El Sapo Cuban Social Club at 8455 Fenton St. in Silver Spring has announced it will permanently close. The restaurant was opened in 2018 by Chef Raynold Mendizabal, who also owned Urban Butcher, which closed in 2020.
According to a representative at the restaurant, its last day in business will be Sunday, December 15.
El Sapo offered a vibrant menu of Cuban-inspired street food, entrées, and sandwiches, featuring dishes like empanadas with beef ragu, salted cod croquettes, ropa vieja, and the classic Cuban sandwich.
El Sapo described itself as a “hip, festive, forward-thinking Cuban restaurant, and the first of its kind in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It’s been a long dream of Chef Raynold Mendizábal to represent and promote his culture through his craft, and here it is. Bright, open, and brimming with energy, El Sapo’s whole storefront lifts to let the breeze in. The fresh mojitos, upbeat music and bold island food really do require “no filter.” Our menu is rooted in tradition and unmistakably Cuban; full of intense flavors, colors and aromas. About half of the dishes are what Chef Mendizábal ate at home or on the streets of La Habana, while the other half tell the story of his journey as a chef.”
We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.