| Harold's Chicken Shack |
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Information AboutHarold's Chicken Shack |
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The character of Harold's developed primarily out of necessity. Harold Pierce, a black Chicago entrepreneur, founded the restaurant in the 1950s because the newly spreading larger fast food chains avoided African-American neighborhoods. In turn, Chicago's legal and social obstacles to black-owned businesses prevented Harold's from expanding into downtown or the North Side. Harold's became one of the few examples of a thriving fast food chain that was owned by and primarily served the black community. The basic Harold's Chicken Shack dinner is a half or quarter chicken served with French Fries , two pieces of White Bread , and a cup of Cole Slaw . The chicken may be all white meat, all dark meat, or a mix (known as regular). Harold's also sells wing dinners, and some restaurants offer catfish, perch, or other items. The chicken can be served plain, but is generally served with either hot or mild sauce. In Chicago-style fried chicken, most exemplified by Harold's, the sauce is drizzled over the chicken and fries. The chicken skin softens as it soaks up the sauce. Harold Pierce differed from other fast food innovators in his development of the Harold's brand. He wanted each of his franchises to develop its own personality rather than having all fit into the same mold. This quality continues today even as Harold's has expanded into other areas of Chicago. Thus, some Harold's restaurants are very informal, with take-away chicken served by employees standing behind a window of Bulletproof Glass . Others offer a more welcoming environment, in which most of the clientele dines in. Harold's Chicken Shacks may or may not offer fountain drinks, additional menu items, catering services, or delivery. The one constant is the basic chicken dinners and the emblem of a cook chasing a chicken with a hatchet. Even this varies greatly, sometimes rendered in lights and sometimes hand-painted. The cook and chicken do not have a uniform model, but are interpreted in many different ways. Harold's is an integral part of South Side culture. It is particularly popular among the students and faculty of the University Of Chicago , where legend has it that the research that won many of the University's Nobel Prizes was fueled by late night infusions of Harold's chicken. In addition, the restaurant is often referenced in the hip-hop community. The most prominent example of this is its appearance in Kanye West 's music video for his song "Through the Wire." |
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