Paul's Steakhouse

Paul's has been feeding Helen since 1965, according to its own website, which makes it one of the longest-running restaurants in town. It sits near the bridge on South Main, with the Chattahoochee running behind it, and the combination of a proper steakhouse menu and a casual deck on the water explains why it stays busy.

There are really two experiences here. Downstairs is the dinner side: steaks, seafood, the country-style Southern plates the menu calls Paul's Favorites. Out on the river, the Margarita Deck is where you go for a burger, a frozen drink and a game on one of the big-screen TVs. You can mix them in the same evening if you're patient with the wait.

Hours are from the restaurant's website. Call 706-878-2468 for holidays and special events.

The steak list on the current menu is short and classic: a 12 oz ribeye, a 12 oz Cajun ribeye, an 8 oz filet mignon, a 12 oz center cut New York strip, plus beef tips and country fried steak. If you'd rather have seafood, look at the crab cakes, Bang Bang Shrimp, oysters on the half shell, Rainbow Trout, a fried seafood platter, sea scallops with jumbo shrimp, or twin lobster tails. Surf and turf and a New York strip with a rock lobster tail cover the splurge.

Paul's Favorites is where the kitchen goes Southern: whole country fried catfish, fried chicken livers, homemade chicken parmesan, country fried chicken breast and baby back ribs in half or full racks. Start with a cup of lobster bisque, New England clam chowder or spicy crab and corn chowder, and finish with Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Madness Pie or Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie.

The menu page says it's being updated and lists no prices, so ask when you order. See it on paulssteakhouse.com.

The deck is the casual half of Paul's. The restaurant says it's been serving guests for more than 15 years and calls it the largest outdoor deck on the river. Expect specialty frozen drinks, half-pound Black Angus burgers, French dip and prime rib sandwiches, Reubens, jumbo hot dogs and wings in a range of sauces. It's walk-in friendly and set up for groups, and the events page mentions live music on the deck, so ask about the schedule.

In summer the river outside carries tubers past in the afternoon. If you're planning a float, the tubing guide has the outfitters and current season.