Dooley's — Restaurant in West Bend

Dooley's in West Bend, WI, really came through for us on a casual night out. Holly had been craving some good ol' Mac and Cheese, and sometimes you want something classic and comforting rather than overcomplicated dishes. We browsed the menu and, funny enough, the kids' menu had just what she was looking for. Now, let’s be honest—sometimes kids' menu items can be hit or miss. But let me tell you, Dooley's nailed it with their Mac and Cheese. Holly was thrilled from the first bite. It had just the right amount of cheese—none of that overly thick stuff that makes it feel heavy, but not so light that it felt like it was missing something. It was smooth, gooey, and exactly what she wanted. Sometimes it's hard to get that balance, but Dooley's managed to make it perfectly indulgent without going overboard.

Now, I went for something a little heartier—the Bourbon Chicken Sandwich—and man, it did not disappoint. Chicken sandwiches can often be one of those things where you’re rolling the dice on whether it’s going to be dry or flavorless. But not at Dooley's. The chicken was grilled just right—juicy and full of flavor—and that bourbon glaze? It took things up a notch. It had that slightly sweet and smoky kick you want in a good glaze, but it wasn’t overpowering or too syrupy. It added a nice layer of flavor without masking the taste of the chicken itself, which was seasoned really well. Plus, the sandwich came on a fresh, lightly toasted bun, and it was topped with some crisp lettuce and tomato, giving it that nice contrast in texture. A few bites in, and I knew this was going to be a favorite of mine for future visits.

The service at Dooley's was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, which is always appreciated. We didn't feel rushed, and they checked in on us enough to make sure we were happy without hovering. The overall vibe in the restaurant was relaxed and welcoming, making it feel like a great spot for both families and anyone looking to grab a good meal without any pretension.

One thing I’d say about Dooley's is that they keep their menu simple, and that's a strong suit. They focus on comfort food done right, and it shows. Sometimes, restaurants try to do too much, but here, they stick to the essentials and execute them well. Whether you're craving a hearty sandwich, something a bit lighter, or even just looking to satisfy a Mac and Cheese craving like Holly was, Dooley's has you covered.

All in all, this place is definitely a gem in West Bend, and we’ll be coming back again soon. With great service, solid food choices, and that cozy, no-frills atmosphere, it’s the kind of place where you feel right at home, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a longer meal. Highly recommend it if you’re ever...

Called at 2 pm on a Monday. Spoke to Ryan. Wanted to pick up a couple of lunches to go. Irish bar name, so asked if they had Reubens. Nope. Asked if they had club sandwiches. Nope. Asked what sandwiches they do have, and was told to go the website and look. Nice. Too lazy and/or dumb to tell me. We went elsewhere. Later, out of curiosity, I did go to website. Not only was Ryan too lazy to tell me they had six different types of sandwiches, but one of those sandwiches is a club. Wow. Also realized that Dooley's owner also owns Stilt House in Cedarburg. Hit or miss at Stilt House. Overpriced. Ordered takeout during pandemic and it was really bad. So we were probably lucky we didn't order from Dooley's. UPDATE: To Goggins: "For the readers." Right. That was not my conversation -- at all. My conversation was actually just as I've previously -- SPECIFICALLY -- detailed, But, hey, thanks for calling me a liar. Is that why you'd like to have a face to face, so you can call me a liar to my face? Is that what would have happened if I contacted the manager at Stilt? I would have been called a liar or berated somehow? Do you think that after someone takes the time to place an order, waits for that order, picks up the order, and the order turns out to be subpar, that it's appealing to a customer to then have to call a manager and go through that hassle on top of it? News flash: It's not. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, one just has to cut their losses and move on. I can see now where Ryan gets his customer service acumen. You want to "help" us? How about a simple apology? Given your response here, we're not even going to risk the hit or miss experience at Stilt anymore. And, BTW, the pandemic didn't end...

Disappointed!

We went there last Friday night with two others. First - They put us in the basement to spite seating being available on the main floor. We were seated between two tables with noisy rambunctious children in their drab whitewashed basement. That in and of itself was not pleasant.

The food was subpar. A burger, ordered medium, was overcooked and dry. Another was overly spiced and just too hot to consume as was an order of sliders. Sweet potato fries were soggy. An order of fish was quite greasy. After the waiter asked if someone in our party wanted another of the same beer - the waiter brought something else without telling him.

Food is overpriced as well. I paid less for a party of nine the next day at another establishment. And - the food was great!

Adding to the not-so-good food, I left my credit card there and called just before 9 am the very next morning. 8:51 am to be exact. I explained I was now out of town at a college graduate and couldn't pick it up until the following Tuesday. The gentleman said that he had the card and would lock it in their upstairs safe. I went to pick it up after work today and they had cut it up. Really?!?!

I will...