Harold’s Chicken coming to Sycamore

SYCAMORE – A franchise that has grown out of the fryers of the South suburbs of Chicago is coming to DeKalb County in August.

Harold’s Chicken Shack will open its newest location on Peace Road in Sycamore on Aug. 9.

The area’s newest fried chicken joint will bring a flavor known to Chicagoans for more than 50 years out to corn country.

That’s why Asielsel Mitchell and Brian Fleming, the owners of the new establishment, collaborated to open the new business venture – they want local residents to experience the food they love.

“You have something good, and you want everybody to know about it – you want them to taste it, experience that same love,” Mitchell said. “We want them to get that chicken because I know we love it, and a lot of people from Chicago who moved to DeKalb, they love it.”

The restaurant may have chicken in its name, but it also serves catfish nuggets, gizzards and a handful of other items. It also will serve a drink that no other restaurant in the county currently offers: Kool-Aid.

Fleming said the store’s late hours will help business and give area residents an opportunity to eat into the wee hours of the morning.

“We close Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 2 in the morning. So there’s nothing else open,” Fleming said. “The only thing that’s open after midnight in Sycamore is McDonald’s, and they close at midnight. So if you work a second shift or you’re going to a third shift, we’re going to be here.”

Fleming, a DeKalb County resident since 1997, said community involvement is how he’ll measure the success of the business.

“We definitely want to make sure that we aggressively get involved with a lot of community activities, whether it be high schools, nonprofits, giving back to certain entities, as well as exposure,” he said.

Mitchell, who’s been in the area for almost 10 years, think’s it’s important that their new business helps bring families together.

“We want to cater to the family environment as well because, you know, pre-COVID you could go somewhere, bring your family and enjoy your meal,” she said. “And then post-COVID it’s been kind of sketchy. Like it hasn’t been easy to go places.”

When they open their doors to the public Aug. 9 at 265 W. Peace Road in Sycamore, they’ll have a family-friendly atmosphere with bounce houses out back and a live DJ in the front.

“We’re just going to celebrate,” Fleming said. “We anticipate selling out, so please get here early.”