Latest news with #VoltaireLepe
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Mexican restaurant in California shuts down after 90 years
Las Cuatro Milpas in San Diego, California, will be closing for good after 92 years of business. The Mexican restaurant famous for its handmade tortillas is shuttering following a string of financial struggles. Loyal customers were heartbroken to hear the news about the Barrio Logan neighborhood eatery. 'It's been a part of our family, a weekly or monthly ritual. My grandkids in Tucson are very sad that this place is going to close,' a customer told FOX 5 San Diego . Andy Meza, another longtime fan, revealed Las Cuatro Milpas is the kind of restaurant that 'takes you back to when you were growing up.' The Estudillo family is currently facing over $190,000 in combined tax debt and has put the property on the market for nearly $2 million. Despite the financial struggles, their realtor Voltaire Lepe explained the family is mainly selling the business in order to retire. 'They've been working here all their lives. Just like any business owner, everyone owes money to different government agencies,' he said. Social media users have shared stories on Instagram of their memories of the restaurant that served generations of their families. 'I've been a regular for over 50 years. I was 18 years old when I was first introduced to the marvelous place,' a customer wrote. 'I will be there on their last day and order everything on the menu for one last taste.' 'This has been my Breakfast Spot for the last 20 years it's a sad day to know they will be closing but hopefully one or a few of the younger generation brings it back and gives the City another 100 years,' another person wrote. A few others admitted they would cry on the last day of operations, and suggested the owners set up a GoFundMe to pay off their debt. The family has not revealed if money from the property sale would go toward their unpaid taxes, but they will be accepting offers until August 6. The listing only features the two residential units of the property, but the Estudillos are open to allow a buyer to relaunch Las Cuatro Milpas. 'If the right offer came along where they want to buy the piece of real estate along with the business, the family will consider it,' Lepe revealed. Las Cuatro Milpas is not the only Mexican restaurant to throw in the towel this year. Oscar's Taco House in San Antonio, Texas, shuttered in June to make way for a new bridge after 63 years of serving Mexican cuisine . Former owner Alex Pruneda claimed the city had actually wanted them to shut down in May. However, Pruneda extended operations after telling them in a letter that it was 'too soon.' The small Z'Tejas restaurant chain closed its final location after 36 years earlier this month, blaming it on the end of its lease and 'the challenges of today's market.' Mexican restaurant empires also shuttered restaurants this year, including Taco Bell, which made headlines for closing its oldest restaurant in April . On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina also frightened customers by filing for bankruptcy in March and closing 76 restaurants.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Locals devastated as iconic Mexican restaurant shuts down after 90 years
Las Cuatro Milpas in San Diego, California, will be closing for good after 92 years of business. The Mexican restaurant famous for its handmade tortillas is shuttering following a string of financial struggles. Loyal customers were heartbroken to hear the news about the Barrio Logan neighborhood eatery. 'It's been a part of our family, a weekly or monthly ritual. My grandkids in Tucson are very sad that this place is going to close,' a customer told FOX 5 San Diego. Andy Meza, another longtime fan, revealed Las Cuatro Milpas is the kind of restaurant that 'takes you back to when you were growing up.' The Estudillo family is currently facing over $190,000 in combined tax debt and has put the property on the market for nearly $2 million. Despite the financial struggles, their realtor Voltaire Lepe explained the family is mainly selling the business in order to retire. 'They've been working here all their lives. Just like any business owner, everyone owes money to different government agencies,' he said. Social media users have shared stories on Instagram of their memories of the restaurant that served generations of their families. 'I've been a regular for over 50 years. I was 18 years old when I was first introduced to the marvelous place,' a customer wrote. 'I will be there on their last day and order everything on the menu for one last taste.' 'This has been my Breakfast Spot for the last 20 years it's a sad day to know they will be closing but hopefully one or a few of the younger generation brings it back and gives the City another 100 years,' another person wrote. A few others admitted they would cry on the last day of operations, and suggested the owners set up a GoFundMe to pay off their debt. The family has not revealed if money from the property sale would go toward their unpaid taxes, but they will be accepting offers until August 6. The listing only features the two residential units of the property, but the Estudillos are open to allow a buyer to relaunch Las Cuatro Milpas. 'If the right offer came along where they want to buy the piece of real estate along with the business, the family will consider it,' Lepe revealed. The business opened its doors 92 years ago The Estudillo family has owned and run the restaurant since its opening Realtor Voltaire Lepe explained the primary reason behind the closure is because of the family's retirement Las Cuatro Milpas is not the only Mexican restaurant to throw in the towel this year. Oscar's Taco House in San Antonio, Texas, shuttered in June to make way for a new bridge after 63 years of serving Mexican cuisine. Former owner Alex Pruneda claimed the city had actually wanted them to shut down in May. However, Pruneda extended operations after telling them in a letter that it was 'too soon.' The small Z'Tejas restaurant chain closed its final location after 36 years earlier this month, blaming it on the end of its lease and 'the challenges of today's market.' It came a couple of years after the chain closed multiple locations, including its 33-year-old flagship restaurant in Austin. closing its oldest restaurant in April. On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina also frightened customers by filing for bankruptcy in March and closing 76 restaurants.
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Iconic Mexican restaurant closing after 90 years, no bankruptcy
One of the central parts of the dining experience in the U.S. is going out to a Mexican restaurant. This may seem counterintuitive, given that Mexican cuisine isn't inherently a part of traditional American dining, but it's been central to our dining culture for decades. Related: Top Dominos competitor makes a big bet in growing new area It doesn't really matter where you live. If you're in Colorado, California, or Connecticut, most Mexican spots offer more or less the same thing - which is great for diners who know what they want. The only problem is, Mexican restaurants often have a hard time differentiating themselves from competition. If you've been to a few Mexican restaurants, you can probably roughly outline what the menu, drink list, and even decor look like. There's often the top items, like fajitas, tacos, nachos, maybe a salad, and plenty of cheesy entrees. And any self-respecting Mexican eatery offers margaritas. The top places will often sell large, fishbowl-style margaritas that often come in lots of different or inventive flavors. There's nothing wrong with this business model. In fact, it's usually quite a treat to go out to a Mexican restaurant, especially when you know exactly what you're going to get. But it can be hard doing business in a crowded area, especially if your competition offers something you don't. Las Cuatro Milpas, a popular Mexican restaurant in San Diego, Calif., is closing down after nearly 100 years in business. The restaurant has been struggling financially. It owes approximately $160,000 in unpaid property taxes and has incurred several health code violations, including vermin infestations that were not remediated after multiple checks. MORE RETAIL: Popular Mexican chain closing all restaurants, no bankruptcyHome Depot local rival closing permanently after 120 yearsAmazon makes a harsh decision amid concerning customer trendHuge bankrupt retail chain closing down all stores after 80 years It was forced to close in the winter following the violation, and now, Las Cuatro Milpas is closing down for good. The restaurant has put its historic site up for sale for approximately $1.99 million. The property includes two buildings, living quarters, and even a church. It's located just blocks away from the San Diego Convention Center and the BNSF Freight Yard. While the $1.99 million sales price seems to cover a lot, it does not actually include the restaurant operation itself, per Fox 5 San Diego. Real estate agent Voltaire Lepe said the sale reflects the family's desire to retire, rather than any kind of issues with the government. "There has been some negativity painted about the reasons why they are selling, but the reason is just because they're retired," he explained. "They've been working here all their lives. Just like any business owner, everyone owes money to different government agencies." He added that the Estudillo family, which has operated the business since 1933, is open to offers that include the restaurant business. They are accepting offers until August 6, 2025. Customers remain hopeful that they may someday see the return of their favorite local hotspot, but with so much competition for Mexican food in the San Diego area, the future may be grim. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
