Chicago’s Famed Harold’s Chicken Shack Isn’t Coming to SXSW Anymore

Cable network Showtime is coming to Austin for South by Southwest, and it’s bringing South Side Chicago-famed Harold Chicken Shack for a pop-up centered on new television show The Chi. It takes place on Clive Bar on Friday, March 16 at 609 Davis Street off Rainey Street.

Update, March 16: Unfortunately, Harold’s isn’t coming to SXSW anymore. The fried chicken chain had to pull out because of a broken generator, according to a rep for Showtime.

Harold’s Chicken Shack is a Chicago fast-food institution, known for its fried chicken. The chain has been immortalized in songs by rappers Common and Lupe Fiasco. Chance the Rapper is so much of a fan that he had a themed-birthday cake that looked like fried chicken. It was founded in the 1950s by Harold and Hilda Pierce.

Meals will include chicken wings, chicken tenders, french fries, and fried okra. People attending the pop-up will be given one ticket, which they can exchange for food. The pop-up will be found on Clive’s deck.

Since The Chi takes place in Chicago (and even features a restaurant plotline), the food pop-up made sense. The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m.

SXSW’s other pop culture-related pop-ups include the Lanford Lunch Box from Roseanne and the Mariposa Saloon from Westworld.

• The Showtime House [SXSW]
• ‘The Chi’ Changes the Rules of TV Kitchens [E]
• All Coverage of Harold’s Chicken Shack [ECHI]