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The Hat

4.1 (1.2k reviews)
Closed • 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?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

Recommended Reviews - The Hat

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Reviews With Photos

Menu
Brianne P.

First time ever being there. Service was fast they were very friendly it's a walk up location with tables and seats in the back I personally liked it! Finally got to try one of the famous pastrami dips and it was great oh and a large order of onion rings is a huge amount lol get everything food was great try something new next time

Cheeseburger
Hana J.

This place is so good. The chili cheese fries is sooo good and probably so bad for you lol but it is so good and hits the spot! They have outdoor seating. You order at the window. The burger was good but not as special as the chili fries. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Ambiance is chill, lots locals come and grab a quick bite

Jacqueline C.

I was unimpressed with the pastrami sandwich. It tasted so mediocre. The only thing I liked about the sandwich was the nice texture of the meat and some smoky flavor but other than that it tastes flat and the mustardy sauce just didn't go exactly well with the meat and the bun. It's nice that there's a small parking lot and you can enjoy food at the back. Cashier was friendly. Will need to try out Langer next time

Maria L.

We had the pastrami sandwich, Roast beef dip sandwich and chili cheese fries. They were all delicious. The size of the sandwich is large. I cannot even eat the whole sandwich. It is certainly good value for your money. There is always a line at this location but the line moves pretty fast. This place has been around for many years. With great food at reasonable prices it is no wonder people keep coming back. I would have liked to eat this food more often but it contains high sodium level. It's not good food for my health. Therefore I must only have this food in moderation.

Pastrami Burger
Nina E.

The hat has always been a staple in our city and just one of those places considered an oldie but goodie It seems like it may have lost a tad bit of its flare, so that's the reason why I'm giving it for stars, my friend got a chilly cheese fry which is a huge portion.And big enough to share in neither of us was a fan tasted plain like salt , had been nowhere near it My pastrami burger was good do I kinda wanna give 5 stars but can't

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.

Pastrami Sandwich with Swiss cheese
William B.

***Late Post*** Visited 01-06-26. Big parking lot. Plenty of parking spots available. No drive-thru. Must take to go or enjoy sitting down outside in the dining area. Was busy during lunch. Service was easy and fast. The food was good. I ordered the pastrami dip. No complaints. I enjoyed every bit of it as it was; pastrami, pickles and mustard on a roll. Good size, good portion for what I paid for. Will be back again. ***2nd Visit*** 02-03-26 Another busy day. Busier than my first visit. I ordered the pastrami dip or sandwich with Swiss cheese this time, no complaints, was delicious. However, I was highly disappointed with the chili cheese fries. No seasoning at all. The salt on the fries probably would've compensated for that but they weren't any either lol. Forced myself to take several more bites being the fact I was really in the mood for them since I was just speaking on some the day prior. I did not like the way it looked or tasted. Just furious with my purchase at this point so I decided to give my order away to a homeless couple who was very appreciative which made me feel like I was being a blessing on which also deterred me away from feeling like I wasted a lot of money. Satisfied with just my sandwich especially since I had the runs the following day from eating that chili. Smh.

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

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!

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.

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!

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))

Outside dining

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Reviews are largely positive. Many highlight the pastrami sandwiches, chili cheese fries, and large portions. The nostalgic atmosphere and friendly service are also appreciated.

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14 years ago

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13 years ago

I like this place for a nice greasy meal. Chili dogs, pastrami sandwich, fries, all great stuff!

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19 years ago

So far the best Pastrami Sandwich place I've been to. They also serve great chili fries. One order feeds two or three people. Great place.

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19 years ago

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18 years ago

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17 years ago

I ate here once. It was OK. Nothing to write home about. I probably would eat here again just because it was that unmemorable.

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15 years ago

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15 years ago

The pastrami dip is freakin' gooooooood!! i crave it all the time. like now.

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14 years ago

Simply no place better. Get a pastrami and some chili cheese fries, and bring a friend.

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14 years ago

The original Hat location. Get the pastrami dip. You won't be disappointed.

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11 years ago

They have the best onion rings her and the other locations. I find that this place ha yummy yum,,,.

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11 years ago

Best pastrami hands down! Everything on the menu is tasty. I've been going here since 1979 and I've never been disappointed. Good job guys

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

The fries that are loaded are deadly. Add banana peppers and pastrami. Goes straight to yo guts.

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Page 27 of 31

The Hat Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Hat

Delivery service available?

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 6 Questions

Banh Mi My Tho  - The Special

Banh Mi My Tho

4.6(243 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$

Banh Mi My Tho is a SGV staple! I remember when it was just the Alhambra location, but it's good to…read moresee that they've expanded to three locations now. This is my first time at this location and I ordered the #1 Special Cold Cut, which is my usual go-to order for Banh Mi. I also got a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. The Banh Mi was just as tasty as I remember, I like how their bread is crispy and fluffy on the inside. The Iced Coffee is strong and not super sweet, it's just how Vietnamese coffee should be. Prices are very fair and they got my order out quickly! If you're looking for a Banh Mi spot in the SGV, definitely have Banh Mi My Tho on the top of the list of spots to visit.

I've tried bánh mì from quite a few places during my travels, so I was excited to finally try this…read morehighly rated spot, especially after finding out they have three locations in the area. Unfortunately, my first visit was a bit disappointing. I ordered the grilled beef bánh mì, which took about 18 minutes even though it wasn't busy, and it arrived cold. The bread looked amazing on the outside--golden and crisp--but the inside was incredibly dry and paper-like. It made the sandwich difficult to finish without constantly drinking water. The pâté and egg mayo were also spread so thinly that I could barely taste them. The meat was a generous portion, and there were plenty of pickled radish and fresh vegetables. The price was also very reasonable for the amount of food. However, being Vietnamese myself and having tried bánh mì in many places, this unfortunately wasn't one of my favorites. I also ordered the Vietnamese iced coffee, which was unfortunately very watered down. Even though it was freshly made, it lacked the strong coffee flavor and creamy sweetness from the condensed milk that I was expecting. Maybe I caught them on an off day, but between the cold sandwich, extremely dry bread, lack of pâté/egg mayo flavor, and watered-down coffee, the overall experience missed the mark for me. I'd consider giving it another try, but this visit didn't quite live up to the hype.

Photos
Banh Mi My Tho  - Various cakes and sticky rice on display out front.

Various cakes and sticky rice on display out front.

Banh Mi My Tho  - Tasty meatball skewers

Tasty meatball skewers

Banh Mi My Tho  - Meatball Skewer

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Meatball Skewer

M Joy

M Joy

4.8(132 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

If you love lamb, this is a place you don't want to miss out on…read more Presentation may look plain and simple, but each plate was packed with flavors. They have a wait list outside, but there was no point of it? People just walk straight in for a table... We scanned the QR and ordered. It was simple. We got a plate of the single rib and a plate of the double ribs (grilled) for an extra of $2. Each plate came with some pickled carrots, pickled onions, sauce, and soup (upon request - make sure to select it when ordering). The grilled lamb ribs were super flavorful. It was also pretty spicy. The reg one was not as flavorful since it didn't have all the spices, but it was still good. The lamb ribs were tender and juicy. The rice was delicious. Like i say, it might look plain with just carrots and meats on the plate, but you will be amazed with all the flavors exploding in your mouth. Didn't get to try their popular yogurt during the visit, but will definitely give it a try on the next visit. Automatic tips regardless of how many individuals in your party. So even if you're going alone, it's an automatic tip on the bill. Service was ok. Minimal English..it was somewhat difficult to communicate when we arrived. Everything afterwards went smoothly.

If you're a lamb lover, this place is for you!…read more For one of my Food Reviewing Dungeon Meshi slides, I wanted to include a business highlighting a business that focused on lamb as the main protein and M JOY came up on my listed recommendations on Yelp. Now that I've dined here, I can include in my future panels for the Barometz dish! No one will understand a single thing I've said in this paragraph so you can skip to the next one. It's located in a busy plaza, so you can always do the hack of parking elsewhere and walking in or braving the PvP zone of the above parking lot or the underground parking pit. Lots of people are driving aggressively here without looking, so be careful. M JOY is a fairly small restaurant with a limited number of tables, but they do have a paper wait list outside. Be prepared to wait if you have a big party or if you go during a lunch or dinner rush. Lots of people order to go, if that works for you. It also gets quite warm in that restaurant even with the light AC on and the fans running, especially for a hot August afternoon. You order through a QR code and you can pay through it too or call over a server. My Internet connection was horrendous here for some reason, so I had to rely on the technology of others. Service was efficient and polite. Called him over a couple times to refill water since it was such a hot day. For our lunch, we got the: 1) Coleslaw: -Reminds me of a standard coleslaw that you can get from a Western restaurant, but it's not too liquid-y or soggy and not too sour or too overpoweringly flavored by the dressing. Veggies are crisp and it added a great palate and texture cleanser when we were eating our other dishes. 2) Rib and Shank (For One): - We got an original lamb rib and a lamb shank. Huge servings of lamb meat. The shank is massive and the lamb meat slid off the bone of everything super easily. Meat is moist and extremely tender. Almost melt in your mouth. Some fatty bits to it too. 3) Lamb Ribs Double (For One): -For an extra $1, we got this grilled as we had the original one for the other dish. Skin is slightly crispy on top and it's seasoned with some spicy cumin and chili powder with pepper and sesame seeds. Delicious and probably my favorite out of all of the lamb meat that we had. The meals were meant for a single person and it was more than enough to feed 4 adults who haven't eaten all day yet and still have a bit of food leftover too. Both came with a bowl of lamb soup that had bits of lamb in it and daikon. Nice rich lamb flavor, but not mega heavy for a broth type soup. The meat is served with carrot rice as the carb and it's a bit oily, but yummy and addicting to eat. It's one of my favorite types of rice dish to indulge in. The plates also come with slides which include pickled (I believe) red onions and carrots and some chili oil for dip. Great to add extra flavor, kick, and textures to an already delicious dish. The menu isn't expansive, but it's one of those cases where the restaurant focuses solely one something and does an amazing job of carrying it out. Will come back again!

Photos
M Joy
M Joy - Grilled lamb shank and ribs

Grilled lamb shank and ribs

M Joy - Lamb Skewers (3Pc)

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Lamb Skewers (3Pc)

Wendy's - Pretzel Bacon Pub Cheeseburger

Wendy's

2.8(214 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$

The older ladies who work there are a joy…read more That new young girl they got hates life and needs to find another job or existence because how you mad at me for being hungry and placing an order Literally my life is just as miserable as yours seems to be but all I did was ask for a number eight medium with a side a barbecue sauce And I'm specifically talking about the night crew The five stars are for the older ladies who worked the drive-through before because by comparison that make me appreciate them even more now that they hired this new girl The rest of the crew couldn't possibly enjoy working with a person that has a attitude like that

The food is fine but Wendy's is so expensive now…read more Ambiance is better since it's been remodeled. But the service is not good. No bueno. 服务不好. Dịch vụ không tốt. Me and my father-in-law have been coming here for years and all of a sudden after the remodel, they now have an attitude. We were ordering our 2 for 3 sausage biscuit and something was lost in communication because the gentleman started to become extremely irritated. He started explaining to us that we needed to say this order word for word in order to be processed. I'm sure it was just a moment in time and he was frustrated with something else. We just caught the short end of that convo. We really liked this spot. Excited about the remodel but now we will not be returning based on that interaction. We've stuck with Wendy's even after the company took away the 4 for 4!! Overall. We will spend our money elsewhere.

Photos
Wendy's - Treating ourselves at the start of the weekend

Treating ourselves at the start of the weekend

Wendy's
Wendy's

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The Hat - sandwiches - Updated October 2026

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