Harold's Chicken Shacks

Harold's chicken HITS THE SPOT!!!! Whenever Im rolling thru Englewood and its around that time IM DEFINETELY STOPPING.I've loved Harold's since I tried it the first time.Never disappoints.Get me a half chicken with mild sauce and a 40oz of MGD and IM ALL GOOD!!! Follow that up with some CUSH!! Happy camper!!!

All Harold's Chicken Shacks are not equal, let me start with that statement.  This review is for the one located at 73rd & Halsted.  What makes it unique?  Late evening hours for a Harold's in the 'hood...open on the weekends until 1:30, during the week until 11:30.  They also take credit/debit!  Who would have thought?  But beyond all that the chicken is great, always well prepared!  Desserts and sides cannot always be guaranteed to be in stock, so call ahead and ask.  Even if they take a phone order, until you show up and pay it won't be started...so be prepared to wait anyway.  Service is fast, efficient and friendly... If you love fried chicken, you will love this place!

This Harolds is the epicenter of action on Halsted between 70th and 75th streets. Depending on the day you will see 'working girls', men who manage working girls, wannabe gangsters and hip hop artists, old men and ladies, drunk people wanting to hit on you, random people selling bars of dove soap and bootleg films, local politicians and the like. Then there's me, who just openly admits to traveling great distances for fried chicken. Great fried chicken that is.

This Harold's, short of the one on 87th street, is the best I've come across in Chicago. Some say that the one in Hyde Park is the best, but they fail to take into account the consistency of the chicken at that location...it's just not. Obama might have had it, but I've had more chicken then I care to admit, and I also know that I've had it be bad. This is not the issue at this Harold's.

This location is laid out simply, a few booths to sit in and eat (if that is your thing), a long bench, a television that may or may not be working and the ordering counter that is outfitted with thick glass or plastic, as is standard in all the Harold's. The service isn't always the best, but if you realize that it's fried chicken, not oysters, it's not that big of a deal. They don't take debit for transactions less than $10, so don't forget your cash. Also, if you call in, doesn't matter, as they won't actually cook your food until you arrive and pay. They used to do that, but I guess people weren't showing up...kinda sucks, as waiting here sometimes is not a fun experience.