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A Southeast Asian pop up you love is finding a more permanent home in Charlotte

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A highly popular Charlotte pop-up is on its way to a more permanent spot in Plaza Midwood in January, promising plenty of Southeast Asian comfort food.

Hello Uncle is now growing into Uncle’s and taking over the food truck at Burial Beer in Plaza Midwood. It’s shooting for a Jan. 7 opening, with initial operating hours Wednesday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m.

Come spring, those hours will expand to Wednesday through Thursday, 5-9 p.m.; and Friday through Saturday, 2-9 p.m. But that expansion could come even sooner “if things are going well,” chef and owner Michael Le told CharlotteFive.

A portrait of a chef with glasses and a light blue button-down shirt sitting at a dark, polished bar. The chef is looking off-camera with a neutral expression, resting hands near a glass of amber-colored liquid. Behind the chef, a dark bottle sits on the bar, and the background features a rustic, distressed white brick wall and dim lighting.
Chef Michael Le is opening Uncle’s in Plaza Midwood. Comma Photography

“It’s a way of connecting simple Asian comfort food that’s not commonly seen around here and making it more accessible,” he said.

“I hope that I find a connection with the community in this and hopefully build that next wave of Asian food that’s outside of pho and pad Thai,” Le added.

The move is coming right on the heels of Le’s win as Unpretentious Palate’s non-restaurant chef of the year, noting he had become a hospitality industry and local favorite.”

An overhead shot of four Vietnamese dishes arranged on a light wooden table. The dishes include two servings of grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves over vermicelli noodles and lettuce, and two small squares of beef tartare (Bò tái chanh) served with rice crackers and a lime wedge. A wine glass with white wine and two sets of chopsticks are also visible.
Bo la lot at Hello Uncle. Kayleigh Ruller CharlotteFive

Le said the menu is an homage to his time in Portland, Oregon, and “all the excitement of Thai food that really inspired the creation of Hello Uncle to what is Uncle’s now.”

“I miss these dishes, and they aren’t so commonly found through the city,” Le said. “I wanted to bring a little home to here and make it somewhere I’d frequently stop by to eat.”

The menu will include:

  • Khao man gai: Thai chicken and rice
  • Khao man gai Tod: a fried version of Thai chicken and rice
  • Khao kha moo: Slow braised pork, pickled mustard greens, Chinese broccoli, marinated eggs and rice
  • Veggie tofu with rice, cucumber, peanut sauce
  • Tod mun goong: Thai shrimp fritter with long bean, red curry, ginger and sweet chili
  • Gui chai Tod: Chive rice cake dumpling
  • Charred cabbage: with fish sauce, chili oil
  • Chinese broccoli with chili oil

A portrait of a chef wearing a light blue button-down shirt and a navy blue apron, sitting on a stainless steel counter in a commercial kitchen and looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background shows kitchen equipment, including a slicer on the left, a clock on the wall, and various storage containers.
Chef Michael Le wants to expand Charlotteans’ access to Southeast Asian food. Comma Photography

Location: Burial Beer Charlotte, 1214 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Instagram: @uncles_clt, @hello_uncle_clt

This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

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Heidi Finley

The Charlotte Observer

Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits.
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