By Audrey Hanes, Photography by Melissa Donner

The people of Jonesboro love their restaurants, and the opening of Lemonade House Grille in Downtown Jonesboro has been met with open arms. Owners Chad and Monica Campbell opened the restaurant in November of last year to make an investment in the community and bring nostalgic, all-American food and handcrafted lemonade to Downtown Jonesboro.

Chad and Monica Campbell came to the restaurant industry after 21 years in the railroad industry and 20 years in the school system, respectively. They were new to food, but they were confident that they could learn quickly and that a place like Lemonade House Grille (LHG) would be a perfect fit.

“We decided we wanted to do something together,” said Chad. “We had some friends who … kept talking to us about opening (a restaurant) in Jonesboro, so we finally gave in and decided to go for it. We thought downtown would be a perfect spot for it.

“We purchased the building here because we really wanted to make an investment in downtown,” added Monica.

The entire family has worked to make the investment and put their stamp on the new eatery. The Campbells have six children; while they all help any way they can, their daughter, Grace, serves as the host and floor manager of the restaurant, and their future daughter-in-law, Ellie, serves as the “lemonista” and handles the marketing for the establishment. Grace also did the vintage-look artwork featured throughout the restaurant.

“The vibe downtown is really good, and we want to bring people downtown that might not come here normally,” said Monica. “We are very family-oriented here, and we’ve gotten a lot of feedback about that and how welcome it is.”

Chad says the walkability and foot traffic was a big factor, as well.

“We were really set on having an outdoor eating area where people could mingle, and we thought downtown would be the best for that,” said Chad. “When you’re downtown, you’re surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the area. This is the heart of the city. Us being down here pulls more people into the heart of the city. Being able to sit on the sidewalk and watch people go by, you feel that nostalgia.”

The nostalgia is reflected in LHG’s decor and menu. Diners enjoy numerous vintage items layered into the décor with the hope of bringing back special memories, such as a speaker wall, vintage furniture, a phone in the bathroom and the scenes of Grace’s artwork. Even the hostess stand is the front end of an actual vintage car.

“When you have a past memory that really sticks out to you, many times it’s about food, family and community,” said Monica. “The downtown area, combined with our menu, gives us a bit of all of that. We have such a broad range of menu items. Families can come in and get a great meal and awesome atmosphere for under $10 per person. We wanted to bring in a lot of the younger kids down on Main Street, and we have a lot of high school students and ASU students all working here, too.”

Dishing up the all-American cuisine is experienced Chef and Kitchen Manager David Smith.

“The best thing about LHG is the environment we create in the kitchen,” said Smith. “The motto is ‘fun, fresh food,’ and the first word is the most important for me. We are very much about collaboration and helping each other out, and the environment we have created here is outstanding. We all get along and have fun, even in the heat of the rush, and that’s the best thing that happens here. The quality of the food goes up the more enjoyable the experience here.”

Smith, an amateur comedian who also works behind the bar, says that he wants to start introducing more specials and has plans to do music-inspired cocktails on Tuesday nights to accompany the weekly Singo BINGO night.

The menu itself features many appetizers and flatbreads to start the meal, with lemon flavors, such as lemon zest, thrown in whenever possible. The Tower of Onion Rings is very popular, as are the Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Main Street Egg Rolls and fried pickle spears called Frickles. Also available are the restaurant’s Trash Can Fries; the Original Trash Can features a pile of homemade fries topped with pulled pork, aioli, parsley and butter. Beale Street Fries with pork, slaw and barbecue sauce, Big Papi Fries with sirloin, bell peppers, grilled onions, grilled tomatoes, cheddar cheese, jalapeños and spicy mayo, Big Loaded Fries with bacon, cheddar cheese and freshly made ranch, and Big Barnyard Fries with grilled chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce and homemade ranch are also variations.

Gourmet salads, such as the Red, White and Blue, offer diners fresh, colorful menu items to choose from.

“The Red, White and Blue Salad, with blueberries, strawberries and feta cheese, is one of our most popular,” said Monica. “We use really fresh, quality ingredients. From our salads to our hand-pattied burgers, it’s all fresh.”

Next up is an assortment of Urban Tacos and Dogs, which are popular with both adults and kids. Maui Tacos with grilled chicken, teriyaki glaze, pineapple and pico de gallo, and Charleston Carolina Tacos with pulled pork, slaw and Carolina barbecue sauce are joined by Bourbon Tacos, Fajita Tacos, Gulf Coast Tacos, Chicken Caesar Tacos, Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos and Philly Steak Tacos. Hot dog options include Maui, Memphis, Austin Texas and Bronx Bomber options.

Wraps and Grinders, like the Nashville Hot Sandwich and the Sirloin Chipotle Wrap, are popular, but many customers keep coming back for Lemonade House Grille’s juicy burgers. The Main Street Burger features a battered onion ring that rests on a double bacon smash burger topped with American cheese and homemade fry sauce. Options like the Vegas All Nighter, with a fried egg and bacon, the Butler Burger, with bacon, sauteed onions, mushrooms and jalapeños, and the Route 66, an all-American burger, have all been well-received.

Larger “Mains” round out the menu and include Loaded Mac & Cheese, Kickin’ Shrimp, Main Street Sirloin, Brown Sugar Pork Chops, Coconut Shrimp and Chicken Brochette.

To finish the meal, LHG offers specialty desserts, such as the Root Beer Float, served in vintage glasses, Campfire Churros, mini bundt cakes topped with ice cream and, of course, Lemon Italian Crème Cake with fresh lemon zest.

“So many of our customers come here for the lemonades,” said Monica. “They’re all hand-squeezed and fresh, and we have 37 flavor options. We use nothing artificial. You can try just one, like the gummy bear or strawberry sunrise, or do a flight of four different flavors.”

All the lemonades are available in a “Speakeasy” version with alcohol for the adults, including flights. There are five options for sugar-free lemonades and speakeasy orders, and lemonades are also available to purchase by the gallon to take home.

“Jonesboro has really welcomed what we are doing here,” said Chad. “We have had a lot of really good feedback. Everyone is really enjoying it and is glad we are here. Jonesboro really supports new restaurants. We have had a lot of different demographics and age groups eat here, and they love it. It’s really confirmed to us that we made the right choice by bringing Lemonade House Grille to Downtown Jonesboro. …

“When everybody is here for Singo BINGO, and the restaurant is full of people laughing and singing, those are the things we see, and it’s so worth it. Those are the times we want people to remember and that will make them keep coming back and bringing their friends with them.”

“It’s a lot of work, but when we see how people enjoy it, it makes it all worth it,” said Monica. “We work harder now than we have ever worked, but because it’s ours and we have ownership, it’s so worth it. We love seeing people enjoy what we have created.”

Lemonade House Grille, located at 273 S. Main St. in Downtown Jonesboro, is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information and the full menu, visit lemonadehousegrille.com or find Lemonade House Grille – Downtown Jonesboro on Facebook.