Chubby's Subs has been serving old-fashioned sub sandwiches since 1973.

The humble sandwich shop's story begins with John Boosalis, a seasoned restaurateur who set up shop at the corner of Airport and Derry Road in Mississauga.

The restaurant, then known as Moby Dick's Submarines, enjoyed modest success for over a decade.

When the shop moved to the North York City Centre in the late '80s, many of its devoted customers came along for the ride.

Eventually, the restaurant, which had been renamed Chubby's, relocated to North Scarborough. John's son, Chris, runs the store and makes most of the food himself.

The restaurant's eclectic style reflects the decade of its birth. Bright colours and funky patterns dominate the dining room, while photos of celebrities, sports teams and superheroes line the walls.

I spotted Superman, Bugs Bunny and Marilyn Monroe, among others, on my trip from the takeout counter to the table.

Chris says that many of these decorations were purchased from yard sales and secondhand stores. He jokes that they would have taken up space in his home if he hadn't thought to hang them in the restaurant.

"Better here than in my basement, where nobody can see them," he told us with a chuckle.

Photos of the Mississauga and North York stores can be found amid the clutter. Numerous accolades from local newspapers are displayed alongside them.

Sandwiches come in the standard sizes — six-inch or foot-long — on your choice of white or whole wheat bread.

If you like your crust extra crispy, send your sub through the sandwich press — it'll also keep your toppings nice and toasty. Chubby's meats are baked and seasoned in-house. Though their generous cuts will undoubtedly keep the carnivores happy, a wide array of sauces and veggies ensures that everyone can eat their fill.All three of the subs we tried were topped with fresh vegetables. Pickles, peppers, olives and onions are just some of the toppings on offer.The Triple Deli sub ($10.15) is a classic cold cut, consisting of roast beef, turkey and ham. This trio of thinly sliced meats compliments one another quite well and feels almost like a high quality version of a school lunch.Steak and Cheese ($10.15) is another mainstay. Simple but filling, this sandwich makes for a hearty meal. I would recommend a light hand when it comes to toppings: too many competing flavours can overwhelm the main ingredients. BBQ Jerk Chicken ($9.75) was the chef's special when we visited. Chris and company explained that the chicken is marinated over the course of several days, giving it a smoky, spicy flavour.

Subs aren't the only thing on the menu. The restaurant also serves salads and wraps, as well as an ever-changing selection of soups. The Cream of Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup ($3.75) combines the texture of a creamy pasta salad with the taste of a meaty macaroni dish.

The noodles are pillowy soft and have a subtle savoury aftertaste, enhanced by small pieces of bacon.

Though the recipe is ultimately fairly simple, I liked this soup enough to eat two bowls back-to-back.

Grab a pop from the fridge or a bag of chips from the rack on your way out. Chubby's stocks a variety of salty and sugary treats, including the much-loved Jones Soda.

Overflowing with old school charm, Chubby's provides a quirky but affordable alternative to conventional chains.

Chubby's Sub is located 1265 Morningside Avenue.