In a sea of Subways, Windsor sub shop SPYS stays afloat by never changing

People often ask me where I get my story ideas from.

Usually, it's by keeping my eyes peeled wandering around the region. Sometimes, it's a hot tip from our audience or a place getting a lot of buzz on social media. 

But then, every so often, a story is borne as a result of strong craving.

The other week, I found myself with a burning desire for a old-school submarine sandwich: cold cuts, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions and sub sauce — maybe with a touch of mayo on a long white bun. No toasting, grilling or fancy flavoured breads.

Finding that sandwich was more work that I expected it to be, with city streets seemingly dominated by a certain franchise shop with a New York City transit-based theme.

Those sandwiches are perfectly serviceable, but with their pre-sliced meats, plethora of bread options and high-tech toaster ovens, Subway just doesn't have the old-school sub I craved.

After a week of unfulfilled cravings, I was set to make my own sandwich when I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, the electric glow of neon emanating from the corner of Howard Avenue and Tecumseh Road.

Growing up in Peterborough, Ont., Ace Submarine, one of more popular old-school sub shops, had an iconic neon sign, so the two have always been linked in my mind. 

Sure enough, this neon was attached to a sub shop — offering exactly what I was looking for.

SPYS — which stands for "Subs, Pitas, Yogurt, Salads" was founded by Mike Stratis at the corner of Tecumseh Road and McDougall Street in 1993.

While it offers those other items, SPYS is, at its heart, an old-school sub shop, with fresh bread from a local bakery, a well-loved deli slicer, and amusingly-named menu items that play up the espionage theme.

At one point, SPYS had seven locations spread across the city. However, a combination of multiplying chain restaurants, September 11th and the 2008 economic downturn caused all but the location at Howard Avenue and Tecumseh Road to shutter for good.

Business is brisk at the sole survivor. While many restaurants try to stay relevant by constantly offering new menu items or fancy cooking technology, SPYS thrives on never changing, doing things the same way they did 25 years ago.

You can even order subs for your office by fax.

To learn more about SPYS, tap on the audio player below.

SPYS is located at 475 Tecumseh Rd. E. They're open Mon. to Sat. until 10 p.m. — and because they're old-school — closed Sunday.