Milwaukee's best lumpia: A guide to Filipino flavor

Milwaukee's Filipino food scene is small but mighty, and lumpia—crispy, savory fried spring rolls—has become the gateway dish for families discovering this vibrant cuisine. From award-winning fusion creations at the Wisconsin State Fair to traditional recipes served at Monday night pop-ups, the greater Milwaukee area offers surprisingly diverse lumpia options once you know where to look.

The clear standout is Lumpia City, which won the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair Sporkies competition and produces 8,000-10,000 hand-rolled lumpia monthly. But for traditional preparations, insider favorites include The Bad English pop-up and the Filipino American Association's legendary Holiday Folk Fair booth, operating since 1974. Here's everything families need to know.

Lumpia City brings creative fusion flavor

Lumpia City is Milwaukee's most accessible and celebrated lumpia destination. Founded in 2015 by Alexa Reyes (Filipino-American from California) and Samantha Klimaszewski (Milwaukee native), this business has grown from a garage-pulled pop-up stand into a multi-location operation with frozen products in 60+ retail locations.

Main Storefront: 315A N Milwaukee St, Waterford, WI 53185
Phone: (262) 332-6136 or (414) 630-0084
Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM (closed Sunday–Wednesday)
Website: lumpiacity.com

Signature lumpia varieties include:

• Five-Cheese Mac & Cheese Lumpia (the Wisconsin-inspired fan favorite)

• Sriracha Pork (perfect balance of heat)

• Korean Beef

• Philly Cheesesteak

• Dutch Apple Pie (dessert lumpia)

• Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia (2025 Sporkie Award winner)

• Vegan Stuffed Pepper (plant-based option)

Pricing: Approximately $10 for 6 lumpia (cut in half for 12 pieces). Frozen packs available at retail locations.

What makes them noteworthy: Judge Paul Bartolotta described their award-winning creation as "absolutely delicious—it's crispy, it's sweet but not too sweet. It's special." The fusion approach puts familiar comfort food flavors into lumpia, making it incredibly family-friendly for kids and adults new to Filipino cuisine. All lumpia are hand-rolled on-site.

Where else to find them:

• Fiserv Forum (Bucks games concession stand)

• Wisconsin State Fair (annual vendor)

• Retail frozen packs: Sendik's Food Market (all locations), Festival Foods (West Allis, Greenfield, Hales Corners), Layton Fruit Market, G. Groppi Food Market, Foltz Family Market (Milwaukee Public Market), West Allis Cheese Shop, Fresh Thyme Market (Brookfield)

Family tip: Pick up frozen packs at local grocery stores and follow the easy air-fryer instructions for healthy lumpia at home—great for after-school snacks.

The Bad English offers authentic Monday night lumpia

For families seeking traditional lumpia Shanghai in a sit-down setting, The Bad English pop-up at L'incontro is Milwaukee's best-kept secret. Chef Juneil Cabreza revives his 2019 food truck concept every Monday night, serving the tangy, salty, sweet flavors authentic to Filipino cuisine.

Location: L'incontro Restaurant, 2315 N. Murray Ave (East Side, Murray Hill neighborhood)
Hours: Mondays only, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM (or until sold out)
No reservations required

Lumpia options:

• Lumpia Shanghai (pork and vegetables) — $10

• Mushroom and Vegetable Lumpia (vegetarian) — $10

• Platter of both — $15

OnMilwaukee describes the lumpia as featuring "flavorful fillings wrapped in signature flour-based lumpia wrappers, which fry up delicate and crispy, almost like phyllo dough."

Other family-friendly menu highlights:

• Longanisa Smashburger (the fan favorite—sweet Filipino sausage in burger form)

• Chicken Skewers with banana ketchup ($8)

• Turon (fried banana and jackfruit dessert)

• Ulam rice bowls with options like chicken adobo

What makes them noteworthy: This is authentic, home-style Filipino cooking from a chef with deep roots in the cuisine. The Italian restaurant setting is kid-friendly, and the Monday timing works well for families with flexible schedules. As Chef Cabreza noted, "Milwaukee has an incredible Filipino population. But there isn't a wide representation of its food."

Family tip: Arrive early—popular items sell out. Share the platter of both lumpia types so kids can taste traditional and vegetarian versions.

Sinta brings upscale Filipino dining to special occasions

For a truly memorable family celebration, Sinta offers the only high-end Filipino dining experience in Milwaukee. Chef-couple Zach and Katrina Panoske (Katrina was born in the Philippines) host monthly pop-up dinners featuring a 7-course prix fixe tasting menu ($100/person).

Contact: sinta.mke@gmail.com | (608) 314-6169
Website: sintamilwaukee.com
Schedule: One dinner per month, limited to approximately 50 guests

What to expect: Modern interpretations of Filipino classics using local seasonal ingredients, presented with fine-dining techniques. Courses may include adobo cornets, lumpia with smoked fish and salted egg, and house-made ube ice cream for halo-halo.

What makes them noteworthy: Zach describes Sinta as "a love letter" to his wife Katrina and her heritage. Hand-drawn menus by Katrina add a personal touch. This is Filipino food elevated for milestone celebrations—graduations, anniversaries, or introducing older kids to culinary exploration.

Family tip: Best for families with adventurous eaters age 10+. Book early as seats fill quickly.

The Lumpia Lady serves traditional recipes at regional events

The Lumpia Lady food truck, owned by Katryna Otadoy, brings traditional Filipino lumpia to southeastern Wisconsin events and markets. Started during the pandemic when a neighbor asked if she could make lumpia, this business has grown into a beloved mobile vendor.

Service area: Kenosha, Racine, Pleasant Prairie, Lake Geneva (WI); Lake and McHenry Counties (IL)
Website: thelumpialady.biz
Availability: Food truck events, Milwaukee Food Truck Fest, private catering

Menu highlights:

• Traditional Pork Lumpia (classic preparation)

• Veggie Lumpia (vegetarian)

• Banana Lumpia (dessert)

• Fiesta Combo (BBQ skewers + crispy pork belly + lumpia + pancit—great for families to share)

What makes them noteworthy: The vibrant, eye-catching truck is easy to spot at events. Traditional recipes rather than fusion—ideal for families wanting the authentic Filipino experience Katryna grew up with.

Family tip: Follow their social media for event schedules, especially during summer festival season.

Asian groceries offer frozen lumpia and DIY ingredients

For families who want to cook lumpia at home—or stock up on frozen options—Milwaukee's Asian grocery stores provide excellent selection at value prices.

Pacific Produce (Largest selection)

Locations:

• 5455 S. 27th St., Milwaukee, WI 53221 (Greenfield area)

• 8340 W. Appleton Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218

Hours: Daily 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Phone: (414) 308-1095

Milwaukee's largest Asian supermarket stocks multiple frozen lumpia brands including Gold Medal Pork Lumpiang Shanghai, Martin Purefoods Chicken Lumpia, and vegetable varieties. Also carries lumpia wrappers for homemade preparation.

Asian International Market

Address: 3401 W. National Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53215 (Silver City neighborhood)
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Phone: (414) 383-4188

Family-owned with helpful staff who can guide you to Filipino ingredients. Customers note finding "items to fill Filipino food cravings" without driving to Chicago. Fresh spring rolls available at the deli counter.

Additional options

• New Asian Supermarket — 10704 W. Oklahoma Ave., West Allis

• Pan-Asia Supermarket — 6910 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis

• Mei Hua Market — 11066 W. National Ave., West Allis

Family tip: Making lumpia together is an excellent family activity. Buy wrappers and ground pork at Pacific Produce, then spend an afternoon rolling and frying together—kids love the assembly-line process.

Holiday Folk Fair delivers the community experience

The most authentic traditional lumpia experience in Milwaukee happens annually at the Holiday Folk Fair International, where the Filipino American Association of Wisconsin (FAAWIS) has operated a food booth since 1974.

Location: Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, West Allis
2025 Dates: November 21–23, 2025

Filipino booth menu:

• Lumpia (fried eggroll filled with chicken)

• Pancit (rice noodles and vegetables)

• Siopao (steamed buns with chicken)

• Longsilog (sweet longanisa sausage, rice, poached egg)

• Leche flan and ube cookies

• Halo-halo (shaved ice dessert)

What makes it special: Community volunteers prepare traditional recipes passed down through families. The Folk Fair features lumpia-making demonstrations on the Chefs Stage where families can learn techniques. This multi-cultural festival also lets kids experience global cuisine and cultural performances in one visit.

Family tip: Arrive hungry and sample dishes from multiple cultural booths. The Filipino booth lines move quickly, and volunteers are happy to explain unfamiliar dishes to curious kids.

Neighborhood guide and practical planning

Downtown/Third Ward: Pick up Lumpia City frozen packs at Foltz Family Market in Milwaukee Public Market, or grab fresh lumpia at Fiserv Forum during Bucks games.

East Side/Murray Hill: The Bad English pop-up at L'incontro (2315 N. Murray Ave) offers the area's only consistent sit-down Filipino option—Monday nights only.

West Allis/Greenfield: Dense with Asian grocery options. Pacific Produce's S. 27th Street location is the largest; Pan-Asia Supermarket and New Asian Supermarket provide alternatives. Festival Foods in West Allis carries Lumpia City frozen products.

Waterford (30 minutes south): Lumpia City's retail storefront offers the widest variety of fresh fusion lumpia Thursday through Saturday.

Wauwatosa: Metcalfe's Market carries Lumpia City frozen products.

Establishment Best for Service style Kids welcome? Lumpia City Fusion flavors, convenience Takeout, retail, events Yes—creative flavors appeal to kids Bad English Traditional, sit-down Dine-in (Mondays) Yes—casual atmosphere Sinta Special occasions Prix fixe dinner Ages 10+ recommended The Lumpia Lady Traditional, events Food truck Yes—festival setting Pacific Produce DIY, value Grocery shopping Yes—exploring is fun Holiday Folk Fair Cultural experience Annual event Absolutely—designed for families

The landscape keeps evolving

Milwaukee's Filipino food scene has experienced significant change. Meat on the Street, the pioneering food truck run by siblings Matt and Alexa Alfaro that "singlehandedly introduced and educated local consumers about Filipino fare," closed in 2023 after nearly a decade. Cocina Filipina, launched that same year to fill the void, has reportedly also closed as of late 2024.

These closures make the remaining establishments particularly valuable. As Lumpia City's founders note, "Moving from California to Wisconsin, we realized how rarely Filipino food is recognized in the Midwest. By putting familiar flavors inside a relatively unknown product, our mission is to spread the love that is Filipino food."

The community itself remains vibrant. Organizations like FAAWIS and the Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation host events throughout the year where homemade Filipino food appears—worth monitoring for lumpia opportunities beyond the establishments listed here.

Planning your lumpia adventure

For families new to lumpia, start with Lumpia City's Five-Cheese Mac & Cheese version—the familiar flavors ease kids into the format before exploring traditional preparations. Grab frozen packs from any Sendik's location and air-fry them at home for a low-commitment introduction.

For the authentic experience, plan a Monday evening at L'incontro for The Bad English pop-up. The casual Italian restaurant setting feels familiar, but the lumpia Shanghai delivers genuine Filipino flavor. Order the platter of both pork and vegetable versions to let everyone find their favorite.

For a memorable outing, attend the Holiday Folk Fair in November—the cultural performances, food demonstrations, and community atmosphere make it worthwhile beyond just the lumpia.

One customer summed up the experience perfectly: "The food brings back so many memories... So happy we have Filipino food close by, no need to drive 2 hours." Milwaukee may not have abundant Filipino restaurants, but what exists is made with genuine passion—and the lumpia proves it.