In a city that’s constantly evolving, familiar places don’t always last. Neighbourhoods grow, new developments take shape, and long-standing businesses sometimes give way to change.
But in Scarborough, some places become more than businesses. They become part of people’s lives.
For decades, The Real McCoy Burgers & Pizza has been one of those places. Not just for the food, but for the relationships built inside its walls. It’s where families gather, students stop in after school, and regulars are known not just by their orders, but by their names.
So when the original location on Markham Road closed as part of a broader redevelopment of the area, it marked the end of an era for many who had grown up with it. This time, though, the story didn’t end there.
“When we closed, I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do next,” says owner George Mihail. “But my family knew me better than I knew myself. They knew I wouldn’t stay idle for long. I always believed we would come back, just not this quickly. When Brett Punchard and Saye reached out, everything changed. They gave me the encouragement and the push to get back into it.”
Behind its return to its Lawrence Avenue East location was a group of people who believed in what the business meant to the community. Led by entrepreneur, Saye Sathiyakumar, the goal wasn’t to reinvent it, but to support what was already working.
By partnering with the Mihail family, they focused on bringing The Real McCoy back in a way that stayed true to its roots, while creating the foundation for its next chapter.
At the centre of it all is George Mihail.
For George, this isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a responsibility to the community his family has served for over 50 years. It’s about showing up every day, recognizing faces, and understanding that behind every customer is a story.
And sometimes, those stories require more than just a transaction.
There are moments when someone walks in and doesn’t have enough money. In those cases, George doesn’t turn them away. He keeps it simple, makes a note, and trusts they’ll come back. And when they do, they don’t just settle up, they rebuild that trust. It’s a quiet system built on relationships, one that reflects something deeper than business.
That same mindset extends beyond the counter. From providing opportunities for local youth to supporting individuals who need a second chance, The Real McCoy has become a place where people can find more than a meal. They can find consistency, support, and someone who genuinely cares.
That’s why the community sees George the way they do. Not just as a business owner, but as someone dependable. Someone who shows up. Someone who gives back without needing recognition.
For Scarborough’s business community, there’s a lesson in that. Success isn’t always about scale. It’s about consistency. It’s about trust. It’s about the small, everyday actions that build something meaningful over time.
Looking ahead, there is a clear opportunity to grow The Real McCoy beyond a single location. With the right support and structure, this is a brand that could expand across the city and beyond.
But what makes this different is the intention behind it. The goal isn’t simply to scale a business, it’s to scale a culture, one built on trust, relationships, and a genuine commitment to the community.
At the Scarborough Business Association, these are the stories that define who we are. Businesses that don’t just operate in a community, but actively support it.
Because in Scarborough, the strongest businesses aren’t just built on what they sell, they’re built on how they show up for people.
Ryan Somer is President of the Scarborough Business Association.
