Las Vegas Weekly

Harold’s brings chicken and fish straight from Chicago’s South Side

Harold’s Chicken Shack

Photo: Beverly Poppe

Chicago is synonymous with many foods: deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, Italian beef, chicken ... chicken? Okay, maybe not chicken, but Harold's Chicken Shack has brought Chicago-style chicken to Vegas nonetheless.

In Chicago, Harold's is best known for founder Harold Pierce's vision. Pierce noticed a dearth of mainstream fast-food joints in traditionally black South Side neighborhoods, so he launched the eponymous chicken-shack chain—and it's become a Chicago institution.

I grew up near Store 43, so I was excited to see a bit of my youth arrive in Vegas. For the uninitiated, the best way to sample Harold's wares might be a chicken and fish combo: two wings with either catfish fillets or perch, both for around $10. The combo comes with uneventful cole slaw and a mound of passable fries layered above two pieces of white bread, but that's not why you're here. Harold's is about chicken and fish.

You get your choice of hot sauce or ketchup, on the side or on top; go with hot sauce on top with extra on the side for dipping. The fries and bread sop up the sauce, making for spicy side treats while you're contrasting the delicious chicken and fish. An argument might be made that the cornmeal-battered fish is even better than the chicken, a compliment to the fish more than a slight to the bird.