Great longstanding go to place for all American burgers and fries and if you are brave... AND hungry, you can tempt fate with their pastrami burger double dipped along with a side of pastrami fries. I tricked my friend once into getting both and he was struggling to finish both but he forged forward and was able to finish both by himself. He begged me for help but I said no and laughed as he did his best, fighting off the food sweats the whole time. It's not joke though, the burger itself was big enough but they pile on this huge stack of pastrami on top of the burger, and the same with the fries which are generously piled on a paper plate and stacked with more pastrami. You can get wet fries with gravy instead if you think that's too much pastrami, but then again... "This is too much pastrami" -- said no one ever. Along with the fact that this place is 24 hours, you can get your pastrami grub on any time of the day when the urge hits you to clog your arteries. read more

First stop when I go back to LA is The Hat! LARGE CHILI CHEESE FRIES PLEASE! & A LARGE ORANGE BANG! I had been coming here since I was a kid. Since I have moved to Tx, I cannot seem to find a place that comes close! Every time I visit LA, it is just as good as I remember! read more

Staff is friendly. There's a lot of booths to eat at. The food comes out fast. The food is not that good tho. It is very bland and there is nothing special about it. We ate the hamburger, steak sandwich, and pastrami dip. It is also kind of pricey. Not really worth it. read more

I Love how this chain has exclusively existed in SoCal since 1951. The original location first opened in Alhambra, where it remained until the restaurant passed ownership in 1981. Since then, ten more locations have been opened, making The Hat, one of the oldest restaurant chains in the country. The recipes used to make the sandwiches and other dishes have stayed the same since the beginning, which is part of the reason for their success. The main item on the menu is the pastrami Dip Sandwich. It's served on a French roll with onion and pickle. It's a good size portion and it will fill you up (with fries, you will be too full). The fries are also good and there's definitely enough for sharing. In addition, they have plenty of condiment dispensers and napkin stations available so you don't have to ask and wait for someone to help you. The food and service here are good, not the best that I've experienced but certainly good enough to come back. This is a place you want to experience, as it is a part of SoCal history and culture. The Hat is worth wearing, at least once! read more

First off, this place has no bathroom which is pretty lame. So make sure to take a huge dump at home before you come here. Another thing you should know is that if you plan on eating in, try limiting your group to 4 or less. Since all the tables inside the restaurant are tables of four. They have two six-person benches outside if you prefer to eat next to the street. Now let's get to the food: it's fantastic. The pastrami is deservedly extolled; all my cronies and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals. One chili cheese fries is good enough to share with three-four people (assuming all said parties have ordered a burger). Parking is fairly sparse too. read more

The Hat - Chili cheese fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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This place is fire ! Me and my buddies always came here for some late night food Pastrami chili cheese fries and onion rings to start then a fat burger ! 10 out of 10 read more

The food is amazing and the portions are large. The service was good, but i felt like i wasn't important to them. The restaurant itself was clean and well lit. Would definetly eat there again. read more

Definitely overhyped. Was excited to their their pastrami but was let down instantly. It was just generic, nothing exciting about it.. I've had better pastrami before. Fries aren't good also. I won't come back read more

Get the pastrami Chili cheese fries , they do NOT skimp on the portion and share with 3 good friends ! I also got a large horchata to wash it down and it was an amazing experience :D read more

Driven by The Hat in Monterey Park many times and each time have told my wife one of these days Iam going to stop and try the Pastrami, well today was the day for the Pastrami Dipped Sandwich. So hot and fresh and mixed with pickles and mustard. So good! Each time we have been in Monterey Park we have been going to a banquet at NBC Seafood so after eating a 8 or 9 course meal the last thing youwant isa large Pastrami Sandwich. Wrong, go get it while you can. Looking forward to coming back! read more

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Best chili cheese fries pastrami. Big portion shared with wife. Great place to eat with family read more

The Hat - Chili cheese fries with pastrami, shared with wife, big portion. Started munching before picture was taken. - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

I'll be real I hate pastrami but my rooka wanted a sammy, and wow this place is great for what it is. There are some down as foos cooking up the pastrami. They are quick and efficient. I got the pastrami dip and the chili cheese fries both were on point. For what it is. I added the tomatoes and pickle and that really adds another element that makes it well worth it! Some might say the fries need more seasoning but I thought it was balanced well with the cheese and chili. A1 please like and subscribe read more

The Hat - Pastrami Dip Sammy and chili cheese fries with tomato n pickles. Fuego. - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

Ordered online on a Saturday for social distancing during California's stay-at-home order. Flavorful, meaty pastrami sandwich and you can delete the pickle, mustard, etc. if you like as well as add more meat and other options. Same great taste, even after driving it all the way home. There is a checkbox to request the au jus dip on the side so the bread doesn't dissolve to mush in transit. Only thing, I wish there was a text field to add a note - wanted the gravy on the side for the gravy fries and wish there was a way to request peperoncinis on the side too. Easy pickup, floors are taped off so you know where to stand to maintain a safe distance. Thank you. read more

So excited I finally got to try The Hat, as I am always on the search for a new pastrami place. This isn't the thicker cut type sandwich you find at delis, but is a roll PACKED with thin cut, very juicy pastrami. The sandwiches are massive - probably too much for one person alone, especially if you decide to get anything else. My first time here I was alone, so I only got the sandwich. The second time, I came with my family, and along with the sandwich, we also did get the chili fries that I saw a ton of people getting - that portion was HUGE. It's not the most complex chili (a very meat only basic kind) but it was very filling and good in a classic way. I'd absolutely come back here again, although trying to get parking in this tiny corner lot when it's busy is.......a chore. read more

The Hat - Pastrami dip!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

This is no longer The Hat it started off as. I just went to this location today, and either they are having an off day, or it is no longer The Hat I remember. I got the Pastrami sandwich, and chili cheese fries. The increased the price of the pastrami sandwich in recent years. It used to be a steal at under $7, but now it is over $7, and some how, two pastrami sandwiches and an order of chili cheese fries ended up costing me over $22?? I'm not sure how this happened, but at that price, I might get a couple meals, instead of a sandwich. The key feature of the pastrami sandwich is it's stacked with meat. All they put in it is pastrami, and it's almost 2 inches of pastrami. It is definitely not a place to go to eat every day, unless you have a deathwish. This time, my bread was a bit old, and hard on one end. It was a disappointment. Another great thing about this place is they have a lot of condiment dispensers and a self serve peppercini area. I get tones of peppercini, and get a packet of horseradish sauce for each half of my sandwich, but my boyfriend likes to eat his plain. The fries are great, but if you get them, you better share. They are only good for the first 15 mins.. Afterwards, they get soggy, quickly. It was a while since I ordered chili cheese fries, and I was surprised that they charge a dollar for cheese, now. Overall, I don't like the direction this place seems to be going. I miss the old Hat. read more

The Hat - Chili cheese fries! Hot and greasy. - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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Parking: free parking lot! The pastrami fries were awesome! They tasted so good. It was huge but they had to be since it is 12 dollars. I got the works on them, onions, pickles, chili and cheese. The pastrami can was not chewy or dry. It made a good match with the fries. I would definitely go back again for more or other options. read more

The Hat - Waiting area - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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The Hat is well known for being one of the best places for pastrami in the area. I have only been to one before and I ate outside. The food is delicious and I can see why the pastrami makes a whole chain reputable. Now eating at this location I was not a fan of eating inside. Though the food was consistent to its reputation, the poor air conditioning on a warm California day was not great. It was cool outside because of a light wind, but the only tables outside had no shade, so that wasn't an option either. The service is good and so is the food, but the accommodations are in much need of an update. I recommend ordering out. read more

The Hat - Too bad there's no umbrellas for the outdoor seating cause it's way too warm inside and I think the air conditioner is on :( - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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So I am a Public Health Nurse and I found this in my sandwich today! A side of HAIR!!!! Wiw read more

The Hat - A pastrami sandwich with a HAIR in it!!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

The Hat is one of those places where you go when you are craving delicious, unhealthy, greasy, comforting junk food. It is a chain of restaurants with several locations, including this one in Monterey Park near ELAC off the 10 Freeway, Alhambra, Pasadena, Temple City, and Glendora and best known for their pastrami dip sandwiches and their chili cheese fries. Servings here are HUGE. The chili cheese fries are shareable and come in a big container (think 4 cup cupholder size) and are piled with scoops of their delicious chili and topped with a generous sprinkling of cheddar cheese. A friend turned me on to eating these with thousand island dressing, and let me tell you, I can't eat them any other way now. The pastrami dip comes with a generous helping of thinly sliced pastrami piled high and has pickles and mustard in the sandwich. I'm not a fan of condiments in my sandwich so I order mine plain. Other great dishes are the gravy fries, onion rings, and the pastrami chili cheese fries if you're feeling especially indulgent and have some kind of heart medication for dessert :) Coming during a lunch hour or at dinner time makes it hard to find parking in their small-ish parking lot but service is always quick and friendly, and there are a decent number of tables inside the restaurant. There is an ATM inside but they accept credit card. So overall: The good: The food! Huge servings, very reasonable prices, and great taste. The bad: Come during a busy time and you will definitely have trouble finding parking and/or a table inside. The ugly: I once ordered a plain pastrami sandwich and I took a bite and it had pickles and mustard in it. It made me cry inside. read more

I love this place. I've eaten here since I started driving and got my car so I can drive to the upland location. So when the hubby and I were hangry and driving to the USC game the hat sounded very satisfying. And they didn't disappoint. The food portions are huge so the hubby and I split at BBQ sandwich and wet fries. What are wet fries you ask??? They are French fries with gravy. They taste like mashed potatoes with gravy only better. And if you love mashed potatoes like I do, then you will love love love their wet fries. Only downside is this location is small and I didn't see a restroom and parking isn't great. read more

The Hat - Half of a BBQ sandwich was delicious - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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This spot is amazing every time. Had the Pastrami Chili Cheese Fries. The food was delicious. read more

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

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Love bringing the family here. Always crowded, so go early or off peak hours. We like to dine in here and the kids can watch the cars go by. They serve the chicken salad sandwiches here, which is not available at every location. Delicious. read more

not so good , i dont know what happened to "The Hat" or is it just this location but i was just here 2 weeks ago and it was ok., i ordered the usual fries and anyone that knows this place they fill up the bag of fries all the time, i have been going to the hat for 30 plus years and i can tell you the size of fries they gave me was equivalent to a regular fast food chain, i asked the lady who took my order in the front she quickly told me I should have ordered the large very rude, i never do because that usually is way too much almost cant close the bag with large the smaller size usually is more then enough, well yelpers maybe its new staff or a new manger idk but they just lost a customer not worth to get mediocre portions for that price sorry.... like i said maybe this location is just terrible especially with their customer service. but sure left a very bad impression i encourage yelpers to avoid at all cost especially this location read more

Best pastrami sandwich you'll ever have! The pastrami is so tender and flavorful. None of that fatty hard stuff you can get from a burger joint. read more

Waited 45 minutes for a cold ass dry pastrami that I asked to be dipped or whatever they do to make it moist and got chili cheese fries for whopping 30 dollars. The only saving grace for this place is the guys that give you the food. When I told them it was cold they just took it back and made a fresh dry one. But I'm gonna check out the one on valley from now on. And they said that they don't take phone orders but they called 5 different phone orders while I waited 45 minutes for two items. Definitely not what it use to be. The quality if the food isn't worth the prices anymore read more

This place never disappoints, delicious pastrami sandwich with a side of chili cheese fries. Customer service was on point, food came out fast! read more

The Hat - We ate in the parking lot. Due to covid 19 - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

Always got that bomb pastrami. Been coming here for over 30yrs. Always stop by when I'm in the area

Fantastic pastrami and amazing chili cheese fries. Fast service and a cool old school aesthetic. A true East LA staple! read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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$$ but worth it. Best pastrami in town and the fries are really good. So are the onion rings.

Just let me say the portion was good, flavor good, its just too much Salt in the Pastrami meat. Cooks limit the salt when you're cooking for everyone, we can add salt to the food but can't remove it... read more

I haven't been here in years so I decided to swing by for lunch recently (for the nostalgia). Prices have (understandably) gone up, and I ended up spending about $70 for lunch for 4 people, which is a bit steep. Ordered the chili fries with everything on top, 2 pastrami dips, 1 roast beef, a few horchatas and onion rings. They are generous with toppings and meat in the sandwiches, but everything was just a bit... bland. I remember The Hat as being almost too salty, but I honestly could've done with some salt on the sandwiches and fries. The onion rings were, however, spectacular. read more

This is my go to spot for a good pastrami. The meat is always juicy & fresh. Ordering was easy and our food didn't take long either. I also ordered onion rings for the first time and they were really good as well. This place never disappoints. read more

I'm going to be honest. Delicious sandwich delicious pickles delicious bread interesting customer service. They are very Covid conscious. They have provided masks and gloves on every transaction to the staff. I will say that I would drive here just to take my dad if he were alive. Got to have an orange Julius I recommend this place if you want to go for a street style shaved pastrami sandwich. read more

The Hat - Had to - Sandwiches Near Me - Monterey Park, California

Again how are they going to say something is crispy I pull a fry out and it's super soggy and I look at him and he tells me "crispy"... its like this place doesn't even care anymore. this place get every one of my orders wrong. They never listen to what anyone is calling out and this is everytime either I or one if my family goes there. read more

In John Taffer voice shut it down. This place is awful. Never again. But if you looking for a place that has no flavor, and always wonder how eating a cardboard box taste come here. I wish I didn't have to give them a star for my post. read more

The pastrami OF COuRSE! The best of the best. Second to none! And the fries! OMG, Crispy and mash potato in the middle fries, please don't change a thing! I'LL BE BACK! read more

Best chilli cheese fries in LA and the pastrami is my gpas favorite when he would come down to visit we had to come here everytime been going since I was little read more

Pastrami had no flavor. Waste of money. On a positive note, they are healthconscious because they refuse to use salt.

They have the best customer service and family friendly. They have the best chili hamburger and pastrami dip with small fries nd onion rings omg amazing always hit the spots read more

There is something about The Hat that is just so comforting that makes me wanna come back! It's not about the food as it is a local legacy. They have large portions, free refills, and condiments galore. Probably my favorite food to order here is making my own poutine...wet fries with cheese and pastrami! their yellow chili peppers. Since their portions are so humongous, I don't typically order much else besides sharing the fries. I know I won't finish. I do love their pastrami burger very much. I do not fancy the famous dip at all. I once saw how they made their chili and it left me pretty flabbergasted. It's made from powder. The term mystery meat really applies here. Good if you are into junk food. read more