One of Barrio Logan’s most recognizable walk-up windows has gone quiet. Lia’s Lumpia has closed its Logan Avenue storefront after roughly five years on the block, and the family operation is steering back to the catering, manufacturing and pop-up hustle that built its name. Mother-and-son founders Lia and chef Spencer Hunter opted not to renew the retail lease and say they will focus on off-site business while keeping the food truck in rotation. Regulars who counted on a quick lumpia fix from the window can still hire the crew for private events or follow the brand’s channels for upcoming pop-up dates.
The pivot follows the decision not to extend the shop’s lease and to ramp up off-site service and special-event bookings, as reported by FOX 5 San Diego. According to that report, closing the Logan Avenue storefront ends a roughly five-year retail run but leaves Lia’s in play at festivals, private bookings and pop-ups around the region.
Lia’s began as a food truck before landing a more permanent base on Logan Avenue in late 2022, when it opened a takeout shop that also hosted Spencer Hunter’s Milagros pop-up and often parked the truck out back, as Eater San Diego reported. The spot at 2219 Logan Avenue earned a following for its not-so-traditional lumpia lineup, with fillings like mac-and-cheese and pork-sisig rolls sharing the menu with chicken adobo tacos and kalamansi wings.
Along the way, the Hunters picked up local recognition. Jamul Casino’s Emerald menu lists “Lia’s Lumpias” and notes the item was "Voted SD Magazine’s ‘Best Filipino, Critic’s Choice,’" and FOX 5 also highlighted the team’s appearance in San Diego Magazine’s Best of 2025 roundup. Jamul Casino calls out Lia’s dishes on its menu, and FOX 5 San Diego noted the Best of honors.
Inspections and neighborhood pressure
The decision to shutter the storefront followed a rough patch that included temporary county-ordered closures and failed reinspections tied to vermin-related violations earlier in 2025, according to a local roundup of the county’s inspection notices. SanDiegoVille reviewed county closure listings and reported on the failed reinspections and temporary orders.
Concerns about safety on the block did not help. The San Diego Police Department investigated an alleged extortion ring that targeted Logan Avenue businesses, and Spencer Hunter told ABC 10News, "We did have initially when we moved in the worries of safety here." The investigation, along with related vandalism, left some merchants rethinking whether to re-up their leases along the corridor.
What’s next for Lia’s
For now, the Hunters say Lia’s is returning to what worked first: catering, pop-ups and truck service, with an eye on manufacturing and special-event bookings. Fans and event planners can find booking information and a schedule of appearances through the Lia’s Lumpia website and its social media feeds. Lia's Lumpia keeps a running calendar and contact details for catering inquiries.
For Barrio Logan, the loss is part of a wider shakeup. The neighborhood has seen a mix of long-timers and newer independents close or change course in recent months, a churn that local food coverage has been tracking. Eater San Diego recently rounded up closures in a December list that underscored how quickly the dining landscape is shifting.
