Wally's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Saugatuck

I've passed Wally's several times. With a baby in tow however, we usually try to stay away from super crowded/ busy places. But the crowd we see gathered everytime we pass Wally's should have been an indication of how cool of a place Wally's is.

For starters, there is plenty of outdoor seating, both high top and low top. This is very helpful for people with kids or who need wheelchair accessibility. Also, during summer, I like to eat alfresco as much as possible to make up for those long Midwest winters. Outdoor seating is even more crucial for folks (such as us) who try to limit indoor dining during the pandemic.

Next, let's talk about the staff. They make up 90% of the awesome Wally's dining experience. Given that we didn't arrive in town until much later than we expected, we also didn't catch dinner until later. We arrived at Wally's with seven minutes to spare until the kitchen closed. The kitchen and wait staff were very accommodating, and I didn't feel like we received begrudged service. In fact, our server was so sweet and super adorable. I think all servers should be like her. If they were, it would make for a much more enjoyable dining out experience, especially when you have a baby.

The only reason I didn't give Wally's five stars is because of food. Wally's has a variety of options to choose from including vegetarian dishes. I ordered chicken strips just to make it quick and easy for the kitchen. Unfortunately, my chicken strips were super basic. Not terrible by any means. They were judt straight out of the freezer chicken strips. But the drinks were good and so were my fries.

I would definitely recommend Wally's for anyone who's looking for a nice cool drink alfresco, to catch a game on the big screen while grabbing a beer with friends, or to those who like to people watch. It's a fun atmosphere where it seems, at least for the locals, like everyone knows your name. Even if they don't, you're still treated like...

Wally's Bar & Grill is hands down a five-star gem that I’ll be raving about for years to come! From the second we walked in, the atmosphere grabbed us—lively yet cozy, with just the right amount of dive-bar charm mixed with a welcoming vibe that makes you feel like a regular, even on your first visit. The music was on point, the lighting was perfect, and the crowd was a fun mix of locals and wanderers like us. It’s the kind of place you want to settle into for hours.

Then there’s Ben, the bartender, who turned our night into an epic event. This guy is a legend—charismatic, quick with a laugh, and somehow managing to keep the whole bar entertained while slinging drinks like a pro. He recommended a local IPA that hit all the right notes and mixed up a cocktail for my friend that had us all stealing sips. Ben’s energy was infectious, and you could tell he loves what he does. He’s the kind of bartender who makes you want to come back just to hang out with him again.

And the food? Let’s talk about that perch sandwich—it was off the chain! Perfectly crispy breading, fresh fish that tasted like it was caught that morning, and a tartar sauce that I’d probably bathe in if I could. The bun was toasted just right, and the lettuce and tomato were so crisp I’d swear they were picked an hour before. It came with a side of fries that were golden and addictive—I’m still thinking about them. Every bite was pure joy, and I’m already craving another one.

Wally's Bar & Grill isn’t just a spot to eat or drink—it’s a whole vibe. If you’re looking for a place with killer food, a great atmosphere, and a bartender like Ben who makes it all unforgettable, this is it. I can’t...

I've been coming here for 15 years and always had a great experience, but my family of 12 and I won't be returning. I walked in with a cup of water, and instead of asking me to throw it away or walk outside with it, the owner ripped it out of my hands and threw it in the trash and yelled at me "you can't have that here." The person that was taking my reservation wasn't shocked by her unnecessary aggression and told me she's been getting "crankier" lately. I didn't think much of it and kinda laughed about it with the people sitting at the bar that witnessed it. She walked back by and I very calmly asked her to next time politely ask me to throw it away or step outside rather than snatching it away from me like I was a toddler. Her response, word for word, "I don't have to do anything you tell me to, you don't know the laws clearly and I don't have to listen to you, I'm the owner." I told her that I understand completely but that she could have been nicer about it especially since I was coming in to spend money for 12 people at her restaurant. She got in my face and said, "ok leave then, BYE, BYE, BYE, BYE, LEAVE, BYE!"

Everyone in the restaurant was staring at us while she was yelling at me. I've never felt more embarrassed and awkward in public before, especially for something I didn't deserve. Another family that was leaving came up to me and said she had been "crabby" all day and that she shouldn't have acted that way. She lost us as a customer and frightened several...