I've been going here for over 20 years. Long gone were the days that I use to order a chili cheese fries with pastrami for under $8. I was reminiscing about the good days when I could eat a whole platter by myself in one sitting. The portion was the same, as I looked at how overwhelming large the chili cheese fries order was. Yes, it's still on the recycled cardboard drink holder thing. Yes the coagulated cheese is still all over the yellow paper. But no, somehow it didn't taste the same anymore. I think my taste bud changed as I got older and now I'm an old curmudgeon. I miss those days. It also took me 3 days of reheating to finish it now instead of 1 sitting. If you grew up with the hat, do continue returning there because it's nostalgia. If you're craving pastrami and think this is it, I'll encourage you to try other places. read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

so sad... i work very hard for my money.. to eat out once a week bought 2 pastrami's just now $26 dollars... and all bread... where the heck is the pastrami practically more pickles than pastrami i will be sharing this with my friends i deserve a refund for sure dang it!!! read more

The Hat has got such a simple yet winning concept. Take copious amounts of pastrami, a roll, pickles, mustard, dip, and wrap it up for customers. Customers can take their staple sandwich away or eat it out back at the shaded benches, as there's no dine in service. To be frank, there's no need to change a thing because it's worked for them for seven centuries. read more

The Hat - Store front. - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Pastrami, the pungent fantasy of corned beef pickles, and the great lusty impertinence of good mustard. Dip the roll in Jus and you have a sandwich made of the most sensual of all cured meats. The USDA grade shields are highly regarded as symbols of high-quality American beef. Pastrami can be found in similar grades. The Hat has only one....delicious. sure you can pay more but why. Katz Deli is famous for Pastrami, but on the west coast, The Hat rules supreme. Don't let the french fries fool you, the onion rings here are legendary. If pastrami is not your thing, blow out your arteries on the chili cheese fries or the burgers. Whatever your proclivities, find your local Hat and loosen your belt. read more

"There's Another Skywalker!" *W00T!* SITREP Well, Obi-wan Kenobi MAY have known there was another HAT restaurant, but I had no idea! I've been a fan of THE HAT located on Atlantic Blvd., which is just a stones throw away from my office's Southern Cal training site in Monterey Park, CA But it wasn't until I did a Yelp search on my app to find the quickest way there from this new motel I am at, that I suddenly saw, "There's another Hat!" And it's closer! THE SETUP Well again, to be precise, this 2nd Hat on W Valley Blvd in Alhambra is more like a "food stand" with a patio picnic area on the back side of the stand (albeit a LARGE food stand - here, take a look:) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-hat-alhambra?select_video=WoxdhOuVWRNLCQoHYu0m6w But the food is JUST as amazing as THE HAT that I'm used to on Atlantic, and dam, if I don't actually think the food servings & proportions are much larger - take a look at what I think is the BIGGEST order of Onion Rings I've EVER gotten from a place! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-hat-alhambra?select=Shu-4gixjS2VQDO5hPMUeQ And these are GOOD onion rings - not those stale, burnt rings you'd get from Wendy's or Jack-in-the-Crack (and probably, what. Only FIVE rings? SEVEN rings at most from those places? Man. The Hat does Rings Good! But you know what else The Hat does good?.... PASTRAMI BURGERS (& SANDWICHES)! I always get the pastrami sandwich when I'm at the Atlantic Blvd. Hat, so I thought I'd shake it up a bit and actually pul the trigger on the pastrami burger here at "Hat, Jr.". And, DAM. If That wasn't good too! Take a look: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-hat-alhambra?select=Tm-oMiZ3FsHvmzoH7Gt2HQ Almost TWO FULL POUNDS OF STUFF! A delicious burger. P-A-T-I-O It's smallish, with picnic tables, but it's cute and gets the job done for hanging out a bit while eating your burgers! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-hat-alhambra?select=8oO6peSq85GUDxkvpo3Z_g LATE LATE LATE! And oh! It's open til 1AM. *SCORE!* THE LOWDOWN The N. Valley Blvd Hat is my NEXT go to spot for Pastami-"anything" in Southern California, oh yum! read more

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The pastrami fires were immaculate, a great night eat! Was one of the first times that I tried pastrami, and I can say after that one try, I will be back. read more

The Hat - Outside dining ! - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

EXCELLENT pastramis, fries, onion rings. Good cheese burger & roast beef sandwiches. Chili tamale just okay read more

This place has gone downhill. I literally see the lady throw in already cooked old fries into the oil to reheat and give me. I call her out on it and she pretends she doesn't speak a word of english. The manager or whoever, gives me another order of undercooked fries. I go back for a refund and this guy literally doesn't say sorry or even answers my question, when I asked why are you okay with her doing that. No wonder this place tastes like shit now. read more

Great service and more food than any one human can eat, in one meal. The use Five Guys sizing and Dutch bros ambiance. Excellent late night food! read more

I've gone to The Hat many times, back when I lived in the San Gabriel Valley. It was one of my guilty pleasure restaurants back in the day, and I still like to pay a visit to it, whenever I'm in Socal. So, I've decide to talk a bit about my experiences with the place. Food: The Hat is known for its Pastrami menu items, and they do them very well. I've often gotten the Pastrami Dip here. The Pastrami Dip has a TON of pastrami packed in it; it is going to be messy for you to eat, since the excess meat is going to keep falling out of your sandwich. There aren't too many veggies with your sandwich, but honestly, if you're at The Hat, you've made a decision to not have a healthy meal. Beyond its abundance, the pastrami tastes great; it's fatty, peppery, and greasy (in a good way). Of course, since it is a Pastrami Dip, the sandwich is super drenched with au jus (it is not on the side, though you can get it as a side, too). It makes the sandwich super juicy to eat, and I suppose that adds to the messiness of eating it, too. Overall, it's not mind-blowing, but it's definitely a satisfying meal! There are many other menu items at The Hat that are also of interest, including the Pastrami Burger. I've had that once, and while it tasted great, it was probably too much food for me. But I do recommend trying it once! Rating - 4.5/5 Value for Price: The Pastrami Dip is around $10, which is closer to the price of a footlong sub at Subway. The Hat gives you a lot of meat in your Dip, and it tastes great, though you're not going to feel like you've gotten a steal at that price. Other menu items, such as the regular burgers and hot dogs, run at around $4 to $5, which are also around the typical fare in the area. The food is good, so the value for their price feels decent. Rating - 4/5 Service: The folks that serve you will take your order and have you pick up your food with no problem. The service is nothing exceptional, but it's a fast food place, so it's not like that's expected. Rating - 4/5 Overall: The Hat is great, if you're feeling like getting a TON of meat, and are feeling like eating something greasy. It's not amazing, but the food is super satisfying, and I always find myself coming back when I'm in town. I actually prefer this place to In-N-Out (as blasphemous as that may sound to resident Californians) for fast food. Definitely give this place (or other locations of it) a try! Rating - 4.17/5 read more

The Hat - Pastrami Dip - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Good pastrami's sandwich only problem is it gets very soggy fast, you have to eat it there for you to enjoy it. Regular fries are okay. Burger and hot dogs are good for the price. Definitely a spot if you got the munchies and wanting to save some money. read more

I love the classic look ! Good employees and nice ambiance reminds me of when I was young ... wish I could get those days back! Hahaha delicious food !! read more

The Hat is amazing. Had the pastrami dip and chili fries (shared with my other half) for an early lunch, and was so full I was good for most of the day. The sandwich was overflowing with well-cooked, tender pastrami and the fries were drenched with chili. (Don't tell my cardiologist!) This place is a must-visit. read more

I have loved this place since my youth. As an adult, it's still as delicious and hits the spot for chili cheese fries w/ tomatoes and pickles! I also like their chili cheese dog, which comes with tomatoes, pickles, and onions. If you've got plenty of room, you can add a side of pastrami to your item! It's amazing. There's only outdoor dining, which I don't mind. I find it's best to eat a heavy meal like this with fresh air lol. There's parking in the back (though it can get kind of tight), and the pricing is just right. The wait isn't too long, and you can see them make the orders, which is kind of fun to watch sometimes. read more

This place is perfect for a late nite meal. Tried their signature's pastrami dip, it's literally one of the best sandwich I had this year. The amount of beef is like crazy in the sandwich which def worth the price. Their pepper is a lil bit too spicy for me but it's very refreshing. read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Cash only . They used to use credit card but the cashier said cash for the last 2 days. The temple City and Pasadena one takes all forms of payment. read more

I love this place. No really. I L O V E this place. The best pastrami sandwiches ever!! The portions are huge and it's all so tasty! Great fries. Great onion rings. The chili-cheese fries are awesome but they are pretty much a meal all by themselves. This location is pretty convenient to downtown L.A. Just head east on the 10 and exit on Garfield Ave, then go north. They are open until 1am every night. I don't think there is anything indoors at this location. You order at the walk up window on the corner and then there is seating at the covered patio in the back. read more

I recommend the pastrami only here. The chili cheese fries are really tasteless and just filled with grease. I ordered a side of chili because they don't give enough with the chili cheese fries and just has no flavor. Good customer service however. read more

For the first time me and my husband was in Alhambra area we ended up stopping by for a quick snack and came across the hat we ordered us two pastrami sandwiches fries and a drink and I must say they have the best pastrami sandwiches you can ever find I was so speechless my husband is a very picky eater so for him to like the subway sandwich I give it thumbs up all the way you must try it I recommend you to try it if you're in that area read more

The Hat - The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

This place makes a great avocado sandwich. It gives you four breads to choose from and their onion rings are really good. They are not falling apart and they are perfectly crispy. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. The employees are very friendly and they hustle to get your food to you with no reservations. Need a special request? No problem just let them know. They also have a great pastrami sandwich dip. They don't skimp on the fries and the prices are very reasonable. I recommend this place after a night on the town or anytime really. And they are open late. read more

Old school since 1951. I love chili cheese burgers but last night's burger lacked flavor I think it needed a slice of tomato. We shared the mountain of chili cheese fries but they were kind of limp and not crispy. Ask for extra chili and cheese on the fries because half way through we ended up with plain fries which I added ketchup and continued eating. read more

The Hat - Old school since 1951 - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Amazing food and service! There is a reason this place has been open for so long! Affordable prices for a lot of food and outstanding customer service! Can't wait to come back! read more

It's always a special treat to have a delicious pastrami sandwich from The Hat. Keep up the great tradition. Thank you!

The service is very quick. My favorite items are the pastrami dip and chili fries with pastrami. I have tried other items, but probably would not order them again. The menu should say how much extra it costs to add toppings. I decided to try the chili dog, and the guy asked if I wanted everything on it. Not knowing what 'everything' was, I said sure. It increased my total by an extra $2.50, just for some cheese, pickles, and diced tomatoes. But the hot dog was bigger than I expected and they are very generous with the portions of pastrami. read more

The Hat - chili cheese dog with tomato and pickle - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Looking for late night eats, The Hat is your spot! Came around 11:30 and got their famous pastrami dip sandwich and an order of chili cheese fries topped with pastrami. Line looked like it was going to be long but after ordering we received our order somewhere between 5-10 minutes. Pastrami dip sandwich was okay. An expensive sandwich for what it is. It probably would've been better if we had eaten it there because the bread soaked up the au jus and it got a bit soggy when we got home. The chili cheese fries were delicious though! This combo isn't on the menu but just tell the cashier what you want! read more

The Hat - Pastrami Dip and Chili Cheese Fries topped with Pastrami - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Nobody does Chilli cheese fries like The Hat! Located on a very busy intersection in Alhambra, The Hat has people flocking to it from near and far to have a taste of it's pastrami sandwiches, Chili cheese fries with pickles and tomato, or a simple cheeseburger. The Hat's original location is a bustling business first established in the early 1950's and has stood the test of time. Day in and day out this place never fails to have a crowd of foodies waiting for, or chowing down on their food. This place would get a 5 star rating from me if it only had a GREAT burger to go with the fries!! Their burgers are mediocre at best and nothing to write home about, but in all reality people come here for the "World Famous Pastrami"!! Try it out for yourself if you're a pastrami fanatic and you'll be instantly satisfied with your purchase. - Price is fair...nothing expensive. -All outdoor seating, under a canopy. -Private parking lot. -Pastrami, Chili Cheese Fries, and Burgers are what you're here for. They even have hot dogs/chili cheese dogs. read more

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Walk up to the window and a whole bunch of employees are crammed into that tiny 3 foot by 9 foot space working really hard. Order your food at one window and pick it up at the next. Somebody told me to try gravy fries with onions..cheese..and pastrami on top. Well I watched them build this huge colossal mountain of food...with my eyes glued to their every move.. They held it together with wrapped paper and stuck two forks on the side to hold it. I ate that stuff with the melted cheese and gravy drooling down my cheeks. I picked the pastrami off of my shirt and the pigeons got what fell on the ground. Yikes....this was great stuff. I almost finished it...but took the rest home for another delicious meal.. read more

The chili cheese fries. Need I say more? Pastrami sandwich is good too, but you should get the chili cheese fries. read more

So what did I think about my first overall experience with a pastrami sandwhich!? I enjoyed it. It was good for being a sandwich I've never had. This sandwich was packed with meat! Smeared with a good amount of mustard and pickles balancing all the flavors together. One thing I would add, is ordering some extra au jus. The one dip was not enough. The fries with extra pickles (my bf oredered with extra pickles) was my favorite and they definitely give you a large portion. They have a speedy service too, did not have to wait long for our food. This sandwhich was Ivy approved! read more

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WOW. I've heard so much about this place for such a long time and I'm happy to say that I finally tried The Hat. As I was standing in line, the anticipation was killing me. Pastrami Dip - For its price, it's probably the best pastrami. It's on par with Canters Deli in Fairfax. Freshly made and full of flavor. The portion of pastrami was very generous. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/CnZrLtB-QLFA5QjBrhxLSQ?select=hY2SLXQO0goXLTtgEHE-3w Gravy Cheese Fries - The gravy was freshly made and poured over fries. It was very flavorful and not as salty as I expected. I highly recommmend that you share this with one or more people because it's huge! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/CnZrLtB-QLFA5QjBrhxLSQ?select=BluPqMz14AL6w1jmTBDz-A read more

The Hat - Gravy Cheese Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

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I have always come here for one thing and one thing only, Chili Cheese Fries. Although the fries isn't of the upmost best quality, the chili cheese mixed with tomato, pickles and yellow pepper has always lure me back here time and time again. Be aware that if health is a major concern, probably best to go for other options. read more

Shit, this chili cheese fries with pastrami is bomb af!!!!! Only coated me $12, and I couldn't even finish it I had to share with my little sister and older brother. The chili tastes so good because it had bits of meat, and the cheese melted on the fries is so satisfying, and the best part was the pastrami. I have never tried their burger or anything but the chili cheese fries with pastrami. I would only recommend you to get that with a friend hang out because you save money and it's good. read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Show me someone who doesn't like The Hat, and I'll show you someone with no taste buds! Now, I say this with one qualifier: the pastrami is criminally overrated. If you come here for the "world famous pastrami," and you're a pastrami snob like me, you'll be disappointed. BUT there is lots of other good food here so don't miss The Hat. The burgers are bomb as hell, as are the chili cheese fries. Great hangover munchies. read more

The pastrami was great. Good size. The hot Roast beef sandwich with gravy was very tasty. The chili fries with cheese were outstanding everyone in our group agreed. The walk up counter well lit and clean.The staff seemed very professional and well organized. The staff behind the counter looked like they enjoyed what they were doing. The food was good and hot. We'll definitely come back when we're in California. read more

Pretty good... ------ A day of running errands sure makes one hungry. So why not stop in for a bite? Pro Got the pastrami dip: Soft roll, dipped in Au jus, plentiful pastrami. Works well with mustard and pickles that comes with it. Con The Au jus seems to be a watered down version of Knorr's bouillon. Doesn't seem to add much beefiness; mostly imparts juiciness. Price Around $7. Not bad. Would I return? Sure - now that I've seen what others have created (chili cheese fries with pastrami...mmm....) read more

I loved the hat so much I bought a shirt! Anyplace in LA with a parking lot is a bonus. This place has great pastrami! I got one on rye with mustard and Swiss pickles on the side. I wound up adding the pickles they completed the sandwich. Just don't make my mistake and ask for extra cheese because they only used 1 slice of Swiss and it got lost in the mountain of magnificent meat. I couldn't eat the entire sandwich. Well truth is I could have but then would have needed a nap in my car. Huge portions are normal at the hat as my grad students clients at Cal State told me which led to my visit. I hear the fries are unbelievable and made so many ways covered in delicious meaty toppings. I opted out because the Mrs says I'm too indulgent. Okay... she called me fat but I'm happy, why? Because I eat at awesome places like the Hat! read more

Came because it was a historic location, which it absolutely lived up to the hype. There was a lack of vegetarian options, so, if you love meat...this is the place for you. If you don't eat meat, fries are about your only option. My mediocre rating is solely because of the staff -- two ladies who worked there were not at all being sly that they were gossiping/laughing at me, going as far as to nudge a male coworker and have him look at me. It was super rude and petty that grown adults are that insecure that they have to behave that way in plain view while the customer is clearly looking right at them. Grow up. read more

Found this place by accident when I was across the street at yogurt land and yes I had desert before dinner lol Saw how popular it looked and when I saw chili cheese fries I couldn't resist! read more

The Hat - First time trying this place all by accident and its great!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Quick summary: great place to get some greasy food, especially their pastrami fries and pastrami dip. Enough parking, about $10 per item, but they give a ton of food. My brother and I came here on July 4th before the fireworks and ordered 2 pastrami dips and a side of french fries. I came here before for their pastrami fries, which are freaking awesome. It's set up like one of those Mexican outdoor street stands with outdoor seating, so definitely don't take anyone on a first date here. Pastrami dip- you either have to order this or the pastrami fries if you come here. You have the option to get it dry or wet XD. It's a loaded pastrami sandwich on white bread that's pretty greasy. It tasted so delicious, but with all greasy food, I was hit hard by the food coma and felt greasy the rest of the night Pastrami fries- chili cheese fries topped with a ton of pastrami. It's on the pricier end of the menu (about $12 I think), but it's a ton of food. You can probably share with 3 people, because it's definitely going to fill 2 people up. My brother and I couldn't finish the rest of the fries. The food was delicious and the portions were large. If you're in need of a quick greasy bite, this is your place in Alhambra. read more

The Hat - Pastrami dip - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

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I have tried a different location and I did not care for it so I decided to try this location out during Covid. Took about 5 minutes to receive my pastrami. Sadly again, I felt the same. The problem is the cheese. I don't know what kind of cheddar cheese they use but it's cheap. It takes a long ass time to melt like it's fake. I went home and scraped all the cheese off and added my own. However, the pastrami meat is good and flavorful so next I will order it without cheese. read more