Just trying to find the best pastrami sandwich and this place was stated in a review of another pastrami place. This play is way better! Lower cost, better flavor, faster service, and so much pastrami it was falling out of the sandwich! It made me think the bun was too small! Anyhow I loved it and am planning on going again. So it's not 5 stars because parking is kind of a pain, I guess that's not their fault so I might bump it up to 5 stars read more

By far, the best place for good pastrami... I'm pretty picky in what I eat and they lure me every time... I don't know what they put in their chili either, probably some drugs(hahaha) because I'm addicted to it.. And I'm not a chili eater either.. This place is the first place who surprised me when I ate their chili.. After work, I pass by here with nobody around and no line at all... Chili cheese fries, chili dogs.. oh man, I can go on and on.... Highly Recommended place to all foodie lovers.... read more

The Hat - In Alhambra, corner of Valley and Garfield - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

See all

You need to eat this sandwich with a beer or else it's kinda gross. Not gross, just a bit much. Do they sell beer at the restaurant? I don't remember. Bring your own or take it to go. read more

uhh why do you think The Hat has been here for over 60 years.. hands down one of the best fast food joints in town. Food is delicious and portions are large. Tip: if you decide to get the chili fries, add the toppings read more

This place is seems like just your average dive diner. Simple food, simply done. We came here one night after picking up my cousins from the airport and striking out on two Boiling Crabs and a KBBQ place located in the same parking lot. I ordered the pastrami sandwich and my cousins ordered the cheeseburger and a side of fries. Just flying in from Holland they were really hungry, or thought they were. My boyfriend and I shared the sandwich and he ordered the gravy fries. As we were walking to find a table, my cousin caught a glimpse of some cheesy fries at another table and says she wants that too, so I went back and ordered it for her... without realizing how massive the portion is. So between four people, we couldn't even finish one plate of fries, let alone three. The portions here for the fries are massive. It could make four meals for any normal person. The pastrami sandwich was okay, nothing special. And my cousins weren't blown away with their hamburgers either. I probably won't come back because I didn't really care for anything and don't really crave this kind of food. read more

The Hat - What we had left... Ended up in the trash, what a waste. - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Probably one of the worst chili cheese dogs I've ever had. This thing had a minuscule amount of chili blended with a MOUNTAIN of disgusting COLD cheap processed industrial grade shredded cheese. I had to throw away this piece of cold junk. Even the fries were bad. Limp and soggy. Horrible waste of $16 with a large drink. RIPOFF ALERT! What a sad state of affairs, the Hat used to be good in the 80s and 90s but has gotten worse ever since. Even Wienerschnitzel would have been better. NEVER AGAIN read more

For this kind of food, it's def 5 stars. Of course this place has no comparison to a TRUE 5 star restaurant but for quick fast food take out, you can't beat The Hat. The pastrami rules over all, everyone already knows that, and you get enough meat in one sandwich to make ANOTHER sandwich. Their other items are just as good, I especially love the chili cheese dog, and the basic cheeseburger is everything a grease pit burger should be. The wife and I always split a small fries side order since it's huge and actually enough fries for 3-4 people. I love watching them put together your pastami sandwich, it's like they scoop a big heap of pastrami on, then they will pile on EVEN MORE, and sometimes even ANOTHER heap on top of that!! read more

The Hat - Mmmmm pastrami - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Delicious. It hit the spot. Everything was fresh. Pastrami and chili fries... can't go wrong

Pastrami sandwiches are probably one of the few foods that will instantly make my mouth water. Can I get a HELL YEAH? BTW, I dunno why it says they close at 1am. I swear I've driven past here at like 2 or 3 and still seen a buttload of people ordering and eating out there. read more

My boyfriend had been wanting to hit this spot up for a while..especially since it's right next to his cousin's pad. We were both first timers and really enjoyed it. We love pastrami! And basically anything that tastes amazing and clogs our arteries. The guys are super nice, prices are fair and the sandwich is yummy! Extra mustard please! Fresh and full of flavor. They even have other sandwiches to choose from and chili cheese fries! Yummm-E! Parking is easy and specifically for The Hat..it's right on two major streets so getting in and out might be a pain. read more

The Hat - Pastrami Dip - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

The Hat is iconic in the San Gabriel Valley and I have many memories of this place growing up. During my younger years, this place was close and had huge portions so it was the go-to spot for the chili-cheese fries and pastrami! Anyway, fast forward some years later and I still crave for the Hat every now and then. Recently ordered the gravy fries topped with pastrami. This came out to $10, so not as cheap as I remembered. It's one of those good but super guilty type pleasures. I enjoyed it very much. There's nothing too intricate about fries, topped with brown gravy, topped with pastrami. Pastrami is still on point after all these years. The Hat has been around forever and I hope for many more years to come. read more

The Hat - Gravy fries with pastrami. $10 - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

The Hat is one of the places I have frequented for awhile, now. This old fashioned hamburger stand sits on the corner of Garfield and Valley in Alhambra. The Hat just celebrated its 60th anniversary a couple of years ago. Nothing's changed much, at the original stand, over the years, except the prices. The simple outdoor seating in the back adjacent the parking lot, that might have for the 50's style drive-in's. The Hat is a local institution featuring Pastrami Dipped sandwiches, fries with gravy or chili, and other favorites. Written on their sign - the Hat's Pastrami Dipped Sandwiches are probably one of the best around. This type of hot pastrami is unique to the Los Angeles area. It differs from the thick cut deli-style New York sandwiches that you find at Katz's, Carnegie, Langer's, and Canter's. This fast food, thinly sliced, torta style, with au jus, on a roll offers a more juicy bite, as well as messy. The pastrami goes well with a slightly spicy pepperoncini balances out the salty beef meat. You'll find pepperoncini at most independent burger joints. The other menu item that most people get here are the fries. Whether with chili, wet (with gravy), or just with ketchup, the Hat's fries don't get too soggy. They are the long and thick one that hold, or stick to, chili or gravy, well. Chili cheese fries with onions is common out here in LA, but wet fries (gravy) is quite uncommon. I would suggest that you try the wet fries at least a couple of times. . you might like them. Another favorite here is the the tuna salad sandwich on wheat. Its a large soggy sandwich, well held together with wheat bread. This "light & healthy" sandwich is a nice change from the savory burgers and pastrami's. They have a few locations - Monterey Park, Alhambra, Temple City, Pasadena, etc. Great little hole-in-the-wall. . .I only wish they were open late - till 2 or 3am for the late night cravings. read more

See all

I kept hearing about this 'The Hat' place at work, everyone raved about it!!! I even heard about it one day at the doctors office! The other day I driving around in the Cal State LA hood I passed The Hat and decided to try it out! I knew there was no way I was ever going to eat all the food when I saw my small order of fries was least a pound or two of potatoes. I barely made a dint! The sandwich was just as big and delicious! I have already went back again! read more

The Hat - Order of small fries! - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

I always pass by The Hat everytime I go to the dentist and I always want to try it . So after our dentist appointment, my husband and I decided to eat there. My husband can eat so he decided to get the pastrami sandwich and chili cheese dog and I ordered the chili cheese fries with pastrami. Let me tell you that their portion is freakin huge. My husband didn't even eat his chili cheese dog cuz he was so full of eating his pastrami sandwich. My chili cheese fries with pastrami is like 5 lbs. They are very generous with their portions. I would have given it a 5 star if the seating is indoors other than that this place hit the spot! read more

The Hat - chili cheese fries with pastrami - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Having our pastrami at the original location of The Hat on the corner of Valley at Garfield in Alhambra. I've been eating at this location sixty years! And introduced dozens of friends to the location. No dining room, just outdoor covered patio seating, but it still works. Plenty of free parking in their private lot. read more

If you haven't tried the Hat then your missing out this is an OG place that's been around for a while , I've never had a bad experience the pastrami is legit out of this world , would highly recommend if you haven't tried. read more

The sign on Valley and Garfield claims "World Famous Pastrami" and for years I believed it. I've been eating here since the building across the street was a movie theater, and before the Bob's Big Boy, further west on Valley, was reincarnated as Noodle Planet. There were no noodles shops, dumpling houses, nor cafes back then. That was ancient history; pre-Chinatown if anybody can believe it. To folks who were born after Alhambra's henshin into its present version, the stand may look out of place among the Chinese script and Vietnamese names that can make one scratch their head, but to anybody who remembers Alhambra before the Asian Invasion, The Hat is one of the last remaining familiar faces on Valley Boulevard. The Hat has expanded over the years into a small empire that's included locations in Monterey Park, Pasadena, and points east of Downtown Los Angeles (there's a location in Simi Valley). The newer incarnations offer more than the original's outdoor patio seating in the back, such as pidgeon-proof INDOOR patio seating and a cleaner retro look, but the heart of the original stand beats within all of them. There are pastrami dips, generously assembled with deft hands, the meat piled seemingly haphazardly onto split rolls and garnished with mustard and pickles per your request (I like mine dry, sometimes). They're not the best; once in a while, the meat can seem a bit stubborn when it refuses to part from the rest of the sandwich, but whenever I have one in my hands, trying to manuever it towards my mouth, my opinion can be unfairly biased. The brimming sandwiches are reined in by wax paper, but once unwrapped almost impossible to eat with any sort of civility, refusing to surrender without spilling half of the contents (enough for a whole 'nother sandwich) onto the table. The flavor veers toward the salty side; you'll definitely need to order a soda if the gigantic orders of thick french fries scares you off (even the small sized is more than anyone, other than an aspiring professional eater, should contend with). As if the fries weren't big enough, they can be topped with their bean-less chili, similar to the stuff at Tommy's or Pink's, yet different; not as flavorful, but just as potent. An order of their chilifries seems more suitable for feeding a defensive line rather than a solo diner. There seems to be more fries that missed the red checkered paper serving tray than made it in so beware: it's a lot of chili, bright orange oil, and french fried potatoes. There are also hamburgers, available in different versions: with cheese, with chili, with chili AND cheese, even one with pastrami. By default they come dressed with a 1,000 island-ish dressing, shredded lettuce, onions, and a thick slice of tomato. The burgers are decendant from your typical grease pit family tree (but turned out better than expected). There are also roast beef versions of the pastrami sandwich, available with gravy, au jus, or BBQ sauce, although it seems sort of ridiculous to order them since at The Hat, you brain defaults back to pastrami. The cold sandwiches on the menu are sort of pointless to me. I always wonder who orders them. Onion rings, wet fries (covered in brown gravy) and potato salad round out the menu. For good or bad, the Hat hasn't changed a whole lot. Even with a line, the service is still relatively speedy; condiments still come in squeeze packets, and there are the silver napkin dispensers and tubs of the flourescent yellow chili peppers. Just recently, the chain began accepting Visa and Mastercard (the prices are more expensive, too) but the food remains a constant. read more

I've always wondered why do people go to the original Hat, when there is a sit-down version so close? The answer: more food. The pastrami, which is already super loaded is even more loaded . The chili cheese fries which are huge, and shareable by three is larger. The food is still fresh and yummy. The service is fast. Sure, you have to sit in an area without walls, and it is a little colder, but you get more food! read more

Delicious healthy fast food??! Nope this place isn't it. This place has delicious fast food that will fill up your belly. Must get the Chili Cheese Fries with Pastrami. O-M-G! Swear it's good for 4 people. You will leave here with a satisfied appetite. read more

This place is super popular. Well still I only ordered Grilled Cheese which is slices of Toast and cheese. And I paid $3.85 or something. I could've make it at home for cheeper. I didn't try the Pastrami which is supposedly famous. I'm trying to eat less meat when I eat out and it's too much fat and meat only. If I get a chance I will try it next time. But this place is not cheap. Only because Yelp tells you up to $10 is only one $ doesn't mean it's cheap. I could pay for water $10 and still I would rate it one $ right?!!! Of course everything here is under $10 but paying for a buger almost $4 and for one Pastrami almost $8? Naaahhh.... read more

Always a fan. Always fresh food. I am a fan of the classic cheeseburger. The price is good, not too expensive. Remember to ask for grilled onions! Raw onions tend to give you bad breath. 1 star taken off for long wait times. It doesn't always have a long wait time. But on the weekends at 12-1 pm, there is. I recommend coming here some other time. You can get it to go, but there's table to dine in. read more

Something about the Hat's chili cheese fries brings me back to my childhood. The fries might not be the best, the chili isn't the greatest, the cheese isn't fanciest, and I've definitely eaten better chili cheese fries, but the Hat always hits the spot!!! Chili Cheese Fries - $7.15, one word BOMB! read more

The Hat - Chili Cheese Fries - $7.15 - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Good place to get some lunch, we ordered large pastrami chili cheese fries and they were delicious. Large order is enough for 2 people only for $13.99 which i think it's a great price. Outdoor patio seating only, only bad thing is that they don't have restrooms available for customers but I know most other locations do. read more

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

See all

Been a regular since 08! Love this place. I stopped eating red meat so I couldn't get the chili cheese fries anymore nor the burger But cheese fries without the chili is just as good! I get grilled cheese too and love how its on sourdough! The portion sizes for the fries are ridiculously large. Usually I share em with my man and our pitbull, maya. The employees know us here. It's always a good time. No complaints ever! And I've been going here for 5 years already. Parking is never an issue. They have their own lot read more

The Hat - Since 2008. Chili cheese fries baby. Now that I don't eat red meat, I just get cheese fries! Lol - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

I can remember the glory days when the lakers weren't getting smashed by the clippers by 50 points. I can remember making a quick run to the hat and bringing home a huge platter of chili cheese fries to cheer on the lakers and feeling sorry for the opponent.. But sadly, those days are over! And so are my days of eating fatty greasy oily chili cheese fries.. Buuuut they're so good! They really are!! I can't indulge in them like I used to, but every so often I'm tempted to. The greasier, the better. The fattier, all the more satisfying. The pastrami, burgers, fries are all undoubtedly good. Not something I can eat very often, but I do think about the greasy goodness every now and then. Most notably when I'm not quite enjoying my salad or quinoa. If you don't mind working extra hard in the gym, definitely waste all your daily calories on this! read more

The Hat - Front view - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Silent and hungry as I drive through the streets of Valley Blvd, Its not the world of noodles that will hit the spot, nor shrimp boiled in cajun sauce that will satisfy my craving, it is something so WRONG, so RIGHT, that you can smell it on the streets of Garfield Ave and Valley Blvd, It is my friends, THE HAT CHILI CHEESE CHEESE FRIES!, The fries, the cheese,the voluptuous amount of chili all put into this so called little measly paper tray for the price of $4.79. You pray today that you live another day, for finishing this plate without a heartattack. Because it is so WRONG, So RIGHT! read more

The Hat - So wrong but so Right! #cravings - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Came here after a Dodger game, haven't been here on a while, asked for a roast beef dip told the person to make it a combo, my friend asked for a pastrami combo, the order taker asked us what kind of drink we want making us think it was a combo,when we got the order I noticed no fries, I asked the person where are the fries they said we didn't order any I told the person we ordered a combo they said they don't have combos any more...what a scam!!!..will not be going to The hat anymore...to bad they need to trick people into buying their food to make a dollar...fyi the cost for a beef and pastrami dip and drink, no fries, is $34 with slight of tongue, this one was in Alhambra read more

The hype is real! The best pastrami I've ever had...PERIOD! I'll be sure to ask for a cup of Au Jus to keep dipping my sandwich in, the next time here. Come hungry because you'll get your money's worth here as far as portion size is concerned. I suffered a bout of Polynesian Paralysis after eating here \m/ read more

The Hat - This corner joint got a lot to live up to. Heard Urban Legends about their pastrami and am about to take her for a test drive. - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

Awesome... been coming a long time and always good. Never had bad service once. I can say they are always top notch and have made food very well as quickly as possibly seemingly without effort. Awesome! So dont take my word for it and try something from here like the gravy fries or if it is to go try the gravy on the side so you can enjoy it freshly poured on and or dipped!! This round I got chilly cheese fries with a cheeseburger and great read more

See all

The best chili cheese fries with Pastrami!! Hands down Warning* chili cheese fries is a big portion so you might have to share with someone. I've only been to this location, the dining is old school vibe it's outside. They are fast despite of the line of customers they get. read more

The Hat - Chili Cheese fries with Pastrami - Sandwiches Near Me - Alhambra, California

I just came back from Hats Alhambra loation. I ordered Pastrami Dip and Chili fries and it came out $ 21.70. I ate this place several times. Within 1 month, this is my 3rd time. I also tried the location by East LA college. When I take a bus and make 2 hr round trip just to get Pastrami, you can tell I love the Hats pastrami. But, on this particular trip, the experience was horrible. Pastrami was thin and it was real turn off. What I liked about Hats pastrami was WoW amount pastrami. And, the experience with Chili fries was bizzare. This was my second time ordering this. Last time was about 10 yrs ago at Pasadena location. Lady gave me with fries and chili on top. Last time at Pasadena, I got pastrami on top. A lot! But, at this Alhambra location, I got chili fries without Pastrami. I would not have ordered Chili fries if I knew there were not pastrami on top. Why would I pay 7.95 for french fries? I don't even like Chili. Then, I asked about not haveing pastrami. Then, lady took up about 3 oz cup and said it will cost $ 6.95... just for small 3 oz cup amount of pastrami. That was bizzare because Hats always give WOW amount of pastrami. For Pastrami as big as one scoop icecream cost $ 6.95? This particular visit I must say 1/2 star.!!!!!! read more

Awesome pastrami and chili cheese fries. I love their pastrami dip sandwich, chili cheese fries with pastrami, also the onion rings. They also have gravy fries which some of my friends do like. Their items are actually all quite good. I wouldn't order the steak or roast beef sandwich. It wasn't as tasty. They use to give a lot of pastrami and now I feel like they raised the prices but also cut back on the portion on their dip and pastrami f read more

Chili Cheese Fries! Brings smile to my face. With pastrami! With tomato and pickles! I love it there! Everyone there is so awesome! Just stand around and people will give you great tips on how to eat it and make it taste even more heavenly if that's possible. Love love love! Minus one start for no indoor dining! Ewww, pollution on my food! read more

I sort of have a fetish with Wet Fries and Onion Rings. The Hat is where I go to get this. I live in middle of three locations of The Hat. I usually come to this one, because, well, this is the closest one to me. Their onion rings were flawless, but the wet fries, on the other hand were a little off. The last time I went there, I don't know if it was the day I went, or it was just them. The order of wet fries I ordered was subpar. Fries were delicious, but the gravy on the other hand, was pretty nasty. It was not even hot, and to add onto that, i looked and tasted as if it was leftover gravy. It was chunky and it was also discolored. Now, let's move onto the seating. I don't usually approve of outdoor seating for places like these. The place was extremely filthy and filled with bird poop. There were also bread crumbs all over the place due to the customers feeding bread to the birds that linger around. read more

If you're driving on the 5 freeway stop here for a bite!!!! GREAT WARM PASTRAMI SANDWICHES! I always try to stop here when I'm in the area. I wish they had one where I live! Great to eat in and on the go!!! You won't be disappointed!!!! read more

4 Stars because I'm a chili cheese fries fiend and I love me some good chili cheese fries especially when the fries are the big fat juicy kinds. They give a pretty large serving and aren't shy with the chili and cheese. Definitely share it between 2 or 3 people. If you're looking for your chili cheese fries fix, go to the hat! read more

I'm sure the hot dogs and burgers here are fine, but my rare trips to The Hat are for only one or two reasons: Pastrami sandwiches and chili cheese fries. The pastrami is stacked rather high and is really flavorful, without having it taste like a block of salt. Plus it's not extremely greasy. The mustard and pickles are all you need for that sandwich. The chili cheese fries portion is oversized, and that's an understatement. It's definitely enough for 3 or 4 people to share as a snack. The chili is spicy and has plenty of meat. The optional tomatoes and pickle topping gives the fries an even fresher taste. Service is good for fast food, especially if you don't fumble around and know what to get. read more

The pastrami dip is, of course, what this place is famous for. I wish the bread wasn't so soggy, though. I know that's the point of a dip sandwich, but if I ever want to save half for someone, the bread gets disgustingly soggy and just falls apart. The pastrami is DELICIOUS though. The tuna sandwich is pretty good too, although I think the place in Monterey Park was a little better. The portion of fries is HUGE, even if you just order a small. The chili cheese fries are good but not great. I tried the gravy fries one time because I saw a review saying they were good, but I found them to be kind of odd-tasting. The burgers are ok but not that exciting. I've tried them with chili and with pastrami. Although I like the hat, I would prefer to go to the one in Monterey Park because you can sit indoors instead of outside behind the restaurant surrounded by roaring traffic and car exhaust. read more

Pastrami dip. Pastrami burger. Wet fries with extra gravy on the side. Chilli cheese fries with pastrami. Orange bng. Horchata. 'Nuff said. Tip: If you come at night and its not a to-go order, make sure you leave within 30 mins. Otherwise, you're gonna have to dish out some more money for the $parking violation bill$ thats on your windshield ;) read more

TIP: the pastrami dip comes out fast while the chili cheese fries are a bit slower. The pastrami dip is badass, all meat, sliced thin, most are tender, some are crispy. Eat it right away, don't bring it back home or the bread will be all soft. 4 stars because they raised the price ($7.49 now). read more