Conversation With an Ice Cream Maker

Ray George of Tic Toc Ice Cream

Ray is not just any ice cream maker; he is the owner of Loudon County’s beloved Tic Toc Ice Cream Parlor. Tic Toc Ice Cream Parlor, located in Downtown Loudon, has history and nostalgia oozing from its clock clad walls. The location of the ice cream parlor is an experience all its own but what keeps people coming back, is the ice cream. 

Ice cream in the Morning? Yes please! I met with Ray George one Friday morning to have a conversation with….an ice cream maker.

How did you get into the business of ice cream making?

Ray has been an ice cream maker for over 18 years and Tic Toc is not his first ice cream shop. Ray began making ice cream at a shop he owned in Florida. “It was similar to Tic Toc as it was all homemade ice cream also,” Ray tells me. Rays has been the proprietor of Tic Toc for 8 years.

How did you know that Tic Toc even existed?

“We had been coming here for years, we had family in the area so we would come here to vacation. We would stay in Loudon County and then take day trips over to the Smoky Mountains and while we were on vacation, we would do what any family does…..go get ice cream. Because I had a shop in Florida it was cool to go check out other ice cream shops and see what they did. I actually have a picture of my son sitting in this dining room 4 or 5 years before I bought Tic Toc. Ray continued, “We decided to move from Florida and at that point Tic Toc came up for sale. Smiling Ray tells me, “I made the previous owner an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

What is the most difficult flavor to make?

Ray told me it not that one is more difficult than the other, “Certain flavors are easier to pull out of the machine, like vanilla or coffee. Peanut butter Crunch for instance, when it’s coming out of the machine you have to add Heath bar pieces and pour a peanut butter variegate through it also. You have different components going in, so you must make sure it is evenly distributed.” Rays tells me, all the ice cream is homemade, so he doesn’t mind if one bite has a little extra goodness in it.

What makes Tic Toc Ice cream the best?

Ray only uses the best ingredients and does not have months and months of inventory. They make ice cream 7-days a week during the peak season. Ray and I joked about it being the freshest ice cream you could get. Ray adds, Tic Toc has become a landmark here in Loudon County. People come here because it is a happy memory of times gone by. Its tradition to come on opening day or after being out on the water all day. He also attributes the community support here as being a part of Tic Toc’s success. I think Ray is spot on with his last statement. Tic Toc is a landmark for visitors and the locals are huge fans! Personally, some of the sweetest summer memories with my children include Tic Toc ice cream cones by the fountain downtown. 

How much ice cream do you serve during the peak season?

Ray tells me that they can serve over 1000 ice cream lovers in just one weekend during peak season.  

What is your favorite flavor, Ray?

Turns out, Ray and I both agree on our favorite flavor. What is it? I’ll let Ray tell you the next time you go Tic Toc for a scoop….or two.