Harold's Chicken Shack — Restaurant in Rich Township

As a frequent customer to Harold’s in Matteson, particularly of the African American community, I was deeply disappointed in the lack of service I received on Friday June 12. I have two food allergies so when I called to ask if any of the food in the restaurant was made with MSG or High Fructose Corn Syrup I received a very rude response from the manager. I politely asked about the my allergy and I was told “Then you shouldn’t eat here”. After this response, I immediately decided to no longer do business with this location. My family member then went in the restaurant to discuss the issue in the person with the manager. The manager lied and told him that he explained to me that for my safety it was best to not eat at the location. He then claimed that the reason that he was short with me was because they were very busy. I am highly upset with the service my family and I received from this location. For the manager to present himself in two different forms is highly disrespectful. On the phone with me, he made me feel like I should have never called in the first place to inquire about my allergy. He also told my family member that because of COVID-19, they can not keep track of what is in their ingredients which is hard to believe. As a former restaurant employee, we are required to keep track of all ingredients in order to accommodate ANYONE with food allergies. During this time of social unrest and racial tension in America, I have chosen to support Black-owned and operated business; however, it is impossible to do so with POOR customer service. I refuse to spend my money at a black business that does not respect or understand health challenges of someone else in the black community. I do not experience these issues at other non-black owned restaurant. Why is it that black owned businesses refuse to show respect to their customers? As a result of my disappointment, I do not recommend the Matteson location of Harold’s to anyone in the area. You will do yourself a favor by driving an extra few miles to the Homewood or Frankfort location. I will NEVER go to the Matteson...

Ordered here several times. Don't know what happened this particular day. It was a group of young girls working the front. I ordered 2 1/2 whites with extra sauce. My husband go in to pick up order. He brings it back to the car and I'm like this is extremely lite. On the bags it stated 4 wings. As he wss taking it back in a young lady grabbed the bag and said this is my order. He went in to get our order. After getting home I opened the food and I noticed that we received 1 1/2 white and the other order was 1 breast, 1 wing and 2 chicken backs. Chicken backs are the spinal area of the chicken. I called Harolds several times but their number was busy. When I finally spoke to someone several days later he informed me that he was the manager and wss apologetic. He also said come and get your chicken. I informed Mr Deon or Deshawn. What ever his name is that I was not hungry and that I don't eat out in the streets often but when I'm ready I'll call. He stated to ask for him. So I called on Friday 2 weeks later. I asked for the manager. Mr Deon or Dashawn. He gets on the phone to inform me that that can't be true about receiving chicken backs because they don't sell chicken backs. I stated I know you don't sell chicken backs that's why I was confused. He then went on to tell me that I received chicken thighs. I informed him that they were backs. The spinal area. He said not true means ma'am. I was loss and confused. I thought we had this conversation already. It seem like it was turning into an argument. I simply told he we're not about to argue over what I know I received. I'm a cook and cut up a chicken with my eyes close. I stated to the manager thus shouldn't turn into an argument. Keep your food and have a great day. I'm done. One time only with me. We will not be arguing and you serving me food too. Nope. Never again in life. I don't know what they're doing in this place...

Chicken is seasoned and breaded pretty well. The flavor and freshness was good. I have ordered from there before and will likely order again. More recently, I ordered wings for a gathering and the chicken was prepared and ready for pick up on time. The staff was courteous. The only minor couple of issues I had were, 1.- When I called in advance get a price quote, I was quoted what I thought was a competitive price for 100 wings based on my calls with ither vendors. When I called back a couple of days later, I decided to order 75 wings based on my RSVPs, and the price was higher than what I was originally quoted for 100. I had waited until the day of to place the order (I ordered a few hours in advance since they advised they only required an hour's notice), Since I chose them based on the original price, and other vendors needed more advance order time, I didn't have any other option at the last minute. I would have appreciated being quoted the right price upfront so I could have factored that into my decision for choosing a vendor. 2.- The chicken had quite a bit of feathers still attached to a considerable amount of the wings in the pan. For the amount they charged for the wings, I would have liked not to have to remove feathers before serving my guests. It just looked unsightly. For me, those are minor enough that it won't stop me from placing future orders. The chicken was well-received by my guests, and I have also been pleased with other items I have ordered from the Matteson Harold's...