A brutal sidewalk stabbing has sidelined one of Saucy Porka’s longest-serving cooks and is forcing the popular Asian-Latin fusion spot to permanently close its Loop location, as staff scramble to support his long recovery and keep the business afloat.
According to Block Club Chicago, colleagues identify the injured cook only as “chef M.” He was attacked on Oct. 24 by three people on the sidewalk outside his Southwest Side apartment and stabbed several times. Staff told the outlet he suffered deep cuts to his hands that severed tendons and required immediate medical treatment. Police told Block Club they have no one in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to Block Club Chicago, owner Amy Le called him “the heart and soul of Saucy Porka” and said he recently sold his car to help pay for care. Le launched an online fundraiser that had raised about $4,120 toward a $30,000 goal as of Monday, she told the outlet. She also announced that the Loop outpost would permanently close after service on Monday as the team confronts both the emotional fallout and the staffing crunch. Friends and co-workers say the chef is now afraid to go outside while his attackers remain at large.
Saucy Porka's Roots
Saucy Porka has been a neighborhood fixture with locations in the Loop and Hyde Park. Coverage of its Hyde Park opening in 2018 helped introduce the brand to a wider audience, and Eater Chicago has profiled Le’s earlier projects. The business, known for its Asian-Latin fusion, has faced rising costs and labor challenges that local reporting, including coverage by WBEZ, has documented. Losing a veteran kitchen leader in the middle of those pressures is particularly tough on a small team.
Recovery and Family
Le has told staff the chef is expected to need at least a year to recover. Co-workers say they are shuffling schedules and picking up extra shifts to keep the kitchen running while his hands heal. The chef, who is from Guerrero, Mexico, recently married his longtime partner, and the couple shares a young son. Colleagues say the family is now staring down mounting medical bills and a very uncertain year ahead.
Police Investigation
Chicago police say they are investigating the Oct. 24 attack and have asked anyone with information or video footage to contact detectives. No arrests have been announced, and prosecutors have not filed charges as of this reporting.
How to Help
Le has started an online fundraiser to help cover the chef’s medical expenses, and the campaign is linked in local reporting. Regulars and neighbors who want updates on hours, the Loop closure, and ways to donate are encouraged to follow Saucy Porka’s official channels as the restaurant reorganizes around its injured chef.
