Sal’s Budget Barber Shops

Got a great cut here. Buzzed it all off lol. So I can’t really say if they give good haircuts but nice and cheap none the less.

I FOUND DENNIS. HAHAHA. Amidine barbershop. 4221 Balboa Ave. San Diego, CA. It is much nicer and bigger place.

I used to be a regular here, and usually got a good cut. But lately the quality has been spotty. They often make a mess of blending the back, and cut the sides too high and tight, even though I ask for a taper.
Also, they lied to me about what happened to Dennis! They said he retired! Then on my next visit I noticed a banner on a nearby fence advertising Dennis’ new location, and when I went there and spoke with Dennis it became obvious that he got a raw deal. If you’re looking for a real babershop that isn’t too far away, visit Amidine Barber Shop: 4221 Balboa Ave. San Diego, CA 92 117. Ph. 858−272−2243 (corner of Balboa Ave & Clairemont Drive)

This place is nothing without Dennis!!! Dennis is now at Amidine barber shop over on 4221 Balboa ave. Dennis has been cutting my hair for 20 years and there is hands down no one better

I’ve been getting my haircut here for about 10 years. In fact, I just got my haircut there today. Linh does a good job, but things are a lot different now since Dennis left.
Dennis is the best barber in town. I liked the fact that he played music from a good radio station and it put me in a good mood. Now they have two obnoxious televisions with infomercials in your face. I’m going to go to Dennis now that I know his new location. I hope the ambiance there is acceptable and it doesn’t take too long to get a haircut.

I came here 20+ years ago for my first haircut, and I easily became a regular. Dennis is the best barber in town, unfortunately he is no longer at this location. From what I understand it is under new management, and I wouldnt call one of them a barber, just people that cut hair. I just paid money for a haircut I can do better by myself, I look like I went to a blind barber. The new owners must have horrible business sense to buy a staple barbershop like this but to take the chairs of all the long time barbers that are a part of the local community. I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone again! However I just saw that luckily Dennis is still cutting hair, and it is not much farther away from this location. If you find yourself here, do not get out of the car, start the engine and go somewhere else. I would highly recommend going to check out Dennis at his new location. Amidine Barber Shop: 4221 Balboa Ave. San Diego, CA 92 117. #858−272−2243 (corner of Balboa Ave & Clairemont Drive by laundromat and Starbucks) Dennis is worth the wait, DO NOT GO HERE.

Dennis Hill, the terrific barber, no longer works here and has moved a few blocks over to: Amidine Barber Shop: 4221 Balboa Ave. San Diego, CA 92 117. #858−272−2243 (corner of Balboa Ave & Clairemont Drive). Get in your car and drive over there! You won’t regret it. He’s great at cutting little kid’s hair too.
Downgraded rating for the loss of my favorite barber.

Used to be Amazing w/​Dennis there. He’s at 4221 Balboa Ave San Diego CA 92 117 now. Thursday-​Sunday. He’s waiting for everybody to come visit him.

Awesome little barber shop with excellent barbers. It’s also very cheap so make sure to tip these guys well. They work so hard. I’ve been coming here with my family for years. Highly recommended!!!

I must say, over the past couple of years, I’ve truly grown to like this place for an easy buzz cut. I get a buzz cut every 2 – 3 weeks, and I come to Sal’s Barber Shop every single time. Unlike what most people think, Sal is not the head guy in charge, but rather his name is Dennis. He’s been doing this for over 30 years (33 years if I remember correctly) and he always seems to be there no matter what. He will talk to you about everything under the sun if you’re interested, and he tries to give you that authentic barber experience when you walk in. He has a nuggets of wisdom he can give you if you take the time to listen, or he’ll talk life and sports for those interested. A truly good guy.
He also has most Vietnamese women working for them. Most of them have English as a second language, but that still doesn’t mean they don’t cut hair well. Just be sure to be very careful about what you ask. Sometimes the pictures on the wall, or if you want, bring some pictures for the ladies to help them understand. Over the past couple of year I’ve never seen anyone angry at their service. Well, there was one guy, who looked like he was about to bite someone’s face off when we walked in, so I think he was just looking for someone to yell at to be honest. But this incident was in the distant past, and they did everything to appease the madman.
They have magazines in the waiting area, and a TV with spotty reception at times. I usually don’t come there to watch TV, and the quality is good enough to watch if you must remain glued to the TV. Otherwise, enjoy the the barber experience.
Overall, if you’re looking for a quick simple place, with very little wait time (especially if you’re there early when they open at 8:30am), then pick Sal’s. For $ 8, you can’t beat the price in this area. If you’re looking for a fancy haircut style, then go pay the extra money and see a stylist.

Great price great service! You get greeted when you walk in and rarely have to wait. No Frills, TV might be off most of the time, but they will cut your hair very well and very quickly for the best price in town. If you need a stylist go somewhere else, if you need simple hair cut this is your jam.

Military cut. Thats all they know. Forget about a decent fade.
You get what you pay for.

Wait time: 5 mins
Price: $ 8 for a haircut
Great haircut! I will be going back soon.

Just took my 4 year old son here. My dad has been getting his haircut by Dennis aka Elvis for probably 20 years. He did a great job! My son is so happy and said how handsome he looks now! Lol

I’ve been going to Sal’s for about 5 years now. I started when I was a student and needed to get a decent haircut on a budget. Not only was the haircut great, but @ $ 8.00, you can’t go wrong. Sal’s Barber Shop has kept my hair looking professional through college graduation, family gatherings and job interviews. I’m currently writing this review from my new job!
If you are looking for a haircut «experience»; this is not the place for you. If you are looking for a great place with professional and friendly people that will give you a decent haircut at a great price, you have found the right place like I have.

A haircut for $ 8? Awesome! The haircut itself? Disgusting. My barber did not give a crap about my hair. Literally just grabbed clippers and started trimming away like it’s nothing important. It was careless, inconsistent, and way way too short. Unless you want a buzz cut or something just as simple, Sal’s won’t do you any good.

Seemed like a nice place. I believe I had sal cut my hair. I was not impressed. My hair was quite uneven. There wasn’t anyone waiting. By the time people walked in, sal decided to rush the haircut. For a haircut like this, it should have been free. Take your money and get your hair cut someplace else

A good haircut for $ 8. I come here and continue to look clean cut and fresh every 3 weeks for that price. They are quick and cheap.
People look at you differently when you have a new haircut.

Love this place! It is inexpensive, has a short wait time and gives a great haircut.
I get a better haircut at Sal’s for $ 8, than at Fantastic Sam’s for $ 20.

So after University Sq. barbershop jacked up its prices to $ 10, and became pretty inconsistent with its haircuts, I decided to explore elsewhere. Today I aimed to find Happy Barbers, but found Sal’s instead.
The shop was packed the whole time I was there. I think it is because the place is $ 7.
It was a bit of a weird scene. There are 3 hair-​cutters: Sal and 2 Asian ladies. Not sure if they were Vietnamese or Chinese, but they definitely weren’t speaking Tagalog. Not that it matters, just correcting the other reviewer. Customers were a range of people of races and ages.
As for the haircut, it was fast and all right. I wasn’t blown away by it, but hey, one really has no room to complain because of the super low price. And it was better than the last cut I got at University Sq. barbershop, so I was pretty content. That being said, i think i’ll try Happy Barber next time and see if their 4.5 star rating is legit.