I was going to be in the area from out of town and sent them an email the beginning of the week to see if they could get me in that Friday, the only night I'd be in town. Chris responded and requested a pic of something along the lines of what I'm wanting and that they had an artist available. So we emailed back and forth about 2 more times, and they got me set up for an apartment. When I came in that Friday, everything was very clean and everyone friendly. I was greeted by my artist, Clayton, and he got started right away. Verifying what I was wanting so he could get it configured. After I agreed on the work he printed, he listened to how I wanted it colored and where I wanted it. He went off my original concept I sent as well. After an hour and 15/30 mins we were done and it turned out great! Definitely recommend this place, and Clayton! read more

Dead Serious Tattoos - Diamond heart - Tattoo Near Me - Willow Springs, Illinois

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Called and asked for a walk in and they accommodated pretty well considering it was later in the evening. Lots of flash on the walls and the environment was very cool. Good artists and I feel like my tattoo was high quality. read more

I appreciate the artistry and growth of this shop, got my 2nd, 3rd, fourth, etc here... Just don't piss them off lol. Cheers to more!!! Maybe I'll post a photo... If I get a bit of shop flash next trip read more

Lucas Madel has been doing my work for years. it has stayed vibrant and he always makes me feel welcomed. i love his style. my Amy Winehouse piece is my favorite. thanks homie! Plus- this place is next to a coffee house. what better location? read more

Dead Serious Tattoos - tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Willow Springs, Illinois

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I came back AGAIN after my incident from a prior year. I've always drove past this place on my way to work and just thought it was well presented place. The inside is clean and the man at the front desk is pretty welcoming. After last years incident, I got the same tattoo I requested elsewhere. Anyways, I went in asked for a simple tattoo of a heart on arm. Once again was told there was a wait (totally fine), so I went and wandered down the strip. I came back and the same guy said it would be a few minutes, I sat down and waited. The guy was super cool and was beyond expectations (obviously compared to what happened last time), but the tattoo looks horrible; the lines are blotchy. I doubt this was way of revenge or whatever, but either way it's messed up. Plain and simple. I got what I wanted and I guess I'll go elsewhere. -I also find it ironic that the other guy was there, but more than likely could not describe me or the other person I was with. I feel as a business owner, if you can't do something to just let the customer know and reschedule or to just be upfront, but to make someone wait for hours is not cool. I wasn't even mad until the guy called me a bitch on a phone, because I said he should've shot me a text or call saying if he couldn't do it. To each their own, but you do you. read more

Dead Serious Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Willow Springs, Illinois

The hubs wanted to find an ink therapy spot closer to home. Let's face it, sometimes you don't want to drive 45 minutes in traffic when you have the itch.. so a yelping he went and found Dead Serious. I'll admit I wasn't on board with a new place because I love our Ukrainian Village spot so, he went first. Ha! The piece he had done by Cody (Owner) was absolutely perfect & convinced me to give it a shot. Appointments were made and away we went. Walking in, it's a cool area with a bunch of eclectic stuff strewn throughout. Cody talked to the hubs like they were old friends & was very kind when I was introduced. I had an idea about what I wanted & showed him a picture. I also told him that he could tweak it however and I was fine with it. My pieces aren't as intricate as my husbands are so there's a little more room for change if needed. Sitting in the chair, Cody is a talker! I love that! Who wants to sit for hours and not talk?! Not this girl. Anyway, we talked about randomness and then started talking about this one Yelp review where a woman bashed the business for a few comments that were made. Listen, there are only male tattoo artists here so things are probably going to get vulgar. If that bothers you.. Don't come here. Plain and simple. It's a tattoo shop, not a church so I don't see what the problem would be or why you'd assume it would be different. GTFOH. I'm extremely happy with my new ink & although I'm sad to let my old place go.. this is our new spot. I'm Dead Serious ;-) read more

Words can not describe what an amazing job Cody Wallenius did fixing this garbage that I originally had done at a tattoo shop which has a perfect 5 star rating on Yelp. At first I was scared that nothing could be done to fix this mess but as you can see you can't tell that it's a cover up. Thank you again Cody! Had Cody go over some old work and he did an amazing job like last time. read more

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The guy at the front desk is super friendly. The guys doing the tattoos are rude, arrogant and do sloppy work. Honestly he couldn't even wipe away the ink so the tattoo has a smeared ink glow, couldn't even talk to you while doing the tattoo but could talk to another employee about how he had no tattoos booked for the day. Wonder why.. do not recommend at all. read more

I really wish I had something better to say but here goes... the place is super cool, everyone seems nice. The girl that did my tattoo was really good, however my tattoo needed a touch up after it healed and I was planning on getting an old tattoo touched up as well as getting a new one. I scheduled my appointment...Jordin not only canceled twice but the last time we agreed on a time and I drove 45 minutes to the shop, she wasn't there, I called and texted her (so did another artist that was there) and nothing so I went back home. I finally heard from her 2 hours after being home and all she said was "she forgot", "she was sleeping" (my appointment was at 5:00 pm), and "sorry" that's it! No trying to keep my business or anything ... just sorry! It was really disappointing, how nonchalant she was! I'm giving this review 3 stars because the one tattoo I got was nicely done, but I have to get it touched up somewhere else with someone more responsible! read more

My sister moved from California to Illinois about 3 years ago and during her first year there she got a tattoo at Dead Serious Tattoos. Kept going on and on about what a great shop it is and how Cody is a great artist so I agreed to wait until I visit her to get my next tattoo. I was not disappointed. Cody did two of my tattoos in 2018 and now I'm the one bragging about how perfect and neat my tattoos are. I went again this year, 2019, but unfortunately I did not book Cody in advance thinking I could just walk in. Of course he was completely booked, he does great work! He referred me to another artist, Eddie, in the shop and told me I would not be disappointed. I wasn't. I asked Eddie for a silhouette of Morrissey and about an hour and half later I was on cloud 9 with my new tattoo. I was on the trip with my boyfriend, his brother, and the brother's girlfriend. We all ended up getting tattoos that day. They were all great and we were all happy. Honestly, if I want anymore tattoos I'm going to Dead Serious. For great work, I don't mind flying all the way from L.A. read more

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This is my go-to shop for all my tattoos. Mike Kennedy does all my work, he is an amazing artist! Mike has done almost a full sleeve on my right arm, so I've spent lots of hours in his chair. Not to mention all the people I've brought here and told about the shop, they've all been extremely pleased! Shop is exceptionally clean and well maintained. The guys are always cleaning something! I always have a great experience when I am there, all the guys are a riot! I highly recommend any of the guys here, but Mike is definitely my favorite! read more

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The worst service I have ever experienced. At least with Vince. I had one done on my right are there a few years back. I went in for a very minor touch up. There was only one artist in the shop. When Vince finally finished whatever he was doing, without question, he told me "I have to charge you at least a hundred bucks, because I need to make a living." Very rude and unprofessional. I would not send my ex-wife there. Never again, read more

The moment you walk in the doors you will be blown away how this shop looks . Very clean and well organized . All the artists here are very talented . I highly recommend Cody the owner of the shop. Cody is the most laid back dude around and very talented at what he does. You bring him an idea that you think is amazing and he takes it and turns it into something legendary. Very skilled ! Thanks bro! read more

This place is awesome! Eddy was my artist and did a phenomenal job on my tattoo. I have had multiple people say "It looks more like a decal than a tattoo". That's how dead on perfect it is. Cant wait to get my future ink, right here. read more

Dead Serious Tattoos - Wolves Logo by Eddy - Tattoo Near Me - Willow Springs, Illinois

DST is phenomenal! If you're looking for a clean, organized, and professional shop this is it! The staff is very friendly and scheduling is never an issue. Michael Kennedy is extremely talented and professional. His eye for detail and shading is amazing. For a superior and amazing experience this is where you need to go! read more

Dead Serious Tattoos - First session with Michael! So in love way better than I had expected! - Tattoo Near Me - Willow Springs, Illinois

A friend recommended this shop to me and I'm so glad I went. I went in as a walk in and immediately they found free artists took our ideas, sketched them to make them a bit more sharp from the photos, and started on the tattoo. They were so welcoming and kind and extremely professional. The shop is clean and artists are amazing. I went in and saw Matt- I know exactly where I will be coming back for my next tattoo. read more

Worst experience with a shop by far. Customer service suffered due to the fact that they had kids running the front counter. I waited way longer than what I was told it would take for the design to be ready. When I was getting tattooed another employee walked up to the Bob (guy who did my tattoo) and started a conversation and they just chatted away talking about girls and Tinder and who f***ed who and other inappropriate stuff that shouldn't be talked about in front of a customer. Seriously like no damn regard that I was there. Tattoo ended up resulting in a blowout (3 main reasons why it happens all of them tattoo artists fault) I have a permanent blotch of green skin right next to the tattoo, it looks like a bruise. I called the shop on two different days and was told there was no manager, finally third time a manager (Cody) answered and he handled my complaint as poorly as it could be handled. Got a bullshit response from him that turned me completely away from ever recommending or revisiting this place. Totally regret getting work done there. read more

Dead Serious Tattoos - I've got a tan on and the green still seeps through, not happy with it. Want a good artist go to Venture tattoo. - Tattoo Near Me - Willow Springs, Illinois

Went here for a tattoo and was very impressed. The shop was very clean and tasteful. The artists were all very professional and worked hard to come up with something clients would like. The prices were also very reasonable. I highly recommend. read more

Got my belly button done here by the girl piercer. She did it way too thin and was fairly rude. Now my piercings thin as fuuuq but I can't redo it because it'll scar. Oh well, just don't make my mistake. Go to Skin Gallery! They're nicer and it's cheaper! And they do a wonderful job! read more

This place is awesome! I must have driven past it hundreds of times on my way to and from work and never noticed it. But I was finally in the market for a new tattoo and decided to stop there on a whim. That was Feb. 2012 and since then I've had 3 pieces done (one forearm and 2 half sleeves) by Cody, who is an amazing artist and very reasonably priced! I would recommend this place to anyone looking to get a tattoo. Very clean and all the employees are rad read more

I got a simple small tattoo on my ankle and it looks like complete shit it's already faded and the circle is not an even circle at all so now I have to pay double to get the terrible job covered up done by dead serious tattoos thanks! Btw his name was eddy I'm like 98% sure read more

Eddie and Matt...Special thanks for the beautiful work over the past couple of years...Mike

I am beyond sick to my stomach with this place!! Do not go there for a tattoo! I worked with Clayton on a tattoo and had some healing issues and some of the color came out and got accused of ruining it and over medicating it and he was rude as hell and wanted to charge me for a touch up. Things happen and any reputable place will back up there work and fix it. You don't accuse the customer and make them feel like shit! So now I have a tattoo that looks like shit! DON'T GO THERE! NOT PROFESSIONAL! read more

first time walking into place, not sure what the shops deal was but there was a guy there that was super rude, don't know if he was the owner or what but he totally made me feel unwelcomed, was condescending and just gave me a weird vibe of the place. the shop made it clear to all customers coming in that it was near closing time so it made it seem as if they weren't really trying to do all this work. just seemed as if they were ready to leave for the night. horrible experience, NEVER going back again. read more

Absolutely the worst treatment I have received in at any business. I have been trying to schedule a Tattoo for over 8 months. I have been re-scheduled 4 times on the day of the supposed work to come back some other day which means 1 to 2 months later and again reschedule. Last month I thought it was the last time. It was all good till a week before the tattoo, I sent questions asking to make sure we were good and wanted a pic of the Tattoo. My texts were never answered and sure enough the day passed and went with no response. Not sure who Cody thinks he is but a business man he is not. Next time you want to get some work done don't waste your time, they have definitely wasted mine. read more