By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–An established sports restaurant chain known for Irish-inspired food, a wide range of menu items and a company that prides itself around family officially opened in Helena on Monday, April 10.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, which was established in 1985 in Brandon, Florida has expanded and grown over the last few decades and the Helena Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is the newest franchise to open.

The Helena Beef ‘O’ Brady’s now occupies the space formerly known as Papa Saia’s in Old Town Helena. Papa Saia’s returned to Alabaster after operating in Helena since 2012.

On April 10, families and friends were gathered for lunch on the first day of the opening as the restaurant boasts numerous TVs, a bar, inside and outside seating, a loaded menu and more.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s owner George McCluney has been a Birmingham resident nearly his entire adult life and this is his second Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise to open. His first franchise has been in business at the Grove Shopping Center in Hoover since 2010.

McCluney said patrons could expect a clean and family-oriented environment when visiting the restaurant in Helena.

“We really just want to create a fun place for families to gather and a place for sports teams to celebrate victories. We want to be a place where people go to have fun and enjoy great food,” McCluney said.

McCluney said the entire building has been renovated and some of the offerings in the sports pub include 25 brand new TVs, a 150-inch projector screen, a stage for live music, a smoke-free environment and more.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s or simply referred to as “Beef’s” has a wide range of menu items including sharable appetizers, award-winning wings, seafood dishes, tacos, angus burgers, burritos and wraps, sandwiches, pizzas, desserts and more.

McCluney said the restaurant offers a rotating daily value option and also offers a wide range of beverages including beer, wine and liquor. More than 20 beers will be on tap including many local beers such as Cahaba, Avondale and Ghost Train.

The weekday value menu includes “Burger Mondays,” “Taco Tuesdays,” “Wing Wednesdays,” “Tender Slider Thursdays” and “Seafood Combo Fridays.”

The restaurant has already scheduled live music for Friday and Saturday nights through the month of April. The schedule is as follows:

–Friday, April 14 Dewayne Beasley

–Saturday, April 15 Kat Delacruz

–Friday, April 21 Eric Hollis

–Saturday, April 22 Todd Vickery

–Friday, April 28 Robert Abernathy

–Saturday, April 29 Two of a Kind with Peanut

Now that McCluney has owned the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s restaurant in Hoover for more than seven years he said his favorite thing has been that he has established a “community environment” and wishes to do the same in Helena.

“The fact that we’ve created such a community environment is my favorite thing,” McCluney said. “Anytime someone comes in, they can count on seeing their friend or someone they know to hang out and talk to. Some of the most rewarding things have been when we’ve had people who have met here as strangers and have grown strong friendships and have gone on to be friends outside of here. From a personal standpoint, we’ve got people who started working for us when they were 16 and we’ve seen them go through high school and into college and even seen them go off and start families so it’s really rewarding.”

Another big part of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is the restaurant’s involvement with youth sports teams and supporting community organizations.

“We’ll have events at the restaurant and give the organization a certain percentage of the sales and it also allows us to grow our business. It’s kind of a win-win for both of us,” McCluney said.

In addition to supporting youth teams and organizations, McCluney said numerous part-time jobs would be available to younger members of the community looking to gain experience in the workforce.

“We’ll have opportunities for students for part-time work because to me it’s such a valuable experience,” McCluney said. “I just think it’s a valuable experience for kids to learn how to interact with the public and I just treat it like I’m a teacher or a mentor for these kids when they come in. You learn how to deal with people from all walks of life and every personality type and it’s just a good way to learn early on.”

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Helena will be open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight.

When asked if he had a message for the people of Helena, McCluney was adamant that Beef ‘O’ Brady’s would be a local restaurant where he is fully involved in the business.

“I want people to be rest assured that we’re local,” McCluney said. “I’ve lived here all my life and I’ll be hands-on and be there every day as part of the organization. We’ll be very much a part of the community and be a quality place for families to come and gather. That’s the biggest thing I want Helena people to understand.”

For more information on Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, visit Beefobradys.com.