Ryder Mission Guide: Haircut & Pizza Parlor Hold-Up

Introduction to City Services

After surviving the intense BMX chase from the previous mission, things slow down slightly. The "Ryder" mission serves as an extended tutorial, introducing players to some of the essential open-world mechanics in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. Specifically, you will learn how to customize CJ's appearance and how to replenish his health by visiting restaurants. These are core systems you will use continuously for the rest of your playthrough.

The mission begins when you walk into the red marker outside Ryder's house in Grove Street. A cutscene plays where CJ finds Ryder mocking him about his outdated haircut and lack of gang colors. Ryder insists that if CJ wants to run with the Grove Street Families again, he needs to look the part. He tosses you the keys to his car, and your first real driving assignment begins.

Driving to Old Reece's Barber Shop

Get into Ryder's brown pickup truck (a Picador, though often debated by fans, it functions as his signature vehicle). Driving mechanics in San Andreas take some getting used to. Vehicles have weight and momentum, so brake early before taking corners. Follow the yellow square on your minimap. It will guide you to Old Reece's Barber Shop in Idlewood.

Park the car in the red marker outside the shop. Ryder tells you to go inside and get a haircut while he waits outside. Walk through the front doors. Inside, you will see Old Reece standing by his chair. Walk into the red marker in front of the chair to open the haircut menu.

Choosing Your Style

The barber menu allows you to browse various hairstyles. Some cost more than others, and different styles affect your "Respect" and "Sex Appeal" stats. For the purpose of completing the mission, it does not matter which haircut you choose. If you want to save your starting cash, pick the cheapest option available. Once you purchase a haircut, a brief cutscene shows CJ admiring his new look in the mirror.

The Well Stacked Pizza Co.

Step back outside. Ryder will comment on your new haircut (often with a sarcastic remark regardless of what you chose). He then complains that he is hungry. A new yellow marker appears on your map just across the street. Drive Ryder's truck over to the Well Stacked Pizza Co. and park in the marker.

Walk inside the restaurant. This segment introduces the food mechanics. Walk up to the counter and stand in the red marker. The menu offers several meal sizes: a small meal, a medium meal, a large meal, and a salad. Buying a meal restores your health bar. Again, purchase whichever meal you prefer to advance the script.

The Hold-Up Gone Wrong

While you are eating your pizza, a cutscene triggers. Ryder bursts into the restaurant wearing a mask. He pulls out a pistol and attempts to rob the place. However, the clerk recognizes him instantly, calling him out by name. The robbery quickly falls apart when the clerk pulls out a massive shotgun from beneath the counter.

As soon as you regain control, you are in immediate danger. The clerk will start firing his shotgun. At close range, a shotgun blast can drain your health rapidly, even killing you in a couple of hits. You have two main options here.

Option A: Run for Your Life (Recommended)

The intended and safest method is to simply turn around and sprint out the front door. Do not bother trying to fight back, as you likely have no weapons. Once outside, run directly to Ryder's truck. Ryder will follow close behind. Jump into the driver's seat and hit the gas. The clerk might run outside and take a few shots at your vehicle, but once you put some distance between you and the restaurant, you are safe.

Option B: Fight Back (Advanced)

If you are feeling brave and want an early game advantage, you can attempt to kill the clerk. This is very risky. You will need to use your fists to punch him repeatedly, interrupting his shooting animations. If you manage to knock him out, he drops his shotgun. Picking this up gives you a powerful weapon very early in the story. However, if you fail, you will die, lose your money, and have to restart the mission from the hospital.

The Drive Home

Regardless of how you handle the clerk, the final objective is to drive Ryder back to Grove Street. Follow the yellow marker on your minimap. Drive carefully to avoid totaling the car. Once you park in the red marker at Grove Street, the mission concludes. You earn a boost in Respect, and the barbershops and food vendors across the city are now permanently unlocked for your use.

Pro Tips for the Ryder Mission

• Save Your Cash: You start the game with very little money. Do not blow it all on the most expensive haircut. Save your cash for weapons and armor later.
• Avoid Overeating: While in the pizza place, if you buy 11 or more meals back-to-back, CJ will throw up, losing all health benefits and some money. Buy one meal and be done with it.
• Vehicle Familiarity: Use the short drives in this mission to get comfortable with the braking and accelerating physics. San Andreas driving is highly responsive, but mastering it takes practice.

Frequently Asked Questions