I'm a native to Phoenix, so I can't remember a time that MC's wasn't there. My earliest memories of the place are from when it was down on Thomas Road. In fact, my memories are so tightly interwoven with my experiences of MC that I may not be able to give a wholly objective review (but then come on... what review is every purely objective??).\n\nMy mom took me here the first time. It was one of those rare times that I had her all to myself. As we made our way in to the main seating area, I was pulled along by the signature pink striped wall paper. The portrait of MC herself, overseeing all that went on. My mom had told me that when she was a young girl that her favorite treat had been an old fashioned Cherry Soda with a float of vanilla... so of course that's what we shared. I wanted to experience what she had, so many years ago. When the drink was placed before us, Don Mclean's \"American Pie\" was wafting through the air and in that single moment I became a life-long fan.\n\nMany things have changed since that first visit; owners, locations, etc., but one thing has stayed the same - MC's has been a part of our memories, our celebrations, our families, our history for over sixty years. I read a few weeks ago that unless something changes, MC's will close its doors in May 2011. For me that is something that should offer pause to everyone. It should be painful when we lose someplace that has been an institution to the trendy and chain.\n\nI will be eating a lot of MC over the next few weeks... and not just the ice cream. The walnutty chicken salad is unparalleled, the just a little smokey ham salad (which I don't think is even served anywhere else in Phoenix), the not so full mixed salad with one scoop of everything wonderful, the house made chili. Toss in a couple of Green River's, Cherry Sodas, Hot Tin Roofs, or Cashew Achoos with mom and dad, and hopefully I will imprint enough memories to get me through a lifetime.\n\nI for one will miss Mary Coyle's.