I hate to do this, but the way you treat your customers is everything. My son visited this establishment about a month ago, for convenience. It's down the ST from our house so he can walk/bike there. He got his haircut, kinda simple not exactly what he wanted, but it was ok. The lady doing his haircut had told him next time to let her know in advance that he wanted a tapper fade because it took longer. He said ok, thanked her and left. Fast forward to 2 days ago... we call to make appointment, she rudely answered my questions gave me a time, and when I proceeded to let her know he would be getting a tapper fade she got upset said we don't do that here go somewhere else.... I explained what my son had said and even after realizing she was in the wrong... she still gives me an attitude and says fine. It's more expensive. I finally gave up... and called another barbershop 2 towns away. The money had nothing to do with it... my son ended up paying for the haircut he got and is now in love with this new barbershop... all because they treated him amazing... they listened to his request and provided him with great service... I don't expect people to cater to everything we ask for.. but the attitude was completely uncalled for... you guys could of had a loyal customer. And maybe that's not important for Carl's barbershop.. So to the new barbershop we go... read more

I have less and less hair as I get older, but Carl makes what there is of it look fantastic. He's an old school barber at the top of his game. If you want a great cut at an extremely good price, you need to see Carl. read more

No ty, i did not like my hair cut. I also didnt like the fact that the male barber pushed me off on his female coworker. He finished a haircut and i was next. So he looks to some that was not even there for a hair cut and asks him to get in the chair let me trim your hair. The guy said well its not necessary but carl insisted. He finished that and asked another guy who was after me to get in his chair. Looks right at me and said she will take care of you. Hmm well needless to say i was a little pissed. So i said to myself how bad can it be. She asked me what number clipper and that was about it. She told me she cut hair for forty years . Well i did not like the hair cut, and hated the way i was treated. My hair is uneven looks bad... I can say with confidence , if your not a regular you will be treated poorly. read more

I have been going to Carl's for close to 10 years now, since before this current location when Carl was in in Pleasant Hill. Given dollar to benefit level 5 star. Not sure what one looks for in a barber but here is what I want. Consistent, does a better job then $upperCutz, is less frilly then a salon, and willing do what I need. Well that's what you will get at Carl's shop. He has handled everything from boring business cuts, a shaved head and full mohawk. And he ends the cut with a close straight razor shave on the neck. Freaky the first time but not cuts after probably many dozens of visits. A couple of quick notes: Cash only (I always forget and have to run to the ATM), closed on Sun/Mon, and best to get there mid morning. And if there is more then one barber working, wait for Carl. read more

CARL has been cutting my hair for @ least 35 yrs now...lol. I 1st went to his Shop @ the Sheraton @ Fisherman's Wharf, in SF...Then lost track etc. Fortunately, ran in2 him some 15+ yrs ago. ALWAYS get the 'perfect-cut', @ a Fair-Price. + he looooves the GIANTS like I do...:) read more

I was a tad apprehensive about trying a new barbershop, but having no car and big plans to party in the city tonight, I had no choice but to find something within walking distance of my home. The odds were ever in my favor when I found this place on Yelp! The reviews convinced me that this place was worth a shot. When I got there, they were kind enough to let me park my tricked out scooter in the corner of the shop, and I was able to sit down in a chair right away. I had the vaguest idea of what I wanted, but I knew I had to style up my combover somehow. I described what was going on in my head and my barber went right to work cleaning me up. Bonus points for cleaning up the fuzz and sideburns with a real razor and cream treatment. This shop had a real classic vibe. Tip: Get a hair cut in the afternoon, so you can watch the sun set behind Alhambra High School. read more

Wonderful place to get your hair cut. They do a great job and are super friendly. Remember it's cash only :) read more

I tried this place today. It was easy to park and they cut my hair about 5 minutes after I got there. Usually there are 3 barbers working at a time. The price is lower than most too. Check it out if you need a barber in Martinez. read more

Old school barber, you can never go wrong with Carl! I have been going with Carl eversince, wish he extends back his shop.

All of the Barbers here are excellent. Not just in their skills as barbers, but I always feel welcome here. This no frills, old school shop is now my haircut home. read more

Great old-school place to take my pops for a quick cut. Dropped in on a Wednesday and was immediately taken in. My dad also had a nice chat and learned that his barber has hawaii roots through his mother. Good senior citizen price, $18. In and out and pleasant conversation. My dad was happy so I was happy read more

After a bad experience at another barber (not worth mentioning here) I made a random stop at Carl's. Its a small shop with a max of three hot seats with, what I can tell, two normal barbers working. Friendly welcoming hi on the outset which was good. Very clean which was a plus. Service was great and the time it took was just right considering they have a razor and sharp instruments. Nothing fancy, just a good clean cut and shave with two friendly, experienced folks. Carl was the gent that cut my hair. He is a Giants fan but I didn't hold that against him and he didn't hold that fact that I'm an A's fan against me. if you have a low car be careful pulling into the parking lot. read more

Carl knows my "style" and makes it easy to have a haircut. Like the other reviewer said the quality is first rate and Carl is a great guy. He talks just enough but not too much. I'm glad I found him. read more

Love the nostalgia of an old barber shop. Carl is as good as it gets!

My love affair with Carl, Laura and Elizabeth began when I poked my head into the joint that is just two blocks from my house and asked "Are you okay cutting women's hair?" I've been going ever since. All three of them have given me a great cut, so frankly I don't care who I get when I go. Sweet and friendly people who have never once made me feel like a weirdo for being a woman who likes a man's haircut! I never would have expected this in the CCC - San Francisco, yes, but Martinez?! Heck no! How nice to be proven wrong. read more

I agree with all the previous reviews. Carl is fantastic - an old-fashioned barber who gives a great no-frills haircut at a very decent price, and a very nice guy too. Where else can you get a shave with an old timey straight razor? I went through 3 other barbers when I moved to Martinez, haven't switched since I found Carl's. read more

I've been going to Carl's for about 5-6 years now. I won't lie. The first couple of hair cuts that I got there weren't my favorite. But that being said, I've been told over the years that I have a hard head of hair to cut. Lots of bumps and dips. But I believe that a Barber is someone you need to build a relationship with, in order to get it right. Now that everyone that works there has cut my hair multiple times, I can go in and get a GREAT hair cut from any of the barbers. I have been asked, on multiple occasions, who cuts my hair. I always answer CARL'S BARBER SHOP! THEIR THE BEST! Always good Barber shop talk. Great hair cut at a great price. This Barber shop is what all of these new hipster Barber shops wish they were. And not having to fake it. Thanks Carl and Laura! read more

I tried this place and agree with the reviews! Great old fashioned haircut; nice people and close to home! I will be going here from now on.

Extremely rude dude who cut my hair , didn't know what type of haircut i wanted so he just went ahead and did whatever he wanted. I showed him a photo of the type of haircut i want and he still did it completely wrong! He finished in about 5-10 minutes , i have never seen a hair cut done that quick. Looks like he just wanted to get rid of me. Also insulted me by saying "wow you have a hairy neck" very unprofessional! Would never come back again. read more

This is a great barber shop. It's always busy but that's a by product of doing great work. Carl is great and so is the woman that cuts for him. She did the best hair cut I've ever had recently. They do a strait razor on the neck which is awesome. Recommended to me by my cousin and I won't go anywhere else. 2 years of great experiences here! read more

Carl is an amazing old school barber. My barber moved out of town about five years ago. I hadn't a clue where to go, so I just drove down into Martinez. I saw the shop and stopped in. I've been going to Carl on a regular basis since then. He gets how Inwant my hair to look, and does it right every time. And his prices are fair. No appointments either, which is great as I like to run in when it suits my schedule. Try this guy and tell me you don't love the cut! read more

Carl and Laura are haircut artist's. Best barber shop around bar none !!!!

Unfortunately, I have to give Carl this bad review. As soon as I walked into the barber shop with my 3 year old son to get his haircut, Carl was rude. He looked at me and said, 'if he's gonna kick and cry I can't have him in here. We don't do kids unless they are at least 4'. I told him that my son would not, and if he didn't need a cut so desperately I would have walked out. Luckily the woman in the shop got my son and was wonderful with him. My son was quiet the whole time. Carl never said a word or even a thank you for the business. read more

I found Carl's on Yelp and have been going to him for over a year. Good old school barber, nice reliable cut and he remembers how you like it. The wait is usually not long, but get there first thing on Saturday morning (8am) if you want to slide right in. I can highly recommend this shop. read more

You don't get better people or better service than Carl and Laura provide. My dad was a barber and I know what a no frills, old fashion, quality haircut is. You get it here. read more

Awesome....what else can I say....Carl and Laura are the best at what they do. No frills, just a good old-fashioned hair cut for a good price with friendly barbers / hair stylists. What more can you ask for? read more

Just like the old days! A real barber that does a great flat top and cleans up with the straight razor. Not going anyplace else now.

Best Damn Barbershop wet of the Mississippi!! The one place in Northern Ca. Where you can get a Flat Top and it will be the same every time!! I recommended it to be 10 Stars but will only allow 5 and always a very fair price in these days!! read more

I was looking for a new barber after my old one retired. I wanted a barber not a some super cuts salon. I found Carl's on line and they're great. They remembered me after just one or two visits. They are very nice and I always get a great haircut. read more