Gao is a legend. He's been cutting my hair for a decade, and I can always count on him for a laugh, a great haircut, and some crazy stories. 20 bucks for a cut is an insane deal in 2026, tip the man well. It's a single person business, and he is the absolute best. Great for kids, adults, and students. He's been cutting hair for all of the college kids forever. The new location is awesome, and gao is the best. Cash only! read more

Very good experience! Walked in on an early Saturday afternoon as my regular barber shop had eight people waiting... Only one person in G's, and he was working on him. Only took about five minutes for him to finish up and then I was in the chair. He was professional, polite, and asked me about how I wanted my hair, stopped to make sure that I was satisfied occasionally, a really good experience! Highly recommended, and a good price. Cash only but they take walk-ins if there is time and I think you can make appointments as well. read more

Best haircut in the City, great service and walk in good. One of Pittsburghs best kept secrets...

Not recommended due to barber's disrespectful behaviors to customers. 1. If you plan to come here during busy traffic or rainy snowy days, make sure you are here on time because a 4min passing appointment time make the barber confront you with the question "What time is your appointment?" several times in front of other people. And you will be "kindly" reminded with loud voice "Come on time next time" when you just about to give a tip. 2. If you had been super busy working and you finally got sometime and decided to come to this place, make sure the hair looks good enough first, otherwise the barber may say exactly "your hair looks stupid." I'm not sure how 208 review gives a 4.7 rating on google but be careful if you want to have pleasured experience. read more

Yao really knows Asian male hair no matter if you have a buzz cut or a mess on your head. He's super cool, and understands what you want if you talk to him. The place can get busy at times, so you definitely need to call to make sure you get your spot. read more

THIS PLACE IS OPEN DURING COVID! Best haircut in town, yet somehow cheaper than Supercuts! I have been going here for 2-3 years now, and this is easily the best haircut in town. I tried most of the major barbers in Pittsburgh (Alder's, Graham, Enrico's, etc.), and Yao always gives me the cleanest cuts for just $18. He is also very good about not cutting your hair shorter than you want, which is a problem with most other barbershops in Pittsburgh. Yao is also a really easy going guy and doesn't force awkward barbershop banter, and I personally like that I can be as quiet or talkative as I want. This place is just so good at such a low price, and is the go-to place for a lot of Pitt and CMU students. Quite honestly, I don't understand why more non-student clients don't try this place out. Overall a fantastic place for a cheap and good cut! read more

This place is the best. Always a perfect cut, always super friendly. Call in advance and you won't wait much.

Awesome fast cut with very good symmetry. Looked cool, crisp and neat after growing my hair during the corona pandemic. read more

Update: he just re-opened today at 4701 center ave Pittsburgh pa 15213, same old phone number: 412-621-1926

He knows what he's doing, has great hours, and always answers the phone. You will get a quality haircut for a reasonable price. I have tried several places, and this is the best one I found. read more

G does a great fade! Fast, efficient and easy to squeeze in. Cheap and definitely worth it!

My go to place in Pittsburgh to get hair cuts. Pretty reasonable price ($17 for men) and he is very friendly every time. This is the place you want to go if you are trying to look fresh. He does a very good job at giving crisp line ups on the sides. Sometimes it gets pretty busy, but you can also call in to book a reservation up to a day in advance, or just ask and see what a good time is to come in for a given day. read more

This Guy is quick, precise and time punctual!! I have difficult hair and he got it right like I wanted it! Cash only. Parking could be tough but paid spaces around. Recommended! Open on Saturday and Sunday. read more

The haircut was fast and I really liked the end product! The owner is also super personable and easy to talk to. Very very glad I found this place and will return for sure. read more

Not only good at cutting Asian guys' hair, but also great at cutting white guys hair as well! Highly recommended! Yao is fast too!!

I've been here a couple times, and the results have been fairly consistent. I am not entirely sure when the best time to visit is; I came here once on a weekday afternoon and the other time on a Saturday afternoon; neither required me to wait. I assume he gets a lot more activity when the universities are in session, but he says that he also gets business from local workers (e.g. at the hospital), especially after they get off work. For a standard men's cut, he works fairly quickly, and I pretty much liked the way it looked at the end. He's totally cool with not doing a wash if it's not something you need as well. So for the cheapest option, which is just the cut, the total comes out to be $15 pre-tip. One thing to note--he can accept card, but both times he mentioned that he preferred cash. read more

I was finally motivated to create a Yelp account after having the best haircut experience of my life this week and felt that I should give some good feedback. I'm the kind of guy who, when the stylist/barber asks what we'll be doing with my hair today, suffers from gaping jaw, dilated pupils, sweaty palms, and uncontrollable fidgeting. "How should I know? YOU'RE the stylist," is typically my first thought. I'm so glad I took a chance and walked in here. Yao (spelling?), the owner and sole employee I believe, was fantastic. For $15, I got more personal attention than I expected. His haircut was slow and deliberate. We had easy conversation. And he helped me figure out what I could be doing with my normally unkempt mop of hair. This is a great place if you're looking for a simple cut or cleanup, but it also seemed like he could do trendier, more complicated styling. All in all, this was the best $15 I've spent in quite a while. read more

One man shop, and he does an excellent job. I couldn't decide what I want to do with my hair, short/long, trim/cut. He recommended a haircut that would suit my hair, given that it's curly and unruly. I left the place feeling like a million bucks. He did an excellent job, and super affordable. Did I mention I was just visiting from DC and wanted a hair cut before I went on a family dinner. I would go back to him whenever I'm back in Pittsburg, which is often. read more

I have been here twice, both the time I had the same guy (I am not sure of the name). First experience was good, but the second time he cut my hair very short (though I mentioned him to make it medium length). I am also kind of suspicious that he know how to cut only short hair styles. read more

Asian dude looking for a place to get a haircut? Go there. He won't let you down. I always keep telling him that I don't care about my hair that much, for the fact that I'm studying engineering at CMU... Then he would always refute me, with a long preach on how teeth and hair are important to men, as well as a simple but energetic cut. He knows how to deal with Asian dudes' hair, and is patient on getting the idea of what you want. Thus waiting in the line might take a while, but it should be worth it. And he works fairly quickly. read more

G has been cutting my hair for the past two years. The best barber I've ever had and very fairly priced. This guy knows how to cut Asian hair. Very meticulous to detail, every single time. read more

I pretty much had the same experience that others have mentioned. Gao is exceptionally good at what he does. If you're still unsure, just "Keep calm and trust in Gao!" read more

What can I say, I have stupid hair. It's rough, stiff, and I have about 3 cow-licks that has given me the nickname, "the great horned owl." I have resorted to wearing beanies a lot of the time to just keep it down. I use 10/10 strength wax. Hair salons often enjoy telling me "your hair hurts my fingers," or "it doesn't like to behave." They sometimes rush through the cut to end their suffering and I end up with a sloppy result. I've even received offers to come to a beauty school as an example for budding hair stylists to practice. Can't tell if I should've taken that as a compliment... Anyways, I've been going around different hair salons in Pittsburgh and found some good people, but since they work at Supercuts, which is a chain, their hours were unpredictable and I would have to sometimes settle for someone else who didn't know how to deal with my hair. So comes this place. They know how to deal with my hair. I got the haircut I wanted. Often times, as people are cutting my hair, my cowlicks realize there's now less weight and start sticking up straight. Then the person freaks out thinking they made some mistake and ends up chasing it until I get this weird patch on my head. This guy knew what he was doing, put some water in my hair, and let it calm down. He was also very careful and detailed. I appreciate that he took his time. He also gave me some pointers for my hair, which is nice. All that and it was still the cheapest and one of the best haircuts I got in Pittsburgh. read more

I was a fool for not scheduling an appointment on an earlier Saturday morning. At that time, there was only one hair stylist (Yao) and two people ahead of me. I had to wait 40 minutes before being seen, but it was well worth it. Unlike other hair stylists I have had in previous years, Yao, understands exactly what you want. Furthermore, he won't skew what you envision into what makes it easier for him to cut. If you don't know what you want, he has a good grasp of men's haircuts and properly chooses one for your head shape. His equipment is more up-to-date, as evidenced by his finer blades. Furthermore, he pays great attention to detail. I was also given good tips as to how I should take care of my scalp and hair. By the time I left, there were 4 other men waiting for a haircut. I suspect that Hair by G & E is catered towards men, but I could be wrong. I am looking forward to coming here again. Price: $15. read more

Gao is the BEST!! I've been going to him since I moved here in 2015. Every time I go to a different salon, fancier salons, I regret it and I usually end up paying Gao to fix my hair. He is so knowledgeable about hair and always gives me tips on how to style it. My favorite thing about Gao is that when I tell him that I trust him to do whatever he thinks will look best, he actually does it! He is really honest and will tell you if he thinks something won't suit you (and every time I've gone and done that thing anyway, I find he was right). The salon may not be fancy and you may have to actually drop by to get an appointment time (especially when students are back) but it's so worth it. He skips all the unnecessary stuff, like washing your hair. That works for me as I have some curl to my hair and I prefer to have my hair cut dry. Gao is actually the only hairdresser I've had who consistently notices my hair texture and takes that into account when he cuts it. Also, I like talking to him. And last but not least, the price is right! You truly can't beat this place. Lots of men go here but ladies/long-haired people, don't be afraid! He does a great job on all lengths of hair. read more

Awesome! I got my hair cut else where and they totally messed up my hair, it was choppy and uneven and Gao totally fixed it! It's shorter than I originally wanted but that's because he had to cut it to fix it ahah, I will be going back for sure! And it was still around the same price as my shitty hair cut. So totally worth the price. He said he normally does men's hair when I called but he was great with my hair and I can be hard to please ahah. He's a super nice guy too, good conversation. read more

I always see Gao cutting men's hair, but just wanted to say that he does a great job with women's hair as well. I have short, thin hair which some stylists ruin, but Gao knows how to make this kind of hair look good in the style I want. Have been going to him for almost 2 years now and have never been disappointed. read more

As an international student who moved to the US, it's difficult to trust people you don't know with your hair. I tried G because of the other good reviews, they were spot on! G is very good and he knows how to cut people with all kinds of hair. For $15 it's a great value! read more

Moved to pittsburgh and was looking for no frill place to get my haircut regularly. The owner is one of the most down-to-earth, amicable guys I've ever met. I trust no one else in Pittsburgh to cut my hair. read more

The other reviews are spot on. I've tried a bunch of haircut places in Pittsburgh, and this is the best by far! The owner is very attentive, careful, and always does a great job. It is a great value as well. Highly recommended. read more

I came to pittsburgh for college and spent the first year trying out different stylists and different salons. Gao has cut my hair for 2 years, and it's great to see he has his own salon now! He does a great job for a simple men's cut -- short on the sides, texturized and scissors on top, and styled into a semi-faux hawk. I've also seen him do great colors and women's cuts as well. He couldn't be a more polite person and is easy to talk with. Not to mention the price can't be beat ($15 for a nice, stylish men's cut). Give it a try, and you'll soon be on here trying to spread the word! His facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/hairbygande read more

I went to hair by g e on the recommendation of a male friend. I had let my hair grow for too long, it had been over 6 months since my last cut. I was too lazy to make a reservation so I went on a Tuesday afternoon, someone was finishing up so I didn't have to wait long. The guy is super friendly and the price of the cut was super cheap. I'm a simple girl who just wanted a simple shoulder length cut and he delivered. Overall it was a great experience and took about half an hour for a great easy cheap haircut. read more

Unfortunately I trusted yelp reviews. My BF gets his cut here, and honestly its not bad for a boy, but for a girl, please do not go. I will NEVER be going back. this man cannot cut FEMALE hair. i have never been to a worse salon in my entire life. he does not know any technical hair cutting terms ie "A -LINE BOB or inverted bob, etc...." Do you even have a hair cutting license?! Wonder why final picture product of hair cut? because it is unworthy. Quality of cut was beyond repair. lengths were uneven, looked like he put my hair in a pony and snipped it. the worst part of this experience was the cut itself. I looked in the mirror and wanted to cry. I did not even want to pay for the cut. i just can get over how UNEVEN IT IS! and i unfortunately cut of 6 inches.. Im pretty sure super cut does a better job. after hacking away for a 30 mins, he told me to go home and wash my hair, then if i hate it, to come back the next day....sorry I will NEVER step foot in the salon again. one thing to be warned GIRLS is that he does not WASH your hair. i do not understand how that is sanitary. I have never in my life gone to a salon that does not WASH female hair. He continued to tell me my haircut was subpar because it was greasy, well duh its greasy, because you didnt wash it. You want me to go home, take a shower, wash my own hair, then come back to cut my hair, after a busy day at work? I want to craw in a hole and die right now. literally. You can get a groupon for Dean's @shadysdie down the street level 1 cut for 18 dollars, thats cheaper, better than this. also you get a free deep mask tx, and they wash your hair. Seriously, I just bought one, and will be going there tomorrow to get this half-as haircut fixed. May the big guy in the sky have mercy on me overall, this place can be called a BARBER SHOP not a hair salon....for guy cuts i can honestly say he does a pretty good cut. my BF goes there alot. read more

I went to this place because of the good review on Yelp. I'm not disappointed! Hair and a bit of my beard for $20.

Good cutting and efficient. Don't accept AMEX but all other major three. Better making an appointment.

The guy is very talented and gives very good suggestions on haircuts. I highly recommend this place if you live in shady side, Pittsburgh

Boyfriend came here to get a haircut. The stylist did not have any barber razor blades to do beards or down to the skin cuts despite beards being listed on their sign. Tried to pay with credit card, but the woman at the desk said cash only, and made me go down the corner to the Get Go to withdraw from the ATM...despite the Visa, MasterCard, and Discover stickers on the door. I gave her a $20 even though I didn't want to give any tip, but she did not give me my change back. Haircut is mediocre at best. I wouldn't recommend if you want a tight / closely shaved cut. Only good if 1 is the lowest you want to go for a trim. read more

Definitely my go-to spot for my haircut, everytime. Around the same price point as general chain haircut-places but 10x better. He definitely understands asian hair (aka my hair) better than anyone else around (if you're asian, you know what i mean), but I've also heard really good reviews from non-asian friends. I would definitely recommend! It shouldn't hit your wallet too hard either, so there's really no loss to giving this place a shot. The only thing that's confusing is that sometimes they are cash-only and sometimes they seem to take card, so I would just be careful and bring cash anyways. read more

Lives up to the high yelp rating. Haircuts alone are $14! He usually has a lot of same day openings if you just call ahead. I thought my hair looked as good or better than haircuts I've paid more than 2 times as much for. read more

I hadn't got my hair cut in ~4 months and with my receding hairline wasn't sure how to proceed with a good haircut for job interview. Very satisfied with the haircut I got from Yao here, will likely be returning for more haircuts. read more