Uncle Sunny's Foods

Photos by Emma Highfill, Rose Wheat Photography

Anton Bugg has had a passion for all things BBQ since his childhood. 

“It’s always been a part of my life,” Bugg said. “My dad would bring home Grover’s when I was a kid, and that was my favorite treat. In my high school yearbook, I said that anything BBQ was my favorite.” 

Uncle Sunny’s Foods, LLC began with Bugg’s love for smoking meats and creating delicious BBQ recipes. Over time, the hobby blossomed into a business that honors his family. Bugg credits his mom with inspiring his love of cooking, and she is still his biggest kitchen inspiration. Bugg named the business after his father, whose smile is so bright that his nickname is Uncle Sunny. The company slogan is a quote from his daughter, who was 4 years old when she first tried her dad’s sauce: “It’s dang good!” 

Bugg originally launched Uncle Sunny’s in 2010, making a name for himself quickly with his homemade, signature sauces. He spent two years creating his first sauce, which is his personal favorite. 

“For two years I was in my backyard every weekend, working to create and perfect that first sauce,” Bugg said. “On July 4 of 2009, I grilled up some meats and served the food with my sauce. After the meal, my friends asked for containers to take some home. That’s when I knew that I had it right. That’s why I called it the “special blend” because it will always be special to me as the first sauce that was a real success.” 

In 2010, Bugg brought his sauce to market locally. Immediately, he began selling out of product, and word of mouth grew from week to week. 

“My training ground was going to the Downtown Topeka Farmers Market,” Bugg said. “The first weekend I brought two cases and I sold out by 10 a.m. I took four cases the next week and it was gone by 10 a.m. I feel like if you can make it at the Farmers Market, against so many other great options for customer dollars, that proves something.” 

After that, Bugg started experimenting with other flavors. He won some awards, placed sauce on the shelves of local stores such as Hy-Vee and Herman’s Meat & Smokehouse, and he was featured in local magazines and on television. It was hard to keep up with demand. 

Then tragedy struck his family, when his mom was diagnosed with cancer and his father was diagnosed with dementia, both within a short period of time. 

“I stopped everything and became a caretaker for both parents,” Bugg said. “Family is the most important thing, so it’s what I needed to do.” 

Over the eight years since then, Bugg tried to make business comebacks, but there just wasn’t enough time to do Uncle Sunny’s BBQ right. Finally, in 2020, Bugg feels in a good place to make a go of it again, and he’s confident that this time he will succeed in making his dream come true.  

“I got some used equipment, put some time and effort into a website, updated my labels and went to work,” Bugg said. “I won’t give up and I refuse to fail. My setback has motivated my comeback. I’m still taking care of my parents as they fight their illnesses, but I’m going to use their strength to inspire me and motivate me. I have to give credit to my fiancé, too, because she’s really supported my dream and pushed me to try again.” 

Bugg’s plan for success includes online sales as well as continuing to expand his line-up of sauces. Currently, Uncle Sunny’s has eight varieties, and Bugg is at work on a sugar free sauce. He is also offering pick-up within 24 hours for local orders. 

Bugg also believes in the importance of collaborating with other local businesses.  

“It’s important for local businesses to support each other,” Bugg said. “My labels are made at Capital Label, I get my t-shirts printed at Germdizzle’s Custom Tees, and A. Lohrbach Photography has taken my photos. In the future, I plan on doing some work with Mr. Topeka, S.J. Hazim, and his marketing business.” 

Bugg would love to grow Uncle Sunny’s enough that he can create local jobs. He wants to ship sauces all over the world and is finalizing plans for a mobile food business.  

“I am always reading and researching, trying to become bigger and better,” Bugg said. “Topeka has always supported me, and I appreciate that. I want to be able to give back.” 

https://unclesunnysbbq.com/ 

IG @UncleSunnysBBQ 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/unclesunnys 

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