Harold’s Chicken
Chicken restaurant · Albemarle County ·

Harold’s Chicken

Chicken restaurant · Albemarle County ·

Freshly made chicken, huge tenders, flavorful greens, crisp catfish

friendly staff
made to order
generous portions
fresh out of the fryer
catfish
coleslaw
mac and cheese
chicken and waffles
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null
Harold’s Chicken by null

Information

385 Merchant Walk Sq, Charlottesville, VA 22902 Get directions

$10–20

Order delivery
See Menu
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Family friendly
Good for solo dining
Comfort food

Information

Static Map

385 Merchant Walk Sq, Charlottesville, VA 22902 Get directions

+1 434 465 2895
thefriedchickenking.com

$10–20 · Menu

Features

•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Family friendly
•Good for solo dining
•Comfort food
•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted
•Free street parking

Last updated

Jan 29, 2026

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391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

The White Sox Are Making Their Own Mild Sauce For Their Park’s Fried Chicken | Eater Chicago

"The White Sox used Harold’s Chicken Shack as the inspiration for their chicken-and-waffles and mild-sauce treatment—Executive Chef Bret Donaldson said they reverse-engineered the recipe—and while the popcorn chicken at Sox Park won’t make anyone’s list of favorite chicken shacks, I see it as a respectful tribute to a familiar South Side taste." - Ashok Selvam

https://chicago.eater.com/2022/8/19/23313354/chicago-white-sox-mild-sauce-fried-chicken-pork-chop-sandwich-paletas-guaranteed-rate-field
Harold’s Chicken
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Chicago’s West African Frozen Food Brand Is Shaking Up the Grocery Game | Eater Chicago

"A well-known fried-chicken outpost chain; the founder spent three years operating one early in his career, an experience that preceded his later food-industry ventures." - Naomi Waxman

https://chicago.eater.com/2022/6/16/23169853/ayo-foods-west-african-frozen-grocery-shopping-chicago
Harold’s Chicken

Yolanda E.

Google
Came here on a Saturday night at 8:05 and it was empty. Which I was surprised. I ordered chicken and waffles and the man taking my order was super friendly. The chef looked like he meant business so I knew the food was going to be good. I got the food to go but even so they wrapped it well that once I got home the food was still warm. The whole car ride home it was so tempting to start eating the food then because it smelled so good. The fries were your standard fries and were tasty, the waffle was fluffy, now as for the chicken (1 breast & 1 wing) it was so flavorful. Whatever they seasoned the chicken with was on point. The picture below is of my picky 4 yr old digging at the bones, he told me next time I go that I needed to buy him an order all for himself. I will definitely be going again and this time will eat it there in the restaurant

Monica G.

Google
I love whole fried chicken wings. Saturday was my 1st time trying Harold’s Chicken. I was told by a loyal customer who was waiting for their food Harold’s Chicken was the best and he has ordered for his job. I ordered 4 wings & fried, it was the best chicken wing & fries I have ever had. I will be going back to try their fried fish.

Michelle

Google
If youre living in cville and getting chicken from any major franchise (Popeyes, canes, etc)...what are you doing! Do yourself a favor, order ahead so by the time you head over there your order is ready and chow down on some really good chicken! It's decently priced and made to order so its honestly hard to beat. This is the second time I've ordered from this place, and there was no difference in quality. The owner even threw in a few extra drumsticks! I highly recommend this establishment!

Tiffany D

Google
Service was good. The restaurant was good and clean. I ordered the liver and wings with fries and slaw. The wings was ok. The livers didn’t taste quite right ( but they may taste fine to the next person). Slaw was good but comes in very tiny 2oz container.

Spring C.

Google
To each their own but I’m not sure where the bad reviews come from. We got off the train called Harold’s @ 9:22 pm and the lady was so nice and took our order. We got the 3 wings/gizzards w/fries & slaw. We also got a side of mac. By the time we got there food was ready and staff was friendly! I didn’t get a pic of the other food cause we demolished it! Cons: We thought the macaroni and cheese was a little salty. Give’um a try!

Ambere M.

Google
Out of towners who were just passing through and needed something to eat- originally we were going to Burger Fi, but it's now closed down. I'm glad it was because our experience at Harold's Chicken was great! I got tenders and fries. My husband got livers, wings and fries. It also came with slaw. The chicken tenders were huge! Everything was cooked to order making it hot and fresh. The seasoning on the chicken and fries was sooo good! Livers and wings were also delicious according to my husband. Mild and hot sauces were good. Even the coleslaw was great. No complaints! We would return! Also, both the restaurant and bathrooms were clean!

Brian W.

Google
This is the best fried chicken in Charlottesville. Plus, the sides are delicious! Everything tastes like it was made fresh and with so much flavor. This is a must try!

Heather S.

Google
I have NO idea how this place doesn’t have a 5 star review….!!!! The service is top notch, the staff is friendly and remembers your faces, they make everything FRESH on the spot and the food is TOP tier! We come to Charlottesville once a week and this is our new place to stop now! I also would like to add they are NOT stingy on their portions!
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John Penn T.

Yelp
Fried Catfish and chips with side of Okra was delicious! This was our first visit to Harold's and so we asked for recommendations. We were not disappointed and will definitely return! Portions are very generous! Don't over order
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Pascale S.

Yelp
We got Harold's take out on a Sunday night for dinner. Went for the 12 piece dark meat bucket for 3 people and some sides. All together was more than enough for us with leftovers to spare. The chicken was the stand out food item here. Cooked to order and by the time we got home 15 minutes later it was still hot and fresh. Really really delicious! For sides we got 2 biscuits, family fries, large mac and cheese, and coleslaw. The biscuits were okay although not my favorite, a little softer and sweeter than I expected. The fries and coleslaw were good, and the mac and cheese was really good I just wish the large portion had been a bit bigger to share. The bucket of chicken came with a large cup of mild sauce which was plenty, and then we also added on 2 small cups of hot sauce to try. My favorite was definitely the hot sauce, very vinegary and perfectly spicy! The staff were friendly when we were picking up too. I would definitely return or recommend to a friend.
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Tara C.

Yelp
Excellent fried chicken!! The best I've had in years. Staff were friendly, professional, and efficient!
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Mercedes W.

Yelp
This food spot on 5th street extension was inedible the Mac and cheese had nothing but pepper. the fish was very dry no meat and had bones in it. The food was really nasty. The service sucked it was slow and we waited over 30 min for our food.

Randall C.

Yelp
The food was damned good, and there was a lot of it! The service was really good - nice workers with a friendly demeanor - and the dining area was clean and well-kept. The chicken was on par with old-school Browns or GoCo (circa ~2000-2010), and everything came piping hot, fresh out of the fryer. All in all, I am very satisfied with my first experience of this place.

Joe F.

Yelp
The food was okay. I would go there again for the food but the service was horrendous. I get that good help is hard to find especially on a Sunday afternoon. But my lord. The person taking the order was sleep walking through his day and was generally annoyed by my existence. It took 34 minutes to get our food and when I asked for ketchup he rolled his eyes. If I was paying for cheap food I could almost understand but it is not inexpensive. Maybe it would have been a completely different experience on a weekday with their first team crew in there.

Epeeist F.

Yelp
If you are going to brave Harold's, call ahead first. They are very slow to prepare the food. It took around 25-30 minutes to make my small order. Seems like there are usually only 2 people working in the store at a time. My wife and I got the catfish, some tenders, Mac and Cheese and fries. Service from the cashier was odd but adequate. I am just always weirded out by someone wearing headphones and not making eye contact with me while they are taking my order. He wasn't friendly or rude, just kind of acted like I wasn't really there. The food was a disappointment. The fish was not good. I am pretty sure it was not catfish but was tilapia or something along those lines. The only flavor it had was salt and lots of pepper. Same for the fries. The tenders were overcooked and also very heavily salted and peppered. The mac and cheese, not salty but swimming in pepper. Like an insane amount for mac and cheese. Odd service, not good food, don't recommend at all.
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Dar S.

Yelp
Delicious! The chicken is perfectly prepared crispy not greasy and the perch was delicious! From the kid's nuggets to the shrimp everything was good. The people are welcoming with excellent service in a carry out or casual setting. We were a hungry party of six and our order was accurate, not super fast because it's cooked fresh! We'll be back :)

Sam M.

Yelp
Chicken delicious, crispy, tender and moist. Every order prepared fresh, so not fast food.
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Matt L.

Yelp
Good chicken, probably a bit better than Wayside. Generous portions too. Service still feels a bit uneven but I'm sure they'll get it sorted out. Call ahead (or order then get your groceries) as it does take 15-20+ minutes--on the other hand, you can be sure it's fresh.

Leslie W.

Yelp
I will never go back there again the services was terrible and I had to ask the cook to put gloves on on while handing my food it was not good experience for me I would tell my friends and family not to give them your money 0

Nita M.

Yelp
Today 11/5 I ordered a perch fish dinner from HAROLD'S along with 2 sides. The dinner with added charges for credit card came to $32.36 The perch was nothing but batter with mushy slimy substance in the middle of mounds of batter. When I called and spoke to manager she claimed the person who picked up ordered did something to the order. The order arrived in tack and unsealed. This was obviously not perch. I will reach out to Charlottesville health department to see if they can determine what I was given. My stomach is already cramping and at 76 years old I don't know what I ate. Stay far away from this place as they take no responsibility for serving sub standard food

Sabrina W.

Yelp
Much of the food was inedible, too salty and the order was partially wrong. The website does not really tell you what you get with the dinner, unless I am missing something when I ordered the website didn't say with fries and warm coleslaw. I still ordered and asked for an extra biscuit ( was not received). My family and I still gave the food a try and much of the food was over seasoned or fried extremely hard. The catfish bites was just a catfish filet torn into larger chunks than a nugget and fried hard. The fries were over seasoned, the greens had way too much pepper in it the macaroni and cheese had too much pepper. The biscuit is doused in sweet butter not included in the description of the food. I purposely called for clarification on ordering and ended up ordering over the phone. Which was not a big deal the young man who answered was extremely helpful and explained how your system works and about picking up food orders etc. I appreciate the phone call back about who would be picking up the food. Thank you !

James S.

Yelp
Incredibly rude staff who spoke to me like I was trying to scam them after they screwed up my order.