Strike up the Dixieland band and fire up the wood smoker: Uncle B’s BBQ Shack is here to fill your belly with smoked meats, savory sides and spicy-sweet sauce.
Proprietor Brian Howell is a veteran of the smoked meat scene, having grown up with a smoker in Alabama and lived in numerous barbecue hot spots in the South. “I started cooking for my sister and brother-in-law’s young family and many of their friends. That led to some personal chef work. That is also how I got to be known as Uncle B. I got to spend some valuable time with my nephews and niece during this time of my life,” Brian explained. “I found a job with an upscale corporate chain restaurant. I started as a bartender, but during my 10 years with them I worked my way around the company into management roles and also into the kitchen landing in the sous chef role.”
In his travels, Brian found his way to Phoenixville with his wife, Beth, and fell in love with this gem in Chester County. Add in family, a perfect locale and the desire for his own business, and the fires were aflame—it was time to start looking for a place to set up shop.
“We started out roadside and have grown organically. From our roadside corner, we moved to sublet at a friend’s restaurant where we sold out of the beer takeout section. We also were temporarily housed in a local brewery as we got our brick & mortar store on Route 23 up and running,” he shared. “The community has helped us get to this point, so we feel strongly about giving back and getting involved whenever we are able. We have been fortunate enough to do this in small ways throughout the years. It is truly moving to see what the community accomplishes for each other in small ways on a regular basis, whether it is one business helping another or people coming together to help someone in need. We are very blessed to live in such a great community. The people of Phoenixville have supported us and helped us grow over the last three years.”
“It sounds kind of cliché, but I love what I do,” Brian continued. “I put my heart and soul into our food at Uncle B’s BBQ Shack, and I hope that people can taste the love. I want everyone that comes through our doors to be happy when they leave. I want them to feel something good when they eat our food. We do all the basics: pork, chicken, brisket, smoked sausage and ribs. My personal favorites are the brisket and the ribs.”
Uncle B’s has become known for its wings and even earned a spot on the Philly’s Hot List. The wings are smoked and then fried to order. They come naked or with any of their 10 sauces. Popular favorites aside from BBQ and Buffalo include Firebird (spicy BBQ), Phoenix (suicidal), sage garlic brown butter, jerk and lime teriyaki. They also have Kansas City (sweet), North Carolina (using a vinegar base found in the South) and Alabama White, which is a sauce from Brian’s region of Alabama. “It is a little horseradish, mayo, citrus, pepper and vinegar. We traditionally put it on chicken there, but people here love it on everything,” Brian adds. “Given my background in the kitchen, my staff and I do love to have fun with things. So we also bring in other specials with a Southern flair like our fried chicken. Over the summer, we have also been adding on vegan and vegetarian options for specials and on our event menus.”
“All of our meats and most of our sauces are by nature gluten-free, so that has come to serve a great need within our client base,” Brian noted. “We also have a gluten-free mac and cheese option.” Uncle B’s sources meats, produce and dairy from the community from Foresta’s Market and Benjamin Foods (formerly Phoenixville Foods). Produce is purchased from Mastrangelo’s Produce on Route 724. Uncle B’s cream comes from Kolb’s Dairy in Spring City.
A recent trip landed me in front of a delicious pulled pork quesadilla bursting with smoky pork, cheese, corn and more. It’s marvelous paired with the Alabama white barbecue sauce. The smoked brisket is to die for—tender, moist and full of deep, rich flavor. It’s outstanding paired with the spicy-sweet Kansas City sauce.
Sides like the cole slaw and mac and cheese are spot-on and are fan favorites. The slaw is creamy and fresh, bright with celery seed and fresh cabbage, and the mac and cheese is made with four cheeses and locally sourced cream. Rich, thick and decadent, it’s like a savory cheese stew with pasta. The Mac n Cheese Balls blend a few cheeses with small shells of pasta to create a savory treat with a surprise crunch on the outside and soft texture on the inside.
Cooking barbecue is an art because the smoker is out back behind the store, and weather plays a huge factor in that. Brian explained, “If it’s too cold outside, it’s tough to maintain an even temperature. When we have rain, the fire is doesn’t want to burn hot. Preparation for outdoor events can be challenging as well. Trying to determine how many people to prepare for, whether it will rain or snow and how hot a day may be are all factors to consider each day.”
“As we settle in the new spot we have gotten to meet many great people in the area. As we grow, we hope to embrace Chester County as we have Phoenixville. Our mission is simple: we want to serve great food, give back whenever and however we can as well as have a great time with our staff and customers as we do it,” Brian concluded.
Time for BBQ! Head to this adorable county-feel store, furnished by Country Charm Furnishings of Main Street in Phoenixville, to enjoy the best BBQ around. Word of advice: be sure to come hungry.
Uncle B’s BBQ Shack is located at 413 Schuylkill Rd. in Phoenixville; phone: (610) 935-1363.
- Photos: Stephen Trimble
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