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    The Hat

    4.1 (1.2k reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Hat Photos

    Business Info

    THE HAT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - The Hat

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    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Elle K.

    I have tried a few items off the menu however my favorite item is the Pastrami Dip. The pastrami appears to be of better quality than other places I have visited. I asked to substitute for rye instead of the roll and the fellow who assisted was very accommodating and friendly. Great place for a late night snack!

    Outside tables
    Kathleen C.

    The best pastrami anywhere! Including another hat location. This place has thin, moist and not too fatty pastrami with a soft bun. The service is quick and they are so efficient. The location has no restrooms, outside tables and only 2 hour parking. Ambiance is rustic with load traffic on 2 sides. It's definitely worth traveling to have. We will come back again next year!

    chili cheese pastrami fries with onion added and a small orange bang!
    Danielle G.

    ever since I was a child, I would come here with my family, knowing that they had the best chili and pastrami in Alhambra. Nowadays, I come here after Sum kind of athletic feat lol. It's a lot of food, but I come for one thing and one thing only, the pastrami chili cheese fries. It's the type of food that I dream of. Just thinking of it makes my mouth water. Imagine freshly cooked fries with a fluffy interior and crispy outside, smothered with cheddar cheese and a delicious chili, and then topped generously with juicy pastrami. Peak living. The service is very fast here and they do a good business. The ambience is like IDK, burger shop on the corner? The burgers are also really good here. Oh and also whenever I get the fries here, I always get an orange bang to wash it down. You gotta get the savory and then the sweet. Necessary.

    Chris C.

    The hat never lets me down. I got a pastrami burger fries and a drink. I always forget that the fries they give are a lot, the burger is usually cut in half it's honestly a really good amount to split with someone else. The staff is really quick, don't take it as rude they just want to get everyones order. It's on a very busy cross street with no drive through so be aware sometimes there's a line or no parking

    PASTRAMI!
    Ryan F.

    you have to try the pastrami chilie cheeseburger and pastrami chilie cheese fries sooooooo damn good my fat body is in heaven with an orange bang or cherry coke and no i dont have diabeties!

    Outside dining
    Helen Q.

    I came here for some piping hot fries. Service was quick. Don't let the crowd out front by the sidewalk deter you from coming. They have an order window and a pick up window. Makes it less chaotic. There is no drive thru like some of the other locations, but plenty of parking in their private lot. Plenty of outdoor covered patio seating.

    Pastrami dip
    Melissa L.

    I'm not usually a big pastrami fan, but this sandwich was so good. The Hat is known for its pastrami sandwiches, so we definitely had to try it. We ordered the pastrami dip, and it was incredibly tender and juicy - very filling too. I remember they used to give a separate cup of broth for dipping years ago, but it seems they don't do that anymore. Either way, it was still really delicious. They accept cards, which is convenient, and the service was quick and efficient. There are a few outdoor tables where you can enjoy your food, and they stay open late, which makes it a great option for a late-night snack.

    Menu as of Oct 2025
    Christina T.

    THE spot for fries. This is a review for fries. Their pastrami dip is also amazing, probably the thing to get for most people, but for me it's THE FRIES. Not only is this the best spot for pastrami and fries, it's the best The Hat location (the original!) because they have the most generous portions and their fries always taste fresh and perfect. The large is MASSIVE, enough for a family to share. Literally a paper bag half full of fries, with a cute little boat in the bottom of it as if it ever had any chance of containing the couple of pounds of fries that they serve. The owner-posted pics are true to reality. Can't think of another place with this value, only much smaller portions for much more $$$. I've been eating here since I was little, a local late-night staple, and I have to stop here every time I visit the area. I like a good basic order of fries, but the gravy and chili versions are also good. You can ask for gravy in a cup on the side to dip too. Pro tip: Ask for them well done if you prefer crispier fries. They can overdo them a little and turn them into chips, so be specific if you're looking for a nice medium, or just try them as-is first.

    Cheese+chili onion rings...2025
    Diane H.

    Nice that,'The Hat" is open late night, split a pastrami with my son Blake,it was good,but he asked for it to be dipped+a little gravy added...'NEITHER WERE !" My son felt it was an error in communication we get it that way alot ((they speak mostly Spanish)) and we tried the,'chili cheese onion rings" they needed a layer of cheese then chili twice to cover,so order them with extra of both...they give lots of onion rings! All in all,my craving was satisfied...! ((Open Late till, 1am))

    Pastrami dip and pastrami chili cheese fries
    Teresa D.

    I got a pastrami dip and some chili cheese fries with pastrami. They both have a generous amount of pastrami. They both were pretty good but nothing that stands out. It was a bit busy when I arrive and the staff were quick. I was able to receive my order within 10 mins. The restaurant is located on a corner with a small lot. Parking may be an issue if you come when they are very busy. There is no drive thru like the other location. There are tables and sitting behind the restaurant.

    G R.

    At the original Hat in Alhambra CA to enjoy a staple of history with a well steamed pastrami sandwich. If you are ever in the area this place and its history is a must. Enjoy my friends...

    Pastrami dip sandwich
    Sakol M.

    I wonder what it must be like to taste the first pastrami dip sandwich back in 1951, when this location first opened. Back then, it probably costs 25 cents. Today, it's $12.60. And it's worth every penny! I can't get enough of all that scrumptious pastrami meat they pour into the sandwich. Well it's not everyday I eat like this, so I also got the chili cheese fries with onions, and an orange bang, too. I just can't get enough of all the chili they pour on top of the fries. Was it a mistake? No. Did I finish everything? No. Guess what I had for leftovers next day? Yep, you guessed it!

    Rosa R.

    Hubby wanted something different for lunch and brought home pastrami fries with chili - WOW!!! Personally, this is not something I would order, but I did eat a little bit of it and it was good. To me, this is way too much for two people!

    Menu

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    8 days ago

    Great pastrami sandwich!!!! Very clean, service was prompt. I will definitely come back again.

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    7 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Great food, at a decent price, I wish we had one in Whittier. We have to drive to Brea.

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    3 months ago

    Amazing sandwiches!!! The pastrami dip is unreal! The beef dip is great as well. It is old school and always great. Love it!

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    Page 1 of 31

    The Hat Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Hat

    Can you order ahead?

    The general rule I go by is, If the establishment posts a phone number, Call it in.

    Is cash only?

    Last time I was there, they took card. I had Visa.

    Do they take phone orders?

    Yes they do.

    Does the Hat have a drive thru or only walk up?

    Walk up only but the service is fairly quick.

    View All 5 Questions

    Macho Burger

    Macho Burger

    (95 reviews)

    $$

    Best popcorn chicken I've had in awhile!!! I got the regular and spicy cumin flavor. I think it was…read morearound $7 each but they give you a pretty decent amount. Regular-- just usual fried chicken, kind of savory Spicy cumin-- GOOD!! Has a spicy kick, way more fragrant, definitely worth to pay the upgrade for seasoning Also, the chicken chunks are nice and big and are still moist and juicy on the inside! Also some places are cheap where the chicken pieces are small and there's just chunks of fried batter... but not here!! Super good value for the money and the quality is great!!!

    I was genuinely so surprised by Macho Burger and it's lowkey a hidden fast food gem. It gets a…read more4.2/5 from how pleasantly surprised I was. My sister was trying out Charlie's Tea in the same plaza due to their bogo deal and decided the try Macho Burger. We ordered the popcorn chicken, curly fries, and Taiwanese sausage. The popcorn chicken was more like chicken tender nuggets than the classic popcorn chicken but it was so crispy and yummy. The batter was not old at all and there was so much chicken for around $5.50. This is so much better than the cost of popcorn chicken at other establishments and it tastes good too. The sweet sausage was not a favorite of my sister but I liked it though it was a little fatty. I'm unsure if the price was $3.99 each or for 2 but the size of the sausage was not bad and I liked it. The fries were also decent and crispy. I liked how crunchy they were but I wish we ordered a spicy sauce to season them with. They weren't bad alone but were a little bland. They are just decent fries though and they stay crunchy after a while unlike McDonald's. I heard the parking situation was pretty abysmal but that's to be expected at these tiny plazas on Valley on a Saturday afternoon. Charlie's Tea also was having their bogo deal in the same plaza, but my sister had no problem parking at the adjacent TAWA plaza and walking over. We ordered take-out and I wasn't there so I'm unsure of the ambience and service, but I'm looking forward to trying out other options on the menu. It's definitely an affordable and delicious fried chicken based fast-food establishment that I would eat again.

    Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers

    Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers

    (273 reviews)

    $$

    Prior to bowling at Alhambra Valley Bowl, I wanted to get something to eat. Raising Cane's Chicken…read moreFingers is right next door to the bowling alley. It fit the hunger bill perfectly. I drove through drive-thru since I was on a time constraint. Yes, I had to get to my bowling ASAP. Luckily, they weren't super busy at the time. Lady staff who took my order, took my payment, and handed out my order were all super friendly and nice. Service was fast. No long wait whatsoever. I ordered The Box Combo (3 chicken fingers) with lemonade no ice. Chicken fingers were of good size and very tender & delicious as they usually are. Love their Cane's sauce! Toasted bread was soft and tasty. Crinkle fries were good, but they could have been a bit crispier. My Mom ate the coleslaw as I'm not a big fan of their coleslaw because it's too watery IMHO. So glad they are in close vicinity to the bowling alley. I'll be back. Thanks Raising Cane's!

    I'm really glad this cane's opened up around my neighborhood because of how late it stays open…read more This is my second time coming here and the service has always been quick and friendly. It's a pretty nice and modern interior so I would definitely use this place as a meeting spot to hang out with friends late into the night. After COVID there hasn't been many places open like this so it's like a late light for the night owls. The canes sauce is addicting, perfect for the chicken fingers. A great meal in general.

    Saigon Bakery and Sandwiches - Saigon Special

    Saigon Bakery and Sandwiches

    (627 reviews)

    $

    I went on a Bahn Mi food crawl consisting of seven different shops. Saigon Bakery and Sandwiches…read morewas my first stop. Great friendly and efficient staff. Even 45 mins before closing, there were still many customers coming in to buy sandwiches and other goods. All patrons except me appeared to be Vietnamese which is a good indication that this is a beloved and reliable local shop. I got the Saigon Special. The sandwich was loaded and had a good amount of pate. The bread which is baked in house was crisp, yet still soft on the inside. This spot would be my top pick for a locally owned traditional style Dac Biet Bahn Mi which is representative of what you would get in Vietnam.

    3.4 stars Came in on…read moreMother's day to pick up some sandwiches for my family. I don't remember any of the individual prices, but I think it's pretty comparable to other banh mi shops. The total for everything plus tax came out to $25.91. These were the items I got: Banh Mi Cha Lua w/ paté: Not the worst cha lua w/ pate I had. It was pretty standard. The bread was super crumbly and became difficult to keep together at some point. 3/5 Banh Mi Ga: Shredded chicken sandwich...also wasn't bad. Rather traditional tasting and it wasn't dry. Bread didn't fall apart, which was nice. 3.5/5 stars Goi Cuon: The OG summer roll was pretty fresh. Shrimp wasn't fishy and the pork slice wasn't overly tough. The dipping sauce was a little too thick for my liking, but it was still edible. 3.5/5 stars Paté Sol: Ground chicken & woodear mushrooms baked in puff pastry. It's ok, but not the best I've had. 3/5 stars Even though the yelp page says it's cash-only, they do take credit cards now, but the purchase needs to be $15+ Free parking is available on site.

    Hey Chicken - Chicken wings

    Hey Chicken

    (104 reviews)

    $$

    [ Food ] The Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich was good because…read morethey make it fresh, so it was piping hot. The chicken wasn't too spicy and the bun + mayo sauce had a hint of sweetness. It was just a tad bit expensive for what it was, but I'd definitely get it again if I'm craving for a chicken sandwich. I didn't realize they open until 1:30 AM. [ Service ] I ordered from the kiosk. The man who gave me my order seemed nice. Since the chicken is made to order, there's just a slight wait. [ Parking ] There's parking on the streets or there's a small parking lot in the back.

    Holy hell that was a juicy chicken…read more I decided to treat myself this evening to some fried chicken and saw that this place was open. Decided to drive by around 11:30PM after work. They took my order and the whole thing took about 10 minutes. The man behind the counter was friendly and gave me a two minute heads up before it was done. He packed it quickly thereafter and I was back on my way home. I saw a few of the negative reviews so I didn't have hopes up. I only wanted to have fried chicken, any would do. So imagine my surprise when I tore into my chicken and found it DRIPPING with juices. Hear me out, I've had Korean fried chicken, Japanese fried chicken (not katsu), Chinese fried chicken and NONE were as juicy as this one. I bought the squid ink battered fried whole chicken. From the first bite to the last was a joy. It needed no sauce so I never used the accompanying spices. I will definitely be back.

    Banh Mi My Tho

    Banh Mi My Tho

    (228 reviews)

    $

    Tired of the rain and being cooped up at home, I decided to walk to Bánh Mì Mỹ Tho for some banh…read moremis and Vietnamese coffee as soon as the rain stopped. This is my first time at this location, even though it's the closest one to me. It's quite different from the other locations; it's in the former Wienerschnitzel building, a converted walk-up. I was craving some Viet coffee and wanted to support a local business, so I checked out Bánh Mì Mỹ Tho #3 in Rosemead. I ordered three #2 Grilled Pork Banh Mis ($7.50 each), one #1 Special Banh Mi ($7.50), a Meatball Skewer ($3.64), four Pork Egg Rolls ($1.13 each), and a large Vietnamese Coffee with Condensed Milk ($5.01). I enjoyed chatting with Vincent, the owner's nephew, while waiting for my food. He was very friendly. Everything was great! We especially liked the #2 Grilled Pork Banh Mi and the #1 Special Banh Mi. Our son loved the Pork Egg Rolls. My wife thought the Vietnamese Coffee was a bit too sweet, but I enjoyed it. FYI, this location accepts Apple Pay and credit/debit cards, unlike the original, which is cash only. This might be my new go-to spot! I'll definitely be back!

    I was in town for a doctor's appointment, wanted to go to the original Store off Valley but was…read moreafraid it would be hard to find parking and it was raining hard and I was without an umbrella , passed by this location thought I would give it a try. Got the #1 special Bahn Mi, honestly it was completely underwhelming, I used to get #1 from the original store years ago, it was so delicious and the sandwich was packed with meats, you can tastes the garlic butter and the pate with every bit . But this one I got today I can't taste any of it, probably just few slices ham and one bit of the grilled meat there is no flavor it's just baguette and the taste of the pickled daikon... Such a disappointment, not sure if because this location just wasn't good or their quality went down across all the locations ... next time in town I will give the original store a try, but this one nah I don't recommend. I ate the sandwich while driving home couldn't take any pictures to show my disappointment

    M Joy

    M Joy

    (116 reviews)

    $$

    I had a lovely experience at M Joy (San Gabriel). I ordered the Lamb Shank ($21.49). It includes…read morea plump, juicy lamb shank, rice refills, and lamb bone soup refills. WOW! I devoured that incredible, filling meal. (Important: There's an added 12% service charge for dine-in. And there's a one hour dining period limit for customers.) I arrived at M Joy (San Gabriel) on Thursday (around 11:21AM). Parking is easy. There's an underground parking structure with plenty of spots. Customers order via QR Code. Customers scan the code at the table, and customers tap the options on their phone. Staff is very hardworking and professional. Staff (Kyle) worked quickly, accurately, and attentively. Kyle spoke Mandarin and English, and Kyle politely answered all my questions. Kyle worked hard; Kyle is an AMAZING staff member. My food took six minutes and 13 seconds. Very fast!! As mentioned, I ordered the Lamb Shank ($21.49). TASTY!! The lamb is MASSIVE and it falls seductively off the bone. Each bite tasted tender and satisfying. I felt my eyes widen as it softly broke apart with each bite. JUICY! The rice is also hot and fluffy, and the soup is clean and refreshing. I felt happy. On ambiance, M Joy (San Gabriel) is very clean and cozy. It fits about six small tables. There's soft instrumental music, and its tall ceiling makes the location appear more spacious. There's no hand sanitizer bottle nor inside restroom, but Staff does offer the restroom key for one that's nearby. However, this location is family friendly with its nearby stack of children high chairs. Overall, I had a magical experience at M Joy (San Gabriel). This location surpassed all expectations. It's no wonder why this business was featured in the "Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurants." If you love juicy, succulent lamb, this is an extremely easy recommendation. 5 out of 5! GO! JUST GO!!!

    Have been to M Joy and have ordered take out many times including Uber Eats to the DTLA area that…read moreis how much I like it. The owner provides great customer service. I usually get the number 1 which is a double lamb rib. It comes with rice mixed with carrots, the rice is so good. I usually add cold dish carrots, pickled onions, and chili oil all together. The lamb is juicy, moist, and tender. It can be fatty so order with caution, if you want something leaner order 1 rib and 1 lamb shank for the best of both worlds. Be warned the shank can feel more dry after eating the fattier lamb rib. The soup is good and if you want help digesting all this meat, yogurt is available for order. I've also had the double lamb rib grilled and it was so good. It added a different texture to the outside and still tender and soft on the inside. It was a game changer, however one time it came out over cooked and it was like chewing on rubber. The owner was able to remedy the situation. Overall, M Joy specializes in one thing and that is lamb. This location is small and cozy, and food done right.

    The Hat - sandwiches - Updated May 2026

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