The chef/owner of El Sapo Cuban Social Club has been sued for nearly $150,000 in a contract case, according to documents filed in the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

As first reported Friday by Washington City Paper, JSV LLC, a Virginia-based design/build contractor, sued Raynold Mendizábal for $147,408 last March, citing “unjust enrichment” and “breach of contract,” among other issues, and seeking to “establish and enforce a mechanic’s lien.”

The court granted the lien in August 2019. A trial date has been set for Feb. 26.

Mendizábal, who also is the chef/owner of Urban Butcher, opened El Sapo in October 2018 at 8455 Fenton St.

Urban Butcher opened at 8226 Georgia Ave. in 2013 as an “alternative steakhouse.” The restaurant was renovated last summer.

City Paper also reported that Mendizábal may have other financial issues. Citing a report from Seafax which, among other services is a collections agency for the food industry, the outlet said Urban Butcher owes an unnamed supplier $33,495.

In addition, City Paper noted that court documents show the Internal Revenue Service filed a $62,135 tax lien against Mendizábal in October 2019.

A call to Mendizábal’s personal phone number was not answered by either a person or a voicemail system.

Source file photo by David Lay.