First started going here a few years ago when I was living in Crystal Lake on business. Living in Chicago now, and happily drive over an hour each way for the consistently awesome work they do, and the atmosphere Slim and all the guys provide, COVID or not. Bonus points for the Sinatra on the sound system. read more

Slim's Barber Shop - Barbers Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Quality fades and service. Nice environment and clean equipment. Barber will suggest a different style of haircut upon request and be very professional. read more

Kevin (aka: Slims) had cut my hair about 20yrs ago when he was an apprentice with his father-in-law "Jun" at Model Barber Shop in Chicago. Fast forward 20 yrs, Kevin had replicated his favorite cut skin tight on the sides and finished with flat top. Feels GREAT to have a true high and tight flat top again!! Been to many barbers in Lake County, IL but nobody can replicate Kevin's work. read more

When reading online reviews to find a lot of 5 stars AND 1 star reviews, one is left wondering what to believe. I decided to take a chance on a haircut. After all, in 3 weeks I will get another haircut. Having recently had my barber of 6 years relocate to Florida, I feel free to explore. Here's the slim version of my review: it's a barber shop. Really. They do clipper cuts with the skill of experienced barbers. They do straight razor neck shaves. Barber. From what I gathered on my first visit, they are not beauty consultants. They ask you what you want. You get it. That's what barbers do. Prices are right in the ballpark for barber shops. There were children playing (thus on this visit it is clearly family friendly). Go there. Check them out. Some reviewers are giving glowing reviews. Mine is really 3.5 stars...just as the average between all the 5 stars and 1 stars come to. Slim's does not seem to be exceptional (if I define that to be way beyond expectations). Slim's is NOT an awful place to get a men's haircut. It's a barber shop, pure and simple. I seldom believe 1 star reviews. People can be having a bad day. That includes the barbers. 3.5 stars is precisely what I think measures this decent barber shop. Will I go back? Hmm, maybe. For the money (being equal), I had a better overall experience elsewhere else not far from here (won't say where). They just didn't happen to be open on Wednesdays (there's a clue). read more

What a great barbershop in old downtown Crystal Lake. Mick, a master barber cut my hair to hide my balding, thinning scalp. He just knew what I needed. He cut and combed my hair to my liking. Good bunch of barbers here and will be visiting them again. read more

Took my 2 year old here after this place came highly recommended. His barber was Steven and he seemed to not know how to work with children. My son usually sits VERY good for his haircuts, but Steven elevated his voice multiple times and told him to "relax" "sit still" "stop moving" and seemed to get extremely frustrated with him. It made me very very uncomfortable. I said multiple times he's 2 and doesn't understand what that means. He gave me no direction at all. The owner then said "well can't you hold his head" which sure I could've, however I didn't want to get into Steven's way. Steven then finished the cut and it looked terrible. When I said it was uneven his response was "well he didn't sit good". The owner, Slim came over and evened it out and my son sat like a little angel while Slim worked. His end result from Slim was very good, but I don't appreciate the way my son was spoken to by Steven and how he would've let us walk out of the shop. read more

I was home for the holidays, and had to get a haircut on short notice. They graciously fit me in to their last open slot. Got a great haircut for $17. Slim's was very professional and efficient throughout. Highly recommend. read more

You want a nice haircut? Go to Slim's. Been getting my haircut by Greg there for 4 years now and will never stray away. The guys at Slim's know how to cut hair, and they make sure to listen and always ask what you want during every visit. The more you go in, the more you feel like family. Some may call it pricy but well worth it for what you get, I look forward to that hot shave every 3 weeks. Ambience is great and the shop overall is great. Highly recommend. read more

I don't like to get my hair cut. After years of getting bad cuts by unprofessional itinerant stylists I'd given up and just let my hair grow out. It was down past my shoulders at one point until I reluctantly let my wife's friend trim it at her salon on vacation. I was resigned to resume growing my hair back out until I found Slim's Barbershop here in Crystal Lake, IL. If you're like me and you grew up in the late 70's through 80's getting your hair cut by guys-guys, in the days before Supercuts edged them out of business, then you know that it takes a lot of skill to effectively wield clippers and a straight blade. Slim has skill in spades and when you get your hair cut at Slim's there's no question that you're getting a guy's hair cut at a guy's barbershop. No messing about. Your hair will be cut well and it will be tight. Slim also is a teacher and helps train and mentor upcoming barbers. So he's not just some fly-by-night person who bought a franchise and is looking to cash out. He's in nearly every day and cuts hair just like the other barbers. It's cash only and has a great old fashioned feel that doesn't feel like a gimmick. If you're a guy (or a gal) who likes to keep their hair cut clean and crisp then Slim's Barbershop is the only place you should go. read more

Don't bother with this place, they clearly don't care about their customers.. Staff was rude and they definitely made sure I won't be coming again. I had an appointment for a specific time and I informed them I would be a few min late, but upon arrival they said they won't be able to give me a full haircut (with beard) when that was already discussed on the phone. Overall disappointed and wouldn't recommend this spot to anyone. read more

I had to cancel an appt with Adam due to working late, when I tried to reschedule he ignored all my texts. I guess I will find a new barber.

Kevin and his staff are very talented geniuses with scissors and clippers. I have been a loyal customer to Kevin aka Slim for many years (at least 11 years). There were times when I'd wake up at 5am Saturday morning just to prep for the 49 mile drive (one way) to be first at his shop when he opens for a cut. Yes, there are plenty of shops in my area (north side of Chicago) all the way to Kevin's shop and back. Why do I make the drive here every two weeks? Because he does it right each and every time. He takes his time and cuts my hair with such precision I could not even fathom ever going anywhere else. He does schedule bookings quickly so call early, otherwise, well there's always the next day. His charge for a cut is very nominal for what you get in return. He's an all around honest guy that does an awesome job. (This is not a paid endorsement nor is it a shill review.) read more

I went there today, a little after 1 PM on a Saturday afternoon, and was told there was no way they could get me in, because I did not have an appointment. I normally go to Village Barber Shop in Palatine, because they do a fantastic, very close shave, but this place was closer, I had a very busy day, and their website says they do shaves. Guess what else their website says? NO APPOINTMENTS. I could have called first thing this morning, or even yesterday, if they did not say in plain English that they do not take appointments. I could have called, perhaps, because their website says you can call to get your name on the waiting list, but by the time I was free to go I was a relatively short drive away, and it was over 2 1/2 hours before their posted closing time and when I got there I saw 5 or 6 customers waiting, 3 in the chairs. It did not seem like they really would have any difficulty getting me in in 2 1/2 hours. In the interest of fairness, I will say they have a very nice place, and the people that work their all seem nice, and the person who greeted me was also very nice, and gave me a card so I could call next time. And in another part of their homepage they say they DO take appointments. But I was looking for info on the shaves so I did not see that, and the first sentence after the shave info says .... "Slim's does not take appointments, but we do allow customers to call ahead to get their name put on a waiting list if we have people waiting." I don't think I should have to double check to make sure one part of their website is not contradicted by another part of their website. I think Slim's is probably a fine place, and I'm sure this was not intentional, but nonetheless I had my time wasted and it could have been avoided if they had made their website more clear. read more

Been going here periodically and it had been a few months since I treated myself to a hot shave and fade. Dean always takes the time to get my shave nice and close as I have a stiff beard. Won't go anywhere else. Laid back atmosphere and the hot towel takes stress away. read more

I really have enjoyed taking my son here for his haircuts. We found this place by word of mouth and after going to regular salons and kid cut places and receiving endless amounts of bad haircuts or mediocre jobs this is the place to go. I also pay LESS than what I would at the other places so that's a total PLUS. We see Adam for our cuts but everyone is good. The owner is Slim super nice. Cash only so make sure you come prepared. read more

Really a great place to go! Greg is the barber I regularly visit and he does a phenomenal every time. Every once in a while things get in the way and I go with a different barber and the results are the same. On a second note I've brought my daughter in with me a few times and on one occasion slim was talking his lunch break and of course my daughter being 7 was talking his ear off, and he never rolled his eyes or showed any sign of aggravation, he just went along with her conversation and made her laugh. All in all best barber shop around!!! read more

I was looking for a great cut. Look no further then Slim's. I got a short fade from Greg. He listened to the way I wanted my hair, and boy did he deliver. The atmosphere was really cool. Ben the business cards are awesome, likening old school basketball cards. So if you want a great cut, by awesome folks, definitely go to Slim's! read more

A true barber shop. Finally I found my place for a haircut. Greg is incredible. He is always on time. You will need a reservation. They can cut hair in several different styles. read more

Dean did my beard and it was terrible. I asked for long on the bottom and short on the side. What I got was short all over. Half of my mustache is longer than the other side. I asked for my mustache really short and he said he couldn't do that because my mustache grows downward instead of outward. I asked for a line up and he didn't even offer to use a straight razor. I don't feel bad for not tipping. They also only accept cash for some reason. read more

You won't find a better barber shop anywhere!! All of the barbers are great, my personal favorite is Slim. He gets my flat top perfect every time but that's not all he does. He can do any type of cut you want as can all of the guys. Slim teaches classes to barbers and stylists as well. The shop is friendly, the guys are joking around and all of the customers are talking to each other. I went in a few times without getting a haircut, I went in to talk to other guys I knew were in there. These guys really care about their customers, you're far more than just a guy getting a haircut to them. You can get a hot shave from Dean on Fridays and Saturdays too so if you've got a special occasion go get a professional hot shave, you'll be amazed at how different it is from when you shave yourself. read more

I had high hopes for this place. Closer to home. Took my son in for a fade being they advertise it. Long story short... they were really nice guys But Dean the Barber butchered my sons hair. You can see the lines from where he attempted to fade and blotchy/patches. My son was really bothered. I ended taking him to another barber shop after paying for one. For me to take time out of my day to write this review is a testament of how disturbed I am about this experience. If your looking for a fade go some where else! read more

New to Slims. Thanks for squeezing me in. Old school feel and the gents working the shop were very funny. Thanks Dino for an awesome cut & backing the Blue. Will be back for sure. read more

Slim, to assume that my mindset isn't clear and that I lack common sense is why my review will stand strong. Instead of making assumptions on the type of person I am maybe you could have just apologized for the lack of proper customer service I received. I could go on and explain everything in detail, but to be honest it's all irrelevant. The point of my review Is not that we couldn't get in on that Saturday. It was the false information I was given, I feel that this is your business and something like this should be very clear to your employees. Being told on a Thursday that as a walk in it would be a 2 hour wait (due to appointments, sorry didn't mention this in my original review), then to later call to make an appointment and find out that I couldn't, and that it was walk in only, to fast forward it a few weeks later, I call just to check if there would be a long wait (since last time I walked in, it was a 2 hour wait) to be told I had to make an appointment! This I feel was not right. Get your information together and inform the people who work there of the shops procedures maybe miscommunication like this wouldn't happen. read more