New dairy store impresses with fresh digs, tasty ice cream, and phenomenal staff
Located along the banks of the Tennessee River, the University of Tennessee campus is one of the prettiest settings in the country. But after a long walk around campus under the warm October sun, I was craving a cool treat.
Late on the Friday afternoon before Tennessee’s big showdown with the Florida Gators, I stopped in at the UT Creamery, a recently revamped retail dairy store paying homage to past glory after the original creamery closed decades ago.
The UT Creamery is located on the edge of campus, right across from sorority row. Tucked within the Culinary Institute building, it has ample parking for visitors and is easily recognizable by its orange checkerboard awning over the entrance.
The UT Creamery first opened in 1915, but closed in the late 80s and remained closed until last fall, when it was revived thanks to an investment from a couple of Tennessee alumnae named Peggy & Sue (eat your heart out, Ben & Jerry), who operate the renowned Cowgirl Creamery brand in California.
The new retail creamery store is a multi-disciplinary venture incorporating the ag school that makes the ice cream, plus elements of Tennessee’s retail, hospitality, & culinary arts programs. The current ice cream selection features the signature Go Big Orange flavor, along with Tennessee-inspired classics like VOLnilla Bean, Smokey’s Strawberry Kisses, and Good Ole Cookies & Cream.
The new creamery is gorgeous, with finishes that echo the dairy store’s past, and it has plenty of indoor seating. There’s no designated outdoor seating yet, but there’s nothing stopping you from walking your ice cream outside to enjoy a crisp October evening as the sun begins to set.
Being a relatively new facility, they don’t yet offer milk, cheeses, take-home pints, or other specialty items, but I was told by the student staffers that the creamery is actively working on additional product lines. The most immediate plans include adding milkshakes to the menu and partnering the ag school with the local Sweetwater Valley Farm to produce a line of “Power T” cheeses that will be sold at both the creamery and in specialty grocers in the Knoxville area.
While there’s no definitive timeline of when exactly these products will be available, the milkshake machines have already been purchased and are sitting on the counter behind the ice cream bar, so the student staffers told me to expect those soon.
Speaking of the staff: they were some of the most friendly and informative student workers I’ve met in any of my dairy store travels. I peppered them with questions about the creamery’s past, as well as how the dairy store fits within the academic programming and what’s next as it continues to find its footing on the Tennessee campus. Every question was met not only with a knowledgable answer, but with exuberance and pride in what they’re doing. They seemed genuinely excited about being a part of this new creamery and moving it forward as it continues to grow.
In full disclosure, the staffers also offered me a free UT Creamery shirt and cap after my impromptu Q&A session, which didn’t hurt my opinion of them. I’m still not sure if they did so because they had seen my 2024 Dairy Store Power Rankings or just appreciated my interest in the creamery, but either way, it was an incredible gesture. And as I mentioned in those rankings, I’m not above a little good-natured bribery. Big thanks to them for the swag!
Overall, you can tell that the University of Tennessee has put a lot of thought and care into this project and made it a special place that highlights the academic programming, but also gives alumni and visitors a place to enjoy the fruits of that academic training. And that’s really the main thing I ask of college dairy stores around the country.
So that’s the review, but you’ll have to wait in suspense until the 2025 College Dairy Store Power Rankings are released prior to next football season to see exactly where the UT Creamery lands in the pecking order.
Note: Since this review, the UT Creamery has added to its offerings, including a new line of signature milkshakes. Be sure to follow the creamery’s Instagram page for updates.
CFB Travel Guy 