Harold's Chicken Shack #36 (Wicker Park)

Their iced coffee is always smooth and well balanced.

I am only giving one star because there is no way to give negative stars for service. After making an order and waiting 35 minutes for my food I was told that my order was given to another customer and had no option to remake my order. I asked one more time if they were able to fulfill my order since i was still there I was told No and that they would not be able to remake the order nor give me something that was already made. Worse customer service ever do not come here.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The chairs were comfortable.

Dem wangs was 🔥🔥🔥
They were fresh, delicious and hot!!! Had mild & buffalo sauce mixed and drizzled over the chicken and fries….. perfect!!!
Really didn’t need it cause the seasoning was so good by itself!!!
Those ladies were GREAT! Patient, helpful and friendly. I was smacking so hard that I forgot to take pictures lol

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Not The Best Location This One Doesn't Have Desserts Or The Lemonades. I was upset

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken, 20 Wings Fries, Sauce, Wings, Mild Sauce

Crispy-juicy bird with that signature mild sauce.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I would never understand this Harold’s. It’s in a great location, but the appearance looks horrible, I’ve seen people walk in and then turn right around because of how it looks. Personally, I’ve never ordered food here for the same reason. This location really needs to step it up

I ask for lemon pepper I guess I got it right I mean right what do wild see. This is my first time ever in Chicago tasting this if I’m wrong let me know

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 1

They clearly don't care about customers, no call in orders even though all menu items aren't listed online and older people like myself who were born before internet do not know how to place an online order.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Good Harold’s in a busy area so parking sucks, however that’s how it is over there in that neighborhood. It’s totally worth it though!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

While visiting Chicago I was able to visit Harold’s Chicken #36. I ordered it the “Chicago way” — salt, pepper, mild sauce. It was fresh out the fryer, which already earned it points before the first bite. I was the very first customer so the order took some time which they warned me of when I placed my order.

The chicken itself was the highlight. Super crispy on the outside — Juicy and cooked perfectly. It was fresh and made to order.

Once you got past the outer crisp, the meat itself was a bit plain. Not bad by any means — just… lacking the flavor I'm use to. I assume this is because the sauce is the overall highlight.

Now let’s talk about that mild sauce. I know it’s a Chicago tradition and a Harold’s signature, but it didn’t really do it for me. It had a slightly sweet, tomato-forward taste that reminded me a little too much of ketchup that's diluted with vinegar. Not terrible, just not the flavor bomb I was expecting. It kind of coated everything without elevating it. I prefer MUMBO sauce wayyyyyy more.

All in all, I’m glad I tried it. It’s part of the culture, and the freshness and texture alone made it worth the stop. But if we’re talking strictly about flavor, it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

Final Verdict: Worth the experience, but not a must-have repeat.

Rating: 7.8/10

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Terrible

Worst service

The worst costumer service you can ever experience in your life, rude in a way i can't even describe it.

The normal behavior of a black owned business. Open when they want, close when they want, refuse to take phone orders, terrible service. What's new.