126 Market House
513.381.5678
W-F: 11-3, Sa:10-5, Su: 11-4

Helen Baldwin puts on quite a show at the grill says her husband, Arthur. At Ms. Helen's Grill she's known for comforting favorites like mac and cheese and her "famous" turkey ribs, an alternative for people who don't eat pork. As for her special barbecue sauce, Ms. Helen came up with that when she didn't like a local restaurant's sauce, Arthur says. Taking items from the table and requesting a couple of things from the kitchen, Ms. Helen came up with the basis for her own barbecue sauce right there.

She can't tell you measurements, says their daughter, Ming Toy, it's just feel and taste. Ming Toy's husband has been trying to duplicate his mother-in-law's mac and cheese for some time, but their son says it doesn't taste like Granny's.

That's because we don't know how to make it, smiles Arthur, it's all Ms. Helen.

When Arthur left the contracting business, the family decided they wanted to do something together. They knew all the neighborhood kids enjoyed eating at their house, so they opened a restaurant in Clifton Heights. Soon they discovered they got more business at their weekend stand at Findlay Market. Ms. Helen cooked outside at her custom made grills by the Farmer's Market Shed in all kinds of weather for about three years until they moved into the market house in May 2005. Arthur claims Ms. Helen made history that day as the first African American woman to own an indoor market stand.

The Baldwin's four grown children-- Tamarah, Tiffany, Ming Toy and Arthur Jr.-help out at Ms. Helen's, as do their spouses. People have to be born in or married in or they can't work here, laughs Ming Toy. On any given weekend the Baldwin's grandkids might even take your order.

Beyond serving market customers and catering, the Baldwins feed about 400 kids every school day. The whole family helps out, but they stay in the background, Arthur says; this is Ms. Helen's show.