QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Mang Larry’s Isawan, the iconic street food stall inside the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, has officially closed following a court order, marking the end of an era for generations of students and alumni who considered it a cultural landmark.

On February 20, 2026, members of the Quezon City Demolition Task Force, accompanied by personnel from the UP Public Safety and Security Office and Campus Maintenance Office, arrived at the stall along E. Jacinto Street to enforce the eviction. Authorities locked the establishment to prevent entry, with access only permitted under the supervision of the university’s Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs.

The closure stemmed from a legal dispute over land use and tenancy, which the Quezon City court resolved in favor of the university. Mang Larry’s, which had operated for decades, lost the case and was ordered to vacate the premises. In a heartfelt farewell message, the owners expressed gratitude to the university and its community: “Maraming salamat UP sa pagkakataon na makabenta at mabuhay ang aming pamilya. Sa aming mga customers, maraming salamat sa suporta at sa mga magagandang memories sa aming main branch.”

Students and alumni took to social media to share memories of the beloved isawan, recalling late-night meals, post-class gatherings, and the stall’s role in campus life. Many described the closure as symbolic of changing times within UP Diliman, where traditional establishments are increasingly displaced by modernization and stricter land use policies.

The university has yet to announce what will replace the space once occupied by Mang Larry’s, but officials emphasized that the eviction was carried out in compliance with legal rulings and campus regulations.

For now, the departure of Mang Larry’s Isawan leaves a void in the cultural and culinary fabric of UP Diliman. What was once a simple food stall became a cherished institution, and its absence will be deeply felt by the community that grew up with its skewers and sauces.

Image from Mang Larry's Isawan: The Famous Isawan in UP