Some of the barber shops that operate in the few blocks nearby are Arab or M.E owned and run. Many of their barbers are trained in using a straight / flat razor to detail fades, lines and beards. Some are also talented in straightening or threading, shaping eyebrows, mustaches and more.
I prefer these shops because they offer a deal on beard work with a fade. It's usually faster service and less bullshit. What bullshit? The sort that takes time from your cut or elongates it because barbers are chatting back and forth or doing God knows what on their smartphones.
It's simple. Enter, pass a few looks around to barbers that you need a cut or open your mouth and ask how long the wait is. Looking at reviews for barber shops I tend to see a pattern. There's a few patrons that don't know how to get the attention of a barber and take it personally. Much like trying to dance with a pretty woman in a club, the request is all it takes. Now.. if you got money in your pocket, more than likely, the barber will give you a cut. The pretty woman.. that's really on you.
I've been stopping out here a few times in the last six to eight months. I dig the cut price. For a clipper fade with beard work, it's $15 dollars. Extra for tip. It's a smaller barber shop and off the beaten path so I have never run into it being overly busy like the larger fade shops down IPR. This is also because I avoid the common times that a shop could be overrun. So far I've gotten some pretty good barbers that are great in cutting tight lines. Not so much in the department of adhering specifically to what I wanted (style-wise) but good enough that I feel satisfied about the work.
Where they lack is customer service.. It's not Borics or Supercuts, nor would you be charged like you are in one. However, there is a main barber or manager. Most of the time, he's got a busy chair but keeps an eye on the door. If, there's a newer barber whose English skills aren't on par, the manager will indicate to them that you want a cut and will explain what is needed. If it is your first time, there's no reason to feel like you are being ignored. Speak up and ask for a cut. Most of the time, other customers would be waiting on a specific barber. If you are okay with having anyone, the next available will call on you. This is the norm for all barber shops.
Last, this sort of barber shop has a revolving door. Customers are always flowing through. So, it may not be as clean as a Borics or Supercuts. That's mainly because they do not have a designated person working cleanup. So far, I've been lucky with barbers that took care of their "tools" and washed hands before my cut. (Due to an allergy to smoke, if a barber doesn't use gloves or washes hands before, I could feel sick during the cut.) read more
