06/19/2026
25 years ago, when SqWires first opened its doors in Lafayette Square, running a restaurant looked very different than it does today.
Back in 2001, a case of cooking oil cost a fraction of what it does now. Today, cooking oil prices have increased dramatically, with some restaurant suppliers seeing costs more than double over the years due to global shortages, transportation costs, and changing agricultural markets.
Beef tells a similar story. In 2001, ground beef averaged around $1.80–$2.00 per pound at retail. Today, it's often $5.00 or more per pound, with wholesale restaurant pricing following the same upward trend.
While the cost of ingredients has changed, our commitment has not.
For 25 years, we've remained dedicated to quality ingredients, scratch-made food, and creating a welcoming place for our community to gather.
Thank you for supporting this woman-owned, family-run restaurant through every challenge, celebration, and meal shared around our tables.
