The old saying can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen doesn’t apply to one retired Slidell firefighter.

After spending 17 years with Fire Protection District 1, Bill Dekemel’s fire-dousing days ended, partly because of personal reasons but mostly because of the destruction and the helpless feelings he experienced when pulling people from flooded streets several days in a row following Hurricane Katrina.

His adventures wouldn’t end there, though.

Retired fire fighter Bill Dekemel cooks up some Philly cheese steak at his newly opened Lenny'€™s Sub Shop in Slidell. (Staff Photo by Chad Ruiz)

Having owned two Smoothie King franchises in Slidell in the past, Dekemel was no stranger to running a business, which is the reason he now owns the first and only Lenny’s Sub Shop in Louisiana, located in Slidell on Pontchartrain Boulevard.

His first sandwich venture opened several days ago and so far, the Slidell resident has seen an outpouring of support from the surrounding community, including his fellow firefighters.

“It’s been very steady. The people have been very supportive of us,” Dekemel said.

It wasn’t all a walk in the park for the retired fireman, who braved blazing infernos without a moment’s hesitation.

“It was scary, but my family was always behind me on it,” Dekemel said.

Garnering that strength from family and friends, Dekemel spent the better part of a year ironing out details with Lenny’s officials about opening their first sandwich shop in Louisiana.

Though wary about competing with Louisiana’s signature sandwich, the po-boy, Lenny’s officials eventually agreed to Dekemel opening a shop on the once ravished boulevard still reeling from Katrina’s effects.

“We’re not trying to replace the po-boy, just offer a lighter version of it,” Dekemel said.

The sub shop contains cold and hot subs, including their signature Philly cheese steak sandwich. Sandwiches come in regular and large sizes, but regulars are usually enough for the average eater since it comes with half a pound of cheese and meat. The large sub features a pound of contents loaded onto the bread, plenty enough to fill even the burliest firemen, Dekemel joked, admitting he’s a sandwich guy.

It’s the friendly family atmosphere that keeps people coming back for more, Dekemel said.

“There’s no garbage cans in our shop,” Dekemel said, explaining you wouldn’t force friends to throw their own trash away.

Dekemel said his future plans include opening other locations in Slidell and possibly expanding to the west side of the parish.

He also wants to become more involved in the community with fundraising events planned for the future. For more information about Dekemel’s shop, call 643-9424.

Lenny’s Sub Shop began in 1998 in Bartlett, Tenn., by founders Len and Sheila Moore. Due to popular demand, the Moore’s turned the store into a franchise, and today there are over 175 shops in 22 states across the country.