In a significant enforcement operation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained several employees at two popular restaurants in South Park, San Diego. This action, which took place on May 31, 2025, involved Buona Forchetta and its sister establishment, Enoteca Buona Forchetta, both well-known dining spots in the area.
Eyewitness accounts from restaurant management indicated that the operation began when armed agents, clad in military gear and masks, entered the premises demanding identification from all staff members. Reports suggest that at least three employees were handcuffed and taken away. Witnesses outside the restaurants described a chaotic scene, with neighbors and customers voicing their discontent, leading to some commotion that included the use of a flashbang by ICE agents to control the situation.
Both restaurants were forced to close for the remainder of the evening but quickly prepared to reopen the following day. Following the operation, an ICE spokesman provided a brief statement confirming the enforcement activities at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta, noting that the operations were part of an ongoing investigation and the agency would not release further information at that time.
This incident highlights the increasing scrutiny surrounding workplace compliance and immigration enforcement in various sectors, particularly in the restaurant industry, where immigrant labor plays a crucial role. The emotional reactions from the community portray a complex landscape of local support for immigrant workers juxtaposed against the federal mandate for immigration enforcement.
As the situation develops, it serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing discussions regarding immigration policies and their impact on local businesses and communities. With restaurants like Buona Forchetta forming a key part of South Park’s cultural and culinary identity, the ramifications of such enforcement actions will likely resonate deeply within the community for some time to come.
