Borseno's Barber Shop
Categories: Barbers, Hair Salons, Tanning [Edit]
Neighborhood: University District1406-B NE 50th St
Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 523-3119
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- By Appointment Only: No
15 reviews
Neighborhood: Eastlake
"I went to Harmony for the first time this week and was really impressed. She took a lot of time to find out how I like to wear and style my…" read more »
39 Reviews for Borseno's Barber Shop
I went in for a walk-in at Borseno's a couple of weeks ago. It was summer and I needed to keep cool, so I wanted to get my long hair cut and layered. Borseno's looks like a biker shop, with Playboy magazines on the racks and red leather couches. Though I'm accustomed to high fashion salons, I decided to give it a try, especially because the barber shop charged 1/2 the price of a regular salon, $25 instead of $50. Hannah was the stylist who cut my hair, and she was awesome. She gave me two options during the consultation, and the end result was great! The haircut was totally worth the price, and I'm definitely going back for my next haircut.
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I've been going to Borseno's since it opened up many years ago. I was excited to find out that it belonged to a friend from "the old days", Stormy!
I have gotten my hair cut at maybe 3 other places over the last 8 years, when I couldn't get an appt at Borseno's (or Westside, her other shop) and was very disappointed with other shops service and cuts. Borseno's is funl to look at (flame chairs, checkered floor, fun accessories and paintings) and Stormy is the best. Her other cutters over the years and now have been great also. Good music, cool people, great hair!
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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03/08/2008
Stormy, the owner of Borseno's and Westside Barber Shops, has been cutting my hair for about 8… Read more »
I'm not one to write reviews, but I love Borseno's. I travel alot, and whenever I'm in Seattle, I always go back to visit Frankie. That chick rules the school. The haircuts are great, the atmosphere is like nothing else you will ever see, and the personalities in that place are vibrant, and funny as hell.
What prompted me to write this review, was after reading what some of the other customers had to say. For the most part, I agree with the good reviews, but some of the negative ones go way below the belt. And so I felt I needed to clarify a few things to those confused readers, just looking for a solid place to get a hair cut.
The thing with Borseno's is this. It's original and unique. It's exactly what a barber shop should be. That shop walks to the tune of it's own beat. Therefore, if it's Supercuts you want, you'll hate it, so stick with what you know. Perhaps the shop is a bit intimidating to some of you.
On my last trip in there, I had Borseno's fix my hair after a previous disaster haircut I had in Venice, CA. The guy (can't remember his name) that came to my rescue made it look awesome. You rock, guy that I can't remember your name! Mahalo!
So if you had a bad experience, it means you need to get out of the heat if you can't stand the **&%$#$ kitchen, and go to Fantastic Sams, where you feel more comfortable.
But if you're looking for a groovy, funky and always entertaining place to get a solid haircut, listen to great music, hang out and talk story, and savor the gems of decor throughout the shop, look no further. You just stumbled upon a haven in the ever-growing world of the mundane white-wash.
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So after having a long string(we're talking years) of bad haircuts from various "stylists" I figured I'd go to the first shop I saw and luckily it happened to be this one. Having not had a satisfactory hair wacking for a long time and a metric crapload of hair with which to experiment, I gave Marcella(my barber, or is it barbress? barbara?) minimal instructions and told her to do whatever she wanted. I am pretty happy with the result. It's a little shorter than my specified medium, but it looks good and fits me well. Overall happy feelings ensued and I'll definitely be back.
I must say, when I walked through the door and saw that this beautiful lady covered from head to toe in beautiful artwork, was the skilled haircuttress to give me my last haircut on the "mainland" I was so happy. Any woman as beautiful as the owner of Borseno's can cut my hair any day! She did such a wonderful job, and I am so glad that I had the pleasure to meet her and her beutiful soul before my husband and I moved our family to the islands. I must rate Borseno's 5 thumbs up! The staff working there is amazing too! They all looked great and Borseno's has such a good atmosphere, you feel at home and welcome in this totally urban chic barber shop!
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Always a great haircut, always totally entertaining, totally cost friendly, I don't know why you'd go anywhere else in Seattle for a haircut. I've gone there for six years now. It's always consistent, convenient, I never have to wait too long. I am very particular about how my hair is cut, and this shop gets it every single time. Borsenos, you're the BEST!
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The staff was unfriendly, the hair cut average and too expensive.
Only two people have ever cut my hair since I was 13 - so I am very picky. Stormy has been cutting my hair for 11 years now, and I will continue to keep giving her my business. Her attention to detail and ability to style it however you like are very rare qualities to find in this industry. The shop is hip, the music is good, and you don't have to worry about any posers. I highly recommend this joint to anyone out there - you won't be disappointed!
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I have been getting a haircut at Borseno's and Westside barber from Frankie for over 4 years now. It is tough finding someone who can handle my strange, fro-prone, curly asian hair. I always walk out of her fun shops with a great haircut.
Oh, and it's very very well priced! No pressure to do anything you don't want and they do try to make sure look the way you want to!
Hands down the best barber shop I've been to!
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I used to go to a salon downtown and drop 50 bucks on a mens haircut. I friend recommended I go see hannah at borsenos. I can just tell her to make me look good and she always does. I always get compliments on my hair and tell my friends to save some cash and get the same awesome haircuts at half the price.
When it comes to my hair, I am defiantly spur-of-the-moment. So finding out my regular stylist was booked 2 weeks out was disappointing. My bus drives right by Borseno's but never bothered to try it out because I thought I wasn't cool enough....but today I took a chance......
I am glad I did! For 25 bucks I got my hair trimmed and it looks great! And what a fun atmosphere--everyone was singing and there were Playboys to look at while waiting....my kind of wonderland!
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I was looking for a place to get my hair cut while I go to school by UW. I was walking up the ave one day and found Borsenos and to my surprise it was the sister shop to Westside (where I get my hair normally cut). Same great cut as the other shop and always can get an appointment. The person below who said a Super Cuts drop out could do better obviously found some drugs on the ave before they went there because Borsenos isn't even on 15th. Anyways, Borsenos is a sweet shop with awesome people and ever better haircuts.
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I've always had good luck with this place. If you're anywhere near the U-District and need a decent cut, consider Borseno's. The stylists have great personal style (Anna in particular) and so does the shop itself. plus, it has a great atmosphere.
In spending less than $25 you get a wash, cut, and style. Can't be beat.
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borseno's and westside, both owned by frankie, are awesome barber shops! i have also sent many of my clients to her and they all came back to me saying that the shops are great. they work with all hair types, even my son goes to borseno's. what can i say? if you want a barber shop that does it all, boreno's or westside are the ..sh....t!
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Uh, Are we talking about the same Borseno's at the U on 15th? let me say the drop out at a Super cuts hair school could of done a better job, A flow-bee could of done a better job. I should of checked if her licenses on her table was for hair or a certificate issued for being blind.My hair was so bad I had to go to get it done again at another barber at least they made it better ,everyone from the other shop said WTF.The other hair shop said that Borsenos usually dose a good job but they asked what did they do and was she on drugs?.After seeing Borseno at the #1 spot on Yelp for months,I wanted to check it out . Borseno cut it uneven,chunks,cut past my hair line.Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber had a better hair cut then I.I am not even into my hair and they made me say good god WTF! I would never go to Borseno's again. plus i thought it was weird to have copies of porn around but I am just judging this place on hair.
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I went there pretty much on the strength of the reviews I read on this site, and now I've signed up for a Yelp account just to add my review to the fray.
Mary (I think) did an awesome job; exactly what I wanted but better. I'll be going back.
I look good, damnit!
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After Jana left (to open her own biz in Tacoma) I thought I'd never go back to this place.
Honestly, truly - it devasted me. So I started going to Zero Zero but then everyone and their hipster fucking dog went there, so I had to go someplace else. I decided to try Borseno's again.
I went in to get my hair cut and I got exactly what I WANTED. Can you fucking believe it? First off, barbers and hair stylists are not magicians. They cannot "read your mind" or tell you want you want. So before I went in there I decided that i was going to tell Harmony that I wanted "to keep the shape the same, but thinned out and chopped up." Short and sweet.
Harmony was professional and really down-to-earth. I'm definitely going back. If you know your hair and know what you want, go to Borseno's. They can "deliver."
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Really cool shop!
After a so-so stint at Rudy's, I decided to give this shop a try. It was awesome! My barber/stylist was Hannah, and she was very funny and personable. Great conversation paired with a great haircut. All I had to say was "make me look good" pretty much and the end result was perfect! A good 20 bucks well spent.
Thanks Hannah!
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Wow is all I have to say.....
My girl told me to come down here and try it out....
ANNA was amazing....I have a very low maintenance cut and style so I didnt really give much thought about going to any specific spot or stylist.
She was quick and efficient, and DAMN she did the finger length on top with what looked like a straight balde....FTW?!?!?
I will deifintely go out of my way and deal with parking in the U-District to visit this shop again....
Thanks again...
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Probably the single most positive experience I have ever had getting my haircut. Not really a very high bar, sure, but this place pretty much rocks, and I'm not just saying that because the owner's totally sweet old Triumph motorcycle is sitting in a back hallway. Which I am going to steal. The motorcycle. She can keep the hall.
I walked right on in about three months past the day my hair should have been slashed and burned, and was told they'd be able to slot me in after a bit. It's pretty cool in there, with lots of nooks and crannies and dirty magazines to pass the time with their amazing articles.
The main thing is the haircut, though, and Stormy did mine. "Kind of like it is now, only, instead of looking long and bad, make it look less long and less bad." I've said this before to decidedly mixed results, but this time it actually worked. She busted out the scissors and the small talk and started working her way around my gigantic head (no extra charge). A while later, and I was shocked and awed to see that she'd actually gotten something meaningful out of my vague rambling, and delivered exactly the cut I'd been wanting. Really, it was pretty awesome.
$20 (cheap), friendly (not awkward or creepy) conversation and a careful, great cut (rad). Go here.
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I'm actually really sad, because everyone but me obviously liked their haircuts out of this place. Ever since Rami left Vain, I've been without a decent haircut. Well I figured I'd go here based on the reviews and the price was definately worth the while. I called up and originally asked for Stormy based on the reviews, and I think the guy that answered the phone didn't quite hear me and just said they had availability so I figured, why not, nobody put any bad reviews up. Well I showed up and was telling the girl that I was thinking about getting an inverted bob (I know, I'm slow on the trend, but thought it'd look cute on me) and she tells me that the other person there is much better at the trend. No big deal, at least she's honest, so I wait for her to finish with her client (maybe 5 minutes at the most) and go work with the other girl. Well I thought it was a bit odd that she just wet my hair down - no shampoo, nothin, just H2o. But she started chopping away. She wasn't much for conversation, but I'd rather have her focus on cutting my hair, than chatting me up. At the end, she asked me what I thought, and it seemed to be fine. I told her I'd have to see what it looks like dry and styled. I mean, how am I supposed to know when my hair is all wet, what it's supposed to look like? Well they don't dry your hair there either so don't go on a cold day. Anyways, I got the chance to take a shower, play around with it, and I've realized that it's not really a bob at all. The side bangs I asked for aren't angled at all, they're cut straight across, and I have layers on the side of my head. I can usually fix my hair enough to make things work, but I'm really struggling tonight, and I'm considering getting it re-cut. It sucks to think that I'm going to pay to have it done - again....but I might if 2nd opinions from friends think the same. I can't complain too much for a $25 haircut, but if it's going to cost me $50 more to get it fixed, it's not worth it.
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting my hair cut at Borseno's! It is the best place in town to get your hair done. You can't beat the price, time spent and the atmosphere is great! I love going somewhere that the stylists actually have style! I will go back again and again because I know i'll have had a fun time getting my hair cut without getting ripped off and waiting for hours. In fact, I think I need to make myself another appointment!
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I'm sold.
Well, I was sold when I read the reviews on how happy people were with this place.
I was sick of going to mediocre or mainstream salons. I knew that if I wanted my hair a certain way without worrying about the end result, I had to try something new. It had to be somewhere where the stylists would know the current styles and know what I want and not try to do something different.
Anna cut my hair and she did it with ease. She was very quick but precise. She even explained to me that with the full sideswiped bangs I desired, she had to cut back further. And the layering is just right. I don't have to do much straightening as I have in the past with the almost identical haircut.
Price is average, and I actually feel like it was worth paying. I usually have only left a small tip in the past at other places, but I had no hesitation giving Anna recognition on a job well done.
She is even the stylist who does someone else's hair that I know (*ahem*..Kim), so I knew she had to be good from the get-go.
The ambience is great, my taste of style and music, and cool staff. I didn't even know they had a tanning salon there too- not that I like to fake n bake, but I need a little boost before summer- so I know where I'm goin for that too!
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I will start off saying this is the kind of place I would get my haircut at even if I weren't friends with employees, owner, etc. I would come here anyway. The vibe is great, Stormy rocks, Anna rocks my hair and Michelle rocks my world. You will never be bored or disappointed.
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Borseno's is awesome. Anybody who's anybody gets their haircut here. Great dcor, great music, great employees, and GREAT haircuts. Oh, and color too.
Anna has been cutting my hair for four years and I have never been happier, or seen anyone else since moving to Seattle. I've got curly hair that has been butchered many, many times in the past but never since I've been seeing Anna. She even makes my "Bettie bangs" look like they were cut with a level - that takes TRUE talent. Over the years she's helped me grow out the bad haircut I came to her with originally, given me killer advice about how to style my hair and what products to use, and even color corrected my hair from when it was dyed black.
My boyfriend has been getting his haircut religiously by Stormy (aka Frankie) for as long as I can remember. He's one of those rockabilly guys who is painfully picky about his pompadour and will only see Stormy because it is always perfection. He will not trust his hair to anyone else.
Seriously, this place is awesome and the price is definitely right.
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AWESOME! This is my favorite barber shop in Seattle. Period. I live in the neighborhood and it's close by. The girls who work there are friendly and you can always get in with only a 20 min wait at most. They cut my hair about every 2 weeks. I also bring my teenage son in for a "skater cut". Hey, this is a real barbershop, not a high end prentious salon where you will pay $100 for hair design. You get better than that for... $20! You will want to tip before you leave.
This is where the cool locals go. It feels hip and current, but not rude and pretentious. Its a real neighborhood shop with lots of charm and friendly service. I prefer to get my haircut by the owner, Stormy (her aka is Frankie), but any of the girls will do if she's not in. BTW you can park for free right down on the Ave (30 feet away), so it's easy. I highly reccomend trying Borsenos!
Honestly I joined Yelp just to give this review after I saw an unfair attack written by "amanda a." who admits she has never even been a customer. How fair is that? Obviously she has a personal problem. There is also a review by "natalie" where she says she doesnt like the neighborhood (so she gives Borsenos 1 star review?)... hey, perhaps thats not the fault of the Barbershop? In fact, its charming places like Borsenos that keep the Ave still a place to go for those of us who live in NE Seattle. I ride my bike down to the Ave to grab a slice, go shop, and get a haircut all the time. Thats what we do around here. We get tattoos, ride fixed gear bikes, see a punk band at Galway Arms, buy a jacket at Buffalo, get a quick trim at Borsenos. Its not a bad place to live... I love it here.
I wish people would be fair when they write a neg review. Don't use a public forum to air your personal problem/grievance that has nothing to do with the shop. If you owned a small shop would you want the same unfair treatment of a "revenge review" by a non customer? I doubt it. Anyways, I'm ranting... just try Borsenos next time you're in a hurry and want a perfectionist (Stormy is always there on Tuesdays) to give you an awesome haircut. Anna has also cut my hair and I highly reccomend her, too. GOOD LUCK!
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I went to Borseno's yesterday because I read such good reviews on yelp. You see, I'm not really particular when it comes to my hair but I was getting tired of being lost in translation when it came to what kind of hairstyle i wanted. I am more on the androgynous side and a lot of barber's I'd been to had a tendency to completely ignore what I said and do what they wanted. Not here, I said what I wanted and I got what I wanted plus it was even better. I had a pretty tight stylist, Carmen. She's da bomb and a good conversationalist so I wasn't bored getting my hair cut. The shop is crazy cool. I've never been in a more interesting shop. Lots of pictures, the walls are a bright yellow which I think is tight. I'm tan already but if you needed a tan they could hook you up with that too.
I had a really good experience and it was a really cheap haircut. I was surprised actually so I just gave Carmen a really good tip and that was still under 30.
It was so worth the trip from Queen Anne. I highly recommend coming here if you need some style in your life.
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My husband and I have been going to Borsenos for years! I've also had color done. I've sent several friends and will continue to do so!
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I LOVE BORSENO'S! I have been frequenting this wonderful barbershop for years now ever since my best-friend, Anna, started working there. She is the best hairstylist you'll ever go to! Trust me! And I'm not just saying this because I'm biased. The atmosphere is great, the people are fun to talk to, and the most important part, the stylists are extremely talented. Even if you hate the trip to the U dist, try to make it to Borseno's. It'll be worth it!
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Like the reviewer before me, I infrequently venture to the U-District, and I am especially loath to do so during rush hour. However, after reading these reviews and seeing some of Anna's work on her website, I decided to brave the traffic and head down there after work yesterday. It was totally worth the trip; Borseno's is fabulous! Anna gives a spot-on precision haircut, and is the queen of A-lines. I walked out with a gorgous A-line cut and full highlights for a price that can't be beat. The joint is hip without being pretentious, and are experienced with a range of styles.
It's definitely not a spa kind of joint -- for that, you're gonna have to go to Gene Juarez. But if you're looking for a good, modern cut without spending a fortune, definitely check out Borseno's.
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I used to live in the U-District and stopped by here when it first opened... Back when there was a democrat in office. Now, here I am years later, living outside of the U-District with no car... But still making the trek there. Why? Because Stormy does wonders with my hair. I have to admit that I don't know the difference between tools and size... But thankfully I have Stormy to know what will work best on my hair. She and her crew aren't as pretentious as Rudy's, and it's just very relaxed and they take appointments which is always a good thing... Especially when they call me the day of to remind me.
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Anna is pretty much the goddess of all things hair.
Fun, patient, and cool, and she does an awesome job for way less than the stuffy salons. Frankly, now that I've found this place, I don't think I shall ever need a stuffy salon again. No pretension, Social D on the speakers, and no BS about what to do with my hair. Opinion is freely given if you ask, and otherwise only given to keep you from making mistakes.
Also, Anna touched a corrective color job that nobody else would and did it with aplomb and grace to boot. I mean, really, awesome doesn't begin to cover it. People ask me where I got my hair did on pretty much a daily basis.
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I love the haircut I get here. Conversations here are usually interesting and open to all who share the space. I live right down the street so this is really convenient, but even when I want to get my hair cut on Monday (and they are closed) I am willing to wait until Tuesday b/c I know they won't mess it up. The only downside is that it is a little more pricey than I would like for a pretty simple cut.
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Need a haircut? Want to hear excellent music while you wait? Go to Borsenos, dammit.
Anna is a goddess, and everyone there is hip, beautiful, talkative, and probably ready to share a drunken escapade story while they make you purdy. Finding stylists/barbers that are talented AND approachable can be tough. Borsenos has both.
The only real downside is that Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" isn't _always_ playing when I walk in. I can deal with that. ;)
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What can i say about Borseno's barbershop?
I used to live in seattle and one thing i could always expect from Borseno's was a no bullshit haircut that was right every time. When it comes to getting your haircut in seattle there are literally thousands of options. If you enjoy drinking shitty box wine and sitting around listening to quiet techno music, other salons are up your alley. Borseno's is loud, full of energy, and real people.
However, if you are a person like myself who cant deal with fake plastic bullshit that is commonplace to the experience of getting your haircut then Borsenos is for you.
Borseno's wont accept young kids so this ensures that your experience will be uninterrupted by irritating screams!!! (there is seriously nothing more obnoxious than bratty kids while you are trying to relax)
I no longer live in seattle, but i still commute over an hour to the shop just to get my haircut. Good enough?
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When I decide that I want a haircut, I want it right then - no planning ahead for me. I have shoulder-length straight hair, so cutting it is not really a hassle. But, I'm still picky. I've been able to walk into Borseno's and get a cut within 20 minutes.
The first time, I went to Borseno's, I had this guy who looked like he should be hopping on his Harley playing with my hair and telling me what a pretty color it was. I loved it.
The past few times I've gone, the Cure's been on and my head starts a'boppin. Not a good idea when there're sharp things around your head, but I live on the wild side. I've never had a bad haircut here, and the stylists even refrain from playing with my hair too much. At other places, I usually end up with stylists who want to play with my hair like I'm a doll, and I end up leaving with these goofy curls and zig zag parts. No, I'm okay with not having that here. Really.
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Anna rules; she does my hair (see profile pic) -- nuff said.
Skilled, affordable, and friendly staff!
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I went to Borseno's on a recommendation by friend who also goes there to have her hair cut by Anna, and I have never been disappointed. Anna has always done a fabulous job and she's a pleasure to sit for and chat with. By coincidence, she also cut a co-worker's hair and it looks great! I complimented him even before he told me who cut it.
As an added bonus their prices are comparable to Rudy's and they take appointments, which at least one of the Rudy's shops doesn't.
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I am a vain guy, and like to find someone and trust my hair to them for years. Since I found Frankie (she also sometimes goes by Stormy), the owner of Borsenos (and The Westside in Seattle) I have been a loyal customer.
The ambiance is very cool, very 50's and tattoos and street, pretty funky for this nearly guy of nearly 40. But Frankie always gives me a good cut. I've had good and great, and NEVER bad.
Price is comparable to Rudy's (which I pan for the randomness of the cuts I used to get there).
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