A Fried Chicken Challenge for those in Chi-town

jglazer75 · October 15, 2004

The one and only time eating at Harold's was great, the best I've had. I ate at the loop location - each store is independently owned and operated, so there is probably some variation in quality. Unfortunately, it seems as if the furthest north Harold's goes is that loop location. Is there a good chicken shack on the north side?
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I think I saw one (a Harold's) in Evanston, but I can't remember where...it was on the north side of Evanston though. Golf Road maybe? Or whatever Golf turns into in Evanston...

never managed to find any good fried chicken on the north side, but whoever suggested Wishbone was right - it's certainly good enough to satisfy the craving. The other place I might think of would be Heaven on 7; but Wishbone's is better.

viaChgo · October 15, 2004

There used to be a Harold's on N. Sheridan Rd...around Wilson? But it closed a few years ago. I found out the hard way. I drove there one evening w/anticipation of greasy goodness to find that it had closed. :sad:

I have yet to find good fried chicken on the northside. But, then again, I haven't really looked that hard. When I get the craving, I usually settle for Popeyes.

ronnie_suburban · October 15, 2004

There's a great piece about Harold's at Holly Moore's web site...

Harold's Chicken Shack at Hollyeats.com

As for possible north side venues for good fried chicken, I've always enjoyed Chicken Shack in Evanston, althought it's been a few years.

Again, a great photo essay at Hollyeats.com...

Evanston Chicken Shack at Hollyeats.com

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gmi3804 · October 15, 2004

I'll bet it's been about twenty-five years since I've been to White Fence Farm in Lemont. My grandparents used to like going, but I don't know if it was for the quality of the food or for the fact that they got to ride in the car for what seemed like hours. The place was always crawling on Sundays with hundreds of clones of my grandparents, filing in and out of the many dining rooms like zombies. I think I remember that the place did its own farming, perhaps producing a better-than-average quality bird. But hours in a sweltering car have killed the part of my brain which would enable me to recollect if it was any good or not. They sure seemed to love something about it.

::cues creepy music::

:rolleyes:

ronnie_suburban · October 15, 2004

I'll bet it's been about twenty-five years since I've been to White Fence Farm in Lemont. My grandparents used to like going, but I don't know if it was for the quality of the food or for the fact that they got to ride in the car for what seemed like hours. The place was always crawling on Sundays with hundreds of clones of my grandparents, filing in and out of the many dining rooms like zombies. I think I remember that the place did its own farming, perhaps producing a better-than-average quality bird. But hours in a sweltering car have killed the part of my brain which would enable me to recollect if it was any good or not. They sure seemed to love something about it.
::cues creepy music::

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LOL! I've never been there but remember a kinda-creepy tv commercial for the place that used to run on the local stations--especially WGN. They featured some guy, who was supposedly a celeb. touting the place. What a mystery that joint it is/was. :biggrin:

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oneidaone · October 15, 2004

Aloha! Man, you guys are killing me with the memories I have of Harold's!!!!! I am drooling on the

keyboard as I write, as much as we have here there ain't nothin' like Harold's. The pictures from

Hollyeats were great! I have had to go to White Fence Farm with my mother when I visit and it

is probably one of my least favorite things to do when I am there, I think it has to do with the

regimentation of it all from the minute you walk in the door, not to mention somewhat bland food.

That I could actually have the time to drive in from Naperville when I visit in a couple weeks would

find me in heaven at Harolds, no such luck I am sure. A hui ho........ :rolleyes:

viaChgo · October 15, 2004

There's a great piece about Harold's at Holly Moore's web site...
Harold's Chicken Shack at Hollyeats.com
As for possible north side venues for good fried chicken, I've always enjoyed Chicken Shack in Evanston, althought it's been a few years.
Again, a great photo essay at Hollyeats.com...
Evanston Chicken Shack at Hollyeats.com
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Evanston Chicken Shack looks promising! Look's very Harold's-esque.

gmi3804 · October 15, 2004

LOL! I've never been there but remember a kinda-creepy tv commercial for the place that used to run on the local stations--especially WGN. They featured some guy, who was supposedly a celeb. touting the place. What a mystery that joint it is/was.
=R=
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That would have been Mal Bellaris, known to me only as The Voice of White Fence Farm. He was probably one of the New Christy Minstrels at one point, or something like that. Later, The Voice became Clark Weber's, and it used to advertise WFF's "lovely doll collection."

::creepy music gets louder::

:rolleyes:

ronnie_suburban · October 15, 2004

That would have been Mal Bellaris, known to me only as The Voice of White Fence Farm. He was probably one of the New Christy Minstrels at one point, or something like that. Later, The Voice became Clark Weber's, and it used to advertise WFF's "lovely doll collection."
::creepy music gets louder::

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OMG! THAT'S IT! :biggrin:

Too ph*cking phunny :laugh:

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new christy minstrels, inc. :wink:

ianeccleston · October 15, 2004

Evanston Chicken Shack looks promising! Look's very Harold's-esque.
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It's pretty good. However, when I woke up this morning, still dreaming of fried chicken, I seemed to recall that it was a little too greasy. It seemed greasier UNDER the skin than other fried chicken.

I love the stuff, but I'm no afficionado. Is that viscous, heart-pumping grease under every fried chicken skin? Or is there a perfect chicken out there, that's a little lighter?

(Edited for typo)

Edited October 15, 2004 by ianeccleston (log)

ronnie_suburban · October 15, 2004

It's pretty good. However, when I woke up this morning, still dreaming of fried chicken, I seemed to recall that it was a little too greasy. It seemed greasier UNDER the skin than other fried chicken.
I love the stuff, but I'm no afficionado. Is that viscous, heart-pumping grease under every fried chicken skin? Or is there a perfect chicken out there, that's a little lighter?
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VERY greasy. One might even say "greazy" :wink: In fact, I recall it being about the "heaviest" fried chicken I've ever had. But, if that's what the mood dictates...

I'm sure there's better out there, but I'm not the right person to ask.

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ianeccleston · October 19, 2004

OK, I got my fried chicken fix, at the Chicken Shack in Evanston. Worth every heart palpatation. Drenched in hot sauce. MM. Even the breast meat was juicy.

AND, from the horses mouth, never was, or associated with, Harold's.

elfin · October 20, 2004

Had Harold's yesterday for lunch at the Wells Street location in the heart of the loop. Wing special-5 wings, slaw, fries and bread for under $6. Yummy. Would not have thought of it until this thread. May have to repeat...

gmi3804 · November 3, 2004

Sounds like Dish may be spying on us again:

Anyone tried the fried chicken at the Evanston Chicken Shack (1925 Ridge Ave.; 847-328-9360)? Heard it’s pretty good...

11/3/04

ronnie_suburban · November 3, 2004

Sounds like Dish may be spying on us again:
Anyone tried the fried chicken at the Evanston Chicken Shack (1925 Ridge Ave.; 847-328-9360)? Heard it’s pretty good...
11/3/04
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Us and others as well :shock: :wink:

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elfin · November 4, 2004

Is this the place at the end of Ridge just before you go under the train tracks? I have always wondered about this place. Just defaulted to Hecky's located around the corner on Greenbay. Good to know.

ronnie_suburban · November 4, 2004

Is this the place at the end of Ridge just before you go under the train tracks? I have always wondered about this place. Just defaulted to Hecky's located around the corner on Greenbay. Good to know.
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Yes, that's the spot...on Ridge, just before it hits Green Bay Road, north of Emerson on the east side of the street.

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elfin · November 4, 2004

There is a pretty good Thai place-Ruby of Siam in the strip mall across the street.

viva · November 5, 2004

I went to the U of C, and this thread is making me miss Harold's (on 53rd) in a BIG WAY. The crispy skin, the white bread, the hot sauce, the overall Harold's ambience. It's all good.

I gotta figure out where to get good fried chicken in Phoenix, but it won't be the same. All I've got are some boneless skinless chicken breasts in the freezer, so this is a craving that will go unsatisfied tonight. <sob> :sad:

elfin · November 5, 2004

Just phoned in our order to be picked up in an hour.....

ronnie_suburban · November 5, 2004

Just phoned in our order to be picked up in an hour.....
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Like music to my ears :biggrin:

Please, report back...

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elfin · November 5, 2004

Just finished 4 of the 6 wing dinner( $5.39 ) from Harolds located on Wells street in downtown Chicago.

Medium sized wings fried to perfection-nice and crispy but moist-not greasy- on the inside. Some wings had a little bone showing . No old oil taste-pure chicken flavor. Lots of pepper in the batter this time. I ordered the sauce on the side rather than smeared all over. Plenty of folks ordered the box drenched with hot sauce. I mix the BBQ sauce with the hot sauce for the perfect blend. The plentiful fries are sub par- soggy- which is a good thing since I would eat the whole mess. But had to eat a few with the bbq/hot sauce. Skipped the 2 pieces of white bread which laid on top. The spoonful sized coleslaw was fine-too small to really taste- sweet mayo dressing and soggy cabbage but it did have a little carrot and red cabbage. The red, green and white box still has a smiling man dressed in a santa clause-like outfit complete with a red beret wielding an axe toward a sweating chicken running for its life. My dining companion who only ate at Harolds by U of C could not tell the difference in the meal. Food coma is sinking in. My colleague who picked up the food unsuccessfully tried to abscond with my only menu.

ronnie_suburban · November 5, 2004

Just finished 4 of the 6 wing dinner( $5.39 ) from Harolds located on Wells street in downtown Chicago.
Medium sized wings fried to perfection-nice and crispy but moist-not greasy- on the inside. Some wings had a little bone showing . No old oil taste-pure chicken flavor. Lots of pepper in the batter this time. I ordered the sauce on the side rather than smeared all over. Plenty of folks ordered the box drenched with hot sauce. I mix the BBQ sauce with the hot sauce for the perfect blend. The plentiful fries are sub par- soggy- which is a good thing since I would eat the whole mess. But had to eat a few with the bbq/hot sauce. Skipped the 2 pieces of white bread which laid on top. The spoonful sized coleslaw was fine-too small to really taste- sweet mayo dressing and soggy cabbage but it did have a little carrot and red cabbage. The red, green and white box still has a smiling man dressed in a santa clause-like outfit complete with a red beret wielding an axe toward a sweating chicken running for its life. My dining companion who only ate at Harolds by U of C could not tell the difference in the meal. Food coma is sinking in. My colleague who picked up the food unsuccessfully tried to abscond with my only menu.
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Sounds delicious...I almost always do the wing thing too :biggrin:

Don't fight the coma, 'twill only make it worse :wink:

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yellow truffle · November 8, 2004

Just phoned in our order to be picked up in an hour.....

Hey elfin, do they deliver? I am too lazy to leave the comfort of my aeron chair.

elfin · November 9, 2004

Menu says they do-Minimal charge is 20 bucks and the delivery is 3 bucks. No charge for an order of 50 bucks-now dats a lotta wings! 312-345-1200 fax-312-345-1201. Harold's Shack #77 -39 N. Wells.

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