Cute little restaurant that seems like it has been around forever. The staff was nice. I asked what the most popular item is and he said it was the pastrami sandwich. Of course I had to try it. I've heard so many good things about it. I know that pastrami is fatty, but unfortunately, my cut was extremely fatty. It was just like chewing on fat rather than any meat. I only came here because I was getting my car worked on across the street. I will definitely not be returning. read more

The Hat - Pastrami sandwich - looks yummy but I could only eat half. - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I love this place. It's fast fast fast and very delicious. Needless to say I only come for the pastrami! YUMMY read more

Pastrami? Call your mommy! Cuz she's gonna want some of this! Welcome to The Hat in Lake Forest! This iconic chain has been here since 1951, and its world famous pastrami is no joke! All the decor looks like you're stepping back in time, and it's perfect. Come up to the counter to order, and rejoice in the massive and tasty portions bestowed upon you. This is a guilty pleasure restaurant for sure. So don't come expecting a 5 star sit-down meal. Orders come out to-go, and you either plop down and eat it there, or speed into their drive-thru. Brandon and I ordered really simple here. A pastrami dip sandwich and some chili cheese fries. Look at how stuffed this sandwich is! Wowzers! It all gets to go in my mouth! Mustard, pickles, pastrami? Say less! Say less and say yes! Yeah I mean, the pastrami has been a staple for people in LA and Orange county for decades, so it's no wonder they've perfected the fast casual pastrami sandwich! We can't forget to mention the fries! These are thick fries that are meant to hold up to their gravy and of course, their chili cheese. This triumphant tall tower of totally tasty tubers is smothered in their chili and cheese before being served on a paper-lined tray. Dig in and get yourself ready for the perfect dirty food to help end the night! We couldn't even finish it, it was just so much food to enjoy. Get a 3rd or 4th throat in here if you want to eat it all! They're open 'til 11, which is late for South County, so get in line, and have a time! read more

I grew up in Southern California, the daughter of a pastrami, loving mother. She loved that when she was still alive and lived here we hadn't been to one in a while on our stay in this area we saw there was one close by.My husband and I visited after arriving on our trip back to California. This time we had hamburgers and they were cooked to order fresh and tasty same with the fries. Service was great. We ate inside and it was clean and comfortable Drive-through stayed busy the entire time we were there. Had sandwiches before and enjoying them. We decided to have Burgers this time and it was a good choice. Shredded lettuce on the burger. We are so bad that we stopped here to grab a bite. We will be back. read more

I had the pastrami burger with fries. Very generous with the pastrami and fries. Food came out fast and was delicious.

Super awesome staff, very helpful and they held onto my purse when I left it in the bench. Super happy to get it back. I appreciate everyone

Best place for pastrami in socal!!! So accommodating. They just close but willing to give us our order. From Vegas and is great!!! read more

The Hat - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

This is one of my husbands favorite! Go to place so when we were driving back from San Diego, just had to make a stop and get a sandwich! He likes the pastrami sandwich! They have an extensive menu! It was mid afternoon and was still crowded! The service is quick and fast! So whenever you are on the road and need a "quick bite", stop here! You will be happy you did! read more

The Hat - Holiday hours - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

See all

Good quality pastrami for affordable price~ The hat is a family oriented restaurant with various sandwiches, burgers, and appetizers. The interior is spacious with bunch of table and bench seatings. Since this place is known for their pastrami my BF and I shared the pastrami dip and pastrami fries with cheese (total $25). Portions are quite generous here! The pastrami sandwich was juice and meaty! The meat quality was great but the bread could have been better. The pastrami fries had tons of pastrami and crispy fries on the bottom, liked how the fries weren't overly salty since the pastrami itself if pretty salty! Overall a fast casual vibe with fast and friendly service. Would love to try the chili cheese fries my next visit! read more

The Hat - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Service is great and establishment is always well kept and clean! Food is always consistently mouth watering. This is my favorite place for a pastrami sandwich! Repeat customer here! read more

I used to work walking distance to The Hat, about 18 years ago!Was passing by while running some errands in Lake Forest so decided to stop in. Place was packed, just like it was 18 years ago. Service was quick to take orders and food was coming out for earlier orders at a fast pace. I ordered the pastrami sandwich, fries and a side of gravy. Did not have to wait long before my name was called. Before leaving the counter make sure you grab some horseradish sauce. Yes, it was pricey but everything these days is, so comes with the territory. Sat at my table and opened up the huge bag 'o fries and they were steamy hot and smelled wonderful. I had to attack these right away so popped open the gravy, grabbed a couple of fries, dipped them in the gravy and shoved them into my mouth. What a mistake! The gravy was about 750 degrees! In a packed restaurant I wanted to spit it all out. Ha! I just covered my mouth with my napkin and breathed until the molten mass cooled off. I slowed down and drank some soda to try to prevent blisters on the roof of my mouth. #worthit Turned my attention to the sandwich. Opening it up I recalled how much pastrami they pile on the fresh bun. I know it's been 18 years, but I do think they used to make the pastrami pile much larger. Still, it is a huge sandwich. First task is to grab the meat pieces that have already fallen off the pile. Very tasty, just as I recalled. Yum. I squeezed some horseradish sauce on the meat and took my first bite of the sandwich. It was awesome. They are still nailing the quality of the pastrami. Why order anything else here? I saw reviews complaining about burgers, turkey sandwiches, etc. Are you the same people that go to McDonalds order a salad? You are at The Hat so order the pastrami you knuckleheads! Back to the fries and lava like gravy. So great. See picture of the endless bag of fries. I could not find the bottom. Ha! Finished half the sandwich and probably a 1/10th of the fries. Packed it all up and looked forward to having it for lunch the next day. The Hat still has it. The wife was jealous when she saw the bag in the fridge. I promised to take her in the near future. Go. Eat Well. Have Fun! read more

See all

Sometimes I forget how good The Hat is until I remember that it exists and go order a big ol' meal. This time was no exception. THE FOODS | Pastrami dip, burgers, cold sandwiches, and sides. I ordered... - Roast Beef (Pastrami Dip) | I added swiss cheese to my sandwich because cheese is life. Lots of thinly sliced pastrami are piled into a au jus soaked, buttery soft hoagie roll. I add more yellow mustard for the tanginess overload. This is their signature dish and it's good. - Chili Fries | I added shredded cheese and raw onion to step up the flavor profile and crunch texture. The chili is thick in consistency, with a hint of sweetness, and mildly spicy. Fries are cooked to a golden crisp. Overall, I like the chili cheese fries, but it almost seems to be missing one crucial ingredient in the chili... maybe more spices? Maybe I'm being picky, but I kind of make it a point to order chili cheese fries anytime I see it on a menu, so I'll just leave that snobby little remark here and you guys can scoff at it. - Onion Rings | Crispy fried onion rings with soft, tender onions inside. It's really good. WOULD I COME BACK? | Yep, it's The Hat for crying out loud. Of course I'm coming back. read more

See all

This place never changes for me! There is definitely nothing healthy about the food here and thats exactly why I come here. Love their pastrami dip, super flavorful and juicy, not lean in any sense of the word, but it tastes really good. Also love their pastrami chili cheese fries! Still decent prices for what you get. I realize that i can't eat here on the daily for obvious reasons, but when im feeling like something tasty thats equally bad for me, this is my spot. Sometimes you gotta say F it and eat something naughty. read more

Fast service and delicious pastrami. I like getting the chili cheese pastrami fries. This place is a good late night fast food meal.

Had to come back again and give these guys 5 stars. Consistent sandwiches every time. Pastrami dip is the way to go. Bread is always fresh and the sandwich is always STUFFED with pastrami. Employees are great-asking if I need condiments. Keep up the good work guys!!! read more

First off the parking and location are convenient. Easy to get in, easy to get out of the parking lot. This was the Lake Forest location. Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed how clean and well kept it was. Its decor is something like a 1960's sandwich shop, and the chairs and tables are well made and well maintained. The large menu behind the cashier made it easy to see all the selection options available. Also, plenty of staff members who were attentive, but not overbearing because I wanted to look at the menu for awhile before ordering. I ordered the pastrami sandwich on rye bread, which was a nice option, rather than a hoagie roll, and fries. Both the sandwich and the fries were delicious. Neither were greasy, and l was just impressed with the taste and quality overall. This was my first time eating here, but I will definitely be coming back. read more

Received a gift card and thought how nice.... But it was how AWESOME!!! We had never been to restaurant so this was our first try.... sandwich was excellent!!! Packed with tasty meat and fresh!! Loved it!! read more

Brought my gf here for some amazing pastrami. A lot of people don't know you can ask to top you chili cheese fries with pastrami. Apparently even fewer people knew you could get chili cheese onion rings...with pastrami! That's exactly what I ordered with a traditional pastrami sandwich. Haven't had the Hat in a while but it was good as I remember. First time at this location but service was on point. Took a bit long to get my order taken but about 5 mins from completion of order to having the order ready. If you want a great classic pastrami sandwich come to the Hat! read more

The Hat - Chili cheese onion rings with pastrami - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

10a this establishment opens up where you can get some great food and enormous portions. The service here is always with a smile. I always enjoy seeing people enjoying their time to make others as in customers like myself feel welcomed and have positive energy throughout the day. It makes the food even worth it knowing the history of the hat. Place is always clean when I step inside vs going drive-thru. Tuna Sammy with wheat bread, Swiss cheese, and avocado. Add couple mustard packets and that's my fave!!! read more

I've been a loyal customer for years, and I was excited to return after a few months. However, I was shocked when my recent order didn't match what I was used to. I ordered two pastrami sandwiches and a larger onion ring, but when they handed me my order it felt much smaller than usual. I asked the staff if there had been a mistake, and the manager explained that corporate had changed the portion sizes. While I understand that businesses have to adjust, it was disappointing to find out about the change this way, especially without any notice or update. The quality of the food is still great, but the value seems to have taken a hit. I hope the company considers communicating these changes better to loyal customers moving forward. A heads-up about the new portion sizes would go a long way in maintaining trust. I would be willing to pay more for the old portion size.. Will probably think twice before ordering again read more

Today was a good day because it's the weekend, skies are blue and I got to go to The Hat for lunch! So many items on the menu but I always get the Pastrami Dip. I've tried other places but it's just not the same. My kids always get the chili cheese fries. Again, something you can get anywhere but The Hat does them the best! Went through drive-thru, fast service, no complaints at all. read more

The Hat - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I came super late at night but luckily this place was open pretty late. I ordered a chili cheese fries and added pastrami because that's what they're known for a man they didn't disappoint! They gave a massive amount of pastrami and it was pippin hot. It was not too salty so it didn't overpower the rest of the meal. I wish the fries could be a little crisper so next time I would advise asking for chili on the side. They served it in a to go cup box so it was a little awkward to eat. The place itself was pretty lit up and had a good oldies vibe to it. Overall, pretty good spot if you're craving some pastrami and some good chili! Bring another person because it's a lot of food! read more

The Hat - Chili Fries with Pastrami - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Food is great, huge portions, always delicious. Decent sized menu and many sauces to choose from. Onion rings, chili cheese fries, hot pastrami are my favorites. read more

Nothing I can say that hasn't been said by everyone else. Deliciously insane pastrami sandwich and mountain high pastrami fries! Combine that with an orange bang to make the meal complete. I'm glad there isn't a hat near by where I live or else my cholesterol would be sky high. read more

This place used to be good. The food is very greasy and not as flavorful. The quality of the food has gone down. Very disappointing.

The Hat is always a good thing! We are lucky to have one So OC. Open late and delish...enjoy! read more

The Hat - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

You want Pastrami? Come here. It's a solid Pastrami. A little on the salty side but delicious. Surprisingly I discovered their Chili Fries, it's a must get but it is HUGE. You need 4 people to finish it if you get a sandwich. Another winner is the onion rings but honestly I had no more room in my stomach after getting the Chili Fries. read more

The Hat - Pastrami Dip - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

See all

Historic iconic eats for anyone who grew up in Southern California! An absolute must when you visit

A good number of seats inside if you wanted to eat there, but they also have a drive thru which is great if you're not feeling up to leaving your car. We never have to wait for our food too long which is also nice. I switch between getting the chili cheese fries with pastrami on top and the pastrami dip. Chili cheese fries are my guilty pleasure LOL, and the pastrami is a great addition. And can I just say that the proportion for this is HUGE!!! I feel like this could be shared between 4 people and it's already inexpensive as a meal for 1. The pastrami dip is also really good if you're a fan of the meat. They stack a generous amount of pastrami too. read more

The Hat - chili cheese fries with pastrami - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

See all

I finally was able to try pastrami at a place that I have been recommended to. I got a pastrami sandwich, bbq sandwich, and chili cheese fries with a medium drink. It was quick to order and get my food too. I sat inside and overall would definitely recommend this place. A wide variety of menu. read more

See all

Great pastrami. World famous. My favorite. This is what I miss living in central CA. A huge sandwich stuffed with thinly sliced, delicious hot pastrami complete with pickles and mustard on a roll. Added banana peppers on the side for some zing. So scrumptious. This one in Lake Forest features a drive thru. Nice! So convenient as it was raining. The menu is large sized and easy to read. Service was very quick. Perfect for a rainy day. This is why the Hat has been a SoCal staple for decades. Thank you! read more

The food is delicious my favorite is tamales with chili and cheese also chili dogs with pickles , onions tomatoes. Onion rings are crispy and fried perfect also French fries yummy. They have a drive thru and also you can eat inside there menu is large and everything is excellent read more

Some comfort food for a descent price that leaves you stuffed and have enough leftovers for another meal. This place! They were busy, but moved along fast and kept the food warm. The servings are redic, so big, not soggy, full of flavor, cooked in house to serve. I haven't had fries like that ever and I would totally go back and try something else again. Everything on their menu sounds delicious. Also I think it's funny that they kept the vibe there totally in the 70's and 80's, I hope they keep the old time feel... as long as the food is good, no one cares. read more

The Hat - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

See all

Alright...I take it back. 8 or so years later and they turned into a reasonably priced ($11.99?) pastrami sandwich joint. Who would've guessed! But ultimately, the sandwich is a 3 star sandwich. It's good every once in a while, but never great. I love that they give you a huge portion of fries, and if you get them well done they usually are pretty good. In the end, it is a SoCal staple. And I apologize for my previous review. I now crown this establishment Most Reasonably Priced Fast Food Pastrami Sandwich in Southern California! read more

A clean and friendly restaurant that truly lives up to its reputation. Tried and true in my book! Every bite delivers a taste of the good ol' days--comforting, authentic, and satisfying. read more

If you are craving a pastrami sammy, this is a good spot to check out. Nothing like a Katz' deli in NYC or a Langers in LA but still hits the spot for a quick fix. Their pastrami is tasty and stuffed in their sandwiches. If I were to indulge, I would go for their pastrami fries. They can also top their tamales with it. I'll have to try that one day. Conclusion: I would definitely recommend this for a pastrami lover on a budget. read more

The Hat - American Near Me - Lake Forest, California

World worst Pastrami. Too salty. I ordered pastrami, but they put dried bacon instead of pastrami.

Best pastrami ever !!!! Hands down !!!and the chili cheese fries are crazy. FYI my biggest pet peeve is when places hoard the condiments not here ask and you shall receive lol . Got try it you won't be disappointed! read more

Been coming here for years. Javier always takes care of and makes us feel welcome. Best pastrami sandwich!

Looked this up on Yelp, and referred by the hotel for lunch. If you expect NY style, you will be disappointed. But the quality of the Pastrami and the bread were very good and very filling . priced right, had the "World Famous Pastrami Sandwich " with pickles and mustard. side of Onion rings and a diet coke $20. Not a bad deal and really fresh. Very good for a local Calif joint! read more

See all