Harold's Chicken Shack #44 now open in Rogers Park

Went to my neighborhood Harold's tonight (it's been years since I could say that). The joint was packed at dinner time. They were suffering from the expected start-up snafus (trying to figure out the register etc.). Despite at least 6 people working, it took almost 30 minutes to place and get my order, but it was worth it. I got 8 pieces mixed, a small gizzards (which is plenty large), cole slaw and fried okra with assorted hot and BBQ sauces. It was all good. In fact, it was really good. The Chicken was plump and juicy and the breading was deep brown and crunchy, not greasy at all.

If you are in a hurry, I would recommend staying away at dinner time for a while, or calling ahead. Actually, it was kind of fun waiting on the chicken with a bunch of hungry neighbors. Everybody was very sociable and talking local politics and stuff. Everyone was excited that we have a Harold's in the hood. Don't think you would see that at KFC. The best thing is, it is open until 2 am on the weekends.

Harolds Chicken Shack #44
6952 N. Clark St.
Rogers Park
773-465-2300

Mon-Thu 11am-1:30am
Fri-Sat 11am-2am
CLOSED SUNDAYS

I drove by a few nights ago and was glad to see this open. Should be a great addition to the neighborhood.

Anyone tried the Harold's Chicken in Broadview on 16th just N. or Roosevelt?

chainey wrote:Anyone tried the Harold's Chicken in Broadview on 16th just N. or Roosevelt?

I'll bet Mike Sula has.

stevez wrote:I'll bet Mike Sula has.

If m'th'su wants to come to RP to apply his patented Harold's rating system to #44, I will gladly pay for the meal. Judging by my first visit, I think it should rank pretty well. I did not see a framed picture of Mr. Harold on the wall, but the stuffed rooster on a shelf should earn some points.

One thing I noticed was that the number (44) is smack dab in the middle of the mysterious hole in the numbering system. In the late 70s and early 80s there was a Harold's on Sheridan near Wilson, I can't remember the number, but I think it was in the 40's also. It was a pretty dingy operation, and the chicken was just OK, but it had a great animated neon sign of the King chasing the Chicken that filled the entire front window. I also remember seeing Mr. Pierce's chicken caddy parked in front fairly often. No doubt he was keeping tabs on the northern outpost of his kingdom and collecting his royal bounty.

stevez wrote:

chainey wrote:Anyone tried the Harold's Chicken in Broadview on 16th just N. or Roosevelt?

I'll bet Mike Sula has.

Nope. I limited myself to those within city limits, else I'm sure I'd be dead by now. Haven't been to the Rogers Park one yet either, but I will.

One of these days I'm going to put my notes from all 35 online. I'd really be interested in comparisons by others using the system. It isn't the most fun way to eat fried chicken, but we all understand the importance of the Scientific Method.

chainey wrote:Anyone tried the Harold's Chicken in Broadview on 16th just N. or Roosevelt?

I've been, its a good one, and friendly as well

d4v3 wrote:It was all good. In fact, it was really good. The Chicken was plump and juicy and the breading was deep brown and crunchy, not greasy at all.

d4v3,

Agreed, Harold's Clark Street was serving mighty fine fried chicken at lunch today. Good size pieces of crisp greaseless moist chicken, which I very much enjoyed. If I had to pick nits it'd be the french fries were blah and the place was too clean by far. I mean, come on, whoever heard of an absolutely spotless fried chicken joint?

Harold's #44 (Clark Street)








Enjoy,
Gary

did you try the red velvet cake? - I'm no southern-bred afficionado, but I thought it pretty good

zim wrote:did you try the red velvet cake? - I'm no southern-bred afficionado, but I thought it pretty good

I saw the red velvet cake as well as some really good looking coconut cake that I wanted to try, but a 1/2 dark chicken meal was more than I could handle at lunch. The cake will have to wait until next time. I'll echo Gary's comments about the poor quality of the fires. Other than that, this particular Harold's branch is pretty good.

The Harold's I usually patronize (#62, 636 S. Wabash) has some pretty limp soggy crinkle-cut fries and the fries in Gary's pictures look like they couldn't be any worse. The fries aren't what I'm going to Harold's for anyway. I'm looking forward to checking out this location!

I was pretty excited when I saw that space was going to be a Harold's (previous incarnations included a sandwich shop and a generic gyros-and-dogs place that also had pizza that had apparently been composed of saltines and ketchup) but of course I haven't been there yet. I always think I'm going to get back to that neck of Clark Street, but since I moved away I've had less of a reason to do so.

Clark is looking more and more like destination dining these days, though.

Dunno, crispy fries at Harold's just wouldn't seem right. As far as Harold's fries go, #44's aren't bad. I am convinced that the limp fries are an integral part of some special Harold's physics phenomenon. The chicken would not come out right if it wasn't wrapped up with those steamy moist fries on top and the gummy bread below.

The sauces at #44 are pretty good also. They offer the orange vinegar hot sauce (pictured above), as well as hot and mild BBQ sauce. I like the fried okra with the hot sauce. You can also get pickeled jalapeno peppers. The Red Velvet cake really is pretty darn good too.

Now I'm hungry. I think I know what I'm having for dinner tonight.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:I always think I'm going to get back to that neck of Clark Street, but since I moved away I've had less of a reason to do so.

Clark is looking more and more like destination dining these days, though.

Here's your chance: February 24th.

Sadly, I will be occupied all day with a group school project.

I might be inspired to retrace their steps at a later date, though.

I went there on Wednesday. I mean, sure, this is probably close to as good as wholly deep-fried chicken gets, but it left me with enough of a fried chicken jones that I fried my own the next night. Now that's fried chicken.

Zim,

Red Velvet cake looked good, but, no room after the chicken. I should have bought a piece for later.

Speaking of Red Velvet cake, in addition to having a very good version at The Depot, I recently tried Bennison's Red Velvet cupcakes, which I thought quite tasty.

Enjoy,
Gary

Bennison's Bakery
1000 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
847-328-9434

I tried Harold's #44 today. In fact, it was my very first Harold's experience of any kind and I will be going back. The Chicken was crispy and juicy. The fries were kind of blah but, from what I gather from this post, that seems to be the norm. They could've used salt to liven them up. Next time I will try the cake.

Terrasini wrote:I tried Harold's #44 today. In fact, it was my very first Harold's experience of any kind and I will be going back. The Chicken was crispy and juicy. The fries were kind of blah but, from what I gather from this post, that seems to be the norm. They could've used salt to liven them up. Next time I will try the cake.

I can't believe I haven't posted in this thread yet, but I've been to #44 maybe half a dozen times over the last few months. The $3.99 lunch special from 11 to 3 is particularly awesome, and the Wildwood artificially flavored Peach soda that can come with it (you choose the flavor) is appropriately peachy. Walking with your lunch bag a block south to the Rogers Park public-library courtyard to eat outdoors can be pleasant on certain days, too... especially if the AC isn't pumping inside Harold's. Just be aware that they've opened later at 1 P.M. on Sundays recently -- and that the library courtyard appears to be locked up on Sundays as well.

Eat well,
Dan

P.S. I make it a point to clear the top level of fries slathered in hot sauce first -- to better get a sense of them fresh outta the fryer -- then hit the chicken immediately thereafter. After trying the red velvet cake, I didn't find it as impressive as I'd once imagined, but I suppose it couldn't hurt to sample a piece (however pricey). Oh, and make sure to stop by Paleteria de Monarca [EDIT: it's Paleteria La Monarca] across the street for leche/milk fruit bars for dessert -- if you've still got room, that is.

FYI: As I walked past #44 this weekend, I noticed a sign announcing that they now deliver. The delivery hours were listed on the sign, but of course, I forgot them. Also, as Dan mentioned above, they are now open on Sundays.

For those of you, like me, who only eat dark meat, #44's 7pc dark special, is now an 8 pc special for $5.75. That is 4 drums and 4 thighs. I got some tonight, and it was particularily good. I think they had a new cook working. Even the fries looked almost crisp.

Nice deal. Beats KFC for sure.

The Roger's Park Harold's compares none to the Harold's on 53rd and Woodlawn in Hyde Park. The one in Rogers Park gives almost no sauce in their chicken. Also the taste isn't quite there.

The 53rd street Harold's (I don't know the number) has prices that cannot be beat by any other Harold's. $3.77 for a half dark (2 thighs, 2 legs, fries, 2 slices of bread, cole slaw) is THE best deal you can get in Chicago for chicken.

I also await someone who DARES to say that the Chicken Shack in Evantson even comes CLOSE to Harold's.









Oh Harold's, how can I live without you?[/img]

G Wiv wrote:

Something I've failed to understand since moving to Chicago is the Costco-sample-size serving of coleslaw served at so many places... What's that all about?

h37s3m wrote:I also await someone who DARES to say that the Chicken Shack in Evantson even comes CLOSE to Harold's.

I ain't no Mike Sula, but I've eaten at three or four Harold's (not the one on 53rd) and none of them have ever come close to Evanston Chicken Shack at its best.

Are you trying to say that even the Rogers Park Harold's outdoes the Evanston Chicken Shack? Because we can settle this, you know.

germuska wrote:

h37s3m wrote:I also await someone who DARES to say that the Chicken Shack in Evantson even comes CLOSE to Harold's.

I ain't no Mike Sula, but I've eaten at three or four Harold's (not the one on 53rd) and none of them have ever come close to Evanston Chicken Shack at its best.

Are you trying to say that even the Rogers Park Harold's outdoes the Evanston Chicken Shack? Because we can settle this, you know.

I was going to suggest we do this very thing. I was thinking we might be able to find a bar that would not object to us bringing in Chicken samples (maybe Poitin Stihl?).

I love the Chicken Shack, but I also like #44. The chicken they both make is similar but very different. #44's chicken is crunchy and deep brown, while CS's chicken is crispy and golden. To me, they are both good. The one I like best, is the one I ate last. One thing I will say though, the Chicken Shack makes some damn good catfish. I would put their fried Catfish steaks up against any in the city (the steaks do have a lot of bones).

As far as comparing #44 to the one on 53rd, from the pictures, I cannot see any difference in the amount of sauce. I have never had a problem with not having enough sauce (my refrigerator is full of it). To say they give "almost no sauce" is just not true. As to the taste, over the years, I have eaten at many Harold's (I don't know about 53rd, it looks too new), and I say #44 is one of the best. I find nothing lacking in the flavor. We will have to get Sula to apply his patented Harold's rating system to #44.

What's with the Pizza at the 53rd st. Harolds? Also, from the pictures, it seems they put the bread on top, instead of underneath the chicken. I have seen it done both ways, but I think I prefer it at the bottom.

The pizza they refer to at the 53rd street Harold's is actually just their pizza puffs.

Maybe it's just a matter of preference but I do not like when fried chicken is seasoned with a bunch of stuff. I like it plain with just hot sauce. The Chicken Shack, I personally believe, overseasons their chicken so it's way too salty especially when they add the hot sauce.

It depends on what mood I am in to have the bread on top or bottom. But most of the time I like it on top because one slice of bread has a little bit of hot sauce. It's also fun peeling the fries off the bread. But one bread is also completely clean, so its good for dipping or eating with bits of chicken.

The 53rd street Harold's is actually really old. A friend of mine who's a project manager at HP, who finished his MBA, after working for 5 years at P&G, after getting his PhD in Chemistry, after finishing his undergraduate years at the U of C used to eat at the 53rd street Harold's. That's pretty old!

h37s3m wrote:The Chicken Shack, I personally believe, overseasons their chicken so it's way too salty especially when they add the hot sauce.

Actually, on occasion I have also thought the Chicken Shack breading was too salty. In the past, I have thought the same thing about #44 (a little salt goes a long way for me). The chicken I got last night from Harold's was not salty at all (I have a leftover drumstick hanging from my mouth as I am typing this). I do love that hot-sauce.

We really should do another Fried Chicken Showdown.

h37s3m wrote:The 53rd street Harold's is actually really old.

Yeah, I remember eating at a Harold's in Hyde Park 20+ years ago. I just thought the building in the picture looked too new to be the same one.

d4v3 wrote:Actually, on occasion I have also thought the Chicken Shack breading was too salty. In the past, I have thought the same thing about #44 (a little salt goes a long way for me). The chicken I got last night from Harold's was not salty at all (I have a leftover drumstick hanging from my mouth as I am typing this). I do love that hot-sauce.

We really should do another Fried Chicken Showdown.

Yeah, I remember eating at a Harold's in Hyde Park 20+ years ago. I just thought the building in the picture looked too new to be the same one.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of very salty food either.

I think the Tribune did a little fried chicken showdown recently for Chicago didn't they? I believe Harold's was the top. But as I recall they reviewed a Harold's somewhere downtown on Wabash. I actually hated the Harold's on Wabash and was sad that it bore the name Harold's.