Wally's has been around just about as long as the Dells. It was started in 1959 by Wally Obois and his wife Barbara. The third generation, Mike and Mark, now owners/chefs, continue the family business. It has an elegant but homey feel, with linen tablecloths and a stone fireplace in one of the three separate dining areas. There was also a lounge, but we didn't go in there. Wally's is unique in that it has its own on-site smokehouse (truly a house of embers), and they smoke their own ribs. We hit the right night, as some had just been smoked that day and were on their menu as a special, half a rack for $14, usually $21.99. They were very tender, not overly seasoned or smothered with barbecue sauce, just the way we like it.
This is not your ribs, beans, and coleslaw type restaurant. Even the children's menu was over-the-top, with a 4-oz. lobster for $14, and ribs $10. My son ordered from the regular menu - fettuccine alfredo, $13. Very delicious.
It was a new experience to find cinnamon rolls in the bread basket. Wally's wife started this tradition, and it has stuck to this day. I never thought I would eat cinnamon rolls before a dinner, but I couldn't resist - they were really good.
Meals here were a little pricey; although there were some in the $12-$17 range, the majority was over $20. Filet mignon was $33. I ordered a glass of wine, which ran $7.50. I only had one. But with getting the special on the ribs that night, the price wasn't that bad - came to $58. I definitely would eat here again, especially for the ribs. Sometimes you have to pay a little more to experience a little more, right?