Emiliano's South Side location abruptly closes amid fed raids at Cranberry, Richland spots

Update: The restaurant chain released a statement on Thursday

The South Side location of a regional Mexican restaurant chain appears to be closed for good.

A person who answered the phone at Emiliano’s Bethel Park location confirmed the South Side site was closed, but would not answer further questions. In addition to its Bethel Park restaurant, the chain’s Cranberry and Richland locations were also open.

Nobody answered the phone at the South Side location.

The chain released a statement via email on Thursday confirming the closure.

“Like many businesses in our South Side community, we’ve weighed difficult decisions over the past year about how to serve you best in an increasingly challenging business climate,” the statement said. “Sadly, we have determined it is necessary to close our South Side location to allow us to more fully focus on making authentic food that brings people together at our other locations.”

On Aug. 7, Emiliano’s Cranberry and Richland locations were searched by federal agents including those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, FBI and IRS. They seized records and took 16 employees into custody.

Spokespeople from the Department of Homeland Security’s Philadelphia office did not immediately respond to messages seeking an update on the investigation.

After the raid, more than $130,000 was raised by a GoFundMe to help pay for legal expenses for those taken into custody.

“We love our customers,” the chain said in its statement. “We are so thankful for your support over the years, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to serve you again at our Cranberry, Gibsonia and Bethel Park locations.”