hasn’t been renovated into oblivion, which means it still feels authentic and lived-in. Generations of families have posed for photos in front of those famous bricks.
Wholesale Ice Cream Empire
Tony’s isn’t just serving scoops to walk-up customers anymore. They’ve built a thriving wholesale business, shipping their homemade ice cream to shops and restaurants all across North Carolina.
That means you might be eating Tony’s ice cream without even knowing it at your favorite local diner or cafe.
Their reputation for quality has spread far beyond Gastonia’s borders, turning a small roadside shack into a regional ice cream powerhouse.
Southern Media Darling
Major Southern media outlets have caught wind of what locals have known forever: Tony’s is the real deal.
Food writers and travel bloggers have sung its praises, recognizing it as an iconic old-school ice cream shop that refuses to compromise.
When you’ve been around this long and stayed this good, people notice. Awards and features don’t change what Tony’s does; they just confirm what everyone already knew.
Piedmont Pride on the Menu
While most places chase trendy food fads, Tony’s proudly serves livermush, a Piedmont delicacy that sounds weird but tastes amazing.
It’s a pork liver and cornmeal concoction that’s grilled crispy and served on bread, just like bologna.
Not everyone outside the region gets it, but locals know it’s a taste of home. Tony’s menu celebrates where it came from, honoring regional flavors that deserve respect.