Our story

Chef-owner Jordan Benissan is from Togo, a small country on the Gulf of Guinea. A master polyrhythmic drummer, Jordan came to Maine in the 1990s to teach West African music and music theory at Colby College. Missing home and craving community, he began experimenting in the kitchen with the hope of recreating the nostalgic flavors of Togo to share with his community in Maine.

He started hosting dinner parties and quickly became a local celebrity. As the word spread of his incredible West African feasts - which often included live music and flowing cocktails - he decided to open his own restaurant. With the encouragement of his community and support from friends and family, he was very quickly able to make a name for himself in the culinary world.

At Mé Lon Togo, Jordan Benissan welcomes you to a warm, casual dining room filled with the aromas of his childhood. Jordan pulls from West Africa’s indigenous and colonial influences to establish his unique representation of West African cuisine in Maine. It is not uncommon for Jordan to pull up a chair at your table or grab a drum and play a brief set for his guests. Mé Lon Togo is a dinner party with world class cocktails, sophisticated cuisine, and a dedicated host. We are thrilled to invite you to join us and we hope to see you soon.