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Urban Roots Salon
Category: Beauty and Spas Hair Salons Hair Salons [Edit]
2124 S Archer Ave(between 21st St & Cermak Rd)
Chicago, IL 60616
Neighborhood: Chinatown
(312) 326-7863
- Nearest Transit:
-
Cermak-Chinatown (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 9:30 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 9:30 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
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24 reviews for Urban Roots Salon
24 reviews in English
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Review from Ken Z.
Chicago, IL
10/3/2011
After trying various places, and being disappointed, I've settled on Urban Roots for my haircuts.
As someone who gets his hair cut about once every two months, it is very important that my hair gets cut properly. Otherwise, it gets bad after about two weeks. I have learned the hard way that Asian hair is different enough that I need to go to an Asian salon. Other places that cater towards a more Caucasian clientele don't utilize tools, like thinning shears, which are necessary for Asian haircuts.
They provide a pre and post cut hair wash, and are very quick and efficient. However, it does get busy so you want to make reservations. This place is on the pricey side ($27 for men's cut), but they do a proper job, allowing me to go 2 months without a trim. Ricky cuts my hair and he does a great job. -
Review from Kevin T.
Chicago, IL
9/14/2011
I am so surprised to see many positive reviews for this place. This is the first time I write a negative review for a business but I feel very strongly about this place.
First of all the stylist is very inexperienced.(He has long bangs), He made mistakes and then tried to cover it up by changing my style (by making everythign shorter) and it is very ugly at the end. It ruined many things. I've tried to explain many times to him, but we have language problem. He couldn't understand english.
At $27 for a men's hair cut, the price is not at the low end, and I was again surprised by how inexperienced the kid is,and how he handled things when he made mistakes. No one tried to appologize other than asking me to pay for it at the end.
I will not visit that place ever again and will not recommend it to anyone. -
Review from PHIL S.
Bartlett, IL
4/27/2011
Been going here for a few years now. It was very convenient while living in the city taking the red line down. I now live an hr away and still drive down for hair cuts and a good meal (tons of good places to eat).
Eric does a pretty good job with my thick Asian hair. He takes his time and does exactly what you want done to your hair. I've had other places who cut to much off making my hair stick up in the back or charge me $60 for a barley noticeable trim. Urban roots will run you $26 plus tip which includes a precut shampoo and conditioner and wash and style after the cut...can't beat it. -
Review from Jonathan T.
Chicago, IL
11/14/2010
Urban Roots is great, but for first time visitors you just need to be VERY wary about which stylist you get paired up with.
For ladies, head-stylist and co-shop-owner Andy is definitely your man. He's almost always working on a client when most of the others guys are idle, so that pretty much tells you where he stands in terms of quality.
For guys, definitely ask for the other co-shop-owner Wei/Ray... he's been taking the hedge-cutters to my melon for the better part of 6-7 years and I can totally attest to how chill and professional he is -- he carefully considers what you ask for, whether you give him verbal directions or a pic, and he executes nicely. Really couldn't ask for more.
The others?
Let's just say that if you don't go with one of the aforementioned guys, you're really really rolling the dice. Not saying you won't luck out and get somebody competent from the pool, but there's one guy in particular that will give you a spiky mullet, no matter what you ask for, so random is bad.
Like other reviewers said, this place is very well maintained and you can peep videos of the latest Jay Chou-clone belting out ballads or watch Girls Generation tarting it up to one of their obnoxious songs on the wall-mounted LCD's while you're getting your hair washed vigorously (2X) or while you're getting the blade put to your mane.
The only downer is always needing to get cash before coming here (I think they only run cards for sessions either $100+ or something like that) but there's a few ATM's around the area. -
Review from Shuai D.
Milwaukee, WI
8/28/2011
I went there on an occasional visit to the restaurant in Chicago Chinatown. I maintained a relative short hair and I thought it needed to be trimmed. So I take the chance and went there. The stylist was very patient and skillful. However, I wasn't very pleased right after he finished it. I emphasized I just wanted it trimmed not cut short, but it turned out very very short. However, my hairs grew very quick and showed perfect style in 1-2 weeks- although not exactly the way I wanted. So......I think I might go back there again if I have the chance to visit Chicago. I will definitely be very careful to make sure they don't cut my hair extremely short, which is a very common thing for most stylist.
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Review from Vivian Y.
11/15/2007
I used to have a rule that I would ONLY go to an Asian stylist because they know how to cut Asian hair better. Afterall, the texture of our hair is different.
After my first and only experience at Urban Roots, I will not be going back.
I called to schedule a weekend appointment and no one answered. so I left a voice mail. Two days later, I got a call and booked at 9am on Saturday morning.
I was the first one there and was ready to get my hair "did". I needed a cut and highlight pretty badly as my roots were growing out of control. It was the start of summer and I really wanted to lighten up with blondish highlights as I do every year. I think it was Andy that cut my hair; he give me the booklet of little hair samples to choose the color I wanted. He made some suggestions and we settled on a blond-brunette color as the highlight that he would mix himself.
After the color was done, we did the cut. I couldn't tell what the cut would be like as my hair was still wet. The end results came up when he blow dried my hair. It was RED. ALL OF IT. I mean, the highlights were so overwhelming that it made my entire head look BRIGHT red. I wasn't happy with it at all. My hair cut was sooooo "FOBBY"! Like a Japanese school girl!
When I got home, my boyfriend asked, "what did you do to your hair???" and he is NOT normally rude!
After that experience, I've opted out of coming here again. I got to Exsalonce now. Pricier by about $50 and many more miles for me to travel to - but at least they get it right. -
Review from vivian c.
Chicago, IL
5/21/2011
Ray does a great job on my hair every time I go. He cuts Asian hair really well which is not easy to do - mine is super straight. They have alot of attentive staff, fun gossip magazines, and as the name implies, a cool urban feel to it. There's always fun pop videos on the flat screens, too! I can't wait to try out the karaoke place they opened up too!
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Review from Edward H.
Chicago, IL
9/20/2006 5 Check-ins Here
I've been getting my hair cut by the same person for the last 10-12 years and I can honestly say this place is great for guys and girls. It's kept cleaner and the facilities are definitely more modern than a lot of other asian run hair cutteries around. You get to enjoy various asian pop/club music while you get your do on. They recently added some LCD TV's throughout the entire place so you get music videos as well.
Go there and ask for Eric (spikey, mohawk, crew cut... you name it) if you're a guy and Andy if you're a girl. They're cool guys and really give you the attention you deserve for your hard earned money. -
Review from Catherine X.
Chicago, IL
2/19/2010
I've gone to Urban Roots quite a few times because:
a) I have a friend who swears by this skinny metro guy there with highlights and
b) my mom won't let me go to white people for haircuts.
On the whole, I've been pretty satisfied. No, I didn't feel like Anne Hathaway in Princess Diaries when they turned the chair around, but then again no one has traced my royal lineage yet. I do like how they give you two hairwashes -- one in the beginning, and one in the end. Also, the guys there are just on the verge of being sexually questionable so I trust their judgement.
However, I'm sad to say that I won't be coming back. Each time after getting an "Urban" haircut, I always notice that I have a bunch of split ends that grow back. I've switched salons since, and haven't noticed the problem again.. which leads me to think that they use blunt shears. (Just don't tell my mom.) -
Review from Roz K.
Milwaukee, WI
9/11/2009
I've had huge problems getting a haircut in the Midwest, mostly because many hairdressers are not familiar with Asian hair-cutting techniques. I've only found one person in Milwaukee that actually managed to do a decent job, but still a bit off the mark.
To be honest, I find Urban Roots to be a bit pricey at $31 since I'm used to paying something around $15-$20 in San Francisco, but the stylist I had (Ricky, I think) did a really nice job (probably one of the best hairstylists I've had so far). My hair went from permed-wavy back to straight, short, and cute like it used to be. He did a nice quick job and I came out impressed and not itchy from cut hair like in other places.
Overall, I'm very pleased with this place, but am resenting the fact that I need to go 90 miles for a decent cut. -
Review from Sylvia I.
Cary, NC
Updated - 7/17/2009
I forgot to get cash before I came so had to go to the credit union around the corner before my appointment. (*Has to be $65 and up in order to use your credit card here.)
Came to see Ricky again today. He did a great job. Was in and out of there in an hour. I love how all the Asian places wash your hair after the cut and before the blow-dry to make sure all the loose hair is out and so they can do one more final check before letting you go. Cost me $35 + tip. Can't beat that.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/27/2009
After going to Aveda based on not knowing how great the Chinatown stylists were, I was forced to do… Read more »
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Review from Christian P.
Chicago, IL
8/7/2009
I like this place, it's trendy, affordable and entertaining.
I've been going there for the past 2 years and I regularly get my haircut with Norris. Weekdays are better, there are less customers so you'll get more attention.
I strongly recommend this place if you're looking for stylists who are familiar with asian hair.
Make sure you know what haircut you want or bring a photo if you don't want to be disappointed. -
Review from Ben H.
10/30/2008
Having checked out a few of the Salons in Chinatown, I would say average skill and technique, a bit on the high side for a mens cut for the ability.
However, they do play a nifty assortment of HK pop videos which is entertaining -
Review from Karen N.
3/22/2009
Walked in on Sunday at 6p.m. The wash was thorough and they got to me quickly. No wait. Got a decent trim-Eric is a very nice guy and stylist.
I will definitely go back for future cuts. He recommended products to style my hair but also told me that I don't have to use their brand. I appreciate that. -
Review from Sally W.
Schaumburg, IL
3/8/2010
It's a decent looking salon, I've had a cut there once and my brother had a few. I must say it really depends on who you get for your cut. My brother once had this guy cutting his short hair for two hours. Totally worth it if you asked me since it was a pretty awesome cut.
But personally I can't tell who's who since they look kind of the same. But don't get the guy that doesn't look like the other since my brother HATED his cut, it was a 20 min waste of time. And it cost the same amount as the two hours long session.
I do think that they do better with guys cut than girls, since I've seen many females getting cuts there and they all look alike...almost like they didn't even cut it. So the one time I did get mine cut there from long to short hair, you'll notice the difference, but I don't see any style. So don't think I'd recommend any female friends there.
Oh and remember you ask about the price before you get your cut. And bring cash, there's a high minimum on the credit card usage. -
Review from Jing C.
Chicago, IL
1/26/2010
I've been to Asian salons in NorCal and Philly but the rude service here really took me aback. The cut was mediocre and really didn't warrant the bad service.
My haircut is really simple (short bob, few layers) and I told the stylist so in both English and Cantonese. Mid-haircut, the stylist stepped away twice without saying a thing - once to help another stylist blow dry another girl's hair and another time to help with something in the back. Each time he got back, he was a bit flustered and wasn't sure where he had left things so proceeded to take more off the hair he had already cut, leaving the hair too layered and a little uneven. When I got home, my roommate asked me what I had done to my hair and why in the world was there a tail in the back. -_-
I'd say it's a your mileage may vary situation. Didn't request a specific stylist so probably got a trainee. It was pretty clear that there were VIP stylists and customers and non-VIPs so maybe you just have to be in the know. Could be a decent place if you're looking for the Asian music video style and don't mind the service but I'll be sticking to Aveda from now on. -
Review from Helen C.
Chicago, IL
11/24/2010
If I could, I would give Urban Roots no stars. I will never go back there. I went there to dye my hair, and I wanted red. I asked for the price, and a guy who worked there told me it will cost $75. I decided to try the place out and picked 5 different shades of red. Each time I picked one, a guy with glasses (who seemed to be the boss or upper management) tells me it's too bright. Believing that he was an expert, I trusted his judgment and took his suggestion. After my hair was finished, I was severely disappointed. It was not red at all. In fact, I could barely see any color on my hair. I expressed my disappointment and said to the guy with glasses that it's not red enough. His reply? "It's really red." And the total cost? $98 because they charge for washing my hair. So I'm assuming when they told me it's $75, they don't plan on washing my hair even though it's full of dye? So he lowered the cost to $93. Wow thanks. Complete waste of money and time.
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Review from chris c.
Chicago, IL
6/8/2008
After years of having horrible hair cuts, I found Urban Roots on advice from a friend. I love going here because Andy finally gets it right everytime. I love that they wash my hair before and after the cut. I've been going there for years and now my family and girlfriend all go to him. I was worried about posting because I don't want him to get any more busy, then he might not have time for me :)
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Review from Agnes F.
Chicago, IL
1/11/2010
been going to urban roots for at least 10 years
haircuts, highlights, perms... i had it all there, always great service (my stylist is Ray) and always great results
definitely a fan! -
Review from Jeff H.
Chicago, IL
3/17/2008
i think 2 stars may be a bit generous. just moved here to chicago from Boston. After having been pampered for years by my Japanese stylist in Boston, i have forgotten what a bad hair cut is like. Urban Roots reminded me. Just like many of my peeps out there, i always thoguht taht if i want a decent cut, i need to find an Asian place. So i went. And left looking like every Chinatown teenager gangsta, with over-gelled spikey hair. I felt like i was back in high school. Perhaps i should take it as a compliment that the stylist thought i was younger than i am . Anyway, i am still in search of a decent place to cut this asian guy's hair. Suggestions please.
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Review from Susie C.
2/9/2008
I went here six years ago and stopped because it was getting a bit too expensive for me in high school, and for awhile I wasn't sure if I should come back since I mostly had my hair done at Hair Cuttery and a hair salon in Indiana. I was more on the budget hair cuts since I don't really need anything special done to my hair other than long layers and a trim. I went back for my first time after 6 years with the fear that an Asian person was going to cut my hair. I have always been scared since most of my friends who had their hair done by an Asian turns out to be pretty bad..it had that "Asian" look with split ends, etc. It just doesnt look healthy. Sorry if I am offending anyone but I'm sure some of you understand what I mean. Anyway getting to the point, my hair cut turned out alright. No split ends, no Asian wave, etc. It has been about 4 months and my hair grew the way how I wanted it to be. The price for a haircut is not expensive since I am now working. The negative side here is that most of the workers there dont speak good English. The customer service was good, though. Overall, this isn't a bad place to go to. The setting is pretty hip..they are very cultured in HK pop.
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Review from David W.
Chicago, IL
1/27/2008
Andy makes my wife's hair look good and that makes her happy, which makes me happy. There are lots of stylists at this salon, and most look like they're trying to imitate Andy: he wears boots, they wear boots, he wears a bracelet, they wear a bracelet, and so on. But, you can tell which one is Andy from the moment you enter - the maestro looks comfortable in his coolness. His clients like his personality, and in my brief interactions with him he's been very pleasant. As an onlooker, I admire his craft and skill. He's my wife's favorite stylist, and worth a long trip for his services.
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Review from Melanie and Liz D.
Oak Park, IL
3/24/2008
This is one of the best haircuts I have ever gotten! They wash your hair before AND after they cut your hair! I usually end up with a hair-covered neck and have to jump in the shower when I get home, but this was not the case. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because you can't use a credit card unless you spend $65+. Ask for Billy.
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Review from Tara F.
Chicago, IL
9/15/2009
I've seen this place in Chinatown square and it has been there for years so I assumed it was a good place since it was still in business. I went in for caramel colored highlights as I always get. My roots had grown out and I was desperate. I told him I wanted caramel highlights, picked the color, and said I would also like dark brown color in between. I went through the whole process, got blow dried and my hair was THE SAME! my roots were still black as could be, and my highlights the same. I was charged $98. I will NEVER go back.
