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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.
… moreDanielle Ferguson
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.
… moreNora Voss
If disappointment had an address, it would be Harold’s Chicken and Ice Bar. I walked in hoping for a solid spot to grab lunch since it is right by one of my offices, and instead I was greeted by a dirty mop stench that hit me in the face like it had been marinating in a bucket of nostalgia and neglect. The place smelled like someone tried to clean up a disaster but the disaster won.
The uncleanliness was not hiding either. It was out in the open like it pays rent. The floors looked tired, the tables looked confused, and I am pretty sure the walls were whispering help me to each other. And the bugs. Lord have mercy the bugs. Flies were holding their own family reunion. A couple of them seemed like they had been there longer than the furniture. At one point I was convinced a fly winked at me like he knew I was not staying long.
The food did not save the day either. The portions were just ok. Not generous. Not exciting. Just there. Enough to say you ate something but not enough to make you feel good about it. The catfish tasted freezer burnt like it had been living its best frosty life since 1998. The chicken was just ok which honestly was the biggest compliment I could manage. Nothing about it screamed fresh or seasoned or even mildly enthusiastic.
The service matched the vibe. Slow and slightly rude, and somehow still chaotic. The server looked overwhelmed with just two tables like she was juggling a full restaurant in her mind. I waited so long for my food I started mentally clocking in like I worked there too. Every time I tried to get someone’s attention, I felt like I needed to file a request in writing and hope for the best.
And speaking of the name, I still do not understand why they call it an Ice Bar. What bar does not have ice. Why advertise it like it is a luxury. Unless the ice is doing taxes in the back or performing live on Thursdays, it does not need a shout out in the title. The whole thing feels suspicious.
Overall the entire experience felt like the restaurant was running on auto pilot and had been for a while. I really wanted to like this place since it is close to one of my offices, but I think I would rather walk ten blocks in the rain than eat another sad freezer burnt catfish fillet while swatting flies that act like they own the building.
Harold’s Chicken and Ice Bar might have chicken, it might have ice, but the bar is definitely low.
… moreK Hawkins
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.
… moreGreg “Carey Media” Carey
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.
… moreKisha “Kisha”
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.
… moreDestane’ Williams
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
… moreCheRee Mimms
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]
… moreTrey Williams
I was visiting the area for a day, and heard of Harold’s many times. I was excited to try it and drove 46 minutes to get takeout. It was not ready when I got there, which wasn’t bad because I was able to observe the space. Aesthetically it was very pleasant and the staff seemed very friendly and helpful. My order was relatively simply, but it was executed very poorly. Upon arriving back with the food I realized the mistake I made ordering from this establishment. My food was very overcooked and seasoned poorly. There were also missing items from my order. After seeing this, we threw the food away and went to Bojangles (which was closer, cheaper, and cooked properly). I’m very disappointed being that I really wanted to support my people. Although the atmosphere was inviting I don’t see myself ever going back. I really should have read the reviews prior to ordering. I hope after seeing this the kitchen staff is brought up to speed, because there should not be a reason for a black owned establishment can’t simply fry chicken the right way.
… moreallymc
I really should’ve called for a refund. To be under the Harold’s franchise, is an embarrassment. The chicken wings I ordered were fried in old oil and completely unseasoned. Tread lightly..
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