Harolds Chicken & Ice Bar - Charlotte

My family was in town and we ordered from Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar. We placed a togo order for a catfish platter and chicken platter. The server that took our order was so sweet, professional, and accommodating. We ordered our food around 6p and it was ready to pick up before 7pm. When I got there it took only a few minutes for the order to come out and it was piping hot. They made sure when they checked the order we had utensils, all the requested sauces and the sides. I love the vibes inside the restaurant and mentioned I needed to come back to sit at the bar. The music was on point. They made sure to mention all the specials they offer during the week. And they also host events, parties, etc. The food was bussin even with me having to drive home which was about 15 minutes away. The fish was well seasoned and the chicken was cooked perfectly with the right crunch. It came with slaw and bread. That fish had that bread nice and warm and I just added my hot sauce and mild sauce and went to town. I highly recommend this place for dinner, catering or a night out with friends/family.

I have come here a few times and there are a few consistencies that I’ve noticed: 1. Service is always pretty slow 2. I’ve never liked any of the drinks with alcohol 3. It tastes like everything is cooked in the same grease 4. Due to slow service, there’s always something my server forgets to bring that I ordered. I am desperately trying to find a good fried chicken restaurant in CLT, but unfortunately I may have to look elsewhere. I did like the specials on Wednesdays so I will still recommend that my friends try it out for themselves.

Unfortunately, this place is mid-tier. I waited before posting this review because I was on the fence, but I wanted to be honest so others know what to expect. I’ve been here before, and my experience was average at best—from the service to the food. I was disappointed, but still decided to give it another chance. Unfortunately, the second visit was the same, and this time there were bugs in my drink, which was the final straw. I was there working an event and ordered drinks for my wife and me. The bottle was not sealed—it had a bar spout on it—and there were bugs inside. The bartender did open a fresh bottle and resolved the issue, which I appreciate. However, seeing bugs in a bottle behind the bar raises serious concerns about cleanliness and oversight. Overall, a very disappointing experience.

Absolutely horrible! I waited over 45 min for pure- t -garbage. I am so terribly disappointed in this food and service! I spent almost $50 for this and I wouldn't serve this to my worst enemy. I did not check my food tonight, which I normally do, but due to being under the weather and also the lengthy wait time, I decided to chance it and that is what I did. When I arrived home, the look of the was not appealing at all, but because I had not eaten all day, I still tried to eat it, and it made me almost get sick! Never again Harold's Chicken & Ice cream bar! I tried calling several times to complain and only to get some type of automated answer. Now that I am just seeing some of the most recent reviews, I feel crazy that I did not do my thorough research as I normally do. I am upset with them, but also at myself for following my norm. If I would had checked the food at the location, I would had immediately asked for a refund.

Second time coming here on a Friday and the vibes were decent. The only thing I really can complain about is the fact that it took 22 minutes for a server to even approach our table and ask us if we had been helped yet. Once we finally had a server who said it wasn’t even her section, We had great service. The fried whiting, chicken and shrimp is good. Hookah was doing what it had to do and the drinks were fine. The music was OK and we noticed the DJ leave at like 930. I’ll come back when they have an event and see what the vibes are then

I ordered 4 Wings & Fries with a side Mild Sauce, a Pizza Puff, and a Southwestern Egg Roll. The Pizza Puff and Southwestern Egg Roll was fair (you get one of each). The Fries were fair as well. The Mild Sauce is necessary for the Wings. The wings were not good at all. They smell fishy. It’s obvious they weren’t fried fresh nor in fresh grease. Pictured is 3 and a half Wings because I truly do not like them at all. I also have a fish allergy and my throat does feel a bit scratchy because I didn’t eat much of it. So if you all are frying in fish grease please make people more aware. The service was fine. The atmosphere is ok. But the food is lacking. I probably would not eat here again. I wish I could get my money back. [Takeout Order #74: 8/23/25 at 7:17pm]

I have been conflicted with writing this review, but I feel as though I need to be honest. I attended Harold's on the grand opening night. It was a Friday evening and the place was packed. There was a cover of $30 to enter the VIP side otherwise the wait time was two hours plus should you do general entry. I paid the $30 and went in the VIP side which was less crowded. Once seated I attempted to order a Casamigo reposado cranberry and pineapple. The waiter told me it would be an additional $30 up charge because I wanted Casamigos. I'm gonna say that again, in addition to the cost of the drink because I wanted to order Casamigo, it would be an additional $30. So basically, I will be paying about $55-$60 bucks for one drink. That is ridiculous seeing as I had already paid $30 to enter a VIP side of the establishment just to be seated immediately. The service is slow. I mean it's slowwwww. I waited about an hour and a half before my food came out. I actually had to grab who I assumed was the owner to get my friend's food seeing as it did not come out at the same time. The gentleman was rather friendly and apologetic for the delay. The food was OK. I mean I've have better fish and chicken from a whole in the wall. I couldn't understand what the hype was. I'm not sure if the up charge is a True thing or a grand opening thing, but it really did put a sour taste in my mouth. I'm gonna be honest, I'll probably go back after the madness dies down just to see if I have a better experience. Charlotte folk sure know how to hype something up.