Gold Crown Barber Salon

Am in shock Rex that you closed — you did wonderful work. Please rethink your move. We need you here! With good wishes on your new endeavours!

After a recommendation from a friend, I make my way to GCBS to end my search for a barber in Chicago. Of course after I find one, I learn that Rex will be closing up shop at the end of January. I came on a snow laden January afternoon and there was no wait. But, I came armed with a book just in case after many reviews. The owner, barber, and therapist is Rex. He is a great guy and wonderful listener. I told him what I wanted and he gave me his thoughts. He said at anytime during the hair cut if I don’t like anything, say something and he can fix it. He wants you to be happy, and if you are not… it’s your fault for not speaking up!

I was overdue for a haircut and based on all the Unilocal reviews, I went to see Rex. I am very glad that I did. I walked in and Rex politely asked that I sign in on the whiteboard and told me what time to write down. I didn’t have to wait too long, but even when the wait is longer, I don’t think I would mind because the location is great and there are plenty of places within a few blocks to grab coffee, lunch, etc. Rex called me over when it was my time and since it was his first time cutting my hair, he asked a few questions to get an idea of what I wanted and then started to cut. While talking with him during the haircut it was apparent that he was a genuinely nice guy who was knowledgeable about the neighborhood and cared about great customer service. The most important part? I received the best haircut I have had since moving to Chicago 4 years ago.
Rex is great and I will definitely be a repeat customer.

The first time I got a cut here I wasn’t weirded out as much as the second. He’s like a barber with a side of the soup nazi.

In America, you usually get what you pay for. A trip to a hair stylist who charges $ 60 for a men’s haircut should include a glass of tea, shampoo, massage and styling by a man or woman whose name is on the shop. In Andersonville, there is Rex. And he currently charges $ 16 for a fabulous haircut.
No fancy frills. For that, there are a few other places along Clark Street that will gladly charge you $ 35 to foof and poof your pompadour into whatever the latest trend is. Rex is wonderful. I found my new barber, though I’ll have to remember to take cash, since he’s a cash-​only kind of guy.

Gold Crown Barber = Rex. Rex is why you come to GCBS — of course, he is the owner and only barber. Consistent cuts, friendly service and always concerned with ensuring customer satisfaction. If you walk out of GCBS unhappy, you have to blame yourself for not being honest with Rex. He wants everyone to leave happy.
Get there early or sign up and come back. His days fill quickly!

I have been going here for just over 2 years now and always leave feeling great. Rex is terrific! He provides a cut that is exactly what I want, and if I think about trying something a little different/​new, he will offer his professional advice, and it IS appreciated. Keep up the great work Rex.
Jeff G

Aside from my self sideburns trimming, Rex is the only person that has cut my hair since moving to Chicago three years ago. He’ll catch you up on all the neighborhood gossip while he’s giving you a fantastic haircut at a price that cannot be beat! I can’t see myself going anywhere else.
The only reason he’s not getting the fifth star is because of all of you. He’s so busy! Good for him, not so good for me. You’ll have to go in and write your name on the whiteboard and come back when it’s your turn. On a Saturday this can be as much as 2 hours later… but it’s totally worth the wait! Weekday afternoons aren’t nearly as bad.

Rex is such a sweet guy. He truly cares about his clients. He is genuine. In the end, the wants it all to be done right — no matter how much time it takes or if he has to delay his lunch hour (make sure to ask him if he ate lunch — next time I’ll be sure to bring him some lunch while I wait for my appointment time).
I came in for a haircut and wanted something different. He suggested I cut my hair like he did the last guy. It turned out great. I give him a great tip every time I go, but decided to reject it this time. He knew that I was going through employment problems and told me to keep it until I find a job. I felt special at that moment. Thanks Rex.
P. S. He kind of reminds me of Rick Bayless.

Rex IS awesome! Great professional studio/​salon style haircut with the feel and price of a barbershop ($ 16). Cozy little place, only 1 chair. Make sure you go there early enough, he closes at 7.
I brought in a picture of what I wanted, and I got exactly that!
Rex is a super friendly guy, we talked about beer and music while my girlfriend waited — he even joked with her a little so she didn’t feel left out while she read through his collection of magazines.
He really took concern in making sure I was happy with my cut, most importantly.
I’ll DEFINITELY be back!

Rex is the man.
Nuff said.

I was tired of paying $ 45 for a decent hair cut and a hand & head rub that I didn’t care about. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to a place that charged $ 13 for something that made me look like I got my head stuck in a salad shooter. (Apparently the «salad shooter» look is not «all the rage».)
Then, I read the Unilocal reviews about Gold Crown & I carted myself up the few blocks to Andersonville where I got the best-​valued, best-​lookin’ cut in the whole stinkin’ city! My wife loves it; my assistant at work loves it. If these two women are happy, then so am I!

Rex is a great barber who takes his time with every cut. As he told me, «I try to keep a tight schedule, but I won’t let anyone leave without a cut unless they are 100 percent satisfied.»
Amen. He continued: «I consider it my art. I watch some of these people doing hair, and they are so quick, just getting people in and out, and it upsets me. I don’t work that way.»
No, he doesn’t. When I arrived at 2 p.m., he had a waiting list and asked if he could sneak out for 10 minutes before he did my hair to get a bite. I was happy to oblige, having read the Unilocal reviews. At 2:50 he took me, and in the next half an hour, we talked about this, that and everything, and I really felt like I was getting a professional cut from as neighborly a person as you’d like to meet.
The cut was what I wanted: clean, short, just as I asked, with some nice touches he added (but made sure to ask if I wanted) as well.
For $ 16, you can’t beat it. Great place I’ll go to for as long as I live in the city.

After his usual place shut down, my bf went here early last week for a WAAAY over-​due hair cut. His conversation with Rex went as follows:
Rex: Is this long or short for you? Are you growing your hair out or what?
BF: It’s medium, I’d say. I am past due for a cut.
Rex: What’s going on with the back here? It’s getting a little mullet-​y.
BF: That was not my intention.
:o) And then, Rex rescued my bf from pseudo-​shaggy-​mullet-​hair! He did a great job. My bf said the price was good, he liked Rex and he’ll definitely be back.

I went here after seeing other Unilocal reviews.
* Great haircut (and I’m pretty picky… keep traveling til I find the «one»)
* Rex is a nice guy, takes his time, knows what he’s doing and listens to what you want.
* Very relaxing, small, quiet place
* The price is right
I went to Belmont Barbershop last couple times and it wasn’t bad, just wasn’t as great as I’d hoped.

So after the Belmont Barbershop fiasco, my boyfriend found someplace new to get a haircut (he had been looking for a cheaper solution to the salon he was going to but with the same quality). REX happened to be the answer! He only does men’s haircuts. For $ 14 (before tip) you get a $ 40 salon quality cut, a friendly conversation and if you want texture? You get lots of it.
There’s usually a wait if you walk in because he’s the only guy that works there. Worth the wait? Absolutely!

Based on the reviews here at Unilocal,I headed down Clark Street to Rex’s shop. What a pleasant, accommodating experience! He lopped a buncha hair, and gave me the best damned cut I’ve had in the 3 years I’ve lived in Chicago.
The kudos for this tiny, well-​kept storefront are well deserved, and the price for services rendered are MORE than fair!

I’m nervous to write this review and continue with the gradual unveiling of Andersonville’s best-​kept barber shop secret, but this review is much deserved: Rex knows his stuff and runs a fantastic shop. And the cost simply cannot be beat.
I will definitely be back.

There’s nothing better than a fresh haircut and great conversation. I still go here for both. Rex has a one-​year anniversary in the neighborhood under his belt and the prices remain less than $ 20!
As Rex would say, «Voila!»

People say that I look incredibly handsome after getting a haircut here.
Also, good conversation, which I don’t normally don’t participate in at haircutteries, as I hate talking.