The Dudley, a new sports bar and restaurant, is now open at the former College Heights Pub location in Prince George.
The business is currently in its soft opening phase, with operating hours from 5 to 10 p.m. daily. Extended hours are expected in the near future.
Owners Garrett Fedorkiw and Eoin Foley — the team behind Nancy O’s Restaurant Group, which also owns Nancy O’s and Betulla Burning in downtown Prince George — had been eyeing the College Heights location for some time.
They’ve transformed the space into a blend of sports bar, family restaurant and cozy British pub, located at 5787 Albert Place.
Foley said the restaurant’s name, The Dudley, comes from an old English term meaning “a clearing in the woods.”
Before opening, the interior underwent a major refresh, and a patio was added for al fresco dining.
“The patio was already there,” Foley said. “We didn’t build it. We just cleaned it up and put out some tables and chairs.”
He added that, for now, seating on the patio is limited.
“For the foreseeable future — at least this summer — we’ll have a restricted number of people allowed out there. We need to complete some rezoning with the city, which probably won’t be finalized until the end of summer. But it’s a beautiful patio surrounded by trees. We’ve seen lots of wildlife — bears, moose and deer — although not on the patio, just around it. This is Prince George; we’re used to that.”
The Dudley has introduced its signature smash burger — also called The Dudley — via social media. It features a garlic butter–toasted sesame seed bun, garlic aioli, pickles, shredded iceberg lettuce, caramelized onions, cheddar and a smash patty. Diners can “choose their own adventure” by ordering combinations such as 1x1, 2x2, 3x3 or 4x4 (four patties, four slices of cheese).
“There are plenty of other smash burgers to try on the menu, too,” Foley said. “They’ve been very popular during the first couple of days.”
Honouring the location’s past, the team is embracing the English pub heritage of the former CHP.
“The place always had that pub feel, so we’re leaning into that a bit,” Foley said. “We’ve got really great fish and chips, some appetizers with an English vibe, and a few desserts as well.”
The soft opening allows the staff time to get trained and systems in place, Foley explained.
“It’s new to everybody right now,” he said. “We didn’t want to overwhelm the team while opening a brand new place. Everyone is still learning. For the first few weeks, we’ve got a limited menu. But within a month, we’ll expand to the full menu.”
He said the team is well-prepared, but like any new venture, there are adjustments.
“We’ve had months to think about the thousand things we’d need to make it all run smoothly. Then you open and realize there are actually a thousand and ten. That’s what these early nights are for — to make tweaks so we’re ready to go full bore.”
The Dudley will serve locally brewed beer, alongside its own lager and pale ale, and carry classic domestic brands on tap.
In the planning stages, Foley said the team envisioned The Dudley as a gathering place for sports teams.
Two large tables in the centre of the dining room are meant to encourage post-game hangouts.
“We thought it would be a fun way to use the space,” Foley said. “Small groups can share it, or a whole softball team can sit together after a game. We want to encourage teams to come by and celebrate.”
Eventually, the restaurant will expand to full-time hours, including lunch service and weekend breakfasts.
Families are welcome, though after 8 p.m. the atmosphere will shift to a more adult-oriented pub environment.
“We’ve got a pool table and cornhole on the patio,” Foley said. “We encourage everyone to come check out the space.”
Foley said The Dudley is also meant to be a destination for watching sports.
“There are areas with TVs, but also corners where you can avoid them if sports aren’t your thing,” he said. “We’ll be showing football, hockey and fights — but there’s room for everyone.”
He offered thanks to the community.
“We’ve had so much positivity from people in Prince George and especially College Heights. We’re very thankful to be open and finally able to share what we’ve been working on.”
For updates, visit The Dudley on Facebook.
