True Grit Tattoo

We drove over 600 miles just to go to Johnny for our tattoos. His watercolor work is unmatched and his lines are perfect. I had him do my inner right sleeve and cant wait to go finish my left with him. His shop is comfortable and clean. You feel welcome and valued from the second you step foot into his shop. 100% recommend!

Amazing experience at True Grit. Got my 9th piece done, but it was my first one with Johnny Mac. He is a true professional, with speed and artistry unmatched by anyone else Ive been to so far. He was also highly accommodating of my schedule constraints and design requests. 10/10 would recommend and will personally also be coming back for more.

Hands down best tattoo shop in town. Johnny Mac is an amazing tattoo artist. He also has a heart of gold and does a lot to give back to others. If you want a quality tattoo, you cant go wrong with True Grit

Got a BFF tattoo by Quincy and it was out of this world! Not only does True Grit have a fun, relaxing, safe location but Quincy is the best!!! He made sure we got EXACTLY what we wanted no matter what and he feels like your favorite bartender or barber/hairdresser. You feel right at home, his banter, his presence, he is a breath of fresh air. I highly HIGHLY recommend this shop and Quincy. By far the best experience I have ever had!! 5+ stars!!!

I called to get an estimate, but no one answered. Shop hours state they opened 3 hours ago, but no one answered the door when I rang. Heard good things, but Ill go to a professional.

I’ve been working with Johnny for years and would never go to anyone else. He’s is an impeccable artist and one of the kindest humans I’ve ever met. He has created an environment that’s makes me look forward to my next session, pain and all. The decorations don’t hurt either. If you want the best art and artists definitely go to True Grit.

All around amazing experience. Johnny is a fantastic artist to work with. This a brilliantly unique shop- by far the best shop ambiance Ive experienced in New Mexico. I am thrilled with my piece and will return. 100% recommend.

My first tattoo!! Johnny did an amazing job - just as I knew he would. Im obviously not an expert but he has such a gentle touch that it really didnt hurt. Highly recommend this tattoo business!!

Favorite place in ABQ. Got a nine tail fox half sleeve here, and I love it

Absolutely love this place!!!First off, let me just start by saying how unbelievably talented these tattoo artists are... I have gotten so much artwork done in previous years and after coming to True Grit I will not be going anywhere else in town to complete my pieces. They now have a life long customer!The atmosphere is so nerdy & fun! If you are a fan of pop culture at all you will love this spot!!!The staff is always so attentive and accommodating. The artists are very down-to-earth and great to work with. I love how this shop really sets the tone for advocating for what will make the client happy and then making it happen. If you want to work with an artist that puts a lot of care and intention into your piece, then this is the place you want to go.

I cannot say enough good things about Johnny Mac and his shop. He is a phenomenal artist and has some of the best costumer service I have ever experienced. His shop is beautifully decorated and each tattoo station is an intimate environment between you and your tattooer.

True Grit is hands down the best tattoo experience you can get in Albuquerque. As others have said, the shop is clean and safety is the highest priority, as it should be. But what sets them apart are two things: 1) world class artistic talent and 2) incredible ambiance/shop vibeRegarding the artists, you are working with amazingly talented people. I had a half-sleeve (my second tattoo ever) done by Johnny Mac, who has upheld the highest reputation for world class watercolor, japanese and “trash polka” styles. However I also met some of the other artists there having spent over 15+ hours in the shop and they are all great people, consummate professionals, and insanely talented in their own styles. Now let me just say that Johnny himself is amazing. From artistic vision to collaborative customer service to trustworthy execution, he is the full package. He took my abstract concept, sorted through tons of details and put together a timeline that worked for me. He took time out of his personal life as well to work with me as the timeline fluctuated - what artist has such devotion? In the end he free-handed over 50% of my half sleeve and it is absolutely gorgeous...people cannot stop talking about it. I’ve never been so proud to own something on my body for life. Be honest about your vision and give your artist the flexibility they need to execute. It’s all about trust and Johnny and his staff are trustworthy! Thank you Johnny!!!!The shop itself is also a work of art. Johnny runs True Grit like a co-op and each section has a unique vibe to it. The entrance, the lovely smell, the decor, the beautiful art pieces (paintings, statues, collectibles) makes you feel like you are in some sort of eclectic renaissance building - it is beautiful! You feel safe, cozy, your privacy is respected and the staff contribute to the just the perfect supportive vibe that you want when you are making permanent alterations to your body. Special shoutout to Dominic for always being sweet to talk to and very supportive. He does a ton of work to keep the gears turning at True Grit and he’s the guy you want to talk to if you really want to work with Johnny. Trust them! They know what’s best!All said and done you get the full package at True Grit. This place is the real deal and there’s a reason they are award-winning year after year. Whether it’s your first or 10th experience getting ink on your body True Grit is THE place to go.

Every time i get a tattoo, it comes out amazing. Better than I what I hoped! I adore/drool over the aesthetic of the whole shop! My tattoo artist is the BEST. Will ALWAYS RECOMMEND True grit tattoo, and every time I get a compliment, I let them know about the shop & my artist. I hope I bring you in business and hope to see you soon 😊

True Grit has been and will always be the best tattoo shop in ABQ. The shop itself is incredible; SOO much Star Wars everywhere you look as well as other carefully curated art throughout. Johnny has done every tattoo Ive gotten over the last 8 years and each one is top notch! The other artists at True Grit are really good too. Customer service is great, atmosphere is amazing, and the tattoos are spectacular 👌🏼

Best tattoo shop in New Mexico! Johnny is a master of color work. His studio is remarkable, so much to see. If you like Star Wars even a little bit, you will love his shop!

One of the best tattoo shops around! Johnny Mac is absolutely amazing with his work and detailed to each individual. Everyone else in the shop are friendly and extremely professional.

Great tattoo experience! I love this shop, and you will, too.

Johnny did my Dark Tower cover up design and watercolor. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! He did amazing work and was so kind and personable I would recommend him and his shop to anyone looking to have a tattoo done! I will absolutely be back for future work!

Super clean shop! Loved all the decor! Johnny is hands down one of the most talented artists Ive seen. He is super nice and made me feel comfortable right away. I really appreciated that he wanted my input as we went along. I could not have been happier with the entire experience!

True grit is the only place Id go for a tattoo. It is so clean. Everyone is so professional. Plus Johnny Mac is the most talented tattoo artist Ive ever met. His vision and eye for art is truly a gift. I Dont have enough words to sing his praises. If there is a wait to get in, they are completely worth the wait. Trust me!

Johnny has been tattooing my family for 10 years and doesnt disappoint. He is trust worthy and always goes beyond expectations.

Definitely the best shop Ive been to. Johnny did a full cover up of my biggest piece and made it so beautiful I almost cant believe it. He is also incredibly respectful of clients. Thank you so much for making me so happy!!!!!

I had a memorial piece done and it was an emotional experience for me... Johnny Mac was brilliant in his execution of bringing beauty behind the meaning. He was funny and genuine .... I felt welcomed and that I was more than just another customer in his book. The atmosphere, other artists, and staff made it all the more. Im so glad I went here and highly recommend you do too!

Johnny Mac and the shop are awesome. Right from the minute you walk in you know this is going to be a very unique tattoo experience. I found the shop after looking for a while for a watercolor tattoo place and after seeing Johnny Mac’s work I knew I had to come. Drove from El Paso and I was not disappointed! The tattoo is amazing and truly a piece of art and I will definitely be coming back again!

I flew 1200 miles to get a tattoo by Johnny Mac. The work he did covering up an existing tattoo was phenomenal. It honestly doesnt matter how much you pay. It will always be quality work. I will definitely be flying back to get more. I would recommend him to anybody for whatever tattoo you were getting. I believe you will never leave dissatisfied.

Ultra hygienic salon, high quality artists with immense personal integrity; Ive had a few pieces done by two artists here and I cannot recommend True Grit highly enough. Johns watercolors and eye for design are to die for and Simons realism and fine line are mind-blowing. Theres a reason why this shop is busy -- The artists here are THAT good and theyre all good guys, to boot.

Went in the shop. It was clean and looked great. Dominic recommended Johnny or maybe Steve for some K-9 work. I didnt like the photo samples of either but did like the detailed work of Rudy Lopez who had his photo sample book there as well.Dominic kept trying to get us to go with Johnny and it seemed like he was very pushy about it. He had many excuses why I should choose Johnny such as Rudy wont do that kind of work! and Hes out of town and we dont know when hell be back. etc. Appointment time was not an issue either as I was willing to wait months if necessary. Unless Rudys sample photos are a fake, he does great K-9 work!!!!Too bad it was such an issue there. Had to go elsewhere. Went to another place on San Mateo as recommended by a friend. Another great artist there! True Grit just lost 6 sales. Too bad because we all wanted tattoos as a family!

Johnny did some ink for me on my forearm. First session did the outline. It can out fantastic. Cant wait to finish it with him. He even worked with a hurt neck. Johnny is a good guy and and great artist. Thanks again bud

Ben was fantastic. He fit me in last minute. Was super professional to work with, and did a fantastic job on my tattoo. Plus he was just fun to talk to while getting my work done. Would totally go back again!

Dave Briggs was a damn pleasure to work with! I was honestly a pain because I was very particular with what I wanted and he nailed it! The entire atmosphere at the shop in general is incredible! And I appreciate the amount of effort they put in to making everything sterile. If you go anywhere else for a tattoo in Albuquerque youre insane!

Got my first tattoo done by Johnny Mac....nothing short of amazing ! His work is top notch , employees are super helpful and friendly and his shop is decorated amazing and is super clean ! I will be going back here for sure!

You would have never thought that we were two girls who walked in two hours before close. We were treated with the utmost respect by all staff, being offered waters and making introductions and small talk. Baby Steve took his time to get a feel for our individual styles and made sure that placement was exactly where we wanted. We didnt feel rushed at all, he seriously just has the lightest, fastest hands! We will be returning soon (with appointments!) ;)

Johnny is a watercolor master! I just got my second piece by him yesterday and I couldn’t be happier! Beautiful colors with blending perfection!

Johnny Mac and his shop is amazing. Everyones work there is of the highest quality and stunning. Tattoos are by appointment only and everyone is super friendly. The location is awesome there is always parking.

A friend and i came in to do two walk in tattoos same day, simon got us in right away and did an amazing job. the shop is friendly and welcoming plus they have a sick dog named pepper. will be returning to simon again.

Jake Larrazolo was my artist. Extremely helpful and understanding (it was my first tattoo lol) and professional. Watched as he cleaned and sanitized the station for mine, and proceeded to open new equipment and ink. The place overall has such a cool vibe, and if youre a Star Wars fan, this is the place to get your ink! Johnnymac and his staff are the best, bar none!

I had a great experience! It’s very clean and professional. I got tattooed by Amber and I couldn’t be happier with her work. I highly recommend her.

Got my tattoo done by Quincy. Absolutely love it. Thank you!

Always love getting Johnny Mac tattoos. Amazing artist and shop!

I had my first tattoo with Johnny, it was water color and it turned out beautifully. It healed very nicely, absolutely no need for a touch up :)

Absolutely stellar work done by Stacy for myself and my wife (three pieces so far). Excited for the work I am getting ready to get done with Johnny for sure.

The best shop in ABQ hands down! Full of talent and such a welcoming shop. Highly recommend!

Got my first tattoo done by Simon, he is an amazing artist!! Definitely going to him for the next one. Thanks True Grit!

This shop is beautiful as well as professional! I felt extremely comfortable & was tattooed by Myra. 10/10 would recommend and definitely will be back 💯

The first thing I noticed was how clean this facility was.Stacy had all the professional equipment from A to Z.I can’t think of a single thing I would change from the service I received.I definitely recommend True Grit.

Simon has done almost all of my tattoos, he’s fantastic. Great artist, great guy, will be coming back.

Professional studio well appointed very relaxing. Will get work done here in near future.

Great shop. All artists are professional and straight forward. Have both arms done by Stacy. Highly recommended.

Great experience, 1st tattoo. Easy going and detailed. Simon Cooper took his time with the set up.

Love this tattoo shop! #StacyLoc is my go to artist.

Eric is amazing. Great work and great company. The place is decorated so cool too!

Has been tattooing me for 10 years and is amazing!!

Great shop epically decorated, not JUST by the artists that tattoo there, but also the inside is nothing short of Scarface worthy...

Jacob is fantastic... Did my oldest daughters in memory tattoo for her grandma and it is beautiful!

Stacy is awesome. Precise and beautiful work. Hes polite and super clean.

Great tattoo artists. Stacy Quintana and Johnny Mac are very talented.

Amazing work by Johnny and his guys best tattoo shop in town!!

I love the atmosphere here

Johnnymac is the best amd he has alot of amazing talented artists

It is worth the wait the owner is awesome professional and atmosphere is exceptional book your appointments today

AMAZING did my 1st tattoo and its beautiful i absolutely adore it amazing art! Clean and efficient

Stacy was fantastic! Listened to what I wanted and gave me a beautiful tattoo.

Excellent atmosphere for a tattoo shop. Dave excellent black and gray tattoo artist.

I got this awesome trash polka by Johnny Mac in 2017. Thanks again, man!

Johnny was a pro and very nice!

Very unique layout for a tattoo parlor. Extremely prompt service and response time.

Always a five star experience and a five star piece of art!

Johnny Mac is amazing and the shop is visually stimulating.

Loved the service and the people, most importantly the tattoo was amazing!!!

Awesome place, got appt for Dec. Cannot wait.

They have always been polite and answer all my questions.

Way over priced and I pretty much got told I could only pick one person...

Cant say enough great things about True Grit and JohnnyMac!

Jonny is the best, EXTREMELY clean shop and very welcoming

The Only place to go for a tattoo. Professional, creative, talented and cool.

Johnny always does a fantastic job!

Outstanding work with top of the line atmosphere and surroundings​

Just a badass place to relax and receive some ink!

Thanks! :)

Best tattoo parlor in Albuquerque. Period.

Nice Vibe, extremely professional and fascinating

Awesome staff, excellent atmosphere

John Mac is the real deal

Best tattoo studio in town!!

Love johnny mac

Whats up

Makes you feel welcomed

Very helpful services advice

Johnny is the best!

Johnny is the man!

So good, dude

Best tattoos in the world

Sick ink spot!!

Best in the 505

Finding Bunny