Chicagoist: Ask Chicagoist: Where Can I Get a Tattoo?

Sal O

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:54:22 -0600

Outside the city there are some talented folks. Bud Weeks at Inktown Tattoo in Lombard is great. Sacred Art in Calumet City is worth a look. Drew at Blue Bird Tattoo in Portage, IN is awesome.

benno

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 21:29:29 -0600

Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery. It's just south of Western and Fullerton. Great work, really friendly, great art space as well.

nsf

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:01:44 -0600

It’s interesting to see a surge in tattoo experts. TV viewing must be at an all time high. I especially like the comment by MB about Chicago Tattoo “I've gotten some really bad tattoos (and most of the came from Chicago Tattoo.” MB you must not be that bright or maybe you are one of the crazy drunk Cub’s fans that go in there. If I went to get tattooed and I was unhappy with the tattoo I probably wouldn’t go back for another at that shop, let alone multiple ones like you have. Tattooing is a service based industry, whether or not you want to believe that or not and just like any other service business. Some customers need to be coddled and held and told that everything will be ok. Others need to be told that their idea no matter what the tattooer thinks of it, it is the best idea that the tattooer has ever heard of . Some people (god forbid) just want to walk in pick a design off the wall get it and leave. It takes all kinds. So before everyone goes and bashes everyone else, and thinks that there tattooer is the best on earth and that they really connected with them and their idea, check out other shops. Your needs aren’t the same as your friends or all the “hip bloggers” out there. Remember tattooers aren’t magicians if you want to get a good tattoo have a good solid idea, something that they can work from. Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and if you’re a jag to the tattooers they are gonna be a jag to you.

kcir

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:32:02 -0600

Hands down Taylor Street Tattoos...Check'em out and ask for Lana. I got a smoking tattoo from her. But just like anything in life. Have a clue...as to what you're looking for. I walked in and exchanged ideas and bamm..she took care of me. Took a few hours but it looks sweet. I've been to Jade and they did a good job but if you want something done bad-ass go to Taylor Street Tattoos.

bibliogrrl

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:12:01 -0600

Deluxe is amazing, and I agree with everything everyone has said. Chicago tattoo, though... I've had a LOT of work done there, and have never had a problem. Mario Desa does really good work. Tim Biedron actually used to work there before he worked at Deluxe (did a piece on my ex while he did). I like the people who work there, they're really nice guys. I'd reccomend not going in on a weekend night, or after a Cubs game, the douchebag customer factor can get pretty high. But if you go when they're not busy, they are more than happy to work with you on a custom piece, and do quality work.

Peter

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:19:48 -0600

Best tattoo shop is without doubt Deluxe on Irving Park. Great original work, and the artists are serious about what they do. Highly recommended.

pretorious

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:39:05 -0600

I was considering Deluxe for my next two pieces, but now Cherry Bomb is in the run... I do have two small tattoos from Chicago Tattoo Factory. They are pretty good if you want something simple or just a touch up, but not for anything big or they have to do more than trace. decent prices though. Jade Dragon is a horrible, horrible place. I have seen many good tattoo ideas go bad there, as well as a few misspellings. Their attitude and pricing are equally abominable. Don't even waste your time considering them.

gretchen

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:32:01 -0600

If you have a car, China Doll in Hammond, IN seems really fantastic. I got a piercing there ($20 everything included for waist up ones on Friday, woo), and everything seemed really clean and professional. They were also extremely nice. Sorry I'm not more knowledgeable about that tattoo part, but their prices seemed really reasonable.

Sven

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:53:57 -0600

Tattoo Factory in Uptown.

mike

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:32:29 -0600

For top-knotch work, you can't beat Deluxe or Cherry Bomb. p.s. Jade Dragon = garbage.

james

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:10:34 -0600

My personal recommendation would be Taylor Street Tattoo. It's very professional, yet at the same time friendly, and when you're finished you can get yourself a nice chunk [i dare not call them slices] of pizza at the Pompei bakery down the street. Parking in the area can be a bitch. though [mostly permit only]. When i got mine there they were really patient with the design process and explaining how to take care of it and they even told me if there were any problems [there weren't] that I could call them or drop by anytime. Really cool kids.

Mo

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:07:33 -0600

MJK, Your comparisons are completely off-base. Having someone ring up your pack of cigarettes is not the same thing as having someone permanently put a piece of artwork on you. When I say, have consideration for you as a person, I don't mean talking to you for hours about your love life; I'm talking about making sure your custom piece of work actually reflects your vision as well as the artist's. If all you want is flash, then that doesn't matter, but if you want a piece of custom work and you want it done well, you want an artist who is concerned with you as a person. But if you are the kind of person who doesn't give a crap if what you get inked is what you actually had in mind, then by all means, go to a strictly business place and leave appointments with more holistic artists to those of us who do.

MJK

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:35:00 -0600

"Please, people, do not go to Jade Dragon. I have never been myself, but I've heard it's very factory-like, in and out with very little consideration for you as a person. Just what I heard." Do get cush treatment from the cashier at Walgreens? Do you think that used carsalesman really gives a shit about your cat Tabby? Do you think that waiter goes home at night and thinks about how wonderful it was to serve you? These are tattoo artists, not therapists. It's their job, as it is anyones, to get people in and out so they can make more money. They rent those chairs by the month, so whatever they make after they pay their rent is theirs. If you are expecting them to sit and talk to you for free, they'll send you to the Polish florist next door. Sure it's pricy, but it's quality work. If I want consideration, I'll join the Red Hat Society.

alt

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:34:55 -0600

Brian Clutter and Insight Studio does really great work.

Stephen

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:11:32 -0600

Last year (I think) Time Out Chicago did a pretty good issue about what tattoo shops are best for what kind of work, etc. You can read it by Google-ing "time out chicago tattoo". (I tried linking here but it doesn't want to work.) Here's a link to that article.

Wes Sabi

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:53:13 -0600

I recommend Tatu Tattoo. Su Houston there is great! I would avoid Chicago Tattooing Co. as I have known plenty of people unhappy with their work, and they will tattoo very obviously drunk people which no reputable place should do.

Incndnz

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:51:21 -0600

DC

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:48:26 -0600

I completely agree about Hannah! I'm eagerly awaiting her return so I have her do my half-sleeve. The girl has skills! I've also heard great things about Tim B. at Deluxe.

MB

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:44:21 -0600

just FYI: Besides being a future reality tv star, Hannah may be the least accomplished of the Deluxe crew. Drop Tim Beidron's name at any shop in the U.S. and they'll know it. Same goes for Ben Wahhh, the shop's owner. It should be noted, then, that tattoos there need to be scheduled up to 3 months in advance. Also, Cherry Bomb Tattoo isn't really a shop, but the private venture of Kim Saigh (who is renowned in her own right). It is appointment only. Make sure you call ahead and know what you want for this one. Those are the best places to get custom tattoos in the city. The wait is long and the price is high ($150 an hour for some artists!) but you'll be happy to show it off when it's done. I've gotten some really bad tattoos (and most of the came from Chicago Tattoo.

Mo

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:44:15 -0600

Please, people, do not go to Jade Dragon. I have never been myself, but I've heard it's very factory-like, in and out with very little consideration for you as a person. Just what I heard. I got one of my tattoos at Deluxe, and while the artists there are fantastic and the place seems clean enough, I didn't click with my artist very much. Also, I took his advice to not keep my tattoo lotioned up all the time (like I had done for my other work), because he said it was better to let it go ahead and scab up and fall off--it would heal faster that way. So after the initial bacitracin ointment, I let it dry out, and I was in some serious pain for many days (it was a very large tattoo.) It kind of soured me on the place. Someone recommended Esther at Butterfat Studios. Her portfolio looks great, and I might go to her next.

MJK

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:27:27 -0600

Jade Dragon???