The historic Prairie Inn is booming as a neighbourhood pub in the Greater Victoria community of Saanichton.
Built in 1859, the inn also housed people during the Second World War, before becoming a pub in the mid-1970s. Back in the day the Sidney-to-Victoria train also used to steam through.
“We have the original chimney. It still stands," says manager Liz Lamothe, who worked at the pub from 1989 to 1995, then returned in 1999, and has been there ever since. "Karol, our senior waitress, has worked here every day since 1987. Never left.
"The kitchen was added on in around 1988 and the parking lot was paved in around 1987. It was gravel until then.”
Regulation changes that have allowed children to come in with their families has been a welcome change. "It’s better with families,” Lamothe says.
For almost 30 years, General Manager Frank Markovic has been at the longstanding neighbourhood pub, which today has a strong focus on family, enriching its role as a community hub.
“It’s more about community now,” Markovic says. “Kids come in from their sports or an arena and can have dinner with their family.
“It’s a big, close-knit, family atmosphere here.”
Seeing kids grow up before their eyes has been a positive by-product of the family addition, with many getting their first jobs at the Prairie Inn.
“A lot of kids have worked here and grown up working in the kitchen and elsewhere,” Lamothe says, with Markovic adding, “we hire a lot of students at the dishwasher end and it gives them a start, and young girls do food running. It’s a community feel here...We also support a lot of local teams and schools. It’s a big community, so we support everything.
"We never scrimp on ingredients because it makes a difference. We always focus on quality and being homemade whenever possible."
Hockey teams, firefighters and local hospital teams are also among the clientele, along with older clients from the neighbourhood who visit as part of their social time. "We cater for everyone,” Lamothe says.
When it comes to drinks, the Prairie Inn has 17 beers on tap, including local brews from Hoynes, Phillips and Driftwood, plus a range of wine and cocktails.
On the food front they’re also focused on local, including the Saanich Peninsula's Michell’s Farm and a variety of other producers.
“I try to support a lot of local farmers,” Lamothe says. “Our lamb for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations was all raised locally. We do everything we can to support him; he’s just a small local farmer."
That attention to detail shows in the food.
"We never scrimp on ingredients because it makes a difference. We always focus on quality and being homemade whenever possible,” Lamothe says.
Among the regular highlights, “our turkey dip stands out among the dishes we offer. We use real turkey and do things a little bit differently with homemade cranberry sauce and stuffing. And it comes with real, homemade turkey gravy. It’s a huge seller.
“And our Jamie’s Pasta – a homemade chicken alfredo which is baked to order – is also very popular, along with fish and chips and a range of burgers.”
It's comfort food at its best, served in hearty portions, Markovic adds.
Another secret to the Prairie Inn’s success is hiring the right people – more than 50 on-staff, with a core that remains the same, Lamothe says.
"The staff and their consistency are what really make us work...whoever is cooking the food, it should all taste the same. And they all take pride in what they do.”
For Markovic, a great bartender is “someone who can multi-task, has personality and who can be pouring beers and chatting to customers at the same time.”
And Lamothe adds that a good server will “make you feel like you’re at home. Customers and staff will get to know each other and become friends. Take young Grace who works here – she’s very sweet and personable and a great example of the service we look to provide.”
The pub takes reservations early in the day, but changes that in the evening. “At night we don’t do reservations because we don’t want you to be rushed,” Lamothe says. “That’s what being a pub is all about.”
Such a strategy makes it easier for the Prairie Inn’s staff to get to know their regulars on first name terms. “We pride ourselves on that,” Markovic says. “They can sit at the bar and chat freely with their bartenders.”
As for everyone, COVID was a bumpy ride, but they got through it and are stronger than ever now.
“COVID was challenging, but we were lucky because we also have the liquor store and that really helped keep us going,” says Markovic, who largely runs the liquor store himself.
“The owners were good at supporting us and a lot of loyal customers bought gift cards, committing to be back once we reopened,” Lamothe recalls.
“We were also lucky that a lot of our staff came back. They were patient and waited for us. The owners also gave everyone a two-week paid holiday until we knew what was going to be happening. It was tough to get through, but I think everyone is over it now.”
Lamothe, whose sister Karol has worked at the pub over 38 years, notes that family focus also extends deeper into the staff, with all Lamothe’s children growing up working at the pub, and Markovic’s twin, Tony, another brother and his daughter all also working at the Prairie Inn. Long may the family theme continue.
Prairie Inn
7806 East Saanich Rd., Saanichton
250-652-1575
