American Tattoo San Diego

I got a tattoo here tonight by Kelly and I absolutely adore the tattoo.
The entire staff were more than helpful and very welcoming and friendly. I wasn’t sure what I wanted but Kelly was very patient with me.
This is my first tattoo here and I can tell you, one of the best tattoos I have ever had done. The detail in my tattoo is phenomenal. I will definitely be back for more art work! I have no idea why there wasn’t a line for tattoos because these people are very talented at what they do!

I have a couple photorealistic pieces of art from Josh. He is professional, talented, and the shop is super clean. Josh takes the time to draw up your ideas and then provide input on the readability of the piece. Josh is versatile and can do almost any style of tattoo. If you want quality art that will stand the test of time, ask for Josh!

I went down to have my ears pierced. I was given misinformation on the phone both about the cost/​payment type and wether or not I could use my own jewelry. In short, they are disorganized and not customer service oriented :(oh well.

I’ve gotten tattooed by both De and Mila. Both experiences were exceptional. I got worked on by Mila in February and she knew exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it done. She doesn’t have a heavy hand and works fast but still pays attention to detail. De helped me out just last week with a redo that I needed fixed because of a different artist’s mistake. The tattoo was fairly new and was still tender but she did a very great job at moving quickly because it hurt like hell. The tattoo looks way better then I initially anticipated. This shop is very clean and all sanitary procedures prior to getting work done are extensive. You can’t go wrong with cleanliness. They both are very talented and I highly recommend this shop to anyone looking for a tattoo or piercing.

This is a great place, clean with very talented artists. Josh did a cover up and fixed my tattoo I had done years ago. I diffenitely would recommend Josh, I love how he made my tattoo better, a great guy. I’ll be going back to him for a new one. I know he will make a great design for my next tattoo.

Came here after I spontaneously decided to get a tattoo yesterday. I called the morning just to ask a few general questions like pricing and who was in for that day, and Josh said he was the only one there until 7. He said he was with someone until 2:30 and told me to come by and talk to him personally, so I did and I did wait a little bit for him to finish up but it was no problem because I was still deciding on the final touches of what I wanted. A few more customers came in but had to schedule an appointment because they would be there for a while since I was up next. Josh was very kind in letting others know I had priority because I had been waiting for 20 minutes, which I didn’t mind because I was looking through the portfolios in the waiting room.
When Josh was finally done with the previous customer, he came out to talk to me and answered any questions I had and discussed with me my tattoo for about 30 minutes, and he drew something up and it was perfect! I told him I was deciding between two tattoos right now and he offered me a deal of 2 small pieces for $ 140 total. So I got both. He was so helpful and dealt with me so well!
During the process of the tattoo, I was screaming a lot but he helped me calm down. If you go in for JOSH, definitely ask him about the screaming 18 year old girl named Kathy who got a lotus. It was a great experience, regardless!

Took years for me to get the nerve up to get my nose pierced, well today was the day! Had an awesome experience with Rusty! He was very gentle an informative! So happy with my nose piercing, glad I finally did it! Thanks Rusty!

Mila is awesome! She has done all my work over the last year and I am very happy with my results! She is very professional and is always careful to be extremely sanitary during all of her sessions! Along with being a talented artist, her great customer service makes you feel very comfortable when working with you, which is a huge A+ in my book! As for the shop, everyone is really friendly and the atmosphere is great! I am definitely coming back to her next time!

Came in early Sunday morning. They open at 12 not 11am. De was amazing. She was nice, professional and caring. Would come back.

I decided to take a chance on this place after calling a couple of other shops in the area. I’m not from the San Diego area, I live in Orange County. Fancy, I know. I called another shop, I won’t blast them here, but if you care to look at my profile to see the review I give them, you’re more than welcome.
I called American Tattoo Thursday (3−12−15) at 11am, I didn’t realize that was the minute they opened. As someone who works in a telephone based job, I know how fucking terrible it is to have to answer the God damn muthafucking phone the minute you walk into work. And then… this angel answered, Josh. Josh was like… so upbeat, and friendly. Josh even moved his Friday evening appointment to THAT night to get my best friend and I in to see him. WHO DOES THAT IN THIS DAY AND AGE?! I have never had a person go out of their way for someone they don’t know. Let alone someone who says «I don’t live in San Diego, but I want to come by.» I would have taken myself with a grain of salt! But this guy. This guy took care of us.
So the tattoo. (I’ll include pictures). I don’t get stupid tattoos that do not have a meaning (to me) on my body. I just… I don’t. If something is going to be permanent on my body, it better have a good story behind it.
On my 21^st birthday I miscarried. It was absolutely devastating, something I never wish to happen to any human being ever. Today (March 13^th, 2015) would have been my sons 2^nd birthday. Since finding out I was pregnant at 20 I really got my life on track, I pulled myself together in every aspect – emotionally, physically, and financially. I decided the best way to commentate my son was to get a compass. Though I’ve lost him, one day I’ll find him again, but through this terrible loss I’ve gained a sense of direction. I’m headed in the right direction. Knock on wood.
This tattoo was done so perfectly I literally do not know how else to describe it other than: on my way home tonight thinking about it I cried like a baby the entire way. I usually am uneasy about tattoos and always second guess them afterwards. None whatsoever. Josh did a beautiful job on it. I didn’t want color, but I wanted the definition, money really wasn’t an issue here for me because it was of much more importance to me than finances. I feel I paid a VERY fair price for this.
Sorry this is so long. I’m just so fucking happy with how this turned out. Please, do not hesitate, check this place out, and give Josh a call. He’s a laid back guy, family oriented, but still a badass tattoo artist. I will be recommending him to everyone in the future!

6 weeks ago I came in to get my nose pierced. I had no appointment yet they took me in right away, but before going in I was sitting outside trying to convince myself not to back out. 5 min later a tattoo artist comes out and we start talking, she convinced me it wouldn’t be painful so I went in. I slowly signed the paperwork that I needed to fill out. After I got my piercing I was so surprised how much it didn’t hurt. It was seriously just a small pinch and I don’t do so good with pain… I’m even scared of needles. Anyways right after she pierced my nose she just went over cleaning it. Love my nose piercing… Would recommended, deff going back for more.

Went in to have my nose piercing looked at and Josh was super awesome and gave me a lot of helpful info to help take care of it. Def coming here for my next piercing or tattoo!

I highly recommend Josh for tattoos and permanent makeup. He is an extremely talented artist and is able to translate that into his tattoo work beautifully.
I usually go to him with an idea and I am always impressed with what he comes up with.
I had my permanent eyeliner done years ago and it still looks great.
Josh has been doing my tattoos for years but Monday (2÷23÷15) was my first time at American Tattoo. The shop is very clean, professional, friendly and easy to find.

Josh is an exceptional tattoo artist, easy to collaborate with and an overall great guy. Would highly recommend him to anyone looking to get a tattoo, great artwork and really goes above and beyond. The shop is very sterile and has a great atmosphere as well.

Josh R did A great job on my tattoo. The facility was nice and clean very sterile. And the conversation was great. I would recommend Josh R because he’s a great artist and he designed my tattoo from scratch, based on A image I sent him.

I only got a nose piercing stud so this isn’t a review on piercing or tattoo services but I do want to acknowledge their customer service. Everyone I encountered was very helpful and nice. I had lost my nose piercing and hadn’t had a piercing in for a few days. The guy employee sitting on the couch (bald with a beard, I believe) told me that if it was difficult to put in, to come back the following day and they would help me. I wasn’t expecting to hear that so I was flattered. Also, the piercing came in a sterile bag and the girl with the eyebrow tattoo (didn’t catch her name either) gave me an alcohol wipe which I’ve never experienced.
Maybe I’ve just been going to janky places but the only time I’ve gotten jewelry out of sterile bags are when I’m actually getting the piercing, not just buying the jewelry. So I felt privileged going to this place!
I will definitely come back to these friendly faces!

Great people who also happen to be great artists! I would highly recommend to anyone interested!

Every artist here has a quality portfolio. They are friendly, laid back, but professional.
Dee did some work on me that is amazing. She’s a true artist with a great personality.
The shop is reliable and worth checking out.

5 stars all the way. All the artists are amazing and do amazing work. Great prices. Mila and De do amazing things to your body. Word to your mother.

When I first for there I was great by a black guy that was pretty rude to me. He yelled at me about my dog and I wasn’t even in the shop yet. But after meeting with another one of the guys they made me feel welcome and comfortable. I came back later that day to get my thigh done. I picked Jay D to do my thigh and I’m so glad I did. He is awesome and sweet! The lines came out great and the wording in such small writing came out amazing! Through all my squirming he worked with me. He did a amazing job! I love his work! I am planning on another visit!