By Samantha Husted 

Chef Michael Le is always on the move. Over the past year, he’s dominated Charlotte’s pop-up scene with his Southeast Asian concept Hello Uncle, bouncing between wine bars and Queen City neighborhoods with his mobile kitchen and indomitable desire to cook the cuisine he loves. 

Now, 2025 UPPY Award-winning Le is finally ready to stay in one place.

On Jan 7., Le will officially set up shop in the food trailer at Burial Beer Co. in Plaza Midwood. His newest concept is called Uncle’s —  the brick-and-mortar version of Hello Uncle — and will serve Southeast Asian comfort food out of the brewery’s food trailer.

While Le is taking a break from the pop-up scene, he says this isn’t goodbye for good; it’s more of a “see you later.”

“I’m gonna be focused there for a little bit, but it doesn’t mean it’s goodbye to Hello Uncle,” Le explains. “It’s just like another variation until I establish it. Then, once it’s up and running and I can walk away, I’ll prep and start doing the pop-ups again.”

Uncle’s menu will feature an array of Hello Uncle classics as well as some new dishes. You can expect both a fried and poached version of khao mun gai, a savory Thai-style chicken and rice dish; a vegetarian version made with tofu and a nutty peanut sauce; and khao ka moo, pork belly braised in fragrant Asian spices and served on a hot plate with rice and sour cabbage. 

 As for the transition from roaming pop-up to bonafide kitchen, Le says he feels calm. As an industry veteran, he’s used to the adrenaline-filled, pre-restaurant opening jitters. He’s previously helped open restaurants like Kappo En, the recently closed omakase/tasting menu restaurant tucked away in the back of Menya Daruma noodle bar. The only difference is now, it’s his own concept he’s pursuing.

“I used to be the SWAT team for restaurant openings,” Le says. “I was always that guy they sent in to figure it out. Now I’m doing my own and I’m taking all the steps necessary to do it. It feels nice.”

For Le, having a kitchen to call home is a welcome transition.

“ I’m really excited to have a home base,” Le says. “Having to go around was worth it because of all of the connections and the experience that I gave to people and they gave back to me. I wouldn’t have changed any of it because it led me to this.” 

Check out Uncle’s at Burial Beer Co. in Plaza Midwood Wednesday-Saturday from 5-9pm.