Las Cuatro Milpas — a Barrio Logan food institution for 92 years — is in trouble with the IRS, as well as the state and San Diego County, over back taxes.
“The struggle is real,” said longtime customer Alexia Bowens. “It’s everywhere, terribly real. ”
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So real, San Diego County could force the owners to sell the property in March after recently missing payments on more than $60,000 in property taxes related to the restaurant and the church next door.
According to tax documents and county leaders, the family also owes more than $100,000 in state sales and federal income taxes.
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“When we see folks fall on hard times, we help show them priorities, where to pay off first, how to delay the tax sale so they can make that payment and not lose their property, ” explained Jordan Marks, the assessor / recorder / county clerk of San Diego County.
Marks said his office has been working with the family to keep the restaurant from being sold to cover their tax burden.
“I went out to them, and I met with professionals that can help them sort through the bills, organize what they owe, and come up with a concrete financial plan to move forward and say, ‘Hey, we don’t want to lose our building,’ ” Marks said.
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While Las Cuatro Milpas remains open during its tax issues, it was recently saddled with another problem.
In December,
the restaurant was shut down temporarily due to health violations
. Despite the problems, people still line up for the food.
“It’s very authentic and fresh, just an overall great place,” explained Bowen.
“I’ve been going to Cuatro Milpas since I was a little kid with my parents,” exclaimed Cornelio Gomez. “It’s awesome. I love it.”
Gomez remembers passing the family tradition of going to the restaurant on to his son. Now he’s hoping they can get their finances right so the next generation can enjoy what’s become a San Diego institution.
NBC 7 tried contacting the family for comment but was unable to reach them.
