The Mika Leon lawsuit is a civil case filed in August 2024 in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, in which her Caja Caliente business partners accuse her of financial mismanagement and misappropriation of funds tied to the Cuban-fusion restaurant, along with a dispute over ownership of the brand name itself.1Trellis Law. Caja Caliente Gables, LLC, et al. v. Leon, Monica2Miami Herald. Coral Gables Restaurant Known for Cuban Tacos Has Closed
Who Sued Mika Leon and What They Allege
The complaint was filed on August 6, 2024 under the case name Caja Caliente Gables, LLC, et al. v. Leon, Monica, Case No. 2024-014847-CA-01.1Trellis Law. Caja Caliente Gables, LLC, et al. v. Leon, Monica The plaintiffs are the company itself, Caja Caliente Gables, LLC, and two individuals, Bryan Herrera and Otto Perez. Monica “Mika” Leon is the sole named defendant.
The complaint alleges “financial mismanagement and misappropriation” by Leon and references an amended operating agreement setting out the ownership structure of the business.1Trellis Law. Caja Caliente Gables, LLC, et al. v. Leon, Monica Separately, the partners and Leon disagree over who owns the Caja Caliente brand name, according to the Miami Herald.2Miami Herald. Coral Gables Restaurant Known for Cuban Tacos Has Closed Specific dollar amounts and the detailed factual allegations in the complaint have not been publicly reported.
Where the Case Stands
The matter is classified as a “General Creditor” case. Attorney Tyler A. Mamone represents the plaintiffs, and Judge Lisa S. Walsh is presiding. A 20-day summons was issued on August 8, 2024, and the filing fee was paid, but as of the last available docket entries no substantive motions or rulings had been recorded.1Trellis Law. Caja Caliente Gables, LLC, et al. v. Leon, Monica The case remained active with no reported resolution.
The Business at the Center of the Dispute
Leon launched Caja Caliente in April 2016 as a food truck in Wynwood, serving Cuban tacos built on family recipes and blending Cuban and Mexican flavors.2Miami Herald. Coral Gables Restaurant Known for Cuban Tacos Has Closed In May 2019 she opened a brick-and-mortar location at 808 Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables.3Miami Culinary Tours. Caja Caliente Continues To Delight Its Loyal Customers Yelp and Eat This, Not That named its lechon tacos the best in Florida in 2020.
The Coral Gables restaurant closed in 2024, just weeks before the suit was filed. Leon told the Miami Herald she “wanted to move somewhere with more walking traffic” and hoped to reopen the concept in 2025, saying she was “in no rush.”2Miami Herald. Coral Gables Restaurant Known for Cuban Tacos Has Closed
Who Mika Leon Is
Monica “Mika” Leon studied business and public relations at the University of Florida and comes from a family with restaurant and catering roots.4StarChefs. Mika Leon She built a public profile through Food Network appearances on Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped, Guy’s Grocery Games, and 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing,5WSVN. South Florida Chef Mika Leon Takes Her Talent to the Food Network’s Intense New Cooking Show and also appeared on Uncharted with Gordon Ramsay and Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi.6Mika Leon. About She received a 2021 StarChefs Miami Rising Stars Award.
Leon has not made detailed public statements about the allegations in the complaint.