by Isabelle HansonTue, March 3, 2026 at 9:37 PMUpdated Tue, March 3, 2026 at 11:14 PMPanchos Tacos closed its doors after its employees were arrested during an ICE operation.MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (WSYX) — A Mount Vernon Mexican restaurant is back open after an ICE operation involving former employees caused the owners to shut it down. Panchos Tacos closed at the beginning of October and reopened on March 3. "It's been quite exciting, really," said co-owner Alejandro Carrizal."The first thing that I saw when I woke up and looked at my phone this morning was one of my group chats being blown up by these two that Panchos was reopened, and I'm like, well, I have to literally scrap all my dinner plans, already know where I'm going for the night," said Mike Houck, who ate dinner at the restaurant Tuesday night.Mount Vernon leaders said ICE conducted an operation at Panchos on the afternoon of October 9, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to ABC 6/FOX 28 that five undocumented immigrants were arrested. "I think that was the first time that that whole situation became very real as opposed to seeing social media posts," said Houck. "That was kind of like a light bulb for a lot of people in the community and stuff that we needed to come together and support a restaurant that we care about and people we care about as well."Five months after Panchos put business on pause, its employees are happy to be serving customers again. "Really, we're grateful for everyone to be coming in and dining in and hope to serve everyone around the community and surrounding areas as well," Carrizal said."Not only is the food good, but the staff has always really gone the extra mile to take care of their patrons," Houck said.ABC 6/FOX 28 asked two owners if they have been in contact with their former employees who ICE arrested. The owners said they did not want to speak about that them.