Our Love Letter to Harold's Chicken Shack: A Chi Institution
Harold’s is more than a chicken spot — It’s a Chicago institution. There are stories of NBA MVP Derrick Rose getting bottles of their famous mild sauce brought to his home. Kanye West set a music video at Harold’s. It’s even been name-dropped by a certain former U.S. president. But somehow, even with dozens of franchise locations, it’s been able to maintain a community feel and remains a must-try for anyone coming to the city (but newcomers be warned: you better know your order before you get to the counter). Shakeia Taylor recently wrote about Harold’s legacy for the Eater. She and journalist (and City Cast friend) Arionne Nettles talk with host Jacoby Cochran about the history of the iconic chicken joint, their orders, and where the best (and worst) locations are. Plus, we hear from a former Harold’s franchise owner.
In the newscast, we mentioned the lobbying efforts for the 2024 DNC to be held in Chicago. You can revisit our episode with City Cast Las Vegas — who’s also in the running — here.
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
How Chicago Latinos Are Changing Neighborhoods
Little Village was once known as the city's largest Latino neighborhood, but a new report found Belmont Cragin now has the largest Latino...

Art Institute Returns Nazi-Looted Painting. Plus, Fourth Shedd Beluga Dies
The Art Institute of Chicago is returning a 113-year-old painting to the family of its original owner after an investigation revealed it...

Why Are There Sukkahs in North Lawndale? Plus, Chicago’s Queer-Affirming Churches
Contributors Anna DeShawn and Adora Namigadde join us with picks from the Chicago Underground and International Film Festivals. Plus, we...

Are Illinois’ County Jails in Crisis? Plus, Big Changes at MSI
Following a historic number of deaths in 2023, growing concerns over standards violations, and an investigation into ongoing unreporting,...

Where Are the Flock Cameras? Plus, Circus on the River
Today we’re talking about the rise of Flock automatic license plate reading cameras on college campuses, including at the University of I...

More Chicagoans Can’t Afford Food. Plus, Fall Storefront Theater
This year, Chicagoans have seen more grocery stores close on the South and West Sides, SNAP benefits stripped from tens of thousands of h...

Who Owns the Word 'Dope'? Plus, Chicago's Divviest Summer Ever
Today we’re talking about a local historian’s fascinating copyright battle, the rise of microcinemas and film clubs, and the ‘Divvyficati...

Who’s Building Guerrilla Bus Benches in Ukrainian Village? Plus, Fall in the Air
A neighborhood group is building bus benches in Ukrainian Village. But will the city remove the unauthorized infrastructure? Executive pr...

Who’s All Running For Mayor? Plus, Live From Printers Row
Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially announced his campaign for a second term in office. He enters alongside more than a dozen challenger...

City Expands Free Narcan. Plus, Best of Open House Chicago
Chicago’s Department of Public Health has worked diligently in recent years to expand access to free Naloxone/Narcan, the opioid overdose...

