Helen's Restaurant — Restaurant in Concord

I found Helens on Reddit while browsing places near Walden pond to grab food before I went and explored it a bit. as I came in, the entire energy from outside shifted. a nice woman told me to sit wherever, and after taking my seat I was quickly offered a drink. while waiting to order, several people greeted my server as Helen, I assume from the name of the restaurant. I would have never known I was being waited on by the owner herself, as she is right along with all of the other servers, in black pants and an apron. she chatted a bit with other guests and children, all obviously loved having her company for a short time. Helen worked away, getting menus for other tables while talking with guests. it felt easy. the atmosphere is genuinely home made. it smells of coffee and fresh bacon, smiles all around and people who are eager like myself to get their plates. while ordering I had mentioned how I had found them online as the best place to eat around the area and she mention it was her grandparents restaurant back in 1937. I love the history but moreso, I love that it is well put together and comfortable. a recent renovation I imagine alhas the dining room looking modern and soft. i ordered a cinnamon roll that I'd spied on the countertop and it was delivered warm and powdered with sugar. I can say with the utmost confidence that it was the best Cinnamon roll I'd ever had. it had me excited for the morning quesadilla that was on its way. the quesadilla was delivered with the check and a smile, the pico de Gallo was clearly fresh, fresh chives on top and perfectly ripe avocados. the eggs weren't overdone or dry, it was absolutely wonderful. both dishes and a water came out to a whopping $23.56 and they very much earned it plus tip. one of the best breakfast experiences I've had in several years and absolutely the best I've had in...

I had read that Helen's restaurant is a local favorite and when a friend wanted to lunch there I gladly went with her. The restaurant was clean. Every other table was blocked off due to this weeks Covid-19 regulations and (on a Thursday from 11am to 12:30pm) I never saw it above 35% of its newly lowered capacity. The one wait staff I saw kept busy. We were greeted promptly and politely and my coffee was refilled as needed. Overall, the server was nice and competent. Not outstanding but good enough. My friend got a wrap and sweet potato fries. Her wrap looked good and she loves the sweet potato fries here. I offered a burger and fries. My burger was fine. Cooked to the correct doneness and my first good. You may wonder why only 3 stars. Well, with the exception of the sweet potato fries everything was average. Not bad but not great. My burger was fine but not the "choice beef" heralded on the menu. My fries were ok, directly from freezer to fryer. Coffee was ok but not great. And finally, pricing. Menu prices are a bit high. Not outrageous but high for the food quality. A $35 diner style lunch for two should have been of higher quality. BE WARNED: THIS RESTAURANT IS CASH ONLY. Yes, very rare in this day and age. The cash only warnings are not well posted. Had I not read this in another review before I went I would have been very embarrassed (I generally carry more plastic then cash). The bank a block away was closed and no ATMs in sight. I could have been really embarrassed! Thankfully, I found out and prepped in advance. I hope future visitors here heed my warning and...

We’ve been going to Helen’s for as long as it has been Helen’s (and before that), but I can’t recall the last time I had breakfast here. They have some of the best burgers and shakes around, but I forget about their very complete breakfast menu… And just how amazingly well they make everything!

We just squeaked in under the breakfast wire this morning, and everything they served us was as desired and picture perfect. The preparation of the English muffins so much so that I absolutely had to take a picture… It was just about the Platonic ideal of an English muffin, and pre-buttered. Sitting alongside my gorgeous custom omelette and the most perfect fruit cup I’ve had in ages, it was photo-worthy.

While the space is a little bit cramped, the food is always fabulous, and I have to give a special shout out to our server today, Lesley, who could not have been more delightful or accommodating, bringing us things before we even asked for them, remembering off-the-cuff requests, regularly checking in on us despite the bustling crowd, and all with a wonderfully sunny attitude.

So thank you Lesley and Helen’s for another great meal on this gorgeous summer day in...