Here is what you need to know about thick Asian hair: it does not cooperate. It does not lie flat because you asked nicely. It does not taper because some guy with a certificate from a six-week barber program waved clippers in its general direction. It grows outward with a kind of structural defiance, perpendicular to your skull, and it has humiliated more barbers than you'd think possible given that roughly two billion people on earth are walking around with some version of it. You have two options: you find someone who understands the architecture of the problem, or you pay eighty-five dollars at some place in Silver Lake with exposed brick and a cocktail menu and hope that the price tag correlates to competence. Often it does not. Tony at Checkmate Barbershop charges forty dollars. The shop is in Montebello, which means it is not trying to be anything other than a barbershop. No reservations. No app. No hot towel upsell. You walk in, and if Tony's chair is open, you sit in it, and he does the thing that a surprising number of expensive barbers cannot do, which is cut your hair correctly. A one on the sides, tapered up, trim the top -- the kind of straightforward men's cut that sounds simple until you're the person holding the clippers and staring at hair that wants to project horizontally from the fade line like it's staging a protest. Tony navigated it with the quiet precision of someone who has solved this problem a thousand times and doesn't need to narrate the process. The taper was seamless. The top was shaped without being overthought. The cut looked right the day of and -- the real test -- still looked right a week later, which is when most mediocre haircuts reveal themselves for what they are. The shop itself is contemporary and clean, the kind of place where the design suggests someone cares but not so much that you feel like you're being charged for the aesthetic. The music was excellent and omnivorous in a way that told you something about the people running the place: The Specials drifted into Mungo Jerry drifted into something from the mid-eighties, the kind of rotation that makes you want to sit in the chair a little longer even after the cut is done. The vibe is friendly without being performative. Nobody tried to become my best friend. Nobody ignored me either. It was the Goldilocks zone of barbershop social interaction, which if you've ever sat through a forty-five-minute cut with a barber who won't stop talking about crypto, you know is not a trivial thing. Forty dollars. Walk-in. In Montebello. For a precision fade on difficult hair that holds up better than cuts I've paid nearly three times as much for. The math is so simple it's almost embarrassing that it took me this long to find it. read more

Mario hooked me up with one of the best cuts I've had in a long time. Super professional, easy to talk to, and skilled with the clippers. The cut came out clean and fresh, and the whole process was smooth from start to finish. The shop is clean and a chill vibe. Highly recommend checking him out at Checkmate Barbershop. read more

I've been bringing my boys to Mario for their haircuts, and he never disappoints! He's always professional, friendly, and takes his time to make sure every cut comes out perfect. My boys leave happy every time, and I always get compliments on their haircuts. The shop is clean, the service is great, and scheduling is easy. It's hard to find a barber you can trust, but Mario consistently does amazing work. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a skilled barber for themselves or their kids! read more

Checkmate Barbershop Big shoutout to Martin Haro--he's been cutting my hair for the last 9 years, and now he's got his own spot. Opened in 2023, Checkmate Barbershop is the real deal. Whether you're looking for a clean fade, beard work, or just that old-school barbershop feel, Martin's got you. My son and I both go to him--and we're not going anywhere else. 1422 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640 Walk-ins welcome Ask for Martin, Tony, or Adam Look for Checkmate Barbershop on the Fresha App and book your appointment today Support a local, veteran-friendly shop that knows what they're doing. I highly recommend checking them out. #CheckmateBarbershop #MontebelloBarbers #BarberLife #SupportLocal #FadeGameProper #VeteranApproved #StaySharp #FreshaApp #whereitsat #irishcoffee read more

The Checkmate Barbershop - Front of Checkmate Barbershop. Marine Corps approved - Barbers Near Me - Montebello, California

I went here once because I needed a last minute haircut for my sons first day of school. It was decently done. The barber Tony gave me his business card with his number on it & requested I give him a text to book next appointment. When I was in need of an appointment I got no response. I understood I might've reached out past business hours 7:30pm and expected a response the following day. I didn't get a response so I texted him again the following morning about 9am. I received a response around 1pm requesting I reach out to the barbershop for future appointments. Seemed odd as he's the one who requested I text for an appointment. By that point I was able to get another appointment nearby so service was no longer needed. read more

The Checkmate Barbershop - My interaction with the barber - Barbers Near Me - Montebello, California

Martin did the first haircut for our 5 month old. I understand that giving a baby a haircut is very difficult. Martin is very skilled and experienced that the cut came out better than I could have imagined. I highly recommend him as making him your barber. The shop is well kept and professional. read more

The Checkmate Barbershop - BEFORE... first haircut - Barbers Near Me - Montebello, California

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I was looking for a barbershop locally in the area and came on this place on Yelp. Needless to say, this spot is a hidden gem. Service: I called in to schedule an appointment for a default skin fade haircut ($35 for the cut, $5 added if an appointment). I was greeted by Martin right away and took my seat as he was finishing up with another client. Quality: Normally clients always take a gamble with a new barber but I rolled the dice with this barbershop and Martin executed my haircut perfectly. (Medium-high skin fade with a line up and a short scissor trim off the top). I was more than happy with the result! Came out crispy. Also, Martin is a very chill guy to have a casual conversation with off the bat. Vibe: It's a fairly large shop in a small plaza next to the Tierra Mia coffee shop. It's very clean, nice and simple, a traditional barbershop (No TV's, loud music, smoking, etc.) Plenty of chairs to wait in, he even has a chess board if you want to get your game on. Overall, if you're looking for a barber who will fade you up right, this is the spot. Give him a try out. read more

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Was looking to find a barber and make it a regular place to go. Found this place through Yelp, and gave it a try. I made an appointment through the website, which is an additional $5. Regular haircuts are $35, so $40 total with the app fee. I thought it was appropriate as it guarantees your appointment and I guess you could just sit and wait for a chair to open if it gets busy. The atmosphere was very barbershop with the chairs. The space was very clean as well. The owner, Martin, was manning the shop himself and it was he who took care of my cut. He asked what I was looking to do and listened to what I requested. Had nice conversations through the service and overall was very satisfied with my haircut. Might have found my regular spot to get my hair done. read more

Great service, great Team! See Martin! Great prices and deals! Good music playing and great vibes!

Been coming here for a while now... Martin and everyone at the shop is very friendly and attentive easy to book online and very accommodating when walking in. 10/10 customer service! Highly recommend! read more

This barbershop in Montebello has everything you want -- plenty of parking, a great vibe, and decor that feels both stylish and welcoming. Martin is skilled, professional, and knows his way around a classic cut and style. The music is always on point, too. Definitely worth checking out. read more

I have been getting haircuts by Martian for the past 5 years and it has looked great every time. Everyone in the shop is very friendly and are funny. It is a good vibe in the shop. read more

I had a fantastic experience at The Checkmate Barbershop. Martin (not me) the babrber was incredibly skilled and took the time to listen to my preferences. The haircut was perfect, and the overall atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. I'll definitely be back! The hot towel shave was the perfect finishing touch to my haircut. Martin (again not me) really knows how to style hair. I love my new look but The shop is clean, modern, and has a great vibe. read more

I brought my 9 year old son in to get a haircut and was immediately impressed with how clean and "vintage" the shop was!! I'm really not great at explaining what I want, so the owner Martin was awesome at figuring out what I was trying to achieve with the cut and did an amazing job!! It's the best cut my son has had in a very long time, so we will definitely be returning to see Martin again! Clean, with a cool vibe, and none of the standard loud music and cussing I've experienced elsewhere! As a mama of 3 boys, who has experienced many barbershops in my day, I can definitely recommend Martin and his Shop!! read more

I found Martin at a shop in Montebello, strip mall area, near a coffee shop and pizza shop. I walked in to a place very clean that gives off total old school vibes. Good music playing, free cold drinks in the fridge, even offered me a drink if I wanted while I waited. My turn at the chair comes up and he asks how do I want my hair cut, the results were exactly as requested. Great service, he trimmed and cleaned up my beard, asked if I wanted product in my hair to comb it before I leave. Styled me up, had me looking sharp and ready to go. For men to find a good barber is very difficult. We stick to our barbers for years, I moved away from my regular barber in Torrance, Martin was a great replacement. Found my new barber! read more

Martin is always kind and personable and genuinely listens and consults with me when we discuss what I'd like. I have been coming in to see him every 3-4 weeks since before the pandemic and I see no reason to switch him out for a different barber! He gives a great haircut! Believe me I get tons of compliments on my hair after I've seen him! If you're looking for a boring, dull unremarkable haircut then go to someone else! If what you're after is a sleek, classy, impressive, professional cut that fits your personality then go with Martin! He offers affordable pricing too! Checkmate is located in a plaza with plenty of free parking and is easy to get to! Martin is a cool guy who does quality work at an easy-to-get-to locale at a great price! I give him 5 stars and a huge thumbs up!!! read more

Great experience! Brought my nephew in for a haircut. Left looking very dapper. Haircut done well, reasonable prices. Martin was very professional! read more

Small details result in big impacts .From the moment I walked in I was greeted and welcome .No DJ music bumping out loud , no vapor or smoking out .A genuine old school barber that performs top notch work and one who listens to your request. The guy is what I refer to is an old soul and young at heart .Working in the community he was raised in .Most definitely returning .Great job ! read more

Shout out to the best barber in town ! Been knowing Martin over a 1yr and My respects to Martin very professional and clean ! Atmosphere is dope ! Very welcoming place. Martin such a great guy ! My haircut always looking fresh ! Takes his time which I love ! I'm always getting compliments especially from the girls. So thanks brother ! I Always look forward in coming by for a haircut and catching up ! read more

Well the owner has been cutting my hair for over 5 years now ! This guy has amazing talent for cutting hair ! He's funny and talkative/attentive ! read more

Brought my 9yr old son in for a haircut and Martin made his experience a great one. Martin was patient and courteous with him which totally helped with my son's sensory overload. My son loved his haircut and considers Martin his new barber. Highly recommended. read more