Got my entire back done here by Ben...The best artwork I've ever got done. Clean shop, I would highly recommend. Owner is a family man with great values. read more

Hot Rod Tattoo & Barber - Tattoo Near Me - El Cajon, California

Paul has been cutting my son's hair for a bit now. He's easy to book with and great with my young son. The shop is always clean! Ben (the owner) and the barbers are always so welcoming to me as a mother and my son. Thanks guys!! read more

I got a little tattoo here not too long ago. My daughter's initial. I had been tattooed at their previous location, I really like the new spot! I especially enjoyed that LotR was on while I was getting tatted! read more

Eric is wonderful. My hair looks awesome. Not only can Eric cut men's hair, he is great with kids and women's hair. I cannot say enough good things about him. I would highly recommend him. 5+++++ stars read more

Went on friday the 13 super quick and affordable tattoos, professional staff and simple but nice tattoo read more

Hot Rod Tattoo & Barber - Tattoo Near Me - El Cajon, California

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This is a place where the vibe matched the quality of service. Eric is the best. Best haircutt I've had. He knew exactly how to fix whatever was going on with my hair. read more

Hot Rod Tattoo & Barber - Tattoo Near Me - El Cajon, California

First let me state I've thought long and hard before leaving this review. But just as I read reviews before becoming a patron, I must tell my story. I originally come in a couple months back to have my bread trimmed with a side fade and shaping. Now I am bald so my bread is much more than simple hair to me. It is my trademark. That being said my first visit exceeded my expectations. Hence I left a hearty tip. I came back a month later as suggested, and was told I needed an appointment. So we agreed I'd come in 2 weeks as I have business in that area every couple weeks. Upon returning I was again reminded I needed an appointment. So I asked if I could schedule 1 every month. Even offered to pay a years worth up front. Only to be told they, 2 barbers work there, needed to confer to sent me up with a scheduled monthly appointment. And allowed me a touch up while I was there. Now remembering what my beard means to me, I got a lopsided, rushed, hackjob. And I still gave a good tip. But will never trust this shop again. Shamefully, I was gearing up to start a fat cover up tattoo. But after this, the trust is lost. So in closing I will honor my work and deliver the little skull I promised the shop for its counter decor. read more

I love this place, I'll definitely come back and get another piece! I got tattooed by Ben, artist and owner of this local shop. Which has a clean, professional and welcoming feel. He's super friendly and laid back and produces amazing work, Ben even threw in a shirt and a few stickers I can see Ben and his company going places, I'm excited for whats coming in the future read more

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I've been getting tattooed by Ben for a long time and now the guy finally opened his own shop so I had to be first in line. He's still putting it together, but the shop is beautiful. It's super clean and easy to get to. Definitely a place I'd hang out at even if I wasn't getting tattoos. As I said, Benny has been doing great tattoos for a longtime and it shows in his work. He's a good dude and will make you feel right at home when you come into the shop. This is a hard working family owned business and I recommend it to everyone. read more

Hot Rod Tattoo & Barber - Hot Rod Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - El Cajon, California

Been going to Eric for my haircuts for over 4 years now. I've Tried the rest and now I've found the best. Sharp lines, up to date, friendly guy. Very accommodating and professional. read more

Came from out of town read the reviews and saw that they were great came into the shop to have a very unfriendly experience. Quoted me a price and as I was filling out paperwork upped the price thought that was weird as I was already quoted and ended up leaving. Updating since I got a rude response back for a review on the shop yet the owner has yet to respond to a post 4 months ago about hygiene issue is concerning. Will NEVER return. read more

Hot Rod Tattoo & Barber - Tattoo Near Me - El Cajon, California

This is the greatest place ever. It was my first tattoo. I was nervous. Ben was super patient and explained everything. He even said go home think about it. Its a lifelong decision. He really cares. His work place was super clean and the workers were friendly. He went above and beyond. He really knows how the tattoo will look its best. We will be recommending this shop to anyone who wants a tattoo. His prices are very reasonable. He is not out to just make a buck. I am either getting into the police academy or the military police. He made sure that it was a perfect location and the correct size. If I could give him a 10 star I would. Brent read more

Hot Rod Tattoo & Barber - Tattoo Near Me - El Cajon, California

I really enjoyed the vibe of this shop. It was very neat and the employees are very warm and welcoming. I called in for a walk-in and Jake was able to take me last minute. Jake was awesome; he made me feel comfortable and was super chill. Thanks, Jake! read more

Ask for Cher! I just got a new tattoo recently and she nailed it. She went far above and beyond than what I expected! She also did my last one from over a year ago, and added something that made it so much more personal. She listens and suggests with her heart! Truly gives it her all and then some. I'm fortunate to also call her a friend! read more

This is a great shop! It has such a great/chill vibe. Everyone who works there is really friendly and talented. Cher is an amazing artist! She is attentive to her clients wants and does amazing work. It was a fun and comfortable experience. Highly, highly recommend!! read more

A fantastic shop. Brice did an amazing piece for me. Best tattoo experience I've had by far. Super professional and great to talk to. Gave me options on my design and knocked it out of the park. The shop owner Ben is also a super cool guy and made me feel welcome and I will definitely return for more fantastic work by Brice. read more

This place is so nice, clean and professional. Eric did such a fantastic job. They really listen to you and take their time making sure you get exactly what you want. Great prices, great work and great people! Be sure to make an appointment you won't regret it. read more

Ben has been tattooing me for 3+ years, always extremely pleased with the outcome and eager to be back for more!

Ben is awesome. Fast. Professional. Nice. He has tattooed me several times and I refer all of my friends. Hot Rod is the best.

Ben has been tattooing me for years and he has created a perfect space to get your look right. Not only is he the raddest guy to get tatooed by, he keeps a clean, professional, well lit and welcoming environment. Could not recommend higher. Plenty of flash for those looking for cute and fun and custom work for the Lifestylers. read more

Got tattooed from Ben, owner & artist @ Hot Rod, and what a great guy he is. Super affordable, very good at traditional style & modern day tattoo ideas. Thanks Hot Rod, I'll be back! read more

Really cool guys and the work was amazing. Came from Dallas and they made us feel at home. Hella dope shop for sure.

Love Ben! He is amazing. He helped me start my first sleeve, I left a lot of the ideas to him, he took my ideas and did beyond my expectations! He makes the experience easy and I can't wait to get even more from the dude!! Oh and the shop is super clean! read more

This shop allows dirty tattoo artists to work here and risk your life. After following directions from the tattoo artist Jake my fiancé left his saniderm on for two days WHILE his saniderm was still on he became septic and was in a coma with a mortality rate of 3% . Jake still hasn't given my fiancé a refund and we are now stuck with 10k in medical bills. The shop owners have done nothing and are still supporting Jake and his dirty habits. Not cleaning or wrapping the "community" pillow. Vaping with his gloves on and not changing them and telling incorrect aftercare. Saniderm isn't supposed to be on for more than 24 hours, if my fiancé was told correctly he wouldn't have spent a week in the hospital and learning how to walk, eat and go to the bathroom. Not to mention how Jake spreads lies to his current clients to keep them coming in and talking horribly about my fiancé and our situation. The infectious disease doctor doesn't lie, this shop shouldn't be trusted. If you want to risk your life go ahead and go here! I have many tattoos and never have I ever seen such a infection after it's been completely wrapped under a sterile bandage. Perhaps Jake should just resign or go back into his apprenticeship. He is a danger to others and has been reported to the city for a health check. Disgusting business practice, sad he keeps lying about giving my fiancé his $250 back as the LEAST Jake could do. What a lame POS, all Jake had to do was apologize, be more sterile , follow instructions and give my fiancé a refund. My fiancé was relaxing for both days after his tattoo, no work, no drinking , no drugs nothing. The tattoo was 100% the cause of the septic infection that almost cost him his life, in all of the documents , photos , tests EVERYTHING points to Jake being at fault. Even if Jake was sterile the saniderm needed to be removed because staph lives on your skin at all times, saniderms instructions state "Keep the first applied bandage on for anywhere from 3-24 hours, depending on how much the wound is weeping. Replace within 24 hours. It's fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period, but don't leave it longer than 24 hours." Clearly this shop doesn't know how to train its employees or safely operate a tattoo shop, not to mention the only thing splitting the tattoo side from the barber side is a sliding barn door ... sketchy read more

Ben is incredible! He's done majority of my friends tattoos as well as this amazing cover up on myself. I will never go to anyone else. read more

Hot Rod Tattoo & Barber - Before - Tattoo Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Benny, the owner and my friend is exceptional in what he does. I have half sleeves on both arms down by him and finishing up a leg sleeve now. Great guy, professional, family man, clean and knows what he is doing. Highly recommended! read more

The point just flew straight over your head. It wasn't an issue with money it was fairness and customer service. Like I said, you were overall rude. Yes, you did say you only do sleeves, stomach, and back pieces because that is what your future goal was heading towards... you said you wanted to do big projects you didn't want to do a simple project like that. This whole situation is what came off rude, it was the tone that was used. I wasn't saying the quote you gave was rude..?? You're making it seem like money was the issue. And if it was so simple why was it going take you four hours? The apprentice said it could take him two and then I went and got it done and it took one... And even with this comment that you have on my review is rude you can address that so much differently. You have time to comment on my review but don't have time to comment on the review that the man almost died of septic shock read more

I've been getting tattooed by Ben for over a decade now and have the first sleeve he ever did. Not only is Ben an amazing artist, but his passion for tattooing is evident when you talk to him. Bennys vast knowledge of old school tattoos and artists is so vast I imagine one day he'll be up there with the likes of Dave Gibson and Eric Perfect. If you want cool and quality, go to Hot Rod Tattoo. read more

Ben is the most versatile artist I've ever worked with. He can make whatever you want to happen, happen!!! traditional Japanese, Realism, Tribal, New School, Blackwork, Pinup. You name it, he can do it. He's the guy to go to! Give him your idea, and give him his artistic freedom. You won't be disappointed! read more