Chef Michael Le’s once-elusive Hello, Uncle pop-up now has a real address and a regular crowd. Rebranded as Uncle’s, the project slid into the food program at Burial Beer’s Plaza Midwood taproom in January, giving Charlotte a steady home for Southeast Asian comfort food instead of a here-today-gone-tomorrow schedule.
From Pop-Up Nights To A Steady Window
Uncle’s opened in late January and serves out of Burial Beer’s patio and service window from Wednesday through Saturday. While Hello, Uncle leaned into Le’s Vietnamese and Chinese roots, Uncle’s focuses more on Thai-style comfort dishes influenced by his time cooking in Portland, Le told Axios. A sample order that worked through much of the menu ran about $86 before tax and tip, according to Axios, so diners can plan accordingly before posting up at the bar.
How A Fundraiser Turned Into A Crowd Favorite
The Hello, Uncle concept started as a one-night charity dinner at Super Abari in July 2024 to support fellow industry member Nobuaki "Nobu" Ishikawa. Repeat pop-ups built a loyal following and eventually led to a long-term offer, according to Unpretentious Palate. Those early runs gave Le room to experiment, refine riffs on dishes and trim the menu before locking into a permanent setup. The progression fits a growing Charlotte pattern where pop-ups serve as proving grounds before chefs commit to full-time operations.
What’s On The Short Menu
Uncle’s keeps things tight and focused. Current highlights include khao man gai (Thai-style chicken and rice, $16.50), a veggie version with steamed tofu ($15.50), charred cabbage ($8), tod mun goong shrimp fritters ($12) and khor moo yang marinated pork ($17.50), per Axios. The menu is designed to play nicely with Burial’s beers and rotate with weekend specials, so regulars can expect quick service at the window and a few changing items that reward repeat visits.
Where To Go And What To Expect
Uncle’s operates out of Burial Beer’s Plaza Midwood taproom; Burial lists the Charlotte location as 1214 Thomas Ave and notes on its site that the taproom kitchen is run by Uncle’s. Burial Beer offers indoor seating, an outdoor beer garden and a rooftop deck, which means service nights tend to feel like a neighborhood hang more than a formal dinner. The layout makes it easy to grab a pour from Burial’s long draft list and then wander over to Le’s window for food.
Why This Matters Locally
Le’s move from roving pop-up to permanent window is still a relatively rare path for Charlotte chefs who start outside traditional restaurants. He was named Unpretentious Palate’s 2025 Non‑Restaurant Chef of the Year, recognition that helped raise the profile of his pop-ups, according to Unpretentious Palate. The fixed spot makes Hello, Uncle’s dishes easier to find without chasing limited-night events around town, and it adds another chef-driven option to Plaza Midwood’s mix of breweries, late-night bars and small, personality-heavy concepts.
