When he came back to the Bronx after years in the Marines, Hector Cruz says he couldn't find quality, fresh food, so he opened his own restaurant.

American Grill, on busy Third Avenue, is a new spot in Melrose.                                                            

It has not even been open for six months, and the name is already causing controversy.

"People have been saying, 'It sounds very white, are you a Trump supporter? You don't fit in the South Bronx.' We're a nation of many cultures, many colors, many races. I'm just trying to serve good food,” says Cruz.

Cruz served in the Marines for eight years, and his uniform hangs in the restaurant.

When the veteran came back home to the Bronx, he says it was hard to find non-processed food in the borough.

"It's not all about the seasoning, it's not all about the culinary arts. It's just about using fresh food,” says Cruz.

What's hot on the menu are the burgers. The patty is never frozen and seasoned and rolled by hand in-house. Add American cheese, some bacon, drizzle ketchup and mayo, top it off with lettuce and tomato and it's good to go on a toasted brioche bun.

Cruz says he just wants to continue serving the community as he did serving the country.

"The American dream is still possible,” says Cruz.