Rev Billy’s Chop Shop

Excellent customer service. Everyone should get their hair done here. Recently I had my haircut and while there was a lot of chaos before the holidays and my stylist being late Billy treated me like a valued client and made sure every second I waited I was being pampered. From offering drinks or scalp and hair treatments I cannot express my satisfaction with only this review. (actually this is my third review and each time I have more good things to say). I didn’t have anywhere to be and this being my 7^th or so haircut at this place and having always loved my results I didn’t mind waiting a bit especially when I was treated so well. This place has great prices. Amazing cuts. And fantastic customer service. Thanks for being so awesome-​now EVERYONE go to this place!!!

Funky yet unpretentious salon. Also, a $ 25.00 haircut, blow dry, & style is about the best deal anywhere. Did I mention that you can have a cold beer? Josh cut my hair, & had helpful suggestions & ideas, as I wanted to go from long & straight to short & curly. I will definitely be back.

who knew?! the shop, the design, the artwork, the music, and the cutest couple (amanda and billy) … amazing! i recently adopted my friend, rev Billy, after loosing my regular hairstylist. i love how he takes the time to listen to you and also offer his artistic, creative suggestions. suggestions i would never have thought of, and was alittle afraid of… but fell in love with! Great cuts and colors… EVERY TIME! He truly cares about his work and making you happy!
i’m HIS and he is MY guy for life!

Picture me as a retro cartoon, coming into Rev Billy’s as a slovenly person, and coming out as a polished, renewed person. Except I’m not polished at all… I’m a neat, punky hard femme, and Jennifer makes me the best looking hard femme I can be.
I was totally a DIY haircuttin’ kinda woman until I wanted haircuts with more character and finesse. Before I stepped into Rev Billy’s, I had researched salons for about a week. I called a handful of them, and got quotes for like $ 60. I had a simple undercut at the time, and all I needed was the top trimmed. I was not going to go from free haircuts, to $ 60 trims.
I was really relieved to find Billy’s shop, and was paired up with Jennifer. SO glad, because she really turned the teal mop on my head into a style I absolutely adored. And Jennifer is such a joy to be around! She gives great suggestions that pertain to the style I want without pressuring me or shaming me for attempting to cut and dye my own hair, which I really appreciate. Also, even though I’ve been here several times, I still can’t believe a haircut is only $ 25. Best $ 25 on haircuts I’ve ever spent!

This place is awesome! Been here twice and Jennifer is my wizard. I love that she is as excited as I am about the final product :) She also manages to get exactly what I’m looking for from my very vague «I kinda want something that maybe looks like kind of…» directions by asking questions. I have dark hair and Jennifer explained what mix of colors would work better to get the color I wanted and why.
There is some really cool art on the walls to look at while you wait. I also love that booking an appointment online is super easy.
I am very happy I found Rev Billy’s Chop Shop!

Best place to get your haircut in the city! Period. Billy is great, staff is very friendly! Go here!

My first time at the salon and it was a great experience. They have a good vibe and offer a pbr or water so that’s fun :)
Harlow was my stylist and she rocks. She explained all the products I should use and why to use them. No one had really done that for me before.
I have fine hair and a lot of it and it had been 9 months since my last cut so my ends were awful and she cut and styled my mane with ease!

I’ve been a customer of Rev Billy since 2009 and have followed him to a couple salons while he and Amanda worked to get their own place open. He helped me grow out a chin length shag down to the middle of my back, all while keeping it healthy and red. (Not my natural color).
And when I decided to shave my head for cancer fundraiser, he was right there with his clippers ready to volunteer! He’s got a blank slate to work with and I’m excited to see where we head next.

Went to The Chop Shop for the first time this weekend! Billy gave me the best haircut I have ever received in my life! Not only did he explain what we were doing but he knew exactly what I wanted and what would work on me!
Everyone there was nice and welcoming! The place is very cool! I love listening to AC/​DC when getting a haircut!
I WON’T BE GOING ANYWHERE ELSE! THANKS BILLY!

Billy & his team do a fantastic job. He colored my hair 10 weeks ago, when I decided to change the shade of red, he did a color correction so it would come out right, and it looks fantastic. I also wanted to change how my bangs were, he listens and makes sure he understand what you want prior to cutting, he wants you to love your cut so he will keep asking questions to ensure you get the cut you want. If you’re not happy, he wants to know so that it can be corrected.
We also took our 13 year old niece in for her birthday to get her hair colored, she need a color correction from a box job, and has very thick hair. The stylist took it all into consideration and the final result looked amazing, she was a very happy girl for the start of the school year.

The third star is for offering a PBR while you wait.
I normally cut my own hair, but recently decided I would like to have a real stylist in my life. I had read great things about the Chop Shop, so I was excited to give it a try.
I went to Rev. Billy and being generous, I will say maybe I caught him on a bad day? He was about 15 min late (which I normally wouldn’t care about…) His initial launch was «I won’t look at a picture of what you want». He said I should tell him, but I didn’t feel there was much space for that. Also, anything I did tell him was greeted with criticism. He asked me which shampoo I use (a simple Aveda shampoo, God forbid) and this might have tripped a switch. This led to some irritated banter on Aveda selling out… Other small product companies selling out… None of which I cared about at all. It might have been better to allow that time for talking about my hair or products/​styling to achieve what I’m looking for.
The experience continued to be uncomfortable, and I stopped wanting to say anything at all. The Reverend was prickly, but he did cut my hair a little. Not any shorter because he decided I shouldn’t do that. He also chimed in, irritated, with a customer trying to do a product return. Again, perhaps a bad start to the day for him.
So now the cut is finished. Meanwhile, there is a guy waiting that walked in minutes after I did. I got tossed under a dryer, which was blowing straight down on my head, working against any hope of the «lift» I was hoping for. I guess this was so he could get to the guy who had been waiting this whole time? After sitting under this dryer, with NO product in my hair, which is a bad idea when you have curly, dry hair, there was no talk of what to do with the new shorter pieces around my bangs or how to style it, not even a blow dry…
Perhaps this experience was an anomaly, but I felt it should be shared.

I have been looking for a stylist that will listen to what I’m going for and provide honest suggestions/​feedback. I have found that artist: Rachel B! My hair is currently not where I want it, but it looks perfect every time I get up from the chair as we get my hair to where I want it to be. We both agree that this will be a process to get my hair to the exact style I want. Rachel has been amazing! She told me that while we get there she doesn’t want me to look bad so she makes special touches and gives me suggestions on what we should do so I look good while I’m getting to the style I want. This service is what I’ve been looking for! She even remembered our conversation from the first time I came in.
The environment is relaxing and everyone has been pretty cool. I was offered water and a beer. They have an amazing Chicago flag art image on the ceiling and other art pieces around.
I would suggest making an appointment. You can call or you can make an appointment online.
I travel from Hyde Park just to get my haircut. Yes, I’ll travel for great service, good people, and an awesome place!

I had virgin hair; brown, straight and never colored. With equal parts timidity and vision I walked into my color consultation. I wanted blonde.
I lacked any sort of hair/​color schooling and billy made sure before I committed or booked my appointment that I was educated on the realities of such a major transition. I walked out fully versed on the products that would be used, the budget they required and what my expectations should be for maintenance.
On the day I became a blonde, «You’ve come to the place where here’s the bridge, jump off» billy said.
I am now several months into my new white blonde hairdo. I’m happy, my hair is healthy, my mother hates it and I’ve never felt more bad ass in my life.
So head north on Lincoln ave, you can’t miss the neon side, just ask for the reverend.

Billy is a man of his trade! my girlfriend goes to his shop and billy tells her things about her hair and skin that no other shop would mention but every hairdresser or barber knows such as pH balances and when you’re over-​shampooing your hair or using such things as baking soda to clean your hair which damages your hair. Glad he opened his own shop! She always comes home happy and when she gets her hair colored, it doesn’t come home dry or fried like other places has done to her to cause her hair brittle and scalp dry. There’s been a few times where she went from super dark hair to super light hair where billy took it in steps so it doesn’t damage her hair or scalp. I salute him for that! Highly recommended!

Praise the Lord and pass the conditioner! If you are seeking a new look for your hair, but also want a place that is relaxed and fun… Rev Billy’s Chop Shop is the place! The vibe and décor are super laid back. The shop sponsors local artists’ work and they change them regularly. You can even buy one, if you are so inclined.
A place that offers me a beer or beverage when I walk in? Yes, please! (though it was a bit early for me, nice touch!) Great music playing? Check! Open, funky and shiny décor add to the «Chop Shop» feel.
Now…on to the actual service…
Jennifer M is my stylist. She is warm, funny and will give you an amazing experience! She first asked me about what I was looking for in a hair cut and my styling routine. I am very low maintenance most of the time, but, I still pull out the hot rollers once in a while. Meaning… I usually do not even blow dry my hair, I wear it up for work during the week. She understood and asked how much of my hair I was willing to part with. We agreed on a modest trim and a general shaping up of my scraggles.
Next came a glorious scalp massage/​shampoo. Mmmmm… Love a good massage of my noggin! Jennifer asked if I minded if she used a straight razor for my cut. Not at all. Using a razor requires more skill than a pair of shears. Done incorrectly, you end up looking like an extra from Sid and Nancy. Done correctly… and mine was… the hair has movement and life you do not get from shears.
The cut was finished with some nice products that smelled glorious (not pushy with products. love that), simple blow dry and I love my hair! If you want a new look, done in a fun environment, go see Jennifer M at Rev Billy’s Chop Shop. Oh… almost forgot the best part… the price will not blow you away like some of the fancier places. Haircuts start at $ 25. Yes… that is correct. Go, see for yourself!

I’ve been coming to Billy since 1998. I’ve completely trusted him with my color, cut, and products. After almost 20 years of having deeply rich red hair, I’ve asked to go apricot-​colored. He broke down the steps, explained the worst-​case scenario and gave me a ballpark cost. I’m thrilled with the quality of his service, the helpful and thoughtful approach that Billy and Amanda give to their business. It’s a great atmosphere, gorgeous space, and I’ve never left feeling ugly.

This in my review from my very first haircut by Rev. Billy at Big Hair. Still keep using him at this new location because he is really good.
I just love that this place! Six months ago I was out looking for a place to get my haircut for a good price. Personally, I steer clear of the corporate places and chains and opt for small local places like this one.
I was super happy to find Big Hair. While I was momentarily hesitant to get my hair cut by a male, I just knew I wanted to get my hair cut.
This was THE BEST FRIGGIN EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD, so six months later I returned again for a trim.
I went online to their reso system and picked a time and went in again for a haircut with Rev. Billy the guy who cut it the first time.
They started using organic products since my last visit and the Rev. is really passionate about keeping bad chemicals out of my hair.
He is really talented as well as sweet. Even calling my gray hairs, sparklies when I told him of my hatred of them had me dying my hair myself to cover them up.
I will return to Rev. Billy for help on my color and sparklies in the future months.
And for anyone who doesn’t care to have boobs stuffed in your face while getting your hair washed, I highly recommend you go here and get your hair done completely boobfree by Rev. Billy.
I know there is a female stylist, so if you enjoy this sort of experience while getting your hair washed, just make an appointment with her!
O o! and their art and décor is great!

Billy has been styling my hair for years, I just follow him around Chicago. I love his new shop, the vibe is awesome, it’s clean and welcoming. I love that I can trust Billy to tell me honestly what my hair should be doing, but he will also talk it out with me if I want to do something new.
Go here today!

I’m not sure why it took me so long to come in to see Billy and have him cut my hair, as a large number of my friends are long-​time clients and friends of his. I must be a dummy for procrastinating as long as I did because not only did I get the exact haircut I wanted, but I had a great time talking to Billy about music, movies, beer, and, of course, my hair.
Looking forward to more talks and more cuts (maybe color) on future visits.

If it was possible to give more stars, I would. When it came to a hair stylist, I had been looking for the whole package for a few years but the pattern seemed to be the same: I would find a hair stylist who could do the cut but the personality just wasn’t there, we would have nothing to talk about. Or, vice versa. With Billy, you get everything. I have been getting my hair done by Billy for about 10 years now and have never been dissatisfied.
What I love about Billy’s work is that he seems to empathize with the customer and understands the things which combine to make you the unique person you are, which he then takes in to account when giving you a style all of your own. Another point I like is he genuinely cares if your hair is healthy which I have found to be a rare quality in people.
Plus they’re just awesome people.
Please be aware that Billy is no longer at Milio’s, so if you happen to read old reviews and would like to have Billy cut your hair, he now owns his own shop! So, go there instead. You’d be silly not to.