Wally's Drive-In in Buckley and its sister spot Wally's Chowder House in Des Moines are under new ownership, but longtime regulars are being told not to panic. Seattle restaurateur David Meinert and his Hold Fast Hospitality Group took over the Pierce County fixtures in mid-June, and he says the goal is to keep their small-town soul intact. For drivers who treat Wally's as a mandatory pit stop on the way to Mount Rainier, the sale offers some clarity on what comes next.
The News Tribune reported that Meinert and Hold Fast officially became the restaurants' owners this month. In an email to the paper, Meinert called Wally's "exactly the kind of local institution we love," according to The News Tribune.
State filings show liquor license change
Public records from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board show that Meinert assumed the Des Moines restaurant's liquor license on Wednesday, a standard procedural move when ownership changes hands. The state listing identifies Wally's Chowder House and names David John Meinert as an applicant, according to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
New owner promises preservation and upgrades
Meinert, who operates a compact portfolio of neighborhood diners and bars, has said he plans to keep core menu staples in place and retain longtime managers while quietly updating how things run behind the scenes. He told reporters he expects to modernize point-of-sale systems, offer employees health and retirement benefits, and install air conditioning in the kitchens, describing the approach as "preservation first," according to What Now Seattle.
What the restaurants are known for
The Buckley drive-in is a classic highway stop for burgers, hand-cut fries, and milkshakes, while the Des Moines restaurant has built its reputation on clam chowder, broiled seafood, and soft-serve desserts. Those signature items, along with the locations' listed addresses on State Route 410 in Buckley and Marine View Drive in Des Moines, appear on the restaurants' own website, according to Wally's.
A complicated past
The deal also arrives with renewed attention on Meinert's history. In 2018, KUOW published reporting that detailed accounts from multiple women who alleged sexual misconduct and assault, with several telling the outlet they had not gone to police. Meinert has denied the allegations, and the closing has drawn a mixed response in the community as residents weigh his assurances against that record, according to KUOW and local reporting.
