by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
April 9, 2025
The restaurant received its begin in Southside Chicago in 1950.
Made well-known in Southside Chicago and past, Harold’s Rooster Shack is celebrating 75 years as a family-owned eatery.
Its origins have turn into muddled with group lore, given its significance as a go-to fried rooster spot for locals and celebrities alike. The restaurant is understood for its no-frills ambiance, giving clients an precise “carryout” expertise.
Nevertheless, many throughout Chicago view Harold’s as a consultant of its informal meals tradition. Based on WTTW, the primary eatery opened in 1943 and was based by Harold Pierce and his spouse Hilda, who moved from Alabama as a part of the Nice Migration of Black Individuals. Whereas that restaurant, H&H, served rooster toes and dumplings, Pierce discovered his knack for fried rooster with the primary official rooster shack in 1950.
Nevertheless, many locals have deemed totally different places as the unique rooster shack. Pierce’s daughter and Harold’s present CEO, Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, as soon as mentioned the unique was on Kimbark Avenue. Nevertheless, different articles detailed the flagship eating places in several places.
By 1975, over 20 Harold’s Rooster Shacks might be discovered throughout Chicago. By the point Pierce died, the places jumped to round 30 to 40 storefronts. The franchise now hosts many operators, however the one with probably the most places was Laverne Burnett.
Also called “Rooster Lee” or “Mr. Lee,” Burnett owned between 10 and 14 shops. Now, his legacy continues together with his granddaughter, Toneia Bailey, who, at 20, took over a location from her father.
“I prefer to feed folks,” mentioned Deneen Shenaurlt, a longtime worker who helped the multigenerational homeowners. “You feed folks with love.”
Made recent to go, no two Harold’s objects are alike. Operators take artistic liberties with Harold’s basic gentle sauce and lemon pepper seasoning to douse whereas scorching. The menus stay largely the identical, with choices of wing-and-fry plates or elements of the rooster, in addition to fish choices.
In the present day, Harold’s has expanded into totally different variations present in different states. With Harold’s Rooster in Los Angeles and its Rooster and Ice Bar in Atlanta, the Chicago establishment is constructing a brand new legacy as a Black-owned meals staple nationwide. Eve Inexperienced, a Chicagoan and longtime buyer, thinks the expertise and style make each buy value it.
“The freshness, the fries, the sauce, the flavour, the service, the politeness, the the whole lot.”
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