09/24/2026
A Statement from Chilakilez & Cheers
We are aware of recent social media posts and discussions concerning Chilakilez & Cheers and members of our family.
We respect every individual’s right to their personal beliefs, political views, and choice of which businesses they support.
Some statements currently circulating include serious allegations about members of our family and our business that we know with certainty are false. We categorically reject racism and discrimination. They do not represent the values of Chilakilez & Cheers or the standards by which we operate our restaurant.
We are especially proud of the environment we have worked to create for our employees. Some members of our team came to us after sharing that they had difficult experiences in previous workplaces. At Chilakilez & Cheers, we have worked hard to create opportunities for growth, recognize hard work through increased responsibilities and pay, and, most importantly, treat our employees with dignity and respect. We are not perfect, but we genuinely care about the people who work beside us, and we are proud that many have chosen to grow with our family and our business.
Liberal is our home. We were raised here, built our lives here, and are raising our family here. Many people in this community have known us personally for years, and they know the kind of people we strive to be. At the end of the day, we believe our true character is reflected in how we treat people and the relationships we have built throughout our lives—not in rumors or assumptions made on social media, especially from people who don’t even know us a personal level.
We recognize that people come from different backgrounds and hold different beliefs. Those differences have never defined how we operate our business. Our commitment is simple: every employee, guest, and member of our community deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If you have stepped foot at our place throughout this last year then you know this is true.
Chilakilez & Cheers is a Hispanic family-owned business built through work and sacrifice. We are proud of our heritage and deeply grateful to the employees, customers, families, organizations, and businesses throughout this community who have supported us.
Every person who enters our restaurant deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration background, religion, political affiliation, or personal beliefs. That has been our expectation and will continue to be our expectation.
We will not engage in personal attacks or ongoing arguments on social media. We will, however, document and appropriately address specific false statements concerning our family, employees, or business.
At the end of the day, we do not support seeing families separated or members of our community living in fear. Whatever assumptions people may make about our political beliefs, they do not define our hearts or our character.
Hugo and I are ready to face this together. We have nothing to hide because hatred, racism, and discrimination are not who we are, nor are they things we condone. We know our hearts, we know how we treat people, and the people who truly know us know that too. We will stand by our character, our family, and the way we have lived our lives.
Hugo & Izzy
Chilakilez & Cheers
