LizH Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I was sad to see an article in today's Washington Post that El Polo Rico was raided today: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7071201963.html to quote from the article: Four members of a family that owns popular chicken restaurants in the Washington area were arrested by federal agents yesterday for knowingly employing illegal immigrants and laundering the money earned from that business, according to immigration officials. I am not sure what to say. On the one hand, it was the best chicken in the area. On the other hand, the money laundering (6 mil), if true, bothers me. I am not surprised that they had illegal immigrants, I am afraid that it happens often in the food business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 [in discussing this, please keep things in general terms, without naming names, and without falling into the septic tank of political debate. Thanks, Rocks.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmySmith Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Wow, but I am not a bit surprised. Is it safe to assume that this is the end of El Pollo Rico? One thing is for sure, their regular clientele isn't going within a mile of the place from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I am not surprised that they had illegal immigrants, I am afraid that it happens often in the food business. In the ethnic fast food business, perhaps. In the hotel and upper-end restaurant business, almost not at all anymore. The fines are too severe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Wow, but I am not a bit surprised. Is it safe to assume that this is the end of El Pollo Rico? One thing is for sure, their regular clientele isn't going within a mile of the place from now on. I doubt this will have much of an impact. The chicken will still be outstanding. I don't think agents are going to be checking the clientele for documentation. As to cash nature of the business, I am not sure that these business practices will keep customers away, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolaterie Wanders Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 In the ethnic fast food business, perhaps. In the hotel and upper-end restaurant business, almost not at all anymore. The fines are too severe. What is your take on fast food chains like MCD, BK or other chained family restaurants? I would rather see them being controlled more thoroughly ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 What is your take on fast food chains like MCD, BK or other chained family restaurants? I would rather see them being controlled more thoroughly ... Any restaurant these days that has a human resources department will not hire illegal workers. This includes all the major chains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I doubt this will have much of an impact. The chicken will still be outstanding. I don't think agents are going to be checking the clientele for documentation. As to cash nature of the business, I am not sure that these business practices will keep customers away, either.On the whole, I agree, BUT...I imagine the feds have padlocked the places while the investigation proceeds. If the owners are convicted, the feds will seize the businesses and auction them off to the highest bidder. Anyone drive by today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmySmith Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I doubt this will have much of an impact. The chicken will still be outstanding. I don't think agents are going to be checking the clientele for documentation. As to cash nature of the business, I am not sure that these business practices will keep customers away, either.Wish I shared your optimism. The owners are under investigation\indictment for multiple felonies. And while the Feds certainly aren't checking the clientele for papers, that does not mean an already skittish population is going to brazenly go inside simply because they serve excellent chicken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I doubt this will have much of an impact. The chicken will still be outstanding. I don't think agents are going to be checking the clientele for documentation. As to cash nature of the business, I am not sure that these business practices will keep customers away, either. You think the place will still be open if the owners are under arrest? I doubt it, but I hope you're right.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakegwinn Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Any restaurant these days that has a human resources department will not hire illegal workers. This includes all the major chains. I had a long discussion with one of my foreign (legal) friends one time and it is my understanding that enough paperwork to get a job is not that hard to get your hands on. Not to mention people who have one legal family member and "share" the identity. In the years I have worked in the industry I have met a few folks who were inexplicably called Arturro by their family even though I had known them as Juan for several years. (Names changed to protect the innocent.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhberk Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 I've always wondered what happens to a great recipe when a restaurant stops operating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 I had a long discussion with one of my foreign (legal) friends one time and it is my understanding that enough paperwork to get a job is not that hard to get your hands on. Not to mention people who have one legal family member and "share" the identity. In the years I have worked in the industry I have met a few folks who were inexplicably called Arturro by their family even though I had known them as Juan for several years.(Names changed to protect the innocent.) Blake, Central and South America are predominantly Catholic. Most males "first" names are Juan or Jose, just like most French guys are name Jean-Louis, Jean-Marc, Jean-Jacques. In this country they tend to use their second names. So it's not unusual for someone named Juan Arturro to be known as Arturro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.H. Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 I've always wondered what happens to a great recipe when a restaurant stops operating. I believe the Arlington location was not impacted by the activities at the Wheaton location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABoy Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 I believe the Arlington location was not impacted by the activities at the Wheaton location. The Arlington location is still open. I stopped by today. The location looked like it was getting by with 1/2 the normal staff size and 1/3 the normal patrons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheezepowder Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Washingtonian says they heard the Wheaton location is re-opening on July 23. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol_ironstomach Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Washingtonian reports they still haven't reopened; possibly next Monday now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizH Posted August 7, 2007 Author Share Posted August 7, 2007 FYI, the Washington Post has an article posted, they are open again... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...ml?hpid=artslot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 The Feds were nothing..the Wheaton location had a bad fire this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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