This is an old-style dive bar with a large patio in front. I had a visitor who loves perched so I asked people where we could get the best perch around the Holland area and the clear winner was Wally's in Saugatuck. We got half orders (5 pieces) with fries and tots and Cole slaw. The servings were generous and the fried food was light and not greasy. Service was very friendly and attentive and our food arrived quickly. Because it is a bar, it is noisy. read more

Wally's - Half order of perch - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

Awesome food, good people. They know how to fry a fish and source a burger. Better watch out though, a server named Jack might teach your husband to say "please" when he asks for somethin'. Lord knows you can't. read more

Wow! All aboard! This is the spot to catch up with friends while enjoying some perch. Yes, while we chose a simple burger with fries along with fried pickles to share before hitting the local shops, the tables around us new the menu well and selected what appeared to be the desired choice: fried perch! The plates of piled high pieces of fried perch, coleslaw, and tots definitely made their way to multiple tables, and made my fiancé regret splitting a burger. Indeed, we witnessed a young teen devour his fried perch sandwich that was HUGE and, again, a choice most regulars knew would be better than anything else. Other than the food, I liked the corked bottle of water brought to tables; it just added a little class to the open outdoor area where we chose to sit. The staff was friendly, the live music wasn't overpowering as where we had difficulty conversing, and the quick bite was tasty. The 3 star rating is mainly due to the portion of friend pickles and their cut: the shoestring cut took away the flavor of the dill! And the portion size- definitely for just a Captain and not his first mate... if you get my drift. Also, for a first timer, it would have been nice to have the waitress suggest the "hot item" that land lovers seemed to know was worthy of a stop while sailing from one boutique to another on the strip. For our next excursion to Saugatuck, we'll be back to reel in their perch before setting off to purchase more gear for my closet! So, don't walk the plank before diving into Wally's! read more

Wally's - Boutique Shopping - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

Based on the previous reviews, I just assumed this place was a typical 3 bar & grill, but that sounded fine today me. The one thing on the menu that really interested me was the bread bowl chili, apparently something they are known for. However, the chili cook off was two days before, and they said they were all out. This was disappointing, and also raised the question of how often it is made, because I would think it gets made fresh every day or two, but apparently that was not the case... Either way, no chili for me. I settled on the cheeseburger, which was made "fresh," with the housemade chips. The burger was cooked well and tasted pretty good, though nothing spectacular... Just a good, non-frozen bar burger. The chips were pretty good, but would be better with heavier salt, and/or vinegar flavor. It was a beautiful sunny October day and I sat outside for a good hour, and even had a fresh cup of coffee from the bar. Shut up and eat some decent bar food. read more

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Fine. The fried pickles were excellent. The artichoke spinach dip was good. Had the fried fish lunch. Pretty basic but was nice. Liked the coleslaw and tartar sauce. Friend had the same dish. Another friend had the impossible burger. Another had a good looking club sandwich. read more

Made a quick lunch stop in Saugatuck and the weather was beautiful that day. Decided to grab lunch at Wally's as they had a great outdoor area and me and the fam wanted to bask in the great weather outside. A nice chill spot, with TVs outside. They even had the Cubs game on which was perfect! Our server was cool and informative of the menu and answered questions that we had about the burgers. I decided to go with the Olive burger. It's a normal burger with some Olive sauce on it - kinda like a truffle sauce. Not bad and the serving was a nice portion. For those with little kids - no kids menu. However, big sis did order the chicken tenders and it came with large portions so gave my toddler one of them along with fries and she was happy. There is a full bar inside so plenty of cocktails and beers available to choose from. read more

Wally's - Don't mind the child next to my strawberry margarita! - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Enjoy the outdoor seating. Glad they brought the cork bottle of water to the table and brought me a glass of ice with lemon when I asked, which was really nice. I got the expensive hamburger pasture raised. It was good The bacon jam is definitely sweet. I scraped off most of it. It's just too sweet for me. One drawback was the server did not tell me there was an up charge on the onion rings. And they were the worst onion rings I've ever had and then I found out we paid extra for them. Overall, a nice place. read more

A solid choice for more casual fare. I thought prices were good and food quality was high. A couple in our group got the perch sandwich and liked it very much. I got the large garden salad with chicken. The upcharge for chicken was $6 and it wasn't a lot, but otherwise was quite good. All in all, our party of 8 was happy with the meal. read more

The overall experience was good. The waitress was a little all over the place and we were a little worried that our order would come back right BUT it did and the food was fantastic. The band was just starting to play and it was a loud, energetic place to be on a Friday. If you are in a hurry, this is not the spot for you. Come here, grab a drink while you wait and chill. I promise, the food is worth the patience. read more

We have eaten here for years but today was a very disappointing experience. My husband and I shared the Wally's Nachos, and within about an hour and a half, we both developed diarrhea. We had skipped breakfast, so this was the only food either of us had eaten that day before becoming sick. We were walking by a couple of hours later and decided to let the manager know, not to demand anything, but simply to make him aware in case there was an issue with the food. His response was to immediately tell us it couldn't have been his food because "food poisoning takes 12- 24 hours." That is not accurate--while some foodborne illnesses can take many hours or even days to develop, others can cause symptoms much sooner. Instead of showing any concern or asking what we had eaten, he dismissed our experience outright. We can't say with certainty what caused us to become ill, but we can say that we both got sick shortly after sharing the same meal and did not get sick again. The lack of concern and unwillingness to even consider the possibility was the most disappointing part of the experience. read more

Really wanted to like this place. Our friends were already seated so we joined them on the patio but at a separate empty table. No one had come to take our order or even bring us menus yet so we just waited at the table until the manager came over and rudely told us we had to leave because we didn't order food. We hadn't ordered food because a server had not yet come to the table or even given us menus. Not sure why you would kick people out that wanted to spend money in your bar. There are so many ways this convo could have gone that would have resulted in the bar still making money off of us but instead they chose to just ask us to leave instead of letting us know there is a food minimum required on the patio. Definitely better bars and restaurants I would choose over Wally's. The live music is cool but we just listened from the benches on the street next door instead. read more

We stopped in with the family while visiting Saugatuck and sat outside, which was a nice option especially with the umbrellas providing plenty of shade to keep things cool. We shared the nachos to start, and they were solid. For mains, we ordered the chicken tenders, the chicken bacon and Swiss sandwich, and a Caesar salad. Everything was fine, but nothing really stood out. It was the kind of meal you'd expect to be decent, and it was. Our server was very nice. Overall, I'd give it three stars. Nothing to rave about, but a dependable spot for a casual bite. read more

We were in Saugatuck for the first time with a bunch of relatives. Wally's "casual American" designation made it seem like a safe choice, so we headed there when dinnertime rolled around. Wallys has the atmosphere of an old-time saloon, with the added charm (?) of sundry dead animals hanging at odd angles from the walls and ceiling. Not your routine collection of game heads that adorn many Michigan taverns. The place was about half-full when we got there, but we hadn't been seated long before it was full--this was on a cool Tuesday evening in early May. We got waited on quickly, and had food/drinks in a reasonable time. My wife got a large green salad and I got the gorgonzola salad w/chicken. On the plus side, the greens (sourced, according to the menu, from a local farm) were very fresh. The gorgonzola on mine was lightly scattered, sufficient for a little tang without overpowering all other ingredients. However, the salad was fairly small for the price ($19 in my case), and the honey-mustard dressing on mine was minimal--had to request a little more, which was brought out quickly. Others in my party ordered burgers, nachos, wings, and fish, and seemed reasonably happy with them. And I guess that sums up our impressions of Wally's. We were "reasonably happy" with our visit, but the next time we get to Saugatuck we'll explore further. read more

We were a walk in for a late lunch. Wo we really found a great place. We started with drinks. then had the 1/2 arch dinner with onion rings and the olive burger. The portion size was huge. The perch was one of the best things I've ever had. OMG I think 5 pieces of butterflied perch lightly battered but nice and crisp. the tartar sauce was perfect. The onion rings matched the perch. The burger was also good if you ike olives. It comes with meted cheese and lots of perfectly fried fries. We enjoyed ourselves so much we sat there and had 2 more rounds of drinks. read more

Wally's - Olive burger - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Jackie did a fantastic job waiting on us. She's personable and well able to keep track of multiple tables without missing a beat!

Would not recommend wasting your time here. Plenty of other places to go downtown. Service was awful and food not anything special

Came here for a late lunch on a Saturday & there was just a ten minute wait for the patio. Our waitress was attentive and friendly. I enjoyed the patio. But overall, I can't say I would recommend this place. The cheese curds definitely tasted like they were fried in lard or some kind of weird oil/grease that I did not enjoy the taste of at all. And they weren't really curd, just small mozzarella sticks (yes there's a difference hahah). My salad was good, a little small for the price, but good. My sister's sandwhich was a big portion piled high with meat. Not really much for a vegetarian to eat, so heads up if you don't eat meat! read more

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The spinach artichoke dip is so good. Huge chunks of artichokes! Tried the Yankee Pot Roast sandwich and was pleasantly surprised too! Service was friendly and we sat outside on their patio. read more

Wally's - Yankee Pot Roast Sandwich - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Wally's, although a loud bar, has possibly the best bar food I've ever had in my life. Their perch dinner, what I normally order, is outstanding. read more

We had a beautiful lunch at Wally's. We were out hunting magnets on a recent road trip and stopped in to grab some lunch. Hubby was excited to see that they had fried perch on the menu. He loved it! He said it was breaded nicely and had great flavor. I had the gorgonzola salad with chicken. The salad was perfectly dressed and the veggies were very fresh. It had a tad too much gorgonzola, but it was still very good. Our waitress was very nice, and checked on us often. We had a table outside and it was just perfect weather, with great food, and wonderful people around us. read more

Wally's - Fried Perch - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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Came here for lunch earlier in the day- it was fantastic. Our waitress was so nice, sweet, and funny and really made us feel welcome. The smoked salmon salad is fantastic, and the brisket nachos were a hit! . We came back in the evening to see the bar scene as we're not impressed. The bartenders weren't very friendly, and for some reason refused to give us glass cups to drink out of, even though everyone in the area was given glass cups. The waitress was helping and busting every table but ours. Not sure what was going on there. Probably would not come back to this bar, but would definitely come back for lunch. read more

Wally's - Brisket nachos - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

Wally's is a bit of an acquired taste. There are three factors to consider. First, the service. The locals that work here can be hit and miss. Some are pleasant and personable. Some seem annoyed that you are patronizing them. I prefer the former, and tolerate the latter. Second, the food. I really, really like it a lot. The perch is simply outstanding. It's a Michigan delicacy. Great Lakes perch lightly breaded and fried. Tender, succulent morsels of delicious goodness. Third, the establishment, ie ambiance, etc.. Wally's is an institution. Off the water, it gets busy. Love both bars. The outdoor seating area is a great spot in the summer to enjoy a cold beer, eat the best perch ever, and watch the beautiful people walk by. read more

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My friend and I enjoyed their Perch. I had never had it before and the breading was super crisp and complimented it well. Fries were fresh! Our waitress was friendly and service was super quick. read more

Wally's - Perch Sandwich - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

The food was decent. Service was terrible- the waitress was rude, barely checked in on us, and we had to ask for our check multiple times. When we walked up, there was no host or signs letting us know what to do and we stood for a solid 3 minutes until we had to ask a waitress if we seated ourselves or waited to be seated. She said here is a host. The lack of communication and efficiency of the restaurant was done poorly. I'd suggest not going on a Friday evening, and hopefully you'll have better service. read more

Right from the start we were greeted with rudeness. We had a toddler and a baby with us. The would not allow is to bring in the stroller even though we were sitting in a corner away from everyone. There was no kid menu and we had to order off the regular menu for a 2 year old (not cool). The baby needed a diaper change and there was no changing table in either bathroom. We had to change the baby on the bathroom floor WHAT?. That right there is a health violation and should be reported. The food was not good. This Place just Sucked! read more

From the outside, this restaurant looked like a welcoming, family-style spot. There were other families with children inside, so naturally we thought it would be a good fit for our party of six (including our 6-month-old). Unfortunately, from the moment we walked in, the experience felt anything but family-friendly. We were abruptly greeted with "How many?" with no "welcome" or warmth. This immediately made us feel like our group was a burden. As my husband tried to bring in the stroller with our baby, we were stopped and told strollers were not allowed inside. While we understand this policy in crowded spaces, once seated we noticed there was more than enough room to accommodate a stroller. We then tried the common and safe practice of flipping over a highchair to hold the car seat, only to be told "that's not safe, we don't want the liability." This was disappointing for any parents who have dined out with infants before. Once settled, I mentioned right away that my family of four would need our own check, only to be told they do not do separate checks and could only take two cards split down the middle. This was not very accommodating for larger groups. The food itself was equally disappointing. My $17 perch sandwich had almost no actual fish, just breading. My toddler's chicken fingers had more meat than my entrée. Speaking of which, the "chicken strips 1/2 order" was the only item even remotely suited for kids. My husband's chips tasted stale and burnt, as if they came from a bag that had been sitting around for years. To make matters worse, when it came time to change our baby's diaper, the women's bathroom had no changing table. I had no choice but to change him on the floor. Another mother walked in with her newborn and looked just as distraught to realize there were no facilities available for babies. In the end, this restaurant presents itself as family-friendly but is anything but. From policies that make dining with children unnecessarily difficult, to poor food quality, to lack of basic accommodations like a changing table, it was a frustrating and unwelcoming experience. If they do not want families with small children, they should make that clear and present themselves as a more upscale, adult-oriented establishment. As it stands, the outward charm is deceiving. Sadly, my family and I will not be returning. read more

The male bartender was a real jackass. He spoiled our dinner with his foul mouth. This restaurant is known for their perch but they were out of it and it was early in the evening. Needless to say it will be a long long while until we return. Saugatuck has plenty of other nice restaurants to enjoy. read more

Wally's - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

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A great local spot to eat some great food at. Definitely try the burger very good service was wonderful very accommodating.

We went to meet a couple of friends on the patio after we got coffees across the street. We were waiting for over fifteen minutes for people to come to our table, so we went to ask for another table and service. They told us we were unable to have our coffees because they were outside drinks. We were very agreeable and waiting for two friends to come back from the bar. In the five minute wait for them to come back, they had three different servers come and tell us to leave with the drinks. They were incredibly rude about the whole situation. I never feel the need to review places negatively, but this situation was very off putting. read more

While visiting some friends in Saugatuck, we dropped in at Wally's for dinner. The ambience is a cute fun dive bar. It has two bars. One is at the entrance and the other is further inside. We went inside and there were quite a number of people sitting at the bar. The atmosphere was fun and lively. Our server Abby was very friendly and highly recommended the perch. We ordered it and it was delicious. Two of us split the large perch dinner for $24 and it came with 10 fillets a large mass of fries and coleslaw. I wish I took a picture of it, but we were too hungry. Our friends both ordered the meatloaf with mushroom gravy, and it was to die for. It came with either fries or tots and a vegetable side, which was asparagus and broccolini. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and certainly would go back. read more

The service was fine, the ambience was fine, and the food actually tasted good. My daughter and I ordered a salad with salmon and we were shocked when we received our plates. The quantity was so little. There was a little bit of lettuce, small tomatoes, slices of cucumber, and shreds of salmon. We finished lunch, paid the bill, and walked away hungry still. PS the entertainer was great. Plays a lot of reggae read more

This place was amazing. Tucked away off the main drag. Service was excellent and the food was great. Had a couple salads and. Burger along with cocktails and everyone in the party enjoyed their lunches immensely. read more

Run really poorly. Always takes forever to get seating even with tables open. Servers are fine it's more management that seems to be the problem read more

We walked in evening of Saturday Dec 6th with group of 8 for drinks and apps. Waitress was great in the bar. We were short a chair and landed an extra from indoor "patio area". 20 mins later we are chastised by SOMEONE dressed as grinch. She said "Where did you get this chair?! This doesn't belong in here". After letting her know we were short a chair she glared and said you can't have this in here. She proceeded to take the chair from us and tell us to sit on the window sill. We immediately decided to close out and leave. Our waitress was apologetic knowing the rudeness we experienced. What a loss when we planned to stay and watch football for the evening. The waitress in the white sweater joined in to shame us with our seat selection by suggesting we use one of the snow covered chairs. Never again in here. read more

Bar is understaffed and you could die of thirst waiting to get served. Terribly understaffed indicating bad management and an organizational problem at the top level. read more

We visited on a Tuesday. We were able to snag a table outside with an umbrella around noon. Good variety on the menu. We ordered a mojito (so refreshing) and 2 Asian salads with steak. We ordered the steaks medium and that's how they came out. The dressing on the salads was light and did not overpower the greens. Quite good. Our server was a young man who was friendly and professional. He was attentive and we were in and out (and back to shopping) in a reasonable amount of time. The cost of one Asian salad with steak was $15. Mojito was $10. These prices were typical for a tourist destination. read more

Wally's - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

Want Perch? Go to Wallys for the best perch /fries , cold beer and great service by Abbey! read more

Wally's - Perch dinner - American Near Me - Saugatuck, Michigan

Always the best! Great service and ambiance. Food is good and hearty. Prices are very reasonable especially when compared to others in the area. read more

Really surprised this place isn't rated higher. It has delicious food and our server was friendly and attentive. We ordered the club sandwich and the chicken, Swiss and bacon sandwich- both were excellent. read more

We stopped in yesterday with a party of 11 and they were able to accommodate us all quickly! 5 kids and 6 adults. Our server, Cara, was awesome! She was wonderful with the kids and very patient with them. She was a great waitress! I had a salad with grilled chicken and it was solid- fresh greens and good grilled chicken. People really enjoyed the perch as well. If there's one thing we'd skip it'd be the popcorn shrimp meal. The nachos were pretty good but we'd probably try something else next time. It was a great atmosphere with lots of wood and fun taxidermy and signs on the ceiling. My sisters loved the 10$ aperol spritz! read more