Plum's Uncle Buckles gives the bar-and-grill idea some chic aesthetics

In a location where an engineering firm's office formerly stood, Steve and Lisa Cioppa used establishments in Shadyside, Oakland and downtown Pittsburgh for blueprints when they created Uncle Buckles Bar and Grille.

With its modern design and its mystery-man name, Uncle Buckles opened in March 2012 and delivers an experience patrons rarely find outside of the city's more-bustling neighborhoods.

That's just what the Cioppas, first-time restaurant owners, had in mind, said Tanya Brown, Uncle Buckles' manager and family friend of the Cioppas.

“They wanted to open something in this area that was new, clean, fresh, chic, something that had never been done before,” Brown said.

As a Plum native, Brown, who has a background in hotel management and marketing, bought into the idea of an aesthetically modern bar and grill without hesitation.

“It's funny, because I've driven by this building a thousand times in my lifetime — more than that, probably — and it's nice to see new business,” she says. “It's nice to see something like this bring new life to the community.”

So, what role did “Uncle Buckles” have in the restaurant's inception, and who is he? Well, the name comes from an inside joke related to the Cioppas that dates back to high school. Brown knows more of the story, but that's as much as she plans to explain.

“Let's just say it's a state of mind,” she says.

ATMOSPHERE

Anyone curious about the establishment's interior need only drive by Uncle Buckles to get an impression.

Natural light and open air are abundant, as windows — some small, others tall — span the front of the high-ceiling restaurant. A garage door at one end of the building often is open to give way to the awning-covered outdoor dining area, which seats about 60 and can be used almost year-round.

The airy space allows the owners to bring in small acoustic bands on Friday nights (9 p.m. to midnight) and a DJ on Saturdays (10 p.m. to midnight) — there's no cover charge involved.

A dining area with a lower roof and booths sits on the opposite end of the restaurant from the outdoor patio. It's a more intimate setting, but one that's still attached to the main bar area.

Accent lights above the bar hint at the Cioppas' attention to detail with regard to modern design. The glow produced by small green bulbs gives the many glass bottles on display an alluring quality. The mirror behind the wall of bottles further enhances the light show.

High above the bar, and at several places elsewhere throughout Uncle Buckles, are flat-screen TVs; there are 11 total.

Those televisions, plus the high-school football helmets displayed, representing Woodland Hills, Plum, Gateway, Penn Hills, Riverview and Franklin Regional, give Uncle Buckles a certain sports-bar flair.

Brown said she will sometimes tweak the music entertainment schedule to accommodate Steelers, Penguins or Pirates games.

MENU

As a bar-oriented establishment, Uncle Buckles sticks to pub grub staples that complement its beer selection (12 taps available) and cocktail list.

Several appetizers are among the restaurant's most popular menu items, Brown said. These include the Spicy Fried Green Beans ($6.50), the Buffalo Chicken Dip ($7), Spinach and Artichoke Dip ($7), and the reigning champion, the Hot Pretzel Sticks ($7), which come with three dipping sauces: honey mustard, spicy cheese and a sticky-sweet sugar-based concoction.

Chicken wings, available in five flavors, come in order sizes of seven ($6.50), 14 ($12) and 21 ($18).

Veggie heads can turn to the salad selection, which includes a black-and-blue item ($10.50) that has blackened shrimp, strawberries and blue cheese crumbles and a grilled-chicken item ($10.50) that comes with the meat prepared in a Buffalo, blackened or grilled manner. There's also the Portabello Mushroom Sandwich ($7.99) that comes with roasted red peppers and feta cheese on a Mancini's bun.

Mancini's bread appears throughout Uncle Buckles' sandwich selection. There's the Grilled Hot Italian Sausage ($9.50) with peppers, onions and provolone cheese on a Mancini's hoagie roll. There's the cheese steak ($9.50) that also comes on a hoagie roll. The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich ($7.99), which includes a grilled chicken breast rather than a breaded patty, comes on a Mancini's bun.

Burger lovers can build whatever variation they desire, as Uncle Buckles offers a made-to-order option. A standard 8-ounce burger ($7) comes with lettuce, tomato and onion. Several kinds of cheese, bacon, a fried egg, hot pepper rings, mushrooms and other add-ons are available at additional costs.

Pizza, which is made in only one size (16 inches), is available plain for $12; toppings are $1.75 each.

For those who want to offset their daily exercise with some calorie-filled food and drink, Uncle Buckles offers a 15-percent discount to anyone who has a membership to L.A. Fitness or Webb's Gym.

Bill West is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at wwest@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BWest_Trib.