Beloved Pierce Co. burger drive-in set to be sold to Seattle restaurateur
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Wally’s Drive‑In and Chowder House are being sold to David Meinert.
- Deal in financing; owners expect finalization around the end of May.
- Buyer has past assault accusations and a wage‑theft settlement noted by staff.
A popular drive-in restaurant in Pierce County is poised to get a new owner.
Wally’s Drive-In, near State Route 410 in Buckley, is famous for its burgers, hot dogs and shakes. Kimarie Johnson, the store’s operating manager, told The News Tribune on Wednesday that the drive-in — along with its sister restaurant, Wally’s Chowder House in Des Moines — is in the process of being sold to Seattle restaurateur David Meinert.
Johnson, who spoke to The News Tribune on behalf of Wally’s owners Mike and Judy Nordean, said the deal is in the financing phase, and they estimate it will be finalized around the end of May.
“David plans to keep the hometown feel for both restaurants,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be really good for both communities with the fresh ownership, because there’s excitement around it.”
Meinert is the owner of Hold Fast Hospitality Group, which owns three restaurants in King County:
- The 5 Point Cafe, an American diner at 415 Cedar St. in Seattle.
- Mecca Cafe, another American diner at 526 Queen Anne Ave. N. in Seattle.
- Huckleberry Square, an American eatery at 14423 Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien.
The News Tribune reached out to Meinert but did not get a response before deadline.
Johnson said Nordean is selling the Wally’s restaurants so he can retire.
“He’s going to enjoy his family. He loves to get out and exercise, ride his mountain bike, play with the grandkids, those sorts of things,” Johnson said.
Capitol riots controversy
Johnson told The News Tribune that Wally’s Drive-In opened in 1991, with the chowder house following in 1993.
In 2021, The News Tribune reported that Nordean’s son, Ethan, was arrested for storming into the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 capitol riots. Ethan Nordean was a member of The Proud Boys, which is a “far-right, neo-fascist organization,” according to The George Washington University’s Program on Extremism.
The U.S. Department of Justice sentenced Ethan Nordean to 18 years in prison on Sept. 1 2023, but President Donald Trump commuted his sentence shortly after his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.
Shortly after his son was arrested in 2021, Nordean released a statement on the Wally’s website condemning Ethan’s actions.
“My son, Ethan, was arrested on February 3rd for his involvement in the Capitol siege. We have tried for a long while to get our son off the path which led to his arrest today — to no avail. Ethan will be held accountable for his actions,” Nordean wrote on Feb. 3, 2021. “I want to thank our customers for their continued grace and support. We appreciate it more than you know. I also want to thank all of the employees of Wally’s Restaurants for the care and respect they give our customers — and each other.”
Johnson emphasized that Ethan’s actions have nothing to do with Wally’s Drive-In.
“He is not a part of the restaurant and hasn’t been for a very long time,” Johnson said. “It’s still Mike’s son, so of course he has a love for his son, [but] as far as communicating with Ethan, he has nothing to do with the restaurant.”
Who is David Meinert?
The News Tribune asked Johnson why Nordean selected Meinert to carry on in his footsteps.
“He’s interested in the business, he has other restaurants he’s doing a really wonderful job with, and he has promised to leave the recipes the same, have the same feel,” Johnson said. “I believe we will have more opportunity within the company for growth.”
Meinert’s empire used to span beyond three restaurants. According to his website, he also used to own Big Mario’s New York Pizza, Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge, The Comet Tavern and the Mirabeau Room, all in Seattle. Meinert was also a player in Seattle’s music scene; in 2001, he took over the Capitol Hill Block Party, an annual, multi-day music festival.
In 2018, 11 women accused Meinert of sexual assault and rape. KUOW, Seattle’s NPR station, first reported allegations from five women on July 19. Less than a month later, KUOW published a second article where six additional women came forward with allegations.
The incidents allegedly spanned from 2001 to 2015, KUOW reported. Meinert told KUOW he had been “handsy” with women in the past, but denied the allegations of assault and rape.
None of the assault accusations made it to court, The Seattle Times reported in 2024.
In 2024, The Seattle Times reported that Meinert settled a wage-theft lawsuit involving the 5-Point Cafe and Mecca Cafe. The class-action lawsuit — led by the plaintiff, former employee Jesus Ayala — had a class of 156 people and alleged Meinert refused to pay his employees overtime, withheld wages and did not allow for proper meal or rest breaks.
Meinert told The Seattle Times he settled the case because it was the best business decision, but denied the allegations.
“We have always strived to treat our employees fairly and in compliance with the law, both before and after this lawsuit. We believe we have been overwhelmingly successful in that regard,” Meinert said in a statement to The Seattle Times.
‘Whatever is there in the past is exactly that: the past’
The News Tribune asked Johnson how Meinert’s history factored into Nordean’s decision to sell the restaurant to him.
“I can’t speak for Mike, I can only speak for myself,” Johnson said. “We definitely are aware of all that. I feel completely safe and empowered as a woman.”
Johnson said Meinert’s “entire management team” except for one person is a woman. She also believes Meinert will treat Wally’s staff with respect, saying the crew “is taking well to him.”
“He is going to take really good care of the staff, and I believe that wholeheartedly,” Johnson said. “That was really important for Mike, was that whoever came in would continue to treat his staff as well as he had, if not better.”
Johnson said she was looking forward to a new chapter in Wally’s history.
“We’re here to serve great food and empower our other people who work for us,” Johnson said. “I’m confident that whatever is there in the past is exactly that: in the past.”
