Mary Coyle Ice Cream

We had been regular customers of Mary Coyle, going back a very long time. I used to go there with my family when I was a child. I went to high school with one of the Coyles. My wife and I (and now my son) used to celebrate special occasions there, or just sometimes for fun. It was our favorite place to visit after the Fiesta Bowl Parade every year. NO MORE. NEVER AGAIN. We visited this evening (Saturday night, November 27, 2010). The place was busy, so a delay could be understandable. But waiting over 20 minutes with no water, no service, and absolutely no acknowledgment was not good - and that's just the beginning. After finally having to flag a waitress down, we waited another half hour for our ice cream. However, my wife's was not as requested, and was missing most of one flavor (which wasn't discovered until near the bottom). Also, we were rather hungry, having just come from the Encanto Park 75th Anniversary celebration. When we commented on the problems, the waitress firmly stated that since the ice cream was finished, everything must have been satisfactory - and anyway, it wasn't her fault, as she didn't seat us, she didn't make the ice cream, etc. When we continued (politely) with an inexperienced person who identified herself as the supervisor on duty, that person stated in an argumentative tone that store policy was that any adjustment to the check after finishing was considered theft, since in their eyes they had served the customer, and we had eaten what was served. The staff then continued that any request by us to ask for an adjustment (even a minor one, which was all we sought), was attempted theft on our part, regardless of service, timing, or other factor. In many years, I have almost never encountered such miserable, inappropriate, and immature customer service as we did this evening. If you want to spend your money, take it to a place that deserves your patronage - which ISN'T Mary Coyle. more

I found this place when driving through Phoenix, and was excited to try it. After my second visit, however, I may just have to skip it when I'm in the neighborhood--which is too bad, because I love to support privately owned businesses. \r I know it's been around forever, and I have to say I wish the place well. It's like going to your great-grandmother's house: the decor may not be up to date, but you feel kind of homey being there. Unfortunately, the ice cream doesn't live up to the hype the place gets. Both times I went, the place wasn't that busy. The ice cream isn't amazing, which I can handle, but the portions are small, considering the price. Also, our whipped cream had a problem the second time we went--it was kind of grainy or curdled. It tasted OK, but the texture was way off. After telling the server about it, nothing was done. To be fair, we did eat it, but I think an acknowledgement would have been a good thing. The toppings are a little runny, too. I just feel like this place has been living on it's former glory, and maybe it's time to give people something more for their (considerable) tab than nostalgia, like quality. Or quantity. Either way, it's time for the owners to make this place enjoyable to people that WEREN'T living here since it opened all those years ago. Pros: Nostalgic, One of few privately owned ice cream stores Cons: Small servings, way too expensive, not very good more

Now I've read the previous reviews, but I've been going to Mary Coyle's since I was a kid and it was on Thomas and 15th ave (anybody remember that?) well anyways, Ice Cream is Ice Cream. There's is rich and flavorful, I'm very picky about mint chocolatechip ice cream, sometimes it comes out just plain wrong, but there's is perfect, the best by far. But the hype about the ice cream can be as bad as the hype before a good movie, don't go in expecting hte heavens to open up and angels to sing when you take your first bite, it's not that good! But it is very yummy. And I don't get peoples small portions? I got the pipen sundae and I couldn't finish it! that's only a medium!!! and I can never not finish ice cream!!! It's 2 gianormous scoops! so maybe if that's too small then.. well nvm. But it's fabulous, and if you go ask for a waiter named Steve! He's the best! Pros: everything, and the waiter Steve, tell him Disney Princess sent you! Cons: nothing! more

Mary Coyle's was a great hang out when I was a teenager and still has the best service and food (especially ice cream) around. Take your kids, spouse, friends, whatever and step back to in time. Memories are great! Pros: Fantasitc people and great fun! more

Mary Coyles is truly the best old fashioned ice-cream there is around. It is soo rich and creamy and it is made on the premeisis of the resturatn. I dont know how many times i have gone there and poked my head in and seen the ice-cream maker hard at work and he is always friendly and waves to me and my kids. THE service is truly wonderful and my servers have always been the best! I keep going back and i always feel welcome and right at home when i go there. Pros: inexpensive, friendly staff, warm homey atmosphere more

The ice cream was not as good as I expected it too be. It was flavorful, but the texture was bland, and rubberish, and it melted quickly. They charge a lot for the small portions they give, especially for the sandwiches. My salad was twice the size of my sandwich, and I could tell the potato salad was store bought. I waited a long time for my food to be brought out, and when I wanted to order ice cream, I had to go up to the counter to get someone's attention. Overall, the atmosphere was nice, but the food value and the service was terrible. I used to go there all the time with my kids and the restaurant was always busy, but nowadays I've noticed that everytime my kids and I go there, the restaurant is practically empty. Now I see why. Pros: atmosphere Cons: food, value, service more

OH,THIS PLACE IS VERY GOOD,I ALWAYS GO HERE WHEN I'M UPTOWN,THEIR ICECREAMS ARE ALL HOMEMADE,AND ALWAYS SO GOOD. more

What a great place. Mary Coyle has been around for more years than I can remember. It's great to have such a landmark still thriving after all these years. Fantastic Ice Cream and great service are the key! more

This may be a Phoenix ""Landmark"" but let's be honest - the ice cream is not that good. I was very disappointed on my visit. I had heard alot of hype about Mary Coyles. As a landmark and perhaps ambiance, it's #1 - but Best Ice Cream in Phoenix it is defineately not. The ice cream was sub-par at best. I've had better store bought brands. As far as my money goes, the fact that a place has been around for 4 generations doesn't mean squat - how good is the product. They get a A for nostalgia and a D for ice cream taste. more

I had heard such wonderful things about this place, but they were all lies! The ice cream was mediocre at best, on par with generic no-name crap from the supermarket. The food wasn't very good either. It's all cooked in a microwave; why would I pay for that?!?! The service was horrible; when I complained about a mistake in my order, the waitress argued with me and refused to make it right. Plus, it was really expensive for portions so small. more

Five generations of my family have enjoyed Mary Coyle's Ice Cream Parlor. The atmosphere makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. In addition to taking visiting friends and family to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, a trip to Mary Coyle's Ice Cream Parlor is always an added attraction. The ice cream is to die for and long periods of absence always generates withdrawal cravings. Pros: quality, reasonable more

Best ice cream ever. Tastes just like homemade!! It's a treat!! Pros: Inexpensive more

The only possible complaint I have is ""Too big"". I usually have to limit myself to a single dip waffle cone. The flavors are tremendous. My favorite is Maple Walnut but of the other flavors I have tried, they have all been good. They also have some of the best ""old fashioned"" diner fare around. I love the soups and the chicken salad sandwiches. Pros: Great flavors, good variety more

Wonderful ice cream, nice place for lunch to sit and enjoy company with a group more

Great ice cream and a billion ways to have it. Sandwiches and burgers good too. Adapt any ice cream item on menu to fit your tastes. When the coffe is fresh, it goes great with that sundae. more