The San Mateo Zoo

Terrible customer service. Was double booked. The guy in charge of my appointment texted me the night before I left for a trip. After telling him I’d be gone for 10 days. He told me to go to the shop in a couple of days. He wasn’t even paying attention to the conversation which is very disrespectful, besides the fact that he texted me at Midnight.

Stopped in to catch up with Neto, and the fellas over at The Zoo over the weekend. Had a baptism to attend. In on short notice. Lined up in short time. And looking to head back the next time I’m in town.
From what Neto tells me, they’re in considerably higher demand than they used to be. Do everyone a favor. Call ahead. And don’t waste our time with any reviews about long waits. Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency for anyone else.

This is the best Barber Shop in the Bay. Fresh haircuts and greats vibes. Very detailed oriented and not rushed. Would recommend 100%. Ask for Sega

Went to get a cut today and they threw me to the beginner didn’t look like you he knew what you was doing and also didn’t give me what I wanted, I had to go to a different barber shop later on today to get it fixed I also didn’t pay him.

Shout out to Allen and the rest of the barbers. This is such as friendly place, the music and style overall is great. No doubt this is the best barber in the bay area! Fresh hair cuts and great service! Thank again Allen!
–Miguel

I was so very close to trimming my goatee again today and unfortunately for all of us, I don’t have the proper tools to do the job. Worse yet, I’m a self diagnosed OCD’er who can absolutely positively NEVER leave well enough alone. When it comes to the beard trim, I am always one move away from the perfect beard and that typically ends in a clean shave.
So, I called over today, just like the high maintenance dude I am, expecting Travis to drop everything and everyone to help me out. Yeah, I know the world doesn’t revolve around me but my ego really wants it to. He asked Sega to hook me up with a trim and that’s what happened.
Sega could see the line left from the last trim up and he followed that line, helped clean up the areas I jacked up (see explanation above) and made me look like a champ in under 30 minutes. Super professional, laid back and chill kinda barber is exactly what I need. Hit him up next time you need some work done and you will not be disappointed.
Great group of guys, great barbers and a really chill place to get cut.

Best Barbers In the Bay Area for sure ! They always do great work and have a great vibe in their shop!

The Zoo is fresh! Walked in and was immediately greeted by the boys. No doubt began feeling like I was in a proper barbershop and was amped for my cut. Sega took his time to make sure I was happy with the cut each step of the way. The hardest thing is to not bob the head while getting cleaned up. The boys have the music on lock. Overall great experience, and will for sure come back when up in Nor Cal.

If I could give them waaaayyyy more than 5 stars. I’ve been goin to them since they were only 2 months old and I am willing to fight traffic, pay toll and wait till my schedule allows me to make it over there just so I can get cut. Honsetly they ALL have maddddd BARS! I’ve been to a few too many barbers that have screwed up my head and always find myself back at the zoo and HAPPY. Shouts out to the fam! Btw look out for shop 2 aka headshots!

Called if I could get a cut and hung up on me for some reason. Seems like they’re either lazy or just don’t want business?

I’m a regular there and my barber is Los, the environment is awesome the barbers are s friendly and it’s always a good time in there. It’s never awkwardly quiet in there and it’s easy to get a cut as long as you make an appointment! A week out. If you call the week of to set an appointment, good luck. Freshest cuts in San Mateo. Hands down.

Best haircuts my children have ever had! The barbers are all true artist. The way barbershops were intended to be. Highly recommend this place!

I received the worst haircut I’ve had in years from here. I had been to Shane’s and believed that this offshoot was the same quality. It simply does not. I will not return.
My cut is simple and my benchmark for quality is FSC and Public up in the city.
Cody gave me the worst cut and paid absolutely no attention to what I asked for. I asked for a #2 around the sides but blended in to leave the top longer — I got an aggressive undercut that has left me with bizarre side «bangs».
I have made an appointment at Public and hope that a professionally trained barber can do something to salvage this.
I will not return to the San Mateo Zoo or Shane’s after this experience.

I transplanted to the Bay Area almost 2 years ago and at first it was rough finding a new shop. Before I found The Zoo I tried a few different places and was never really happy. Then I got cut by Adam and he’s been my go-​to since. Adam is one of those rare barbers who figures out what you want when you don’t really know how to ask for it. He’s also recommended a few styles and he’s killed it every time. Adam is meticulous and like everyone else in the shop, he’s real polite and friendly without being fake about it.
I recently moved further down South Bay so I stopped coming here for a while because the drive was too long. Other shops were just ok enough to get by for a while, but today I decided to come back just to remind myself of the difference in quality. Even after months of me being gone, Adam worked me into his schedule like I never left and again delivered the best haircut for the value. I was reminded that nobody I’ve been to comes close to precision, style, and effort. I won’t be returning to those other shops, the work here is just too good, even if I have to drive.

Nice guys giving bad haircuts:
This shop has good music and nice employees. Unfortunately, their haircut skills don’t match up.
My barber was Cody and he claimed he understood what I wanted, but did not deliver. Unfortunately, these guys cut your hair with you facing away from the mirror, so it is impossible to give them guidance along the way. I have gotten the same hair cut at multiple shops in different countries, so I don’t believe it is something that is either difficult to understand or difficult to execute.
Also, if you have a beard be careful. I have had barbers clean up the edges of my beard in the past with no bad results. In this case, Cody moved the line of my beard about a ½ inch completely altering the look. Given that my beard is about 3 months old, it will not be trivial to allow that section to grow back.

Great barbers and great cuts. What is keeping this from a 5 star review? The barber chairs need some serious attention. I have had my hair cut by a few guys in the shop and half of them have messed up chairs. One guy had a chair that leaned heavily to the right, always felt I was going to tip over. Now recently I got my hair cut in a chair with no damn armrests. Again great cuts, but if I’m going to sit in a chair for 20+ min I want to be comfortable.

My 5 year old son has been getting his haircut by DANNY for a few years now so this review is long overdue.
My son really likes Danny. He’s very professional, good with kids and always does a fantastic job.

Allen did a great job. 30 bucks is expensive for a 13year old to get a haircut. But it’s worth it since my son loves his cut.

I remember when I used to go to $ 10 hair salons. They rushed even though there was never a line. You go home and you wish they could do better.
Once I tried a real barber, there was no going back. I’ve been going to the zoo for the past year and I feel that my money went to good use.
None of the barbers cuts any worse than the other. But if you like getting a combover like I do, I recommend setting an appointment a day before. He’s the guy that makes you feel comfortable if it’s your first time there. He even gives good, honest tips if you want to try a new look.
The place is small and always full of people, sometimes the conversations are worth listening to.
Overall, getting a cut at the zoo is the way to go.

First time at this shop. Adam hooked me up a fade. Adams the man, putting out proper fades.