7 Bucks A Wack

Not trying to impress anyone-​yet I appreciate a cast of characters that aren’t trying to be hip! Inside stands a life size cardboard cut out of Elvis Presley in a gold suit with gold shoes n shirt. In the back of the shop was a portrait of Elvis Presley in the same gold get up as the card board Elvis. Darlene reminded me of a diner waitress from the 60’s, only a couple decades later. Her neon pink striped spandex sweat pants accentuated her charm as she greeted a regular and his small dog by name at the door then preceded to trim his hair as he held his canine in lap. Fluffy and adorable, Darlene’s mascot (dog) enters the shop after walking with a friend– go figure his name is ELVIS! Didn’t take credit cards, so I went to the liquor store up a block hoping to get the 7 bucks to pay Darlene. On the way I encountered a street musician, a woman, probably 55 that resembled a truck driver and sounded like Janice Joplin-​wish I had more than a crumpled dollar to toss into her guitar case– A+ for soul!!! After a trip to the bank, I headed back to the barber shop. The sparkly eyed elderly man with seated on his walker (clearly delusional) in front of the shop said «you’re the waving lady from the float in the parade!» I enjoyed the title so much that I agreed with him and even winked at him! I asked for a ½ inch trim, and Darlene cut exactly that much off, which is rare, as hair dressers usually cut double what you ask. Got a friendly wave from all of the people mentioned, as well as the gentleman who cuts hair next to Darlene as I exited– kinda like CHEERS.

This place isn’t for the weak-​spirited and I do not recommend taking children here. This said, if you need a fast, great looking haircut, Darlene can fulfill that need.

I brought my six year old son here for a quick cut. It was by far the worst experience we’ve had for a hair cut. First of all the place reeks of smoke because they smoke cigarettes in the building while cutting customers’ hair, which we found out halfway through the cut. The TV was blaring some cheesy syndication channel. To top it off the barber was very rough with my son and got frustrated when my son would tell the barber he was hurting him. My son’s neck was bright red. I honestly don’t know why we didn’t leave halfway through and finish the cut somewhere else.

Sign at their door says they’re open. Unilocal days they’re open. Answering machine message says they’re open. THEY ARE NOT OPEN! EXTREMELY LAME. THANK A LOT FOR WANTING MY TIME AND MY GAS! Interesting way to run a business to say the least.

All the reviews so far have been spot on, but all ‘entertainment’ aside you get a great haircut at a great price. I go there not because they are so cheap, but because they are good at what they do. Don’t let the name fool you, nobody wants their hair wacked off — not even for 7 bucks.
The barber John is always quick with some good jokes and easy going. He’ll cut your hair exactly how you want it. My barber preference is John, but others swear by Darlene.
Yes, its true that the place is cramped and décor is a throw back (or throw out) complete with rubber rat, Elvis pictures, and old TV w/​VHS player. I go there to get a good haircut not watch tv. The resident little dog (Elvis) is getting old, but is as sweet as can be. In all the times i’ve been there, I’ve never seen Elvis try to dry hump anyone. He has always been good natured and pleasant to be around.
If you are overly pretentious, you probably need to steer clear of Kenton altogether. If you are not, then this is a place to get a great hair cut worthy of triple the price.

I dunno — gotta go three stars on this one — mostly for the price, the oddly endearing cantankerous old guy that cut my hair, and the cut actually looked pretty good, all in all.
He jerked my head around like I was 6, and was a bit rough w the clippers. He could be blind — actually but for a blind guy, not bad.

A colorful mainstay of downtown Kenton, this shop is straight out of an early John Waters movie: a small shop with ashtrays overflowing, salty language and a little dog constantly underfoot.
20+ year old crock pot and loaf of white bread on the counter? Why not.
A library of vhs tapes for entertainment.
Waiting seats positioned so that your neck rests against a shelf.
And yet fast and only $ 7.

It might no be fancy but you get your moneys worth. My grandson prefers John over Darlene even though he is crotchety. Johns fast and always gives him a great hair cut. The place does smell a bit and is cluttered but what do you expect from and exocentric old lady with a dog named Elvis. We won’t go any where else.

Every time I walk past here I wonder how the health department hasn’t shut this place down yet. The woman (Darlene?) is the only one who can cut hair even moderately decent, the guys that work there are horrific. The joint smells like cigarettes because they smoke inside the shop. Not when customers are there mind you, but I’ve seen it several times. Ashtrays are all over the counter. In fact everything is all over the counter. The last time I was there they had an electric frying pan less than a foot away from the counter that the guy was using to throw his clippers and whatnot on there. Theres a TV in the shop that can’t really be seen by anyone except if for the barbers. Naturally they don’t have cable, just a cheap antenna. I hope you enjoy hearing Judge Judy cutting in and out thanks to poor reception! And then there is the mangy, ugly dog. Its an old lady dog and is disinterested in everyone and thing, except when I walk my 90 lb friendly, quiet dog by and then its like Michael Vick’s barbershop. Its got a real case of small dog syndrome.
Seriously, its cheap but theres a pretty significant risk that you are going to contract some sort of disease. I’ve gotten my hair cut there waaaaay too many times but its just too sketchy. I’m cheap but I want to live. If you do get your hair cut here please make sure you rush home and take a shower to try and wash off the bacteria and stench.

Pretty decent haircut. I went on Christmas eve, and had 3 people waiting in front of me with just Darlene working… but what do you expect on Christmas eve. I was thrilled that they were open before I go see my parent’s. While waiting I half payed attention to the half working TV in the corner and let the little lap dog in a hair covered Christmas sweater snort all over me.
Place smelled like a mix of smoke and dog and has a nice dusting of hair everywhere. Nothing fancy. It really does cost only 7 $ and they don’t take debit or credit (wells fargo across the street). Darlene was pretty unique. Inbetween taking wacks off of my hair she yelled at the TV making guesses on the prices on the Price is Right gameshow.
I wouldn’t say it was my best haircut ever, but far from my worst. I got just as decent of a haircut as I have gotten from much more expensive places. The cut is a god value and at 10 $ including tip I can afford to go more often which keeps my hair from getting to the out of control phase. I also appreciate giving my money to an individual over a corporation. I would suggest this place for sure if you want to save a few bucks and have a pretty easy cut. All of the men I saw as well as myself mostly just a scissor cut or a clipper cut.
Overall I will go back.

I’ve been going to Darlene’s place for years. Her place has a home town vibe to it — a bit crusty around the edges, but like a real person works there, not some robot automaton of other places. Her clippers might not be the sharpest, but she gets the job done. She and her clipping partner bicker back and forth like an old married couple. Of the two, I think that he does a bit better job as he takes his time a bit more. Sit back, take it in, and enjoy the entertainment value of the place. Scratch Elvis behind the ears and tip your barber well — just because she named the place $ 7 Bucks a Wack doesn’t mean that she doesn’t deserve twice that per haircut.

I’ve definitely reached the geezer stage of life, otherwise known as I really don’t give a crap about hair style any more! Ponytails and sylistic quaffs are long gone. Now between the helmets, and beeing too busy, simple, wash n wear is what I aspire too these days. Being greeted by Elvis is the way to go! And Darlene and company do a nice job of whacking. Effiecient, inexpensive, and for those not like me, stylish is available as well!

Darlene was actually boiling potatoes while cutting my hair (in between smoke breaks). There’s tooth paste on the counter next to her ash tray that looks recently squeezed. What’s not to love? Elvis the dog humped my leg while I gave Darlene $ 10 for a bad ass haircut. I will never go anywhere else…

Darlene like a ‘hair whisperer.’ One look at you and she knows what it will take. She is head and shoulders above most of the rest.

It’s $ 7! With a 3 $ tip you are out of there for 10 $. Darlene and John run a no nonsense barber shop. The décor is non existent and a bit cramped but all you are getting is a hair cut. Darlene does a better job and will usually trim your eye brows as part of the hair cut. She’s a riot… in her 70’s, big blond hair, lots of make up, and fashion is not her priority. She obviously loves Elvis as evidenced by some of the décor and her dog Elvis is also in the shop a lot. Occasionally you have to wait a few extra minutes while Darlene or John step out for a cigarette. Just a good, old fashioned, no nonsense barbershop.

Definitely not your Bishops or Supercuts. That’s right, it is only 7 bucks, and I don’t know how she does it. This place offers this best value in hair cut’s I’ve seen save my Jersey Italian barber back home. If you’re looking for a straight-​forward cut or trim by a curious women who brings her dog with her to work and whose outfits will keep you guessing, this is the place.

Truely David Lynch-​ian… unlike anything I have ever experinced in the grooming arts. Darlene, in her 70s, blond hair teased way high, cigarette dangeling from her lips, wearing a tube top & hot pants, will cut your hair & trim you eyebrows & goatee for– $ 7! If this wasn’t enough, I’m often treated to her rubbing against me & the thrill of enjoying her dog– Elvis in an array of costumes (my fave is a biker outfit). All in full view of a giant Paul Bunyon statue. Really. The best entertainment value in Portland.
The husband & I both go here.

For $ 7 bucks and getting in and out in like 20 minutes, I’d have to say I’m pretty happy with what I got. The barberess (I don’t know if that’s a word, but JW used it, so it probably isn’t) did have scissors, they were the thinning shears a few whacks over my scalp and it was over.
Because the place is pretty small, I wouldn’t recommend hanging out there. But, there are a stack of magazines to browse thru, I didn’t have time to check them out because I was taken care of pretty soon after arriving.

I remember this place being down by 9^th or 10^th and Morrison, but it’s been a while, and how many 7 Bucks A Wack can there be?
Anyways, I couldn’t decide whether to give 1 star or 5 stars, so I settled on 3. On the one hand, it’s the best haircut [entertainment] value I’ve encountered. On the other hand, the proprietor is kind of like the evil twin of Ricky Bobby’s mom from Talladega Nights. Cigarette dangling, she gets a deathgrip on yer head and goes to town with the clippers. No scissors in this place.