ICE Raid at Buona Forchetta in South Park: Timeline, Eyewitness Accounts & Official Response

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents swarmed popular Italian eatery Buona Forchetta and its sister wine bar, Enoteca Buona Forchetta, in San Diego’s South Park neighborhood late Friday afternoon, detaining multiple employees and forcing the restaurants to close for dinner. H2: What Happened During the Raid • Around 4:30 p.m., roughly two dozen uniformed agents ringed the Beech Street storefront, hand-cuffing workers and asking for identification, according to witnesses and restaurant management. • General Manager Renato Ametrano said three staff members were taken away after failing to produce documents, while others were released on site. • The rapid action drew a crowd of supporters and passers-by; activists described seeing leg shackles placed on two workers as they were loaded into vans. H2: Impact on Business and Employees • Friday night reservations—typically a sell-out for the beloved pizzeria—were cancelled as traumatized staff chose to go home rather than reopen. • Owner Matteo Cattaneo, who operates several Buona Forchetta locations across Southern California, said the incident left everyone “shell-shocked” and focused on locating the detained employees. • The flagship South Park location planned to reopen Saturday, but management warned of potential staffing shortages. H2: Community and Political Reaction • District 3 City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn called the operation “deeply troubling,” stressing the city’s commitment to fairness and due process. • Neighborhood residents gathered outside chanting support for workers and questioning the necessity of a high-profile raid on a family restaurant. • Immigration-rights groups vowed to monitor the case and provide legal aid, arguing the action underscores ongoing concerns about workplace enforcement tactics. H2: What ICE Says A spokesperson confirmed “two worksite enforcement operations” but declined to detail charges, citing an active investigation. No timeline for additional information was provided. H2: Why This Matters • Buona Forchetta is a South Park landmark regularly featured on “best pizza” lists, making the raid a high-visibility flashpoint in the immigration debate. • Worksite enforcement has ramped up nationwide in recent months; hospitality venues with large immigrant workforces remain frequent targets. • The episode reignites local discussions over San Diego’s status as a welcoming city and the balance between federal authority and community trust. H2: What’s Next • Attorneys representing detained staff are expected to request bond hearings early next week. • ICE has 72 hours to file formal charges or release the workers. • The restaurant group says it will review hiring records and hopes to resume full operations before the busy summer dining season. Search intent takeaway: Readers seeking details about the “ICE raid Buona Forchetta South Park” will find a clear timeline, employee impact, official statements, and next-step guidance—all in one place.