Franco’s Barber Shop

I wish I could give these clowns 0 stars.
I walked into this place looking for a quick cut because I am from out of town and needed a trim.
First, I walk in and there’s two guys sitting on 2 of the 4 waiting chairs and each one had a bag on the open chairs. Bad start. Décor is old and ratty, shop is cramped and dirty, and what looked to be the owner’s son shouldn’t be allowed to run the shop when his daddy is not there; I’ll explain why.
After patiently waiting outside for the riff raff to be called for his cut, I sat down and waited my turn. When it was my turn, I asked the employee if they were cash only. He told me «cash or check.» It’s 2015, get this stuff figured out. Anyways, I asked for an ATM, he said there’s one «down there» and pointed down the street. I should have just got in my car and left then. Against my better judgement I walked straight down the street to a gas station and pulled out cash and walked straight back to the «barber shop». This took NO MORE than 5 minutes.
When I got back the guy that was going to cut my hair was gone. I figured he was using the restroom or cleaning something. I sat patiently for about 15 minutes and finally asked the other clown if the other guy had gone on lunch or something, half jokingly. This moron told me yes, the other clown went on lunch.
I could not believe it!!! Not only did they waste my time, not cut my hair, piss me off and turn away a customer for ever, I will write reviews letting people know how they operate.
I summary, this poor excuse for a business was the absolute worst experience I have ever had at a barbershop. Between both of their pea brains they blatantly allowed lunch to be taken when a customer stepped out to get cash to pay them and their rinky dink operation. Should have judged the book by the cover on this one! They should’ve cut my hair then allowed me to go to the ATM. If you ever find yourself in need of a haircut, go to the place next door or just wait for a real barbershop.
Update: Still pissed. This place almost ruined my whole trip to Monterey.

Love Franco but found he had slipped a bit, cutting too wide around the ears, etc. Shoot, the man in in his 70s… give him a break right? after this, its real ticklish to see another barber when you go if Frank is there, so I began going on his day off. Tried the other guys, Cody and Jerry… think there was one other guy??? Anyway, Jerry couldn’t ever remember my name, even though I had sat in his chair 3 – 4 times (Frank ALWAYS remembers your name!) Jerry’s cut was OK but he was a big talker during the cut and I don’t like that unless I am in the mood. I mean, please don’t stop cutting… talk but keep cutting! I am usually in a hurry when I stop in. Jerry would stop cutting and stand face to face to converse. Just kind of odd… Now that I have thought about it, Cody couldn’t remember my name either. Cody DOES give a good haircut, best of the three there. Look, I understand. I don’t have the best memory either. But these guys should take notes from Franco about remembering names. And somebody ought to tighten up the operation regarding times open, services provided, etc. If Cody and Jerry are going to buy Frank out, somebody needs to take the lead.

Was closed when posted hours said it would be open.

I went here for almost almost 2 years and had Frank, Jerry and Cody cut my hair at times and finally settled on Cody as my regular barber. He always did a great job and was worth the wait or coming back if I needed to if he was out for the day.
Fast forward, Cody was out of town and I NEEDED a haircut, I waited patiently and Frank took his lunch and then Jerry finished up and once his customer was gone he told me he would t cut my hair. «Because he knew Cody always did a great job and he didn’t want to mess it up». I explained that I really had to have her cut today he flat out refuse told me that if I needed a haircut that bad I could always go to the salon next-​door.
I point blank asked him if he was refusing to cut my hair and his answer was «yes» he refused. I gave Cody a call the following week and asked him about it and he said that Jerry had done this before. Needless to say I will not be going back to Franco’s. That was the most childlike behavior I am ever experienced in dealing with a grown adult. Franco should be ashamed for having someone like that work for him. Cody is a great barber and I hope you get to shop of his own or finds better coworkers.

I just received a haircut and beard trim from Cody. He did a great job as normal! This place is a real barber’s shop, with an actual barber that will cut your hair. If you like to listen to the Beach and the gossip from cosmotologists, this place is not for you. Get your haircut like a gentleman, experience a straight razor and experience talcum and Clubman on your freshly shorn hairline. Totally worth it!

This is the best for your man to get an amazing cut and shave. The guys are so friendly and I can’t see going anywhere else.

This is the only place my fiancé gets his hair cut. Cody always does an amazing job with his hair! He does a wonderful job, especially catering to each guy’s hairline and what look they’re going for. I love when my fiancé comes home with the classic gentleman’s haircut. Please keep up the fantastic work!

Best barber shop in town! This is the only place worth going to in monterey in my opinion. It has an old school Italian feel and the attention to detail is what stood out to me. Great price as well, only 20 bucks to look fresh. I recommend it to all my friends, and supporting local business is what its all about.

They no longer do shaves. Told me they stopped it 6 months ago. Need to update business and remove all the statements to the contrary. Reading on Unilocal that they did was the only reason I tried them.

A real disappointment. I was travelling through Monterey area from London and wanted a traditional shave. I rang to check they did shaving, was told they did, went out of my way to visit only to find they didn’t do it. Luckily I found Phill’s Barber shop in Pacific Grove where I had one of the best shaves ever.

Went in for my first time, the owner Franco was not there, I’m sure he’s the best according to reviews. I didn’t have a good feeling about the guy who cut my hair cuse I saw him cut another mans hair. It turned out to be one of the worst hair cuts I’ve ever had. Uneven, the back is strange and over all not a good hair cut. Younger man long dark hair. It was not with the money, I’m never going to see him again.

This guy is the real deal. Old school barber. Pictures with him and Clint Eastwood and a true supporter of troops. Has always done a great job on my cuts! A great guy to trust with a straight razor!

Same as Dustin… he did a great job on the sides and back, but didn’t touch the top. I wasn’t paying extra close attention, but close enough to know that he didn’t touch the top of the person’s head just before me. Nice barber, and told me he pinched a nerve 6 months ago (so doesn’t do shaves). Maybe that’s why? Although I think Dustin’s experience was more than 6 months ago.

21 bucks with the tip… Worth every penny
Get there early. Great Old School Barber shop !

Great guys in here. Excellent cut, good fade.
I like a high and tight with a hot lather shave of my neck and trim around the ears. This is exactly what you get here. It was great.

Franco is part of a dying breed of old school barbers. I’m pretty sure he had an actual barber pole outside. The shop, which couldn’t have been much bigger than a typical master bedroom, had the old school barber chairs and old newspaper clippings. We had a great conversation about our shared love for the Monterey bay, its history and beauty. Best yet, he made my untameable beard look business professional. I hope Franco doesn’t ‘hang up the scissors’ for a long long time.

The way it used to be done — good conversation, a neat cut, attention to detail. A good experience.

39 years old this year and that was the worst haircut I’ve ever –not– gotten. Seriously, I just paid $ 20 to have my hair not cut. On this, my first and last visit to Frank’s shop, I asked for a trim and taper for the Holidays. After only symbolically touching the boundaries of my hair line with the clippers for a moment, he removed the apron to then symbolically touch my neck and earline with the straight razor. Then put the mirror in my face — I asked for him to to do the taper and square away all the thousands of runaway hairs around my head. So he did another 60 second go round with the clippers and comb and still didn’t trim more than a dozen hairs. This time he just took away the apron and said there ya go. I handed him a 20 and he didn’t even ASK if I wanted change — just said have a happy holiday. Now I still need a haircut. I’m from the Show Me state — from a community where Barbers are many and well respected — very competitive. Here though — this place — apparently they don’t need any new customers. So unless you’re just in the mods to donate $ 20 to someone’s 401k — just willynilly — or/​and you’re completely bald and just need a $ 20 eyebrow trim — I’d find another ‘Barber’. Seriously, walking away, I feel like I was the wrong color or something — what just happened? Who does that?

Good, old school barber. I was nervous trying a new place while out of town but they did a fine job.

Best haircuts I’ve ever received for seven years now.
He knows my name, remembers «my taste» and he’s never been outdone.
This Cody guy who’s new seems to be a great guy as well, same rare talent that Franco’s got.