Happy 50th Anniversary of being in business in New Toronto to George Kozaris, of Lakeshore Super Submarine, who knows all his many customers by name.
Sub maker George Kozaris has a passion for making his customers happy.
Kozaris this month is celebrating his 50th year as owner of Lakeshore Super Submarine, at 2939 Lake Shore Blvd. W., where most people in the area have enjoyed his sandwiches.
He’s been dubbed the ‘Reeve of Lakeshore,’ since he knows most residents after serving belly-filling subs for half a century to at least 100,000 customers.
“I started in the business with my brother when I was 20, and I am now 70,” smiles Kozaris, who has a great sense of humour in addition to being a big Montreal Canadiens fan. “I plan to keep on going until I drop.”
When George and his brothers bought the business he was 20, today he is 70 and doesn’t plan on retiring.
He and his late brother started the business in 1974 at a store at Third Street and later moved uptown to near Seventh Street.
The avid hockey fan has memorabilia of the sport decorating his store. He takes pride in serving delicious sandwiches served with fresh meats and sliced vegetables, like tomatoes, lettuce, green pepper and other condiments.
“I slice all the meat myself every day,” he says. “This way I know that everything is fresh and my customers will enjoy it.”
George remembers when the area was active with busy manufacturing plants and workers were lined up outside his door to purchase his tasty subs, which taste the same today.
His customers keep on returning and he knows them and their families by name. Many visit the bright roadside eatery at least weekly to get their fill. One man enjoys the sandwiches so much that he has been returning regularly for 47 years.
Long-time resident Jerome Drayton said he’s been getting his fill at Lakeshore Super Submarine for about 20 years.
Kozaris know his favourite sub, drink and even where he likes to sit.
“This is the best sub around,” Drayton insists. “I have been coming here for many years and the quality is always great.”
Sub maker George takes pride in making every sandwich as his customer wants.
Drayton is a former long-distance runner and marathoner eats healthy foods and it is one of the reason he returns.
Lakeshore Super Submarine has thousands of great reviews online, yet people return for the comradery, quality of sandwich and price.
Most of the sandwiches are still in the $10 range and are bulging in size with a large portion of meat and condiments. At first I couldn’t eat an entire sub because of the size. Now I can devour it. And as more food products shrink in size, this has not.
His shop was made even more famous after appearing in one of the successful Police Academy movies, which were filmed in the area.