I waited until my tattoo healed before I could write the review. I’m super happy with my artwork. My oldest son is a solider who is being deployed and while home on leave we decided to get tattoos. This was a fairly last minute decision, because of his time constraints. We looked up the reviews and called on a Friday night to get«inked.» Mikey, stayed late to make the tattoos possible, late doesn’t really cover it… we finished at 3:30 am! Never did he rush to finish and added all the fine details. We wanted something meaningful and different from the usual scriptures soldiers tend to get. Since I’m a «Mama bear» when it comes to my kids, that’s what I wanted, and my son has exactly the same tattoo… His Mama, «always has his back.» Mikey took our idea and really created a colorful meaningful piece, it healed well and gave this«Mama bear» and her«cub» something special.
Asura O.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Aurora, IL
I got my first tattoo here last month when I turned 18, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. The wait was not long, Craig was so friendly and made me comfortable, did magic tricks for me, and it hardly hurt! He also gave me a surprise discount for it being my birthday, which was awesome. If I want another tattoo this will be where I come, and I’ve already recommended it to several friends.
Jose E.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Aurora, IL
Got swords added to my shield. Brian did an awesome job. Proffesional courteous. Brian has 15 years experience and does great job. The place is well kept. Place has good atmosphere. Owner craig was pretty cool, came to see how things were going. I will return for more tattoos in the future.
Rich P.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Naperville, IL
This place is ok if you want to get a quick little one or two hour piece done, but do not and I repeat DONOT get any work done here that will require multiple sessions. They do not take appointments and the only way to get in with an artist is to show up and get out on a list. They will not even let you phone in the same day to get on a list, you have to actually show up and wait. The past three Saturdays in a row I have showed up to try to get in to see my artist so he could work on the second session of my tattoo with no luck of getting any work done on a tattoo that I am estimating will take a total of four3−4 hour sessions. Yesterday was the final straw when I showed up at 12:40pm, less than 10 minutes after they opened, they told me there was only one person ahead of me and asked me to come back at around 4:00pm. I showed up at 3:58 and they told me my artist was still busy. He said he would need an additional 45 minutes to an hour, I told him to call my cell phone when he was ready. I didn’t end up hearing from him until nearly 8:00pm when he told me that I would once again have to re-schedule again for another day. I am going to have to find another artist and a more reputible studio to complete my work. This makes three Saturdays in a row that I have attempted to get a second sitting in without any luck. Consider yourself warned, stay away!!! Don’t make the same mistake I made, learn from my mistake and find another studio, there are plenty of others in the area.
Kelly E.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Aurora, IL
got my 2nd, 3rd and 4th tat here. great artist. i felt very comfortable and i definitely will keep going back
Eliz H.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Elgin, IL
I love this place! Craig Murphy has done 3 of my tattoos and the latest one was in memory of my Mother and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect tattoo! Craig is an incredible artist and he and the staff there are great. I would highly recommend getting a tattoo here!
Andriana K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Batavia, IL
I got 2 of my 3 tattoos here. The only one I didn’t get was because I didn’t know it existed when I got my first one. Craig did my first one and Charlie did my second. Craig was by far my favorite person ever and I would go to him time and time again if I had money to get all the tattoos I want! His price was PHENOMENAL and most people tell me they would charge me like 4 times what Craig did. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life and I will be back as soon as I have enough money saved!
Grace C.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Yorkville, IL
Very disappointed in the tattoo I received along with the price. Originally quoted $ 150 he then shrunk it twice and charged me $ 200 when it looked almost nothing like the picture and very little detail almost cartoonish. When a customer is unsatisfied then the manager should step in and try to resolve the issue. Aka fix the tattoo that his employee f*ed up since he over charged me in the first place. This is the second time and second tattoo in the last 4 years it has happened. I would NOT recommend going here unless you are going to Dan. Go in the daytime also before they are baked/high and screw up your tattoo.
Amanda S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
I love this place and will not go anywhere else for a piercing or tattoo :)!
Adam D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Plainfield, IL
Kivaka was great! He did my piercing and was very down to earth an laid back. He also answered all my questions in full detail. He made sure everything was covered.
Heather M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Oak Brook, IL
I had a touch up done here. I have to say the staff is very friendly. Not your typical hard @ss tattoo shop. I went to a few other places asking for opinions on what they could do to fix my tattoo. Everyone else gave me attitude and said well I wouldn’t have placed it there. Just nothing but attitude and seemed to be brushed off because it was a small job. My husband and I walked in and Craig the owner was nothing but nice. He was very down to earth and did a awesome job. I was not over charged either. Great color and had great ideas to fix my tattoo. I would go back for my next tattoo and not fuss around with other shops.
Ell K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Aurora, IL
I’ve had 5 of my piercings done here, my nose, monroe, tragus, nipples and clit hood. Kivaka is the nicest and most professional piercer I’ve been to, I highly recommend him to any person who needs a piercing done. He has an amazing reputation and if you’re nervous he makes you feel comfortable. All of his piercings are done very well, you can see a lot of the dif things he’s done in the gallery on
Cristina G.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Aurora, IL
I’m not one to get tattoos because I’m terrified of needles so when my friend asked me to go with her to get her tattoo done I was a little worried. After coming here I would seriously consider getting tattooed here. This is a cute little shop that is located right off New York st in what used to be a house. They have plenty of parking in the front as well as the back. The staff is incredibly talented and nice. They make you as comfortable as possible and come up with some amazing designs. It is first come first served so you have to get there early if you want to be worked on first. Her tattoo ended up looking beyond amazing and she was very pleased with the work, Ryan did an amazing job. The owner Charlie is also a magician and he does a trick for you after you get tattooed. BONUS! Probably one of the best shops in the area.
Andrew W.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Chicago, IL
@Nettie c. are you a woman? Then of course he put you at ease, refer to my original post. I am sure although he prefers the young’ins age is most likely not an issue for him. I stand by my first review, I would not go back to this shop. I got the white spot in my tattoo filled in at another tattoo shop, that shall remain nameless.
Bridget l.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
some of the best work i have ever seen. Dan Plumley is outstanding.