"J&J's, Harold's chicken, good finger licking"- Iesha Jaco, Food & Liquor Intro
Back in January 2005, Lupe showed his love for Harold's Chicken Shack in a discussion with fans on the Lupe Fiasco Forum. We heard his sister Iesha referenced it in the Food & Liquor Intro, and it is known to be the likes of Chicago natives Common, Kanye West, and Dwayne Wade. What makes Harold's so special? Well, Harold's was founded in 1950 by Harold Pierce and is an example of one of Chicago's first thriving restraunts owned by an African American. At the time, most fast food chains avoided black communities out of plain fear; Harold's Chicken Shack focused on the Southside of the Chi, often selling and preparing meals behind bullet proof glass. To this day, though there are a few on the Westside, and even fewer on the Northside, you will find dozens of Harold's in the Southside. Each store caters to its environment; some stores maintain the bullet proof cashier out of necessity, others are much more welcoming with a dine-in option.
Foodwise, Harold's is apopular for cooking in half vegetable oil and half beef tallow, giving its chicken unbeatable taste. There is also the fact that the chicken is not completely fried until its ordered, unlike most fried chicken chains who store fried chicken on heat racks. At Harold's, the chicken is halfway fried and then completed when you order, done in about seven or eight minutes. You can eat it plain, but most like their chicken and fries drizzled in mild or hot sauce.. either way, end result: Chicken that is too damn good!
Harold's has now become an integrated part of Chicago Culture, but from what I hear.... they now exist in Detroit, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Dallas, as well... if you eat at any leave your review :)
Lupe Recommends:
Harold's Chicken Shack No. 18
8820 S. Stony Island Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60617
773-768-9712
Links:
damn...I'm hungry after reading all that
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