Wally’s Chowder House in Des Moines and Wally’s Drive-In in Buckley are being sold by owner Mike Nordean to Seattle restaurateur David Meinert, bringing the longtime South Sound eateries under the ownership of Hold Fast Hospitality Group.
The transition is expected later this spring, with operations continuing uninterrupted.
Wally’s has long been a fixture for the region, known for its chowder, seafood and classic drive-in fare.
Meinert said his goal is to preserve the restaurants’ identity, including menus, recipes and staff.
“Our job is simple,” Meinert said. “Protect what people already love about Wally’s, invest in the buildings and the people who work there, and make sure this place is still thriving decades from now.”
Seller Nordean began his restaurant ownership career in 1991, when he partnered with family members to purchase what became Wally’s Drive-In in Buckley around 1993, eventually assuming full ownership. He went on to expand the business to include Wally’s Chowder House in Des Moines, building a small, family-run operation that has served South King and East Pierce County communities for decades.
Buyer Meinert is a longtime Seattle restaurateur and nightlife entrepreneur who has owned or co-owned several well-known establishments, including The 5 Point Café, the Mecca Café, Capitol Hill venues such as Comet Tavern and Lost Lake Café, and most recently Huckleberry Square in Burien. Over more than two decades, he has been a prominent figure in the city’s restaurant and music scenes, also helping grow events like the Capitol Hill Block Party.
“David has a track record of preserving classic Northwest restaurants while keeping them vibrant and busy. I’m confident he’ll take good care of Wally’s,” Nordean said.
Meinert said the deal has not yet closed but is in progress, and that he plans to purchase both restaurant businesses and the property at the Buckley Drive-In location, while operating the Des Moines Chowder House under a long-term lease.
The sale also brings into focus past controversies involving both the buyer and the seller.
The Elephant in the Room
- Meinert has faced sexual assault allegations from multiple women, as reported by KUOW in 2018. The allegations were reported amid increased public attention to sexual misconduct during the #MeToo movement, and Meinert has denied wrongdoing.
- Mike Nordean is the father of Ethan Nordean, an Auburn man and Proud Boys leader who served as sergeant at arms in 2020 and 2021, was convicted in 2023 in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and had his sentence commuted by President Trump in 2025, according to Cascade PBS. In 2021, he disavowed his son’s involvement in the group.
Neither matter is directly tied to the restaurant sale.
Meinert, who grew up in Normandy Park and now lives in Burien, said his approach is to preserve historic establishments while making targeted investments to support long-term sustainability.
Plans for the transition include retaining current staff and expanding benefits such as health insurance and retirement options as the business grows, according to Meinert.
Current owner Nordean said he believes the restaurants will remain in good hands.
“Wally’s has been a huge part of my life and my family’s life,” Nordean said. “Letting go isn’t easy, but I believe the restaurants are going to someone who truly understands their importance. The community means everything to Wally’s, and I believe that will continue under David’s stewardship.”
Meinert said the acquisition also carries personal significance given his South King County roots, and that his broader goal is to maintain long-standing community gathering places.
“These kinds of restaurants are disappearing across the country,” he said. “My role is to preserve them and make sure they’re still here for future generations.”
This is awesome. David is amazing at keeping that old school vibe. He takes very good care of all his staff and is a huge benift to the local community.
Terrible folks that don’t deserve our business.
Very good news the MAGAt loving Nordean family is leaving. Like many, my family has been boycotting them since the days his son was holding Proud Boys meetings in the Des Moines location. Nordean has always covered for his son.
The real problem with that mindset is that it normalizes guilt by association, judging an entire family or business based on unproven claims about one person. When that becomes acceptable, it lowers the bar for targeting anyone. Today it’s them; tomorrow it could be someone else based on rumors or disagreements. ( This same type of thinking (TOXIC) can be and has been made from everyone, from all races, political party’s, and/or religions. Its a immature cop out, like plugging your ears instead of having the correct dialogue to get over a problem. Tomorrow is coming no matter what and “your” problem will still exist. )
That toxic mindset fuels division and hostility. Instead of dealing with specific actions or verified facts, it turns into labeling, boycotting, and socially punishing people based on political identity or hearsay. That creates an “us vs. them” environment where neighbors stop seeing each other as individuals and start treating each other like enemies. It creates DIVISION, and if you haven’t already realized that mindset is the problem. (The proud boys or whomever your claiming to speak about wouldn’t exist if the mindset didn’t… I really hope you understand, your not doing anyone justice by acting just like them.)
On top of that, it can damage local businesses and livelihoods without due process. Small communities especially depend on trust and fairness, when people are willing to organize boycotts based on assumptions, it undermines that trust and makes the whole environment more toxic and unstable.
So the issue isn’t just that the view is harsh, it’s that it encourages a pattern of thinking that replaces evidence with emotion, and fairness with collective blame. That’s what actually harms a community over time.
For many of us boycotting Wally’s it wasn’t a case of “guilt by association”. It Mike’s own words, and those of his wife on social media even before January 6th insurrection that turned us away. When Mike defended his son, it was simply too much. After being a loyal customer for decades, it felt like a betrayal and a punch to the gut. I have not been back since and I am not sorry.
Again emotion, “your own”…. Why spread poison and create more of a toxic situation than there already is? Kick em while there down because that will change something for the better?? You’ll see it only creates more division and never solves the underlining problem and will only create more hostility within that local environment. One would suggest learning what the butterfly effect is and how one should want to “assist” in controlling the direction of positive actions you bring into this world – also to be able to move on mentally and physically from something that occurred years ago. Even if I don’t like the situation – I’m not on public forums spreading poison – is my point. (I won’t get into what defamation is either, I assume that’s well understood.)
Its ok if you don’t like something in this world or in life. Suggesting to find the path for CHANGE instead of the path for more TURMOIL is the message at hand.
Not to mention the positivity you’ll put back into the life around you and the virtual world that views your comments. There are so many positive ways of getting what you want or at least assisting, the path of least resistance usually has the worst outcomes in the long run.
In response to Dee saying : “When Mike defended his son, it was simply too much. After being a loyal customer for decades, it felt like a betrayal and a punch to the gut.”
I get that you feel disappointed, but expecting a father to not defend his own kid is honestly unrealistic and borderline crazy. That’s basic human instinct. Standing by your child doesn’t automatically mean he agrees with everything they’ve said or done, it just means he’s their parent. Calling that a betrayal feels like you’re taking it way more personally than it actually is. What did you expect him to do? Publicly throw his child under the bus to keep customers happy? That’s not how real life works. Parents back their kids, even when they screw up. Taking that personally just comes off as entitled and out of touch. Go outside and enjoy the hundreds of restaurants to choose from, its ok if you choose to not go to one or dislike one or another – move forward with life in a positive ways.
the mother was kicked off of Twitter because of her racist comments.
Kicked off.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree …
You’re entitled to your opinion about them of course, but what does this actually add? That you don’t like them? That they said things you disagree with? Ok
If we’re being honest, people say controversial and offensive things all the time, on social media, in the news, everywhere-everyday. That doesn’t make selective outrage any more meaningful.
At some point, it stops being about principles and starts looking like personal resentment. If you don’t support them, that’s your choice, just move on with your life? Boycotting, complaining, and holding onto it for years doesn’t really solve anything except the fact that part of your brain is being occupied by negative emotion.
Meanwhile, there are serious issues happening every day: like crime, violence, homelessness, theft, rapists, pedophiles etc… that don’t seem to get the same level of attention or energy. That contrast is very hard to ignore.
In the end, this comes down to personal responsibility. You can either let things like this keep fueling your own negativity, or you can focus on moving forward and putting your energy into something better.
Growing older is inevitable but growing up is a choice.
Meinart will remove all staff in about a year with his own people. Especially since he has that SA baggage following him around. Possibly from the frying pan to the fire.
At Huckleberry he kept the staff, paid them better, and gave them health insurance and a retirement plan. Then fixed up the building and improved the food. Doubt he’ll replace the staff at Wally’s, they are great.
When David took over Huckleberry Square he didn’t replace any of us. He supports his staff and the restaurant. It’s a win win for everyone!