Harold's Chicken #14

I can't believe I was the 'First to Review' this Harold's Chicken Shack over 17 years ago because I was a regular over twenty years prior when I was a twentysomething grad student at the University of Chicago a few blocks away. Basically I lived on Harold's fried chicken at least twice a week, especially during the bitter cold winters when it just hit the spot.I just returned to campus again this time showing Jamie W. my old haunts in Hyde Park. Of course that meant an essential return to Harold's still at the now semi-vacant strip mall at 53rd and Woodlawn. The space still looks the same with the big bulletproof order window and now with a big carousel to avoid human contact when they serve the huge bags of fried chicken.There were only two window booths for dining because they appeared to have permanently closed the rest of the dining area as well as the restroom. I directed Jamie immediately to sit at the one open booth because I needed to wait in line to make our order. I remembered I had to yell my order through the speaker if I wanted the best chance of getting what I want.And what did I order? The $7.90 Dark Half, of course, because that's what I always ordered all those years ago. Two big thighs and two drumsticks soaked with medium-hot sauce on a bed of soggy fries and topped with cole slaw and two slices of white bread soaked in the same hot sauce (photo: https://yelp.to/pqvIrJDmLD). I even ordered an extra thigh for $2 because I figured I should go for the gusto (photo: https://yelp.to/F_NPXFU5XL).It was so Harold's and so consistently good. I don't know what they do to their chicken, but the meat was so tender and juicy. Buttermilk brine, I'm guessing, and the breading was crispy-crunchy. Hey, I wasn't finished. I ordered something I'm convinced nobody else gets, the $7.40 Small Gizzards, which came with the same extras (photo: https://yelp.to/R1tEeRx9YV). First, I couldn't believe how big a small order was.Again they figured out how to make the gizzards tender with just the right amount of chew. They didn't have many beverage options, so Jamie and I shared a liter bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper, not something we would ordinarily drink. We were stuffed, and the bill came to less than $24. Yep, Harold's lived up to my expectations, and just imagine they maintain the same standards every twenty years.FOOD - 5 stars...Best. Fried. Chicken. Ever....whether it's legs, thighs, or gizzardsAMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...hey, we got the booth...SCORE!SERVICE - 3 stars...not as rude as I recallTOTAL - 5 stars...hope it's not another twenty years until my next visitRELATED - Exploring Chicago? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/44c4CZO

Support Small Businesses Food was great. Service was quick. Pretty much point and order.located near University of Chicago so the foot traffic is good for business.

This is my goto Harold's Chicken spot when I go home to Chicago. I've been going to this location since I was a teenager in the 80's. After all these decades they still make great chicken. The place is in a safe location in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. As many know Chicago is challenged with plenty of violence throughout the city but this location has always felt safe. Every time I fly into town to see family and friends this is usually my 1st stop after checking into my hotel to grab a post flight bite .I've been going to this location for over 30 years. I highly recommend it!!!!

First time purchasing from this restaurant. When I arrived there were 2 people ahead of me and about 10 people behind me in line. I placed my order at 12:14pm. I ordered a 1/2 dark meal which I was told comes with bread, fries, and Cole slaw. My total was $9.58. During the ordering process I was only asked if i wanted hot or mild sauce, I requested mild. While I waited, every person before me and after me got their order and left. I was the only one still waiting after 40 minutes. I finally went up to the counter and asked how much longer it was going to take to give me my order. They asked to see my receipt and then after a couple of minutes asked if I wanted utensils and a bag. I said yes. When I got back to my office I opened my bag and found my chicken, bread, and fries drenched in sauce. This was surprising because there was nothing in the restaurant indicating they covered the chicken with sauce. I was a bit annoyed but since I was hungry decided to just try to enjoy it anyway. There were a couple of small dry spots of the chicken that were delicious. However, the rest of it that was covered in sauce was not so good. The mild sauce is a very weird vinegary sweet sauce. I wouldn't consider it a hot sauce but I don't know what to compare it to. I can certainly say I would rather never have it again. Needless to say, I couldn't eat the bread and fries since it was all covered in that awful sauce.

As soon as I landed, I took a car from the airport to Harold's to grab a 3 piece with fries and a Pepsi. When I arrived it reminded me of DMV carryout, something I was introduced to about 9 years ago.​​​The chicken was made to order, this location offered ketchup packets instead of putting on the fries while it was hot. I ordered their famous mild sauce on the side. The order came out with two pieces of white bread, which was a distraction to me. I almost burn my mouth.. crispy.. and whole wings.. flat, drum, and tip. ​​​The mild sauce taste like mumbo sauce... and there is much debate that if the sauce originates from Chi-town or DC. In fact, roughly around the time, I was introduced to the sauce in the DMV, there was a lawsuit between a Chicago-based company and Capital City over the use of the term "mumbo sauce".​​​It was a perfect way to start this adventure... the only thing I would have done differently is order more chicken.​

Place so good there is often a long line. But I can order and go on shopping at other places in the center and come back and order will be ready. Really good. The Lotto store is in the same door.

Despite hearing mixed reviews about this place, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the chicken is tastier than KFC's (at least, with the generous amount of sauce poured on top of it).I had the Dark Half chicken with fries. The chicken average, and the fries were soggy but fries nonetheless. Overall, this place would satisfy your fried chicken cravings but nothing special.

Hole in the wall chain restaurant that originated in Chicago. Sunday-Wednesday they have a special $5 for 1/2 Dark fried chicken. All of their chicken on the menu comes with fries and a side of coleslaw. The fried chicken comes with 2 slices of white bread too. 1/2 Dark comes with 2 thighs and 2 drums. They have a list of seasonings and then sauce to add to your chicken when you order, I got salt and pepper with hot sauce on the side but I recommend getting salt and pepper with mild sauce ON the chicken OR get lemon pepper with mild sauce on the side. The mild sauce is AMAZING!! It's slightly sweet, kind of tangy, definitely unique. The hot sauce is just Louisiana hot sauce so nothing special. The fried chicken itself had a great flavor and was perfectly crispy and moist inside. It wasn't overly oily either. I wish we had this spot in California, I paid $6.25 total for my meal. Coming back if I ever see a Harold's!

Visiting from NYC, I love chicken wings and I must say the wings were crispy and well seasoned. I haven't had fried chicken wings in sometime. I also love the catfish it was also crispy but I prefer my fish a little softer and meatier. The fried okra was overcooked I would not recommend being a okra lover. We'll packaged Sorry I forgot to take pictures

Terrific fried chicken in the community. I usually stick to wings. A pleasant comfort food.