Back at The Hat and I went straight for the Pastani Dip! It's still a beast of a sandwich. The pastrami is piled high, super tender, and packed with that sugnature peppery flavor you want. The bread holds up just right without getting soggy, even with the double dip. If you've never been, this is the one to get. They've got everything from burgers to chili cheese fries, and even fries loaded with gravy. But the pastrami dip is the star. I didn't get the wet fries this time, but those are always worth it if you're hungry. This place is still doing it right after all these years! read more

The Hat - World famous pastrami dip - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

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I love The Hat definitely disappointed this time, my pastrami sandwich was soggy, and the phrase tasted kind of burnt.

Some places have onion rings but barely give you any. It's like they charge you $1 a ring nowadays. Not at The Hat. I still have onion rings from weeks ago and actually had to throw some away because I couldn't eat it all before it went bad. I'll give it to The Hat, they are not chintzy with their onion rings. Oh and their pastrami sandwich is always ! read more

The portions were great! The chili fries were fresh and crispy and the pastrami sandwich was juicy as well. The service was fast and efficient. read more

The Hat - The Dipper - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

Pastrami was calling us so we stopped at the Hat. Ordered a Pastrami burger( pastrami over a single patty). Got a small fry and small fountain soda. The fry was only Luke warm and lightly salted. The pastrami meat was delicious but the bun bottom was an afterthought. Had to eat it with k ice and fork. read more

The Hat - Pastrami burger and fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

I highly doubt the owners are short on cash yet they refuse to replace the drive-through speaker making it nearly impossible for you to understand who's taking your order. Clearly, this is the same experience. The person on the other end was having as well when I asked for the specialty sandwich multiple times and he confirmed and still gave me the wrong thing. After waiting 25 minutes for some flavorless slop, it was really upsetting to find that the one thing that's really hard to mess up was not fulfilled correctly. read more

The Hat - The incorrect order - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

Hats off to you. for quick service, pleasant employees, welcoming atmosphere and consistent flavor. Extreme yumminess. read more

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This is a restaurant I have been going to for decades, specifically this location. The service is always fast and even when it is busy at lunch time, you will get in and out before your break is over. What can I say about the food, top tier would be good. I love pastrami and their sandwiches are great because of the amount of pastrami you get. The fries are good, you season them to your liking, and they just hit the spot. The other restaurant in the center closed down, so it is the only one at that corner, and with fancier offerings at all the other corners of the intersection, this is a great casual spot for a quick bite. read more

The Hat - Pastrami sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

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comfort food spot that hits right when you're craving pastrami dips, burgers, and some seriously loaded chili cheese fries. The pastrami sandwich is the real standout -- juicy, messy in all the best ways, and perfect with a side of wet fries. Portions are generous and the vibe is relaxed and diner-y, so it's good for a casual lunch or late-night bite (they're open late). Prices feel fair for what you get, though the place gets busy around peak hours. read more

The Hat - Everything - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

I have been to The Hat many times over the years and typically always get the pastrami, decided to try the steak sandwich this go around. I must say I was pretty disappointed, the sandwich is the same price as the pastrami's and there is very little to it, a couple small pieces of steak, a little lettuce and tomato and that's it, not worth almost $13, it was quite small as well. With that said, the pastrami's are probably half the size they used to be as well, shrinkflation? After not coming for some time, was shocked to see how things have shrank and prices way up. We also got an order of regular fries, not recommended, the fries here are not good, missing the most important thing, flavor. They do give you a lot though. Fries are only good if you load them with pastrami, gravy or something along those lines. We also got an order of gravy fries, soooo much better. Skip the plain ones and get topping or skip them all together and get an order of onion rings. The onion rings were the only thing that saved my disappointment here. They were excellent, crisp, nice batter, not too greasy, perfectly cooked and they give you a very good amount of them as well. My coke was also tasty. Typically, The Hat is very busy, but the employees are friendly and speed through the lines and get the food out quickly, which is great. Inside, a lot of seating, classic wood tables and booths. Still may have a tough time landing a seat, but we got lucky and got a booth for 6 without trouble. The nostalgia for me was lost on this visit, sad to say, but probably will be many years before I visit again. Enjoy! read more

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My favorite pastrami sandwich been coming for years but it seems the sandwiches are getting smaller they used to pack on the pastrami really wish they had ranch in to go cups rather than packets but crispy and yummy read more

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Best grilled cheeses ever!!! My grandchildren always ask to come back workers are quick and polite.

I've been going to the Hat since I was a child. Their food never disappoints. It is always consistent. Service is great too. They're always so nice. We went pretty late in the night so it was kind of quiet but it was overall a nice experience. read more

The Hat - Chili Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

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This shit heavy af. But delicious. I would try this if you haven't before. The orange tang was bussin. I'd get that any day. There is so much pastrami in the sandwich. read more

The food never disappoints. We ended with pastry burger, pastrami dip, and gravy fries. We hadn't tried the gravy fries but they didn't disappoint. The service is always the best. The only thing that sucked was that you had to ask for everything. The location in Monterey Park has all the sauces out to grab. We even had to ask for straws. I love that the inside and drive thru is always packed. The parking lot is huge. read more

Stopped by here around 12:30 a.m. after an all-day Disneyland bender, starving and looking for something to bring me back to life. I ordered the Hot Pastrami Sandwichito for about $13, and honestly... I wish I had bought two. For the price, I wasn't expecting much, but this thing delivered. The bread was perfectly toasted, the pastrami was hot, flavorful, and piled on generously, and everything came together way better than I expected. It hit the spot after a long day of walking miles through the parks. The best compliment I can give it is that I was already thinking about ordering another one before I even finished the first. If you're leaving Disneyland late and need a solid meal that won't completely destroy your wallet, this is an easy recommendation. Next time, I'm not making the same mistake--I'm ordering 3. read more

Visited today 6/30 around 3:40pm and not a very good experience. Seems like the B team was working and not a very memorable visit today. Drive thru Not friendly at all, didn't include sauce for my beef dip, no napkins and asked for extra ranch packets and didn't get them. Had to park and get out of the car to go back and ask for sauce for my beef dip (large w/extra meat) they gave me a small little bit and had to ask for more explaining to them I had a large with extra meat and even then it was like I was annoying them and an ordeal. Employees seem like they need to be retrained and are complacent, at least today. Bad experience overall. read more

If you're craving iconic loaded pastrami sandwiches, The Hat is THE spot! This legendary joint is all about stacked, juicy pastrami that's bursting with flavor. Here's what they're known for: The Pastrami Sandwich Piled high with tender, perfectly seasoned pastrami on a soft roll--an absolute must-try! Pastrami Dip A savory twist with au jus for dipping. The ultimate comfort food! Roast Beef & Steak Sandwiches Classic and hearty, these sandwiches hit all the right notes. Chili Cheese Fries Golden fries smothered in chili and cheese--a side that's bold enough to steal the show. Every bite is packed with flavor and nostalgia. Whether you're a pastrami lover or just looking for a satisfying feast, The Hat delivers every time. read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

Came here on a Tuesday night, their parking lot was full of souped up cars, crowds of people checking out the cars and such, must be a car club meeting - there was no parking! Parked in the mall next door and walked over. Never been here, friend got their "world famous pastrami dip" I got the turkey and avocado on wheat. She said the pastrami was good, sliced really thin, juicy or dipped in jus and nicely spiced, she loved it. Avocado turkey sandwich was fresh, lettuce mustard fresh avocado and thinly sliced turkey on wheat was good. We shared fries, good because portions are big, fries good, thick cut and not greasy. Friendly service, ambience is causal. read more

I have been going to the Hat restaurants for over 20 yrs. Always a favorite! However, this last time around I had such a bad experience! First off let's say it's not cheap in price to eat here, which is ok if you are receiving good quality, which in the past we have. I couldn't figure out why the chili was light in color and extremely bland in taste until I saw the employee pouring water into the chili. This was not just a little, this was a substantial amount of water being poured in. I understand the cost of things these days however trying to stretch out product for more profit is unacceptable for the prices customers are paying. Sad to say I wasn't the only one in the restaurant complaining about the taste of food this day. I will not be frequenting this location again. I hope not all locations are doing this. But definitely stay away from the Brea site. read more

The Hat - Employee adding water to the chili.. - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

WOW, this place has never let me down. I've been going to that hat for 30+ years, it all started at the Alhambra location. Brea is closer now but these guys are consistent and they maintain their quality at multiple locations. Brea remains amazing. Plenty of parking and a clean location. Once inside it's easy to maneuver. The ordering location is clearly marked and the pick up location is also easy to find. The menu is posted on the wall and is easy to see. The only difficulty is it's hard to move around to the order or pick up spot when the location is full. But don't let that discourage you as the food and service is consistently good. Ps, don't forget to try the chili fries with pastrami on top, there's easily plenty to share with 2-4 friends. read more

This is a place my family, friends and I come.. it holds a nostalgic feeling... this is the first time at this particular location.. I typically go to the ones in the San Gabriel valley neighborhoods.. customer service is on point, food is delicious, the environment is clean. read more

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Having food coma as I type this, but it feels so good. Pastrami dip is a huge portion for the price and has a nice smoky taste. The meat was very moist and savory. The wet fries were also amazing and comes in an amazing portion fit for 3-4 people. The gravy on the fries has a nice meaty taste and it has total coverage. Their pina colada bang was also very creamy and had just the right amount of sweetness. The restaurant is very well maintained and spacious. The staff was also very nice and helped us with extra horseradish and bagging our leftover fries. Will definitely be back to try their burgers and chili! read more

Food always tastes the same. Plenty of fries given and sandwich large enough to share. Many definitions, too. Service was fast and friendly. Restaurant and restroom was clean. Forgot to take a picture. read more

The Hat - 73 Years of Iconic Pastrami Sandwiches in California If you love pastrami sandwiches, then The Hat is a must-try! Like In-N-Out, this fast-food chain originated in California and has been serving up its famous smoked pastrami sandwiches since 1951. The first location opened in Alhambra, and now, 73 years later, they have expanded to several cities, including Brea, Glendora, Monterey Park, Pasadena, and more. What Makes The Hat Special? The signature pastrami sandwich features house-cured, smoked beef, packed generously between freshly baked bread, creating a rich and flavorful bite. Their Chili Cheese Fries are another customers' favorite! The menu also includes cold sandwiches, hot dogs, onion rings, and drinks. My husband and I stopped by the Brea location where is conveniently located right off the freeway. Every time we pass through Brea, he can't resist stopping for The Hat! Even on a Monday evening around 6 PM, the restaurant was packed--we almost didn't get a seat. And when we left, the drive-thru line was still really long. If you're a pastrami lover, The Hat is definitely worth a visit. The Hat - Brea 1210 E Imperial Hwy, Brea, CA 92821 read more

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Driving from Tucson to Cerritos, we stopped for gas only hoping to avoid any morning traffic. Upon entering Riverside county my friend announced we have to get pastrami sandwiches at the Hat, and get up onion rings. This Brea location was on our way and so we stopped at 11am and ordered in. There was no line. The location has drive through available but we had been driving for hours and needed to take a break. I believe this is my first visit to The Hat and split a pastrami and ordered one for my mom to go. The sandwich is served with pickles and mustard on a soft roll and was cut in half. I appreciate the thinly sliced meat that was in little pieces. Other places I typically go to I take a bite and I pull out all the meat from the center of the sandwich. The onion rings were crispy with breading that didn't fall off as you ate it. The lobby had tables and booths and was clean. The food came in under 10 minutes and we ate it in the dining room. I brought home a sandwich for my mom and she loved the tender bread that didn't get soggy from pastrami meat juice. My friend ordered 2 trays of chili cheese fries to go and when her order was ready she was given onion rings . They weren't going to fix it insisting she ordered what they gave her. The chili fries were huge!!! She and I both brought extra food to take home, knowing it was extra special. I really enjoyed the HAT and despite the miscommunication with my friend's order, she knew her parents would enjoy every bite. The lobby is dated but very clean. The staff appeared to be hustling out ordered as quickly as humanly possible. Fun experience read more

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They reduced the size of the pastrami sandwich and then they cut the meat by half Johnnies pastrami in Los Angeles Off of Adams is way better twice the size and same price read more

The Hat always hits and never disappoints. Highly recommend the chili cheese fries with gravy on the side! Extremely quick service, delicious pastrami. Open late nights as well read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

1st time visiting them, ordered a hotdog...delicous,grilled then made to your order! And don't get me started on the fries... Most generous bucket in a bag o fries... it was busy and being there's so many choices nearby speak volumes of The Hat. read more

Honestly this place has been a classsssic.. and I actually loved coming here for their chili cheese fries but something about it isn't the same.. not as good. The chili is way more bean forward now and not as rich. It was even somewhat bland. The fries themselves are so good. Maybe it was just this day or because I went around 9pm? I'm willing to give it another try just bc of how much I've loved this place for so long. read more

The Hat - Chili Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

I came for the chili cheese fries with pastrami. I wanted a little of everything. This is something you should order for two or three to eat with other items. The portion is large. The food was really good. I left with a happy tummy. They have great service. Everyone is friendly. Next time I'll get a sandwich and try their onion rings. read more

The Hat - Chili cheese fries with pastrami - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

Get the pastrami sandwich, it's really good, the car line for take out is super long, like a chick fil a line. The coke cuts it so good read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

Great Pastrami sandwiches and burgers The star of the show is the fries !' Chili fries Gravy fries Regular fries. Perfect every time. The perfect shape, taste and bite. Outstanding onion rings too! People behind the counter are super cool and friendly Insider tip - make the best cherry coke ! Fill your cup 3/4 with coke and 1/4 with cherry Fanta. You're welcome read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

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Got the roast beef, pastrami dip, and chili fries. Would NOT recommend the roast beef. Tasted incredibly bland (like they just boiled beef in water) and the gravy tasted like it was straight out of a can. The pastrami dip had more flavor but nothing remarkable. The chili fries were large in quantity but also not that flavorful. Ultimately, I feel like this caters towards an older demographic The service was good and the drive thru went pretty quick though. read more

The Hat - Chili Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

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Was cravin' me some hot pastrami so had to finally try the Hat while in SoCal. The Pastrami Dip is spot on delicious with its thin carvings of hot pastrami, mustard, and pickles. 5 stars. Fries were good. We just had the plain ones but saw the massive fries with chili, cheese, and pastrami go by. My heart skipped a beat just being in close proximity. The hamburger was okay and not what you'd come here for so I'd say that's a 3 stars. Service is efficient. Place has a nice hamburger joint feel and was clean. read more

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I've been to several locations in the San Gabriel area of LA where many locals favorite this chain as a lunch treat because of its shareable portions, drive-thru locations, and quick consistent service. Living in OC, the Brea location provides the same experience and my husband enjoyed the famous pastrami fries while picnicking at the nearby park up the street. I can't say much on the inside of this location except that it was clean since I quickly picked up my order and left for my date at the park but I will comment that the staff was friendly enough. My husband and his brother are divided when it comes to trying this place again since it's not often that they crave pastrami but the menu is extensive with other fast-food diner options. The parking lot is accessible and I can't recommend enough a stroll through the area which offers more than just a park, but many other restaurants, the Brea Mall, and so close to the 57 freeway ramp. read more

The Hat - Pastrami Chili Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

This place is very nostalgic to me. I used to come here all the time as a kid and now we enjoy visiting for their pastrami fries. The serving is huge, I think it could feed at least 4 people. We add cheese, chili, and onions and it's a great snack or meal. The interior is welcoming and gives off that family feel. A big fan of the Hat and always down for their pastrami. read more

The Hat - Chili Cheese Pastrami Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Brea, California

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The Hat is a classics pastrami and sandwich place. Don't let it fool you it's not a typical "chain" place, the food is good! I had a beef dip, my dad had pastrami and we also ordered burgers and onion rings. Everything was tasty. The line can be long but they've got it dialed in so the wait wasn't bad at all. Definitely a good spot if you're craving a good, warm sandwich. read more

My bf and I were in the mood for a roast beef dip sandwich and decided to try it out here. It is absolutely delicious along with their chili fries which was HUGE. Service is pretty fast but it is a bit pricey. For 2 items it came out to $24 but I can see why this place does so well because the quality is really good. Everything is fresh, nothing is old read more

The Pastrami sandwich is not good, it is disappointing how they plaster world famous pastrami over everything and it's just heated up ingredients, The pastrami is alright at best, and the bread I was served was soggy and crumbled up. read more