On Sunday night, Xelas by El Sazón was directly targeted, and one of our staff members was stopped while leaving the restaurant. After being interrogated and presenting his documentation, he was released. While we are grateful he is safe, this incident has changed our immediate plans.

Out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our team as our top priority, we’ve made the difficult decision to temporarily pause operations at this location, as it is now being actively targeted. This was not an easy decision, especially as El Sazón now has two locations closed.

Our staff is the heart of Xelas by El Sazón. Many of our team members rely on their hourly wages to support themselves and their families, and this sudden interruption creates immediate financial strain. To help support our employees during this time, we have created a Staff Relief Fund to assist our team while we remain closed and determine next steps.

At this time, El Sazón Cocina & Tragos in Minneapolis remains open, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely while prioritizing the safety of our staff and guests across all locations.

Our commitment has always been to put people first our staff, their families, and the community that has supported us from the very beginning. Any support, including donating to the relief fund or simply sharing this message, makes a meaningful difference.

We are deeply grateful for the continued solidarity and care shown by our community during this difficult moment. We will provide updates as conditions evolve and as we work toward reopening Xelas when it is safe to do so.

With love and gratitude,

El Sazon