Founder of Hash House And Wolf In The Woods Bringing 'The Lake Poet' Restaurant To Historic Building In San Diego's Mission Hills

San Diego restaurateur Johnny Rivera - best known for revolutionizing brunch with Hash House A Go Go and The Great Maple, and more recently launching the intimate Mission Hills bistro Wolf in the Woods - is preparing to open a brand new restaurant in 2026. The upcoming concept, dubbed The Lake Poet, will be located in a Mission Hills building steeped in over a century of neighborhood history.

The Mission Hills property has long served as home to Powers Plumbing, a family-run business founded by Luther Powers in 1914 and operating at the corner location since 1923. While details about Rivera’s new venture are still under wraps, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control confirms a Type 41 beer and wine license is already pending for the space - suggesting another neighborhood-friendly concept is in the works.

Rivera, a San Diego native, has been a defining force in the city's dining scene for over two decades. His knack for creating distinctive atmospheres - whether the theatrical, over-the-top brunches of Hash House and Great Maple or the moody, desert-inspired serenity of Wolf in the Woods - has earned him a loyal following and national acclaim.

Though The Lake Poet remains a mystery for now, the name hints at a potentially lyrical, contemplative dining experience - perhaps a poetic extension of Rivera’s flair for storytelling through food, music, and ambiance. Whether he’s drawing inspiration from English romanticism or channeling the deep calm of a hidden retreat, one thing is certain: San Diegans can expect a soulful and carefully crafted space to gather and dine.

The Lake Poet is expected to open sometime in 2026 at 1705 W. Lewis Street in San Diego's Mission Hills.

Originally published on August 1, 2025.