Helen's Restaurant

Stopped here for a quick bite on our way to visit where my Dad grew up in Bakersville (we drove down from southern Maryland). The service was fast and friendly and the food was good. It was a cute little place with pretty country views. We will stop by again on our next trip.

Helen's is a great American relic-- a truly local restaurant where you get a sense of small-town rural American culture. Very few tourists here, mostly locals who have been coming for decades. There specialty is down-home country cooking. They don't spare the grease, because that is what their clientele wants. This is deep south, where good means deep fried. Nothing against it, but my stomach just can't handle it anymore. I stick with the BLT or ham sandwich, though I know people who relish the Ruben with fries, and seem no worse off. They do try for fresh-- their burgers are homemade, and salads are good. But mostly I love the smiley waitresses with their local drawls and genuine happiness to see you. They're happy to help with anything, and even hang naturally at your table for a bit of gossip. Finally the local-made cakes and pies are true South, and to die for. Stop, at least for a humongous piece of fresh cake (you'll need to share) and coffee (no espresso drinks here), and you will have a truly international level experience.

Breakfast special, 2 eggs 2 sausage patties 1 biscuit with gravy, $4.29 and it was very tasty. Great service, give them a try.

The food itself was ok, their ranch dressing is great. Go figure this out they sort of specialize in a baked potato but why oh why don't they serve real butter. How can you eat a baked potato without real butter? If it's the cost I'd pay gladly pay more for the option to have the real butter.