Uncle Bob’s Ice Cream, now owned and operated by Ben Bally, son of the founder, sits on East Center St. (Rte US 24).  Photo by News Bulletin staff.

By Tim Cooper

EUREKA – Around this area, when you say Uncle Bob, most people know you aren’t referring to some wild uncle, but to Uncle Bob’s Ice Cream.
The business has been around in some form for thirty three years. The proprietor, Ben Bally, is the son of the founder Bob Bally. Thirty three years ago Bob was asked to make ice cream for the Mennonite Relief Sale, which raises money to combat world hunger.

Bob made his own ice cream machine in a barrel with salt, and ice. He only used it once a year for the event, but to him it seemed kind of silly to only use his new machine once a year. So, he started selling at local fairs, including the Heart of Illinois Fair. He set up by the tractor pull, and sold a lot of ice cream. That one machine has today turned into two trailers, a cart, a truck, and a brick and mortar location. Also they sell to other retailers who provide Uncle Bob’s to the public.
Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is home made at Uncle Bob’s. I got the chance to watch him make a fresh batch of dark chocolate ice cream in his machine. It was delicious. Ben wanted to stress the fact that they do everything in the process. They have seasonal employees who help run the different aspects of the business, with Ben at the helm.
Ben went to Auburn University and earned a degree in business administration. He knew that he would be taking over Uncle Bob’s, and he has expanded the business greatly. “We sold more ice cream this year by July 1st than we sold the entire year in 2011,” said Ben.
Their slogan “Fresh, Local, Homemade” means what it says. They use all fresh ingredients, including milk from local dairies. There is no artificial flavorings used in the process. They use fresh vanilla in all their ice creams as a base flavor, but that is about where the sanity ends and the madness begins.
They have over seventy different flavors including all the classics, but they throw in a dose of crazy in the brand new flavor I got to try when I was there. The new flavor, “Blueberry Waffle” was amazing. A creamy texture, with a pureed blueberry taste, and a almost crunchy waffle surprise that really hit the spot.
“We have a lot of flavors, but we do specialties as well. Say your aunt makes a great pie; we will crumble her pie into the ice cream, and you will have your own special flavor for your event,” says Ben.
They cater to events, including, but not limited to, birthdays and weddings. They sell their ice cream wholesale to dealers. Something new is in the works though… Ben wants to start selling to grocers, so you will be able to pick up your favorite seasonal flavored Uncle Bob’s ice cream at your local grocery store later in the year. This is a big new project that he is “churning” in his mind. So, do your part to support the shop in those months by picking up your ice cream from your favorite local independent grocer.
Over all, Uncle Bob’s is a people-oriented company. Everything is made by people, and made for people. Whether it is at the Reagan Fest, for a party, or a wedding, Uncle Bob’s Ice cream is intended to hit the spot every time.
With so much to choose from, it is hard to decide, I found. Do you want to stay classic, and choose something like chocolate or vanilla, which are both wonderful, or do you want to go a little wild and choose something like blueberry waffle or peanut butter? It’s all up to you.