Just past its two-year anniversary, Wallyburger, the country-western themed burger joint on 45th, has closed its doors for good. No reason was given (and no response was offered to our email inquiries), just a note on the front door saying “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to take the summer off. Thank you for your patronage. See you in the fall”, and a note on their Instagram feed saying Happy Trails.
The restaurant business is a tough one, and Wallyburger may have felt the squeeze between Dick’s Drive-In to the east and the new Portland-based Little Big Burger to the west. Facebook and Instagram reactions to their closing have shown it had a lot of fans. For myself, I’m ashamed to say I only ever tried their fish sandwich (and found it delicious, but a bit small and undersatisfying for the price, without sides.)
Wallyburger was the venture of long-time Wallingford resident Gary Reynolds, owner of Electrokitty Recording Studio as well as the Revolver Bar on Capitol Hill, and if we’re reading the tea leaves correctly, he’s not done with the space yet. Their last Instagram post read:
We’re hanging up our hats and calling it a day. Thank you Seattle and especially Wallingford for your amazing support. Stay tuned for another venture here in the fall.
With all the new housing going in on Stone Way and elsewhere, there are lots of appetites to sate, Wallyburger may have just been a bit ahead of the curve. Props to Gary for making the hard call early and stepping right back up with a new idea.
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How’s this ‘closed for good’ if they said they were taking the summer off?
The sign on the door said “taking the summer off”. The sign on the website and Instagram said “we have closed the business.”
Very frustrated to hear this — especially given plans to meet there Thursday night with friends!
We’ve been to Wallyburger many times — enjoyed the food and that it was
quiet-ish even when full. (We’re not fans of having to talk loud and
stare intently at our companions’ mouths to make out what’s being said
as is so common in other Wallingford restaurants.)
I’d be extra disappointed if Little Big Burger squeezed out a
locally-owned place with higher quality ingredients. As for Dick’s,
well, it was there from the start.