Tlatoani Professional Barbers No 2

New to Salinas and my husband found this place and loves it. Kookie is great with a straight edge and provides a relaxing experience.

Best barbershop in salinas valley. Good peeps and great cuts. All of the barbers are great and you don’t lose if you go there.

My boys and husband love their hair cuts done by Jose! He does a great job! The only bad thing is the other barber’s M-​Rated language in front of kids. They don’t have any respect for women, children, elderly (including Jose). They must think we all come from the ghetto too. I will not be taking my boys there anymore.

I came here for the first time today. I didn’t realize they were by appointment only but they were nice enough to squeeze me in. There are 3 guys and 1 young lady. They’re all very friendly and social and made me feel comfortable.
My haircut was done by the young lady. Her name is Isabel. I asked for a #3 on top with a medium height razor fade. After about 5 minutes I realized how great of job she was going to do. She took her time and made sure I had a clean fade without stray hairs on top. I’m saying this because the place I use to go to always felt rushed and when I left I was only ok with the haircut. After Isabel was done, I was very happy with my cut and not just ok with it.
I highly recommend this place and assure that you won’t be disappointed. Needless to say, I will be returning to this place on a regular basis for all my haircuts.
THANK YOU GUYS!

I’ve been looking for a new place to get my haircut because i was never happy with what I had been getting. I decided to make a change based on all the positive reviews. I was very happy with my decision, and i really like how he was able to get my cut right the very first time. To top it all off, I didn’t have cash and he told me not to worry about it. I was able to come back 2 days later and it was a pleasure to see someone so understanding.
I thought it was awesome to see the time he spent making sure my cut was what I wanted. He really knows how to take care of you

After years of only going to upscale salons, I got my hair cut here by Don Jose. Great cut from a great guy at less than half the price. Yes, an appointment is best. I stopped by at 4 pm on a Friday and they said they were booked but Don Jose offered to squeeze me in at 6. (Next time I’ll book days in advance).
They do cuts for older professionals, young kids, and teens and young adults with the latest styles. Parking is easy if you don’t mind walking a block or so.
Yes they are busy. That should tell you something.

This is the only barbershop I go to. The boys Jerry, Jose, and Kookie know how to cut. Been going here for over 8 year, and I have never had a bad cut. So hit them up if you wanna get your shit straight and start lookin good.

Great place to get a haircut, these gentlemen seem to be booked most of the time so I’d advice for you guys to book an appointment before walking in. Jerry is who I go too but all these guys are great barbers, and customer friendly which is something I focus on a lot. If you’re an anti social person this might help you break out of your shell a bit, they talk about everything. The gal working there does a good job too I seen her do a really good razor fade recently so I recommend her too, parking can be a bit tough to find but that’s out these guy’s hands!

Tlatoani is definitely the best barber shop in Salinas. My son and I have been getting our fades their since my son was 1, he is now almost 7 and loves getting his hair cut with Jose. I would recommend calling for an appointment before you go. They’re pretty booked up. Don’t hesitate to stop by, you wont regret it.

After making an appointment my kids and I went here for the first time and let me tell you, the experience was awesome! When we walked in we felt welcomed and they had me laughing at some of the jokes. Simply felt like I was with friends and having a good time while getting my beard trimmed and shaved. The gentleman that trimmed me up was Juan or «Cookie» hope i got his name right, was awesome! The service and the attention to detail was great. Anyone that wants a quality cut and shave with a blade vs a shaver Won’t regret going here!!!

The one-​star reviews here are ridiculous. Don Jose is an incredible barber, who practices a lost art. Watching him do a straight-​edge haircut (not a shave!) is like watching an artisan at work. He is truly an artist of hair cutting. He doesn’t always have the time to «show off» his skill, but if you make an advance appointment, and if he knows that you appreciate it, he will gladly exhibit his barber skill for your enjoyment. For me, when we both have the time, that includes straight edge cut of my hair, where he rubs the warm foam into my hair, and literally sculpts it with sharp straight edge razor. It is a very cool experience indeed.
This business is cash only. It is usually so busy that you will not be able to get a walk-​in appointment with Don Jose, although the shop’s two other barbers also do an excellent job. However, appointments are easy to make over the phone, and once you are in the chair, there is no rush at all. They really take their time to please their customers. Everyone in the shop is very friendly, there is a great selection of magazines for the gentlemen’s (almost every) fancy, from fishing and hunting to sports and muscle cars. Don Jose is a big fan of Oscar de La Joya, and used to cut his hair in Southern California, so one of the walls looks like a shrine to the Golden Boy, with autographed posters. Its a really neat place with a great vibe. If only I could get a drink to go with my haircut, I would gladly pay double.
So, against the backdrop of this information, is it fair to give this incredible local business a one-​star because someone felt it was beneath them to wait to be served, or make an appointment like everyone else? Or, making up ridiculous charges of «racism» — which are completely unfair because in the years that I’ve been coming there since I discovered this shop I have seen Don Jose service everyone with great courtesy, friendliness, and humor.
This place is a gem. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.

Best Barbers in salinas!!! Appointment is a must! They do it all! Fades, tapers, razor fades/​tapers, designs (color optional), pompadours, combovers, facials, short hair, long hair it don’t matter!

This place gives excellent customer service and I always feel welcome as soon I enter. a true barbershop for the people no matter who you are. I been going to get my cut by kookie and always does the job right and I’m always very satisfied when I leave.

You better make an appointment or they won’t take your business. I went on a Saturday with my two boys and they turned me Away. I try to give my business to local small businesses but they said we needed an appointment and handed me business cards. Felt dissapionted. Maybe they should take their sign down that says walk-​Ins welcome. Seemed like a cool place but if you didn’t make appointment don’t even bother, take your business elsewhere.
Funny thing was that we started at the barber in park row. She closes at 12 and I opened the door at 11:30 am and she said she was closed already so then we drive to this place and they didn’t want our business.
Then went to third barber I could think of in Sherwood gardens and he was busy but said have a seat and got down to business. But ended up with horrible cuts. Plus had violent R rated movies on and I was there with my 8 and 10 year old. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
We always went to Dons on Laurel Ave but he passed away and we miss him terribly. He never turned us away not once in ten years even if he was busy. He was fast and could entertain everyone waiting and worked his magic. He would cut my two boys and husbands hair In less than thirty minutes.
We miss him haven’t found a good barber since.

Got to go see Kookie. Straight edge razors no bic’s or mac’s taking to the Old School Quality work hands down

Love the atmosphere and friendliness of all three barbers. Amazing haircuts and WAY better than any barber shop I’ve been in. The most expensive hair cut is $ 20 but trust me it is worth the haircut and especially they take their time doing your hair. Need to call ahead of time for appointment. They’re constantly busy; SO that means they are all GREAT at they do (Professionals). WORTH the MONEY! I get high fades, line-​up, and they make sure it looks legit.
I’ve been here for 6 years in Monterey County and I could never find a barber shop in comparison to the ones in my hometown Fresno, CA; in which; they use the old school razor blade.

There is no doubt that Don Jose one of the best barbers in Salinas, but the guy is racist particularly against black folks. I refuse to spend my money at this establishment.
Oh and one more thing … for years Don Jose always said «yo no tomo citas, aquí no es salón de belleza.» But, the last time that I set foot at his establishment I sat and waited for well over an hour before he asked if I had an appointment. I asked, «appointment?» He said, «Jes, I tayke appionmens naow.» So, I guess it’s a beauty salon now. Lol.

Excellent cuts from both, Jose and Jerry. Call ahead for appointment, as it can get pretty busy.

Legit cut; the fade was tight and finished off with straight razor. Quality barbershop.