George Kozaris has been dubbed the ‘King of New Toronto’ for serving generations of families going back almost 50 years at his popular Lakeshore Super Submarine shop.

Back in the day it took three people, George and his two brothers, to serve the many customers lined up outside their door at the iconic Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Islington Ave. restaurant.

The brothers purchased the shop in 1974 after arriving in Montreal from their native Greece.

They made their way to Toronto, where George worked at Cara Operations as a dishwasher and cook.

He purchased the thriving business from his brothers over the years and is the sole owner.

“Nobody gave us anything when we came here,” Kozaris recalls. “We worked hard for everything that we have.”

Kozaris knows residents by their first name and they religiously return for his tasty, home-made subs.

He makes an assorted sandwich for a young man, who says he was short on cash this week, but promised to repay him on pay day.

“I love it here,” he says. “I love the people.”

He chose the area because it was in the 1970s and the area was booming, with many of the large companies as Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Campbell’s Soup, Anaconda American Brass, Reg. N. Boxer Co., Ritchie & Ramsey Ltd., W. & A. Gilbey’s Distillery and others thriving.

“This was the place to be,” he recalls. “We had two movie theatres and there were lineups around the block to see movies like The Exorcist.”

Kozaris points to an area where Lastman’s Bad Boy Furniture store, Woolworths Supermarkets, two rival movie theatres and a well-known bowling alley used to stand.

“Those were the golden years and the community was booming,” he smiles. “Things were good back then. There is not much here to attract people now.”

The business and residents have also been good to Kozaris, 67, who with wife, Helen, are the parents of two grown daughters and a son.

He is a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan and has never missed a day’s work, or been on a holiday. A big hockey fan, he has autographed photos of Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand and Mike Keenan.

“The furthest I have been to is Niagara Falls since I arrived in Canada,” the sub-maker says proudly. “I would rather be here than at home.”

He is compassionate about the job and has no plans to retire.

“I just can’t retire and sit at home,” Kozaris stresses. “I still have a lot of things to do yet.”

At the pre-COVID days, customers used to visit his brightly decorated shop to have a bite and watch the Leafs play.

Now they pass by in masks to say hello and pick up their food to go.

The sub shop does have a large following on social media from locals who love the good, old fashioned sandwiches.

“I come by this place whenever I’m in the area,” Pavel wrote. “The subs are great and George is great guy. Definitely worth it.”

“This place is a great way to support hardworking Lakeshore folks and be hugely satisfied in the process,” said another sub lover.

“This place doesn’t look like very much but it’s one of those old school family-owned sub shops that is actually really good,” stressed Jason. “The food is delicious, fast, and not very expensive.”

Lakeshore Super Submarine is located at 2939 Lake Shore Blvd. W., or phone 416-252-4371.