Founded by mother-and-son team Lia and Chef Spencer Avery-Santos Hunter, Lia’s Lumpia built its reputation through its award-winning food truck and later its dual concept in Barrio Logan with Milagro’s Modern Filipino, which opened in 2022. The closure marks a pivot for the team, who announced they’ll return to their roots - focusing on catering, manufacturing, and special events.
“Thank you to all the support we have gotten in our time here in Barrio Logan,” the owners shared on Instagram. “We’re focusing on what we do best - catering, manufacturing, and special events. Be on the lookout for more kamayans, more special events, and the next upcoming project.”
The restaurant’s announcement follows a challenging year for small businesses in the community. Lia’s Lumpia faced temporary closures by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality, including a January 2025 shutdown for major vermin-related violations and failed reinspections. But sources close to the business say fear of potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area also contributed to a drop in foot traffic.
Despite the closure, Lia’s Lumpia remains one of San Diego’s most celebrated Filipino food ventures. The Hunters gained national attention after competing on Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race”, where their fusion of Filipino and Black Southern cuisines - including signature items like mac-and-cheese lumpia - earned widespread acclaim.
Fans can still find Lia’s Lumpia catering at events and festivals around San Diego, and their dishes are also featured at The Emerald Restaurant inside Jamul Casino. The team says they remain “forever grateful for the support from the community,” promising that “friendships have been made that will last a lifetime.”
Lia’s Lumpia joins a growing list of independent Barrio Logan eateries that have recently shuttered or shifted business models amid rising costs, permitting challenges, and community tensions heightened by federal enforcement fears.
For updates on Lia’s Lumpia’s next chapter, follow @liaslumpia on Instagram.
Originally published on November 5, 2025. Photo by Kimberly Motos.
