Location: Helena
Top Restaurants in Helena
Most Popular American food in Helena, Alabama, United States
Discover Restaurants offering the best American food in Helena, Alabama, United States. Helena (pronunciation hel-LE-nah) is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in the state of Alabama. Helena is considered a suburb of Birmingham and part of the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,793. Helena is highly regarded as a place to live and raise children; Business Week named Helena the 13th "Best Place to Raise Your Kids" in 2007. It has the eighth-lowest crime rate per population in the U.S., and the city was ranked in Money magazine's 2007 list of "Best Places to Live: Top 100" in the U.S., placing at number 91. The Alabama League of Municipalities awarded Helena the 2008 Municipal Achievement Award (population 10,001 to 20,000).
Things to do in Helena
10. Ruby Tuesday
Overall Ratings
3 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By dragonfly1026
My husband and I stopped on the way to FL for lunch. We were immediately greeted with a warm and friendly hostess named Cortney. We were seated and very soon greeted by our server John. John gave us EXCELLENT service!! The salad bar was in very good order and our food arrived fresh and hot exactly as ordered. The restroom was nice and clean. Will definitely be back on future trips.
9. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Reviewed By kmaFL
We stopped on our way through the area. We were second in line at the counter when we walked in about 5 pm. We ordered two combo meals, two extra sides and extra biscuits. IT TOOK 35 MINUTES to get our order.Within a minute or so of arriving, the woman at the counter politely asked if she could take my order. I had given her the first part of my order when she just turned away and went to go fill drive thru orders. After filling about 3 drive thru orders, she asked a guy in the back to come finish my order. He took the first two items and then walked back to the kitchen and helped out back there. Again, just turned and walked away. About 10 minutes later a third staff member rang up our order finally and then left and the second guy came back and started assembling our order. We watched trays of biscuits come up and go out, one and two at a time, out thru drive thru, so when they finally got our meal up, we had to wait another six minutes for biscuits. I could not identify who was in charge. They all jumped from station to station. I can't believe corporate hasn't gotten involved in this franchise long ago. What a cluster.(The food was good. Just go thru drive thru or you'll starve in the lobby waiting for service.)
8. Cajun Boys & Our Po Boys
Overall Ratings
3 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Steven Y
We did a late lunch at Cajun Boys and enjoyed the meal. The staff was very friendly and they were well staffed, especially since we were after the lunch crowd.The special of the day was Royal Red Shrimp. These are large shrimp from the gold that are cooked and served with the head on. They were gorgeous and delicious, served with melted butter and cocktail sauce if you prefer. The meat on these shrimp reminded me of eating lobster and was the best shrimp that I have had in a very long time. I also ordered an order of hushpuppies, which at a dollar a piece I thought were a little overpriced.The weird thing about our visit was that the cook had no idea how to time the meals. My wife ordered chicken and it came out at least 10 minutes before my meal. My side order of hushpuppies came out with her food, so I did not even get all my food at the same time. She was well into her meal before my shrimp came out. I really saw this as an issue in the kitchen and not the wait staff unless they just forgot to put my order in.We finished our meal with a plate of piping hot beignets. The beignets were fresh and delicious, a nice way to finish our meal.
7. Jubilee Joe's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 213 reviews
Back in 2004, Kash along with some classmates had decided to plan a restaurant for their senior level marketing class at UAB. The project took the full course of the semester and after several grueling months of research they came up with an idea to start
Reviewed By Kristi H
As a native of south Louisiana , I was disappointed. The boiled crawfish was not good. They were large, however, did not taste good. Seasoning was not in boil, it was sprinkled on top. Will never order that again. Fried green tomatoes w crab meat needed more sauce. Crab topping was dry and tasteless. The Cajun Seafood House in Vestavia Hills is much better and with true Cajun authentic taste.
6. Jack's
Reviewed By Doctormonty
Jack's Family Resturants offer superb fast food. Most delicious are their vast breakfast menu items and the truly Southern fried chicken. Fried chicken just like your mom made in her kitchen at home with delicious sides. I especially enjoy their Mashed potatoes and gravy, and creamy Cole slaw.
5. Zaxby's
Reviewed By Doctormonty
The best chicken fingers around with excellent sides. As with most visits with purchased a family value meal with chicken fingers, an enormous helping of fries, barbecue bread, choice of four cookies, and one appetizer. We like the cheese bites and always get extra Zaxby's sauce. You can't beat their fresh salads with cucumbers and tomatoes. The drive-thru is prompt and orders filled accurately. In fact of the three dozen or more visits since their opening last fall I cannot recall an inaccurate order filled. I'm also impressed to see their active support of community activities like those of our new high school's band boosters. Zaxby's of Helena has become a part of the community and the community has openly embraced Zaxbys. It is clearly in demand given the clear customer activity. Without any hesitation I truly believe Zaxby's of Helena Alabama is a star for the franchise owners and Zaxby corporate organization truly deserving of top recognition of this resturant, it's management, and it's superb employees. Well done!
4. Champy's Famous Fried Chicken
Overall Ratings
4 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By OldSalt558
I stopped here for lunch based on my experience at Champy's near UTC in Chattanooga, and also based on the website. While the Chattanooga location had a bustling, party atmosphere this was more like a sleepy meat and three.Service and food were both OK, but again not as good. Only two servers and few customers at lunch, and while I wasn't ignored it was slow. The food, which I think is exactly what I ordered in Chatanooga, was also not as good, mainly because the chicken was slightly undercooked and therefore a little bit stringy. They did offer a great craft beer from a Birmingham brewer. Apparently they have live music and perhaps the scene is a little more lively then. But my last Champy's visit was a lunch too. Still an OK stop for fried chicken especially if you enjoy a beer with your food.
3. Golden Rule Barbecue
Overall Ratings
4 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By Artorange
I had my first Golden Rule BBQ sandwich when I was a teenager in the late 50s...And I loved it!!...But, not living in Birmingham, I have only visited intermittently over the years. However, now my grandson lives in Birmingham, and he took me to Golden Rule (his favorite lunch place)! It was just as I remembered.... that great wood smoked smell when I walked in... and a big sliced delicious pork sandwich ... and a big glass of sweet tea! It was a joy to see that some good things go on from generation to generation!!
2. Beef 'O' Brady's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
In 1985, Jim Mellody dreamed up the idea of a family friendly restaurant, a neighborhood pub where friends and families could gather to enjoy good food and sports in a fun, comfortable atmosphere. Together, with his wife Jeanette, they embellished the Bra
Reviewed By TR26
Hadn't ever eaten at a Beef O'Brady's before, and I usually don't want to review chains on TripAdvisor unless there's something special (or unspecial) about the location.Well, my impression of Beef O'Brady's from this location is that they do quite good food and drinks. Our service was great, my poblano chicken lettuce wraps were tasty (tho' you can't really eat them as wraps, more like a salad), and my locally brewed craft on draft was fine.But the location here is awesome--their rear deck faces Duck Creek where Helena has build a little low dam that produces a lovely waterfall. If weather permits, try your best to sit where you can appreciate that ambiance.
1. Depot Deli & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By SouthernLadyMom
Always fun and tasty to grab a bite at the Depot!! Their burgers at juicy and fresh, the Reubens and Philly Cheesesteak, smothered in onions and peppers, are also favorites! Grab a combo and sit on the deck and enjoy the view of Buck Creek in the heart of Old Town Helena! The owner, Matt, is a big supporter of Helena and gives back to his community. We are so glad to have not only good food available to us, but a great location and caring owner and employees. All this makes it worth the trip from surrounding communities or from just down the street!
