The Hat (The Original)

This place does really have amazing pastrami. It’s thin, tasty, fresh, plenty of meat, not too much fatty parts, and it comes with French roll and mustard and pickles and dip. Nice and simple. The pastrami meat is really good. Usually the texture of pastrami is thicker and more fleshy but this is so yummy because it’s just slivers and I love it! Outdoors seating and free parking. Totally worth the trip to stop here.

Published a year ago

Retro corner shop serving sandwiches, burgers, and other hot food.
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Wet Fries with Gravy
Grade: A-
I don't know what kind of stock they use for the gravy but the flavor is phenomenal. A little on the salty side but not too bad when you spread it out over the fries. The portion size is also massive
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Pastrami Dip
Grade: C-
The smokiness of the pastrami is good but it is really salty. I don't know if it's the pastrami itself or the au jus but the salt overpowers the rest of the flavor.

Published 2 years ago

Amazing pastrami sandwich which rivals Kats in New York. They put a lot of meat compared to some places that seem to not give much meat at all. The fries are also amazing. They have outdoor seating if you wish to eat around them but we took it home while resisting eating on the way home.

Published a year ago

Outdoor seating, old school diner feel. The food was amazing. My boyfriend and I got the wet fries, roast beef au jus and the steak sandwich. The roast beef sandwich was decent, the meat was very tender and easy to chew but it was a little salty. The steak sandwich was delicious! I would come back to this place just for this sandwich.

The portions were decent for the price and the staff were very friendly.

Published 2 years ago

It was the best Pastrami I ever had. Got the Pastrami Burger. Good thing I didn't get fries. Wouldn't have finished. Pastrami was nice and thin, easy to chew and eat. Buns are soft. Kinda messy. Definitely will go again.

Published a year ago

Pastrami Dip with medium Cherry Coke under $17. Juicy, paper thin sliced pastrami with a pillowy roll will fool ya but fill you as you’re trying to make it through the second half.

Good to split between two people if you also want sides. Enjoyed dinner in the back lot open seating while others munched in their cars.

Published 2 years ago

My family and I enjoy The Hat down by Aliso Viejo all the time. We were near the Original Hat from where we had a bowling tournament so we decided we'll stop by here. As expected, the food is delicious, service is excellent, and we left very satisfied! Their servings are huge and they provide plenty of sauces, peppers, pickles, and such. This time, we decided we were going to try to see if we could finish their chili fries and bc their serving is huge, the three of us could not finish it! But it was, of course, delicious! We love The Hat!

Published 2 years ago

Came about 30 minutes after they opened, heard it can get busy quickly here. Service was friendly and fast. Food was amazing, the chili cheese fries were so good, and a really big portion. Sandwich was out of this world, i love pastrami, and this place has good pastrami for sure. Definitely recommend this place if you have never been before.

Published 2 years ago

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Chili cheese fries with Pastrami 🔥🔥🔥

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

It was the best Pastrami I ever had. Got the Pastrami Burger. Good thing I didn't get fries. Wouldn't have finished. Pastrami was nice and thin, easy to chew and eat. Buns are soft. Kinda messy. Definitely will go again.

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

I can't express how impressed I am with this sandwich joint. First and foremost, the service is impeccable. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure your dining experience is memorable. Now, let's talk about the sandwiches - they are out of this world! The combination of fresh ingredients and unique flavor profiles is mind-blowing. And the ambiance? It's a haven of comfort, making it the perfect place to unwind with a scrumptious sandwich. I can't recommend this place enough.

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

This place does really have amazing pastrami. It’s thin, tasty, fresh, plenty of meat, not too much fatty parts, and it comes with French roll and mustard and pickles and dip. Nice and simple. The pastrami meat is really good. Usually the texture of pastrami is thicker and more fleshy but this is so yummy because it’s just slivers and I love it! Outdoors seating and free parking. Totally worth the trip to stop here.

Published a year ago

Love this place nothing better

Published a year ago

The Original Location is Simply The Best!!! 👍🏻 👍🏻 😉

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

When in LA, I always go to the Hat for Pastrami and onion rings..yum

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

My go to is the pastrami chillie cheese fries or a pastrami sandwich

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

After my son's tennis tournament, I thought he might want a pastrami from the OG THE HAT. He enjoyed it!

Published a year ago

The food is great and made fresh to order. I would definitely go back.

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Amazing pastrami sandwich which rivals Kats in New York. They put a lot of meat compared to some places that seem to not give much meat at all. The fries are also amazing. They have outdoor seating if you wish to eat around them but we took it home while resisting eating on the way home.

Published a year ago

Really great pastrami sandwich.

Published a year ago

Their pastrami chilling cheese fries are really good and along with pastrami sandwiches

Published a year ago

🕶👍🏽 what a burger

Published a year ago

The Biggest, Badest, Tastes Pastrami sandwiches you will ever eat ...And the loaded chile cheese fries will feed 4 people easy...

Published a year ago

No complaints at all. Pastrami sandwich is what I remember after 20years

Published a year ago

Great service. Great food. Everything on the menu is great

Published a year ago

The hat never fails in taste or portions. Chili cheese fries very delicious, pastrami it was good better than the thick pastrami very soft bread roll.

Published a year ago

Published 2 years ago

The Best Pastrami in Cali.

Published 2 years ago

My family and I enjoy The Hat down by Aliso Viejo all the time. We were near the Original Hat from where we had a bowling tournament so we decided we'll stop by here. As expected, the food is delicious, service is excellent, and we left very satisfied! Their servings are huge and they provide plenty of sauces, peppers, pickles, and such. This time, we decided we were going to try to see if we could finish their chili fries and bc their serving is huge, the three of us could not finish it! But it was, of course, delicious! We love The Hat!

Published 2 years ago

I have been coming to this place since I was a teenager(a few decades ago). This place is amazing, their Pastrami(not the only thing I eat there!) in my opinion is the best in CA from a fast food perspective. Everything is made fresh. I wish they would venture into where I live (Bakersfield,CA) as it would be a HUGE hit.

Published 2 years ago

The burger never disappoints.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

pastrami, pastrami, pastrami,
enough said.

Published 2 years ago

Today I purchased about $60 worth of food at this establishment in Alhambra. I had placed the orders online via their website. It was a total of 2 separate online orders and when I arrived the employees told me it was 3 total. I then realized that one of the orders had been duplicated due to an online error on their website. I advised employee (Maria) that the first online order indicated that it hadn’t been processed. So I went ahead and placed it again. I requested for that duplicated order to be cancelled and refunded because once again their website wasn’t giving me this option. The employees then stated that they couldn’t issue me a refund and that it was my responsibility to cancel online. I explained to them several times that the website had an error and it caused the order to duplicate. I stated that it wasn’t my fault that this had happened to my order. The employee (Maria) looked at me and pointed her finger directly to me saying that it was my fault due to the fact that I had placed the order. I felt she mistreated me and told her that I would contact my bank to dispute the duplicated order for my refund. She then said that I can contact the establishment tomorrow and request to speak to the manager. This will be my first and last time ordering food from this restaurant. I felt mistreated and left without my problem being resolved.

Published 2 years ago

I took my mom who used to live in LA. She moved out of state 20 years ago. She wanted a pastrami sandwich so I took her to The Hat original location. She loved it.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

It's a bit of a drive now, so I can't go as often as I used to. But it's still delicious. Such a good pastrami sandwich.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Best chili cheese fries

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Good old fashion American burgers^^

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Retro corner shop serving sandwiches, burgers, and other hot food.
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Wet Fries with Gravy
Grade: A-
I don't know what kind of stock they use for the gravy but the flavor is phenomenal. A little on the salty side but not too bad when you spread it out over the fries. The portion size is also massive
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Pastrami Dip
Grade: C-
The smokiness of the pastrami is good but it is really salty. I don't know if it's the pastrami itself or the au jus but the salt overpowers the rest of the flavor.

Published 2 years ago

Pastrami Dip with medium Cherry Coke under $17. Juicy, paper thin sliced pastrami with a pillowy roll will fool ya but fill you as you’re trying to make it through the second half.

Good to split between two people if you also want sides. Enjoyed dinner in the back lot open seating while others munched in their cars.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Service is quick and friendly. I been visiting this spot 40yrs. All is good here.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Actually pretty good no salty like most pastrami sandwiches be.
Also superb service

Published 2 years ago

The pastrami here is more lean than most Eateries! Plus the chilli cheese fries will feed at least 2 persons! Scrumptious!

Published 2 years ago

They got their fry making down, that’s for sure.

Published 2 years ago

Have been going to the Hat for over 50 years and have never been disappointed

Published 2 years ago

Stopped by around midnight for some food with the bro
☆Food was great
☆Service was fast and accurate
☆Atmosphere was nice, a lot of families around, the scenery was cool but there was 1 aggressive homeless man who was angry and because The Hat is outdoors, the homeless guy could have hit a customer or some crazy thing could have happened but that has nothing to do with the food place .
Therefore a 5 star location and service. First time trying the food and it was a solid 5 star.

Published 2 years ago

Yummy

Published 2 years ago

Always a joy

Published 2 years ago

This is the “Go to spot” for the best pastrami sandwiches in California. You guys need to try the pastrami dip. The sandwich is jammed pack with rich flavors that smacks harder than the two 12 subwoofers in the back of my trunk. In fact, smacks harder than your boy Will Smith back in March 27, 2022 at the Oscars Ceremony. I will definitely come back, thank you guys! 🤙

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Best pastrami in the world. 100%

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Outdoor seating, old school diner feel. The food was amazing. My boyfriend and I got the wet fries, roast beef au jus and the steak sandwich. The roast beef sandwich was decent, the meat was very tender and easy to chew but it was a little salty. The steak sandwich was delicious! I would come back to this place just for this sandwich.

The portions were decent for the price and the staff were very friendly.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Many times at this one from my sister Paola like it

Published 2 years ago

The fries have NO seasoning. The chili is flat and greasy. What did I miss? (Re: previous reviews) The hot dog was decent.

Published 2 years ago

Excellent pastrami sandwich. Love it that place

Published 2 years ago

The lack of customer service from the older cashier was baffling. I saw them get out of the restroom asked them to use it since I had over an hour drive and she said no she was lying and I told her it was an emergency she rolled her eyes. I tried yo cancel my food but she had charged my card already. Dont lie about not having a restroom when you are coming out of time humanless character.

Published 2 years ago

A great place to get great food. Try it, you'll like it. Good prices too. Thanks guys . Gentleman Glen Curry.

Published 2 years ago

Love this place the chili cheese fries with Pastrami never disappoint. Great service too.

Published 2 years ago

This is a must stop for me every time I'm visiting SoCal. The pastrami is perfectly tender and seasoned to perfection, served on a soft roll. Best deal in town for $12. I let the crew know that I'm taking 6 home to family in SF and they wrapped it up expertly with TLC.

LOVE seeing how these old classics are still kicking it after 70 years in business. There's a reason why!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Very good

Published 2 years ago

Crispy Onion rings and yummy chili fries.
Late night conform food.

Outdoor sitting next to 2 major street and in the middle of parking lot.

Published 2 years ago

My Father and I came to get some dinner, and it was a marvelous experience. The food was exquisite, the customer service was reliable, and the atmosphere was delightful. I shall endeavor to come back and try more food from here in the future.

Published 2 years ago

Yum!!!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Love their Pastrami sandwiches. I tried to make one here in Texas. It did not taste the same. Can't wait to go back to the hat. Love ya

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Pastrami burger was great!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Original hat restaurant. Outdoor seating only. Really good pastrami and fries.

Published 2 years ago

Love their pastrami dip sandwiches. Great Onion Rings.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Love the Chili cheese fries 😋

Published 2 years ago

Never let me down $$

Published 2 years ago

The Hat has been a mainstay in East Los Angeles and alhambra for years.. Good eats been around for a very long time.. Great food.. Although tops jr on Main street in alhambra pastrami is always pink

Published 2 years ago

The meat was so tender the best

Published 2 years ago

Loved it

Published 2 years ago

Great location, I visited around midnight and everything was so delicious. The large fries are VERY large!

Published 2 years ago

Tradicional sanduíche de pastrami e burguers. Tem espaço no fundo se vc quiser comer no local. É um pouco mais caro que o fast food padrão. Mas a qualidade dos ingredientes é melhor.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Second best meal for me. This is a must stop when on the Westcoast. Never had a bad experience at any of these establishments.

Published 2 years ago

Good sandwich. BBQ beef is good, the portion makes you full

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Always great.

Published 2 years ago

Mid.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

I've always ordered the chili fries here, but tonight I wanted to try the turkey and ham with cheddar cheese on bread.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

一定要在非常非常非常饿的时候买来吃，那确实是“世界美味”了

Published 2 years ago

Since this is the original The Hat location, I expected their food to be the best, but the chili cheese fries were undercooked and soggy, and the pastrami did not taste right, to the point that I returned them for a refund. Since the fries were so big, i was unable to save them to take for my refund, so the manager did not refund the cost of them, and only grudgingly refunded for the pastramis, which i did take to him. I expected more from this location!

Published 2 years ago

Oldie but goodie.

Published 2 years ago

Onion rings.... Seriously, onion rings.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

The staff there was wonderful there is a special location for disabled people can someone from the staff as busy as they were helped me to my car

Published 2 years ago

Love this place been coming for years. But they need to put more meat on their 😉

Published 2 years ago

My friend and I were harassed by a guy as we walked towards the front of the plaza to not park in the back lot, despite the lack of parking signs and the fact that the row of parking was not even right next to the restaurant with other businesses nearby. He seemed to be working for The Hat as he was pacing around the building wearing a fake looking security outfit. We did not argue and moved the car as we did not want trouble but he really had no authority to bother us like that. Get some legal parking signs if you want to look silly and selfishly claim every single parking spot in the vicinity, otherwise leave civilians alone.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

I usually get the pastrami sandwich or the pastrami dog. I prefer the pastrami fries over the gravy fries too 🤌

Published 2 years ago

You never go wrong eating at The Hat! Whether you're a burger or sandwich lover..you'll find something delicious to enjoy. If you love French fries..and who doesn't...The Hat has a variety of fries cooked to order... some to consider: pastrami fries, chili fries, chili-cheese fries, gravy-covered fries, and more.. plus any other toppings you can think of.. like onion, tomato, pickles... and it goes on and on. Enjoy!

Published 2 years ago

Very nice restaurant, spacious, clean and beautiful. The staffs are so helpful. I love this place! The employees are extremely friendly and very helpful.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Very good food

Published 2 years ago

The absolute best.

Published 2 years ago

The best pastrami in town

Published 2 years ago

I went to the Hat because IG accounts seemed to say it had the best pastrami and it was good for certain. However, I wasn't prepared for the hole in the wall status of this place after driving from Inglewood all the way up there. The sandwich was a bit messy unlike the offering from Johnny's Pastrami in Culver City. Either way I'm not a big fan of pastrami to lend any weight in the review but definitely go try it. My wife had never had pastrami so I brought her there and she liked it.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Still awesome after all these years! My favorite is the Beef Dip! Tender and juicy@ my husband loves anything with their chili, especially fries & a burger. Their ham n turkey is delicious 😋 too

Published 2 years ago

the one - the only - the Hat! hey it's not like East Coast pastrami and that's okay because this is its own beautiful magnificent creation!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Food is OK, nothing special. No indoor sitting and No restroom.

Published 2 years ago

Best Pastrami sandwich period.

Published 2 years ago

Pastrami and Onion rings were great 👍

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Best hat in so cal hands down.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Love this location my best place for pastrami in the world and good chili cheese fries with pastrami

Published 2 years ago

Love this old school place. Consistent good every time. Great staff. Miss the old manager..Suzanna.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Very casual old timey place in the 626. If you want an alternative to the amazing Asian food in the area, and if you like simple greasy food, this is great. Might not be your thing tho. For me I like this place more than Langers. I like the juicy thin pastrami more than the lean dry kind at langers. Almost everyone I know thinks I'm crazy for preferring the Hat. So chances are you might not agree with me. We also loved the chili fries (with tomatoes and pickles to counter the greasyness). Chili dog is great too. Also if you like orange bang they have that too. Hard to find and also something most people don't like.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Chili cheese fries were horrible! Under cooked potatoes and my burger was very overcooked! First time ever not satisfied and I've been a customer since the 60s

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

This is the BEST Pastrami location. I love ordering from here. I can't wait to visit again.

Published 2 years ago

The food was gr8 & Fresh

Published 2 years ago

Came about 30 minutes after they opened, heard it can get busy quickly here. Service was friendly and fast. Food was amazing, the chili cheese fries were so good, and a really big portion. Sandwich was out of this world, i love pastrami, and this place has good pastrami for sure. Definitely recommend this place if you have never been before.

Published 2 years ago

If you want a Pastrami this is my to go to spot yummy yummy 😋

Published 2 years ago

Always fast fresh and delicious

Published 2 years ago

Food is cook fresh

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Always on point at this location. Friendly staff, good service and the food is always fresh. Love their pastrami and chili fries.

Published 2 years ago

Food is very good. My problem is I can't order ahead. Typically when you order a pizza someone will make it before you get there. This place will take your order and won't lift a finger until after you show up and pay... And wait for other orders... And wait for them to make your order. They shouldn't bother picking up the phone. It is unpleasant customer service that prevents my family from eating there.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

The wet fries were wonderful. The gravy was nice and they give you quite a lot for the price of roughly $7. As for the pastrami, loaded with meat. Extremely good tasting. There is a decent amount of seats and the kitchen is open so you can see them cooking fresh meat right in front of you. Would recommend. 5 stars

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Love their Pastrami Chili Cheese Fries and fried by themselves. Great turkey burger.

Published 2 years ago

My first time having The Hat was over 25 years ago and still it has got to be my favorite place for chili cheese fries and a cheeseburger or a double cheeseburger if I'm really hungry. I grew up local, graduated at Keppel, so places like this The Hat was dear to me and still is as it brings back memories from the past. If you haven't tried The Hat, then you must try it now! NOW! The food is among the best and comforting. I currently live out of town farther from all The Hat locations, but if I lived closer, then I would probably have The Hat once a month if I could which is unlike my childhood averaging once a week! The Hat would slay if they had a drive thru but they don't and that's completely fine. There's plenty of outdoor seating at this location but no indoor seating. They even have a patrolling security guard at night watching over patrons and the property.

Published 2 years ago

Fast, good, and hot the spot.

Published 2 years ago

Great place for late night munchies. Pastrami chili cheese fries are a must! It's big enough for 2!

Published 2 years ago

Been a minute since we've been here got a pastrami dip witched lacked a lil more seasoning but the chill cheese fries were ok burger was fine maybe it was just my taste buds...

Published 2 years ago

I have visited The Hat since the mid 80s. It's still the best Pastrami hands down. The Pastrami used to practically pour out of the rolls. Now it's a bit parse. Economy I suppose.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Boys love it here

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Clasic and delicious

Published 2 years ago

Maybe it was me, but I got sick after pastrami fries

Published 2 years ago

Great service and scrumptious pastrami

Published 2 years ago

Awesome pastrami

Published 2 years ago

Always good. The original is better on Valley Blvd than the others

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

It's classic,

Published 2 years ago

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Published 3 years ago

Forgot how delicious the pastrami is here. Great service friendly staff. Food was made quick, good to see a restaurant fully staffed.

Published 3 years ago

I was looking up old places that I went to in my 20s. The hat in Alhambra hot roast beef and wet fries for $3.50 if i remember correctly was my favorite. Back when gas was $.59 a gallon.

Published 3 years ago

got the chili cheese fries. was mid and tasted like slop. super big portion but tasted bland too.

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

When I come to visit this area, this is usually one of my first stops. Burger is always juicy and the fries are awesome. I’d go here over in-n-out any day of the week

Published 3 years ago

Oh my stars and PASTRAMI! I came to The Hat on a whim and I’m GLAD that I did. I heard from my dear friend BRYAN SUITS that this place offered a delicious pastrami sandwich. Guess what? I like pastrami! So… I simply HAD to try this place and I dragged my girlfriend along with me to do so. To put it BLUNTLY, this place DELIVERED on my expectations. I came EXPECTING a fine pastrami sandwich and I left with one being digested in my stomach.
The pastrami on its own would have been delicious, but when it is combined with mustard and pickles, as is the case on the Pastrami Dip, you have a fine sandwich on your hands. PURE BLISS IN EVERY BITE. I also ordered a LARGE side of onion rings and those were simply scrumptious as well!
Medium warning: the dining area as well as the food ordering zone is OUTDOORS. This was not a problem during my visit and it likely won’t be one during yours AS LONG AS you check the 7 day forecast and dress accordingly. Okay. That’s it. I will be coming back very soon for Pastrami Dip round 2. Begin preparing for my arrival.

Published 3 years ago