A NOTE FROM PAUL & JOHN

When we opened four and a half years ago, approachability and affordability were the foundation of both our concept and our business model. We wanted to create a casual neighborhood institution, one that the community of Pilsen and the city as a whole could rely on for any occasion, on any budget. Today, this remains our mission.

In the last few years, however, our core commitment to affordability has faced mounting financial pressures from every direction: persistent inflation on goods and services and city, state, and federal ordinances that impose significant wage pressures on the hospitality sector. In the last year alone, just between the elimination of the tip credit and the introduction of new PTO regulations, our wages and benefits rose by $125,000. While we believe these policy changes are necessary for the well being of our staff and the progress of our industry, it is important to recognize the acute impact these same regulations have on the financial viability and sustainability of independent restaurants. We simply cannot absorb this kind of spike in a short period of time - these costs must be passed on. Despite our commitment to providing value on our menus, our first commitment is to making payroll.

We never thought we would see a $6 taco on our menu, certainly not this decade. But in order to run the restaurant we want to run and to consistently deliver the product, service, and experience you have come to expect, we have to raise our prices. And we will have to do so annually as our industry undergoes long-term structural changes. Our cost inputs simply require it. 

We will continue to focus on providing as affordable of a menu as we sustainably can. We are committed to remaining who we are - a small, family-run restaurant that cares about our community, our team, and how we do business. So, truly, thank you for your continued support both of Pilsen Yards and of independent restaurants across Chicago. We genuinely appreciate your business - we wouldn’t be here without it.

Paul & John