Uncle John’s Jawns Set to Reopen After Code Shutdown

Uncle John’s Jawns, the Philly cheesesteak shop at Antifragile Brewing Co. in State College, is planning to reopen in the next several weeks after it was shut down by the Centre Region Code Administration.

The cheesesteak spot, which opened in 2023 outside the 324 E. Calder Way brewery, was cited for building code infractions due to its grill, which is considered an open flame.

John Schaffer, one of Antifragile’s owners, said Uncle John’s Jawns was reported by someone outside the CRCA, which asked to follow up on the report. The CRCA took issue with Antifragile’s awnings, a set of flame-retardant canopies that replaced steel and glass awnings.

The CRCA told Antifragile it was in violation of building code, Schaffer said, but has been helpful in working with the business to help get Uncle Jawn’s Johns up to snuff.

Antifragile is planning on bringing Uncle John’s Jawns back this weekend with an indoor grill and hopes to return outside in two or three weeks with an electric grill that won’t violate open-flame codes. However, Schaffer said, nothing is set in stone.

“We’re looking forward to getting back open,” Schaffer said. “Our staff’s looking forward to getting back to work.”