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    The Hat

    3.8 (1k reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Hat Photos

    THE HAT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - The Hat

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chili cheese fries with tomatoes and pickles
    Brad D.

    I've been going to The Hat for a long time, and I've never had pastrami. If I want pastrami I go to Langers. Chili cheese fries with pickle and onion, the chili dog, and the junior burger - the junior burger from the hat is oddly enough one of my top 10 burgers. So simple.

    Twelve locations
    Raymond L.

    I like these old time sandwich shops. There are only a few of them left. We are lucky to have some close by. They kept raising their prices. Now it is $12.60 for a pastrami sandwich. Which is not bad considering a Mc Donald's hamburger is over $10.00 now. I also had an order of onion rings and a drink. It came out to be about $22.00 which is not much by today's standards. The serving is big, and I got a refill on my drink. All in all, I am happy with my meal. Ray out.

    Chili Cheese Fry $10.59, Cheeseburger $6.25, Pastrami Dip $12.60, Large Drink $3.29 (Not incl tax, prices as of May 2026)
    Diana L.

    I was craving The Hat and so we came by on May 23, 2026 at around 12:15 PM for lunch. We ordered the following: Chili Cheese Fry $10.59, Cheeseburger $6.25, Pastrami Dip $12.60, Large Orange Bang Drink $3.29 (Not incl tax, prices as of May 2026). Everything tasted so delicious. The fries were hot and crispy, and satisfied my craving. The pastrami dip was packed with pastrami. I also wolfed down my burger. My only quip is that they didn't give that much sauce so we had to ask for quite a few packets more. Seating: Indoor booth seating available. There was quite a flow of people when we went, but we were able to snag seats. Parking: The shop is located in a small private lot, but it was horrible finding a spot. We ended up parking in the plaza across the street. All in all, yes I'll be back!

    Pastrami chili cheese fries
    Joel M.

    The Hat is a classic chain that serves some of the best Pastrami around! The Hat was an absolute treat for lunchtime. I ordered the pastrami chili chese fries, with a side of gravy and a large diet coke. The portions are so large I had to save the rest for later, the chili and cheese are the bomb, the Pastrami is very juicy and fresh. Good service during lunchtime. The dining room has seating if you want to dine in, medium sized parking lot is located just outside the restaraunt.

    Pastrami Sandwich & Fries
    James K.

    Without a doubt, the pastrami sandwich at The Hat is far better than any deli in NYC and I've tried all the ones that are rated as the best. I've been going to The Hat for decades and if I'm ever visiting LA, this is a must have. It's been more than five years since my last trip to LA and within an hour of landing, I was having lunch at The Hat. While they do have other sandwiches and burgers, I can't imagine coming here for anything other than their famous Pastrami Sandwich. I came at lunch time and just beat the big lunch rush. I really just wanted the sandwich but this time I added a small order of fries. I hadn't been sitting long before my order was ready and it was hot and fresh. The sandwich is large if you do manage to eat it all, you will be full. The meat is cooked differently from any other pastrami sandwich I have had. They shave it super thin and they stack it high so make sure to eat it in the wrapper it comes in. If you remove the wrapper, you'll never be able to keep all the meat in. They have sauces and I prefer to add some horseradish sauce and the hot chili peppers (you need to ask them). I don't know if I have ever ordered the fries before but they are epic! A small order was more than enough for one person (probably enough for two). When you get them, they are hot so be careful! No stale fries or fries that sit under a heat lamp. Clearly they make them fresh to order. They are salted but just the right amount. The only time I think I have had better fries is when I have ordered Fish & Chips in London. The restaurant is very clean and they have enough seating inside. I have in the past ordered and taken home to eat, but this time, it was nice to just sit and eat the meal hot and fresh. I have been to a few of the locations and this was my first time at this location and all I can say is "consistency". Over the decades I have been frequenting The Hat and regardless of which location I go to, it is always the same amazing sandwich. I only wish there was a way to get this out in Texas.

    Chili cheese fries
    Tara R.

    The Hat is family favorite. It's a bit of a drive for us but, we've been going here for years. You can get a pastrami, hot dog, burger, you name it. The food is delicious! We love to order the chili cheese fries. Just order 1! Three of us can barely finish one order of chili cheese fries. Service is great and quick as well. It gives dinner vibes so seating can get packed pretty quickly. If you're in a mode for burgers and fries, this is the place to be! You won't be disappointed.

    Christopher T.

    I used to go here for the pastrami when I was young. Was in the area for brunch and drove by and got to stop to get the sandwich and the chillies pastrami fries too. Still as I remembered, not much changes of the decor nor layout. The place is cleaned but oldies (of course), staff are nice and friendly, prices are up but reasonable. Same good old tasty and yummy quality. Good & easy parking. Overall it was a great place for a great pastrami with great service.

    Pastrami dip, sm onion rings, chili dog and Orange Bang
    Val G.

    This place is an LA icon. We have been coming for years. Today, we came here after a Dodger game and it was packed with fans. The place is small for the volume of people that come here but we were able to sit down to eat. We shared a pastrami dip and onion rings and my son also had the chili dog. And of course, all with an Orange Bang. Everything was so good. Had a huge case of FOMO when I saw several other clients eating their pastrami chili cheese fries. OMG; I think my stomach would kill me but what a way to go.

    Front on the restaurant
    David A.

    I came here for a late dinner. I saw that they were open late(1am) and drove there after reading the reviews. First and foremost, I was greeted once I was ready to place my order. Then was giving a number. I waited no more than 6 minutes for my food. Chili cheese fries with pastrami = $20. The fries, cheese and the pastrami was good. The chili though was disappointing. No flavor what so ever. Customer service was good. I'll give it another shot and order something different.

    Soda
    Tony B.

    My Mother wanted an old fashioned pastrami sandwich. So we took her to The Hat for there "World Famous Pastrami". I've been to other The Hat locations and this one delivers the same high quality food! Mom got her pastrami and loved it!!! She said it was exactly what she had been craving... mission accomplished :) My Son and I had the Roast Beef w/ Gravy and shared an order of Gravy Fries. Oh so good, the gravy is thick and rich and the roast beef was well cooked and sliced fresh. Gravy fries are one of my favorite things and these are top shelf. The restaurant is clean with plenty of seating and the staff is friendly and delivers your order quickly. There is a private parking lot and some street parking around.

    Pastrami sandwich
    James H.

    If you're a pastrami lover then The Hat is your spot. They have everything from burgers to all things chili. Order at the counter and wait for your number to be called. When I was there, I only heard people ordering pastrami sandwich or chili cheese fries. So you know had to get each. The pastrami sandwich was hefty with piles of small and thin cuts. A little dry but still good. Chili cheese fries were heavy and so satisfying. Crispy fries and generous portion of chili/cheese. Portions are big and the prices are super reasonable.

    The sign
    Andrew H.

    Can't go wrong! This place is a classic! The service was very nice and inviting! The food... yeah... if you can eat there because the food will be still warm and tasty! If not, the reheat ability is fine! The feeling inside was friendly, busy and efficient! I do plan to go again! There is god parking!

    Pastrami Dip
    Kenneth S.

    It's been a very long time going to The Hat and at this location. I would say about 10 years. The time was 6:30pm last night and we were able to get a table. There was no line so I was able to place my order quickly. The food has definitely changed over the years in my opinion when it comes to the size of the pastrami dip. It was good but the size portion was a smaller sandwich than it was in the past. The french fries were good and the service was nice.

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    3 months ago

    The food at the hat is always worth the wait. Tre at place for a good meal with th family that want break thr. Annan

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    2 months ago

    Nice atmosphere. People are really nice food was good. Would recommend to anyone willing to travel like we did

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    Page 1 of 26

    The Hat Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Hat

    Do you take call in orders for pick up?

    They do, but you still have to wait in line to pay in person and they don't start your order until you pay. All you're really doing is saving the time you are at the register.

    Is their pastrami beef or pork?

    It's beef

    Does anyone know what type of bun the hat uses for their pastrami dip sandwiches?

    It's a soft white Italian roll, but the sandwich is horrible go somewhere else man.

    View All 4 Questions

    Monty's Alhambra

    Monty's Alhambra

    4.5
    (410 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Great comfort food with some seriously satisfying portions!…read more I recently checked out Monty's in Alhambra and had to try their Legendary Chopped Cheese, Bacon Breakfast Burrito, and Chicken & Waffles. The Legendary Chopped Cheese was definitely a highlight. The bread was fluffy and soft, and the meat was well-seasoned and flavorful. The ketchup and mayo combination reminded me of a thousand island-style sauce and added a nice creamy, tangy flavor to the sandwich. The Bacon Breakfast Burrito definitely didn't skimp on the fillings. It was packed with fluffy eggs, bacon, and crispy waffle fries. There was so much egg in this burrito that it was definitely a filling meal--and the waffle fries were a fun addition. The Chicken & Waffles were also delicious. The chicken was juicy, crispy, and well-seasoned, while the waffle was denser with a nice crispy exterior. I recommend adding maple syrup and hot sauce for that sweet-and-spicy combination. Overall, Monty's is a solid spot for anyone craving hearty comfort food with generous portions. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu!

    I forgot the name of the girl at the counter but she was so sweet & helpful. We came here for an…read moreearly lunch and it was really hard to decide what to get. It was a little hot in here but we sat against the wall & decided on the legendary chopped cheese, the chicken caesar salad sandwich & the chicken and waffles. The chopped cheese was so good, I wish I had gotten a sauce to drizzle over it. The bread was also really good. The Caesar was really refreshing. The chicken was crunchy & flavorful and the waffles were soft with a slight crunch. My ONLY thing, which is SUPER minor but they dont have water here so if you bring kids that aren't allowed to drink sodas, bring your own drinks!

    Photos
    Fountain drinks
    Fountain drinks
    Different sand which than what i ordered.
    Different sand which than what i ordered.
    Monty's Italian Godfather

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    Monty's Italian Godfather
    Picaresca Barra De Cafe

    Picaresca Barra De Cafe

    4.4
    (414 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Picaresca is hands down my favorite coffee shop in Boyle Heights! It's Mexican owned and you can…read moretruly feel the passion they put into everything they do. The owners are always welcoming, friendly, and genuinely make every customer feel at home. Their customer service is exceptional and one of the main reasons my family and I keep coming back. The food is amazing! Their chicharrón burrito is the best I've had, and the chilaquiles are always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Their coffee is just as impressive--they roast their own beans, make their own café de olla syrup, and you can even buy their coffee beans to enjoy at home. Every cup tastes fresh, rich, and authentic. I also love the atmosphere. The artwork throughout the shop is beautiful and gives the space so much personality. It's the kind of place where you want to sit, relax, and enjoy your coffee. Another thing I appreciate is that their prices are more affordable than many other coffee shops, especially considering the quality of the food, coffee, and service. My kids absolutely love coming here, and it's become one of our favorite family spots. If you're in Boyle Heights and looking for incredible coffee, delicious food, beautiful local art, fair prices, and some of the kindest people you'll ever meet, Picaresca is a must-visit. I can't recommend them enough!

    I've been coming to this cafe for a while now. But, every time I visit, I am constantly telling…read moremyself "yeah ima give myself a break from here for at least a week or two" because of the food OR the customer service, AND sometimes both. This last time might truly be the last time for me. This past weekend I went with my family to have breakfast and it was okay.. One girl who took our order was kind but there's this other girl who's usually always working there with short hair who always has this unwelcoming behavior.. Mind you, the ones who are in the front taking orders are like the "face" of the cafe and it'll reflect what kind of experience the customer will have. (Speaking from someone who has experience in customer service, especially in the food industry.) We ordered our food and found a table outside but it was dirty so I went to ask to ask the girl if she can give ME something to wipe down the tables. I don't have a problem doing so because it's just a habit of mine. She said that she'll tell someone to go outside and clean it. That short haired girl came out and cleaned our table.. the time we went was busy so I understand if they couldn't do their rounds of cleanups but even when it's slow, it's still not done and I don't understand? The cooks and baristas are obviously busy trying to take orders out, the least that some cashiers can do in the front is to communicate with one another to be able to cover both in AND out of the cafe.. Then, I asked for another salsa because I was given one and I usually always ask for another one and I'm never given problems over it or question about it but this time the SAME short haired girl with attitude asked if I wanted to swap it out for the one that's already on my plate? I was confused because I was never asked that before.. it made me feel like I had to choose one or the other because two wasn't the option It's salsa.. no pasa nada si me das dos.. I started questioning myself like am I tripping? But my family member was with me, witnessing everything, that she brought it up before I did. Mind you, our entire meal came out to $77... in this time AND economy, it's not that easy to just go anywhere and spend that type of money. So, when one does it, it's because we want to either treat ourselves AND our loved ones. The experience didn't feel like it was worth our money.. and c'mon, to be spending THAT much IN Boyle Heights is wild. Don't get me wrong, people in the hood also deserve a cool and calm ambience pero si se pasan with the prices and on top of that the customer service is mid? Also, can I mention about the dishes situation? Crazy how we spent $77 to put our own dishes in the bin? Not even Wingstop lets you do that!? Again, it's all about the customer service and the experience for the customer. Especially if it's the customers who are INVESTING hard working money into the cafe with every purchase. Now, there's only TWO other girls who are the sweetest and I wish I knew there names but they're the reason why I always give it another chance. Besides that, the customer service is always off. And the baristas gotta learn some customer service too. Smile and look up for once, it's really not that hard and making coffee isn't THAT serious. I've been off of social media for a while now but this place definitely brings in many "instagram" people.. so sometimes the atmosphere also feels performative and I've noticed it attracts that. I came across this place just by driving by and curious to wanting to try it but I also had some doubts beforehand. I gave this place multiple chances but it continued to prove me RIGHT From what I've seen, it doesn't seem like true Boyle Heights/East LA locals go to this cafe... the prices don't really cater to the community they're in! It caters another group of people for attraction and just another form of hipster It be the ones who are raza who exploit their own culture for money and attention because being and claiming brown culture is "cool" now. Don't get it twisted, the real ones see through it.

    Photos
    Inside seating area.
    Inside seating area.
    Breakfast burrito. Bacon, potatoes, egg, cheese.
    Breakfast burrito. Bacon, potatoes, egg, cheese.
    Machaca burrito

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    Machaca burrito
    Cafe M Park

    Cafe M Park

    4.7
    (54 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    This cafe is in the gold range, and it is a gem! While Luminarias overlooks the freeways, the…read moreseating here overlooks the lovely greenery! It was around 90 degrees, but it was so breezy and peaceful here! My friend and I met up here for lunch not knowing what this place was, and we absolutely LOVED it. The food was honestly pretty four star. The prices were alright. We got fish cake udon, veggie bibimbap, popcorn chicken (little nuggets), oat milk latte, and ice matcha. The total with 20% tip came out to $58. I will absolutely be back on a summer day. It's honestly such a cute little vibe. Bathrooms are right there, and they are clean!

    We love it here! It's within the golf course so parking is super easy and the views are wonderful,…read moreespecially at night. Just bring a sweater! Service was really great! They went above and beyond to make sure that we were happy. We came with a big group after the cinema viewing of a kpop (BTS) concert in Busan so we called ahead to let them know what time we'd be there. The kitchen closes at 9pm but the golf course closes at 11pm and thankfully they said we can stay a little longer since it's outside seating. I ordered the Seollongtang soup which my kid devoured haha it was super yummy! Would definitely get that again. She also got the hotdog and we got to try the corn dog that my friend ordered too. Also got the matcha latte. My other friend got the veggie bibimbap. All yummy and everyone got to try a lot of things on the menu which there was nothing but positive feedback for. We aren't in this area much but we don't live too far away either so I'm sure we will be back sooner or later :)

    Photos
    Outdoor Patio #1 Night View
    Outdoor Patio #1 Night View
    Spicy Korean Wings
    Spicy Korean Wings
    Outdoor Patio #2

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    Outdoor Patio #2
    Venice Room

    Venice Room

    4.1
    (574 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    The Steak meal for two which includes all sides (two baked potatoes, garlic bread - just remember…read moreto warm up your garlic bread because the runner doesn't tell you that lol) and a dessert (: is the best thing ever on the menu ! It also comes with a wine bottle which is fabulous ! I asked for their rec from our waiter Louis and he said their Merlot and it was so yummy! Soo thank you (: So it goes like this, New York for two deal for $75.99 and the Rib Eye deal for $78.99 and you cook it yourself and their grill with all the seasonings and fix ins. I've been there two times with my boyfriend and both times we made our steak perfect. They also make their drinks ( I ordered a tequila soda ) pretty strong I might say. They have like 3 or 4 bartenders available so they were pretty attentive. Waiters were also attentive. We went around 7:30pm on a Saturday night. A crowd of adults from all ages were singing karaoke. It was good vibes, but it looks like it gets busy and packed. There is back parking, but if you do not know how to back up and park then you are basically screwed on a busy night so be prepared. So past couple times were well worth the price of a yummy do it yourself steak meal and some litty drinks. (:

    This was my first time there after hearing about it for a while now…read more The Venice Room did not disappoint. I loved the cozy space and the dim lighting, perfect for a local bar. The draw for me was that you are able to cook your own steak! Wow, so much fun. There are all kinds of spices and rubs to put on your steak and then its grill time. A complete dinner is available, served with a large baked potato, 2 pieces of garlic toast and little salad bar. I found the drinks to be well priced and the service was excellent. The bartender gave me crap for ordering girly drinks, but it was all in good fun. Oh and Friday they had some awesome Karaoke going on. I will 100% be back at The Venice Room.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Dining room booths
    Dining room booths
    Very retro.

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    Very retro.

    The Hat - sandwiches - Updated August 2026

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