Harold's Chicken Shack

11/10/07

Harold's chicken is amazing!

by elleng0523 at Citysearch

This is absolutely the best fried chicken I've ever had, and I'm from Maryland, home of Perdue. I didn't realize there were many locations all over Chicago--my bus goes past the one at Wabash and Balbo so I thought I would check it out. Wow! Perfectly cooked, crunchy, not greasy, not too spicy, amazing! It comes with french fries and white bread and about 1 bite of very spicy cole slaw and either hot or mild barbeque sauce, but I would be happy with just the chicken. Potato salad is also available but unfortunately you can't substitute the potato salad for the fries. The Wabash and Balbo location has a few tables, but apparently some locations are carry out only. The Balbo location is very central to Harrison station on the red line, Columbia College, Roosevelt University, Harold Washington library, and Grant Park. Don't miss Harold's!

• Pros: chicken is delicious, should be award-winning and it is. My favorite chicken in Chicago and may be the country.
• Cons: limited menu, would prefer rolls over plain white bread, cole slaw too spicy, would prefer to be able to substitute potato salad for french fries

Still-sizzling fried chicken lines 'em up at this casual Chicago classic.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
This South Side chain is as laid-back as it sounds, with little more than a counter and a few tables and booths. Hot, surprisingly greaseless fried chicken served fresh from the fryer is the specialty here; it's available dark or white, by quarter or half, and comes with fries, bread, cole slaw and Harold's fiery, addictive hot sauce. Wings are a big deal too, along with fried shrimp, livers and gizzards, and moist, flaky catfish.

06/03/02

Wings!

by jaye_shaw at Citysearch

I love this chicken. I get wings with hotsauce on the side. I also love the fried livers with hotsauce and ketchup, by request. The fries are pretty good.

• Pros: Inexpensive
• Cons: crowds on weekend