By Howard Koplowitz
Although he was an information technology manager for JP Morgan Chase, Timmy O’Leary’s love of custard led him to take courses at culinary school for the fun of it.
The classes turned out to be more than useful for O’Leary: They were the foundation for the Corona custard business he opened last summer after getting laid off from his job of 23 years.
“When I got laid off, I was looking for jobs,” the 52−year−old said. “I couldn’t find anything, but I had a little money in the bank.”
O’Leary returned to the culinary school, the Frozen Dessert Institute in St. Louis, Mo., after he decided to open Timmy O’s Frozen Custard at 49−07 104th St.
While frozen custard is mainly served in the Midwest, where O’Leary discovered the treat on vacation, he said the dessert can catch on in the city.
“I know New York is an ice cream town, but I know frozen custard could be appreciated here,” he said.
The main difference between ice cream and frozen custard is that less air is pumped into custard, making it lighter and softer than ice cream.
At Timmy O’s Frozen Custard, the custard is made with a special machine and is served at a warm temperature.
He said the business uses the freshest ingredients and opts for pure sugar instead of corn syrup to give the custard its sweet taste.
O’Leary serves the traditional chocolate and vanilla, but also whips up a flavor of the day.
“That’s the excitement of it,” he said. “As the kids ride out on their bicycles, they yell, ‘What’s the flavor of the day?’”
Some of the more popular flavors are dulce de leche, banana, death by chocolate (chocolate custard with chocolate chips, Oreo cookies, fudge brownies and a fudge ripple), peanut butter overload (vanilla custard with peanut butter, peanuts and Reese’s pieces), cookie dough, cookies and cream, brownie and Snickers.
“My goal is for people to come here, eat my custard and say, ‘Wow! This is better than anything I’ve ever had,’” O’Leary said.
Custard cones are $2.75, sundaes $3.95 and shakes — with your choice of custard with up to two toppings — for $4.25.
“For $15, you can stop in and treat the whole family nice,” O’Leary said.
The shop also serves a custard slushy, or vanilla ice cream mixed with shaved ice.
Even though Timmy O’s Frozen Custard is four blocks away from the legendary Lemon Ice King of Corona, O’Leary said the neighborhood icon has helped drive business.
“Now, they have a choice,” he said, referring to dessert enthusiasts. He noted that some of his customers also go to the Lemon Ice King.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e−mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 173.
