A popular Italian chain restaurant in San Diego reopened on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, after temporarily closing following an ICE raid the previous Friday. The raid prompted spontaneous protests in the neighborhood after ICE agents handcuffed all employees on site.
Highlights
- Buona Forchetta, a popular chain of Italian restaurants in San Diego, is reopening after a two-day closure.
- The closure was prompted by an ICE raid on Friday afternoon.
- All employees were handcuffed; four of them were detained.
Reopening of the Restaurants After the Raid
Officials at Buona Forchetta announced through an Instagram post that their restaurants in South Park, Coronado, Encinitas, and San Marcos reopened on Wednesday, June 4. The restaurants had remained open over the weekend but were closed Monday and Tuesday.
The Liberty Station and Newport Beach locations remained closed, with the latter expected to stay shut through Thursday. The San Clemente location also reopened on Wednesday but is operating with a limited menu featuring only wood-fired pizzas
What Happened Earlier: Federal Raid at Buona Forchetta
Buona Forchetta temporarily closed following a workplace enforcement operation conducted last Friday by ICE agents. According to court documents, the investigation has been ongoing since 2020. The Department of Homeland Security received an anonymous tip alleging that Buona Forchetta’s owner, Matteo Cattaneo, was hiring undocumented immigrants and requiring them to work hours exceeding legal limits.
In January 2025, DHS received a second anonymous tip accusing Cattaneo of hiring individuals illegally and falsifying employee work logs. When investigators requested documentation, the restaurant provided 19 fraudulent green cards instead of legitimate employee I-9 verification forms.
On Friday afternoon, ICE and customs officials executed search warrants at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta locations on Beech Street. All employees present were handcuffed. Four undocumented workers were detained—one agreed to voluntary departure, two were held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, and another remains in ICE custody.
Witnesses reported that a crowd gathered around ICE vehicles, creating chaotic scenes. The enforcement team reportedly deployed a flashbang device to disperse the crowd.
Response from the Community
Buona Forchetta received strong support from the local community following the raid. Protests and expressions of outrage occurred after the enforcement action, during which ICE agents reportedly used flashbang devices to disperse crowds.
In an Instagram post, the restaurant stated: “We are closing our doors this Monday and Tuesday – at all our locations across San Diego and Orange County. We wish we could find stronger words, but the truth is we are heartbroken. The traumatic incident involving a federal enforcement operation at our original and beloved South Park location has left a mark on all of us. A wound that is still raw, still echoing in our kitchens, our dining rooms, and our hearts. Through the weekend, we showed up with smiles because that is who we are. We served our guests with love because that is what we know. But behind those smiles, we were carrying something heavy.”
The ICE enforcement operation took place on Friday, just before the dinner rush. While ICE has confirmed the operation, no further details are currently available. Buona Forchetta’s legal team is reviewing unsealed ICE documents and has promised to provide updates as the review progresses.”
