A Taste of Resilience: Americana The Lebanon Grill

Americana The Lebanon Grill Turns Challenge into Community Connection

Photographer / Robert Jones

COVID was a challenging time for many people around the world. Long-established businesses shut their doors, and communities lost important gathering places.

But even in the middle of that storm, there were sparks of hope. For Craig Melton, it became the chance to create something new — a place where people could come together again.

Serving on the Zionsville Town Council, with four kids at home and his 20-year contracting business contending with COVID, Melton took a leap of faith and opened a restaurant. Americana The Lebanon Grill (ALG) opened its doors in 2023 and has been a staple of the Lebanon and Boone County communities ever since.

The building Melton chose had been home to the Draught Board for more than 40 years, an iconic spot known for its delicious food and neighborhood atmosphere.

To honor this legacy, Melton designed ALG to be nostalgic and resilient. He wanted it to be reminiscent of those beloved, timeless mom-and-pop restaurants across the United States — the type of restaurants that weather any storm and take on any challenge. That vision is captured in its logo.

“Our logo is a bison with a broken flag, and it carries a lot of meaning for me,” Melton says. “My grandfather once told me a story about bison: when a storm comes — whether it’s sleet, snow, lightning or thunder — bison face the storm and walk straight into it. Cattle, on the other hand, turn and run from the storm, often suffering longer as it follows them.

“For me, COVID was that storm. Instead of hiding from it, I wanted to face it head-on. Coming out the other side, my goal has been to bring people back together with great food and great service. That’s what the bison represents: resilience, courage and pushing through adversity to create something better.”

Serving a range of exciting, familiar cuisine — with fresh features daily — there is always something new to discover with each visit.

With mouthwatering items like chicken-bacon-ranch quesadillas, mixed berry salads with feta, smash burgers and even innovative fried deviled eggs, ALG continues to prove why it is the top-rated restaurant in Lebanon.

“I’m only two years into this, so I don’t claim to be an expert,” Melton says. “But I do know my priorities: our guests and our employees always come first. At the end of the day, my job is to make sure our guests get hot, fresh food every time.”

Looking ahead, Melton and the team at ALG plan to continue growing and bringing high-quality food to their customers, with goals that include building an outdoor deck and opening a second location in Boone County.

Through all the ups and downs, Melton never forgets why he works hard and remains grateful for all the support he has had over the years.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve built, but I couldn’t have done it without my employees — past and present — and the support of my wife and kids,” Melton says.

Finding locally owned, community-oriented restaurants can be a challenge in today’s world. Melton and the team at ALG are here to help fill that gap for years to come.

For more information about Americana The Lebanon Grill, stop in for a visit or find details at facebook.com/AmericanaTLG. The restaurant is located at 528 Lafayette Ave in Lebanon.