Rudy's Pizza Chain Launches First Sutton Coldfield Outlet in Historic Building
A nationwide pizza chain has expanded its presence in Birmingham with the opening of its first Sutton Coldfield restaurant, marking the fourth location in the city. Rudy's pizzeria has taken over a former gym building on Birmingham Road in the town centre, a site that has previously served as a kitchen and bathroom showroom, a Morrison's supermarket, and even a Blockbuster video store.
Restaurant Layout and Initial Popularity
The new eatery boasts a spacious design with a mezzanine floor, a private dining room, a bar area, a main restaurant section, and a terrace ready for summer use. After welcoming family and friends on Friday and hosting a charity event on Saturday, the restaurant officially opened to the public on Sunday, March 22, and has already served hundreds of customers.
This early success is partly attributed to a promotional offer of 3,000 free pizzas, which was claimed within an hour of announcement. Registrants have from Monday, March 23, to Sunday, May 3, to redeem the deal. Weekends are already booking up quickly, with hundreds of reservations taken, so diners are encouraged to secure their spots promptly.
Interior Design and Culinary Focus
Inside, Rudy's features a fresh, modern aesthetic with exposed brickwork and high ceilings, creating an airy and spacious atmosphere. The venue offers various seating options to accommodate both small and large groups, a significant transformation from its past as a video rental store.
The restaurant specializes in authentic Neapolitan pizzas, with chefs trained at the Rudy's academy in Manchester under the guidance of Italian experts. All outlets, including the new Sutton Coldfield location, prepare fresh dough and tiramisu daily. This opening represents Rudy's expansion into north Birmingham, joining existing sites in Bennetts Hill, Brindleyplace, and Harborne.
Insights from Head Chef Evan Davies
Head chef Evan Davies, a 22-year-old pizzaiolo, moved to Birmingham for studies at Aston University and began working part-time at a Rudy's in the city centre. Over five years, he progressed from sous chef to head chef, now overseeing the kitchen in Sutton Coldfield. Davies expressed enthusiasm for the new site, describing it as a "lovely building."
He highlighted the daily-made dough as a key differentiator for Rudy's, emphasizing the training received from Italian professionals. Davies has already made his mark by creating the Mela Dolce pizza with goat's cheese and wild boar salami, which won a national competition among Rudy's chefs. This special will be available on the menu in March and April, alongside other rotating options that change every two months to keep offerings fresh.
Menu Offerings and Local Competition
The regular menu includes a range of pizzas, from a margherita priced under ten pounds to a triple pepperoni for £14.90. Starters feature items like olives, garlic bread, burrata, and caprese famiglia, while desserts include tiramisu, gelato, chocolate brownies, and affogato options with espresso shots.
Rudy's joins Sutton Coldfield's "Restaurant Quarter," where it will compete with established pizza sellers such as Pizza Express and the local favorite, Pizza by Goli. The addition of this new dining spot is expected to invigorate the area's culinary scene, offering residents and visitors another choice for authentic Italian-style pizza.
