Wednesday, 7-29-2026: We came here on the suggestion of one of our friends. We all belong to the Temecula Valley Elks Lodge #2801 and we were busy today. There was a planning meeting & decorating for Pirate Night for Friday. We worked up an appetite when one of our friends suggested The Hat. We always saw the signs from the freeway but had never been. So, why not? The interior is spacious, clean with plenty of tables & seats. Nothing fancy just functional. So glad we came here! I split a pastrami melt sandwich with my friend and she recommended that one order of fries would feed all three of us. She was right! Food came out quickly. I savored that pastrami melt half. The fries were plentiful and so good. Our cashier, Karen, was friendly, sweet, and patient. We enjoyed talking with her. I liked it so much, I'm bringing my entire family the next time. read more

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Old classic, new town. Safe to say the food is as expected, which is what a good chain restaurant should offer. Fries were excellent and plentiful. Was eating them for days. Pastrami was good and also as expected. Seems like there are better pastramis these days, but an old classic always hits the spot. Also ordered a cold roast beef, which I hadn't tried in some 20 years. Have to admit, I recall it being much better back in the day. Roast beef tasted like something you can buy at the store. Was ok, but recalled much better. Service in the drive through was excellent though. Order and customizations were on point. Pickles on the side. Chilis and ketchup to go, all perfect. Nice lady taking order was very pleasant and made sure to get everything just right. Definitely worth a return trip when back in the neighborhood. read more

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I only go here for two reasons, it's the chilli dog and the main reason is the pastrami chilli cheese fries. The fries are incredible and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of chili cheese fries. The only concern I have is that the murrieta location seems to be slipping on the portion sizes, I don't know tho, maybe the restaurant has new rules for the portion sizes? I went today and I was surprised, it was much less than before so maybe the policies have changed for portion? It was still good tho!! read more

A bit far from my place. But sometimes when you want a good pastrami and chili cheese fries it worth the drive. read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

I love pastrami and love The Hat. So glad its on the drive to San Diego, and located in a nice shopping area. Before we could only get it in Ontario, Claremont area. Always getting the classic is never a disappointment. Hits the spot for sure. Did not get the fries this time because we were driving. But it is a big order for sharing. Gravy and cheese. Kinda like a poutine. Ordered, went to bathroom and it was already to go. That's fast service. Yum! read more

The Hat - The classic - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

Wow.... Idk why this place has 3.7 stars because this place is AMAZING! 10/10 would recommend! The pastrami drip is a true classic and they don't hold back on the pastrami. I ate mine and half my coworkers and already looking to come back. Staff were friendly and gave recommendations. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Fun fact, they have a drive through if you're in a rush and want a delicious sandwich. You're welcome read more

Was craving some pastrami and their sandwich is the best! Loaded with lots of meat and perfect with pickles and mustard on a soft roll. Their onion rings are so good too! Especially when they're nice and warm. Generous portions. We also love the chili cheese fries and orange bang drink. Convenient drive thru and friendliest, efficient staff. read more

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A Southern California chain that serves sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs. But best Known for world famous pastrami dip. We had the pastrami burger on a soft sesame bun and I have to say, I was blown away. I'm used to pastrami's being sliced thick and being extremely salty. However, it's not the case here. I've been having it wrong all this time! The pastrami ($12.60) was sliced thinly and it wasn't salty. The onion rings ($4.85) came in a brown paper bag and it soaked up the grease. Nicely battered. We got chili fries ($8.60) and added cheddar ($1.99). I didn't like that the cheddar was not melted. Next time we would get small regular fries ($3.99) and a cup of chili ($2.99). The soda fountain has touchless systems for the cups. read more

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I live out of state so I really was looking forward to eating a pastrami from the The Hat. I ordered 4 pastrami Dips with swiss cheese and dill pickles "to go". Ate the pastramis at my sister's house and we all agreed the sandwiches were extremely dry, like they weren't dipped. What a huge disappointment and it was too late to take the food back. read more

We were in the area and looked this place up on Yelp, the reviews drew us in, and it was packed when we arrived which is usually a good sign. I ordered the pastrami sandwich and hubby got the roast beef. The pastrami sandwich was so packed full of meat it and very flavorful and filling, but not overly salty like some other sandwich shops. We also ordered a large side of fries that looked like an extra large, it was enough for 4 people. We almost got the pastrami fries because they looked so good, but I will have to make another trip here. The staff was great, ordering was quick and easy even with the big crowd. Excellent place to check out. read more

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A friend of mine took me here while we were in Temecula Dang it was bomb! The pastrami sandwich has soo much meat! The meat is sliced perfectly right, not to thick not to thin. They are well known for their pastrami sandwiches but they also have a full menu of other items They even have a veggie sandwich I'd recommend stopping it They have their own little lot with plenty of parking spaces. read more

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Always great eating here. Food is always the same haven't been disappointed. Times you forget about this place. Close by and you don't have to drive far for a good pastrami sandwich read more

INSTANT FAVORITE! The Hat gives an LA vibe similar to Tommy's Burgers but with a pastrami twist. I LOVED my pastrami sandwich and order of chili fries. The pastrami was mouthwatering, while the chili fries were MASSIVE! Everything was flavorful and authentic. Prices are good and the staff were super knowledgeable. The staff took the initiative to explain the order sizes and offered to box our items before we even asked. Side note: I bought a Hat shirt on my way out for $12.50. Merch was limited. read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

If you're looking for a classic American chili fix, The Hat will do the job. The portions are huge and definitely worth the price. That said, the chili was a bit bland and could use a little salt to bring the flavors out. The pastrami was decent for a popular franchise. read more

The Hat - Pastrami burger, Jr. Cheeseburger and chili cheese fries. - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

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e were in the area and decided to explore a new spot, drawn in by the great 80s-themed atmosphere. The vibe is definitely a highlight! Food-wise, the experience was a bit of a contrast. I found my sandwich to be flavorful but quite small for the price (see picture for roast beef vs pastrami) , whereas my wife's pastrami sandwich was massive. The pastrami itself was a bit on the greasy side and lacked a punch of seasoning, though the portions especially the pastrami fries we saw at other tables was clearly a draw for their loyal fan base. Service is a standard counter-order setup, which was efficient. I'd consider returning to try the chili cheese fries or a different specialty to see if it hits the mark. read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

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Absolutely the best chili cheese fries served. Nobody does it better than the hat. They serve their chili cheese fries with tomato and pickle better than anybody ever. Could the service is fast. The ambience is quick. read more

The Hat - Pastrami Cheeseburger - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

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At The Hat you have two choices: share or take half your food home. The portions are very generous and delicious, too. Where else can you get a hard-to-find chili tamale, which is topped with cheese, onions, tomatoes and pickles. It's an epic accomplishment! Their other standout for me are the super crispy breaded style onion rings. Again, generous portions...two of us could not finish a small order. Yes, the pastrami is what most get, but it's nice to know that the other options are inviting, as well. read more

I arrived today at 10:15am. The Hat opened at 10:00am on a Sunday. I ordered a Pastrami Sandwich with the Au Jus on the side that way my bread wouldn't be soggy. I also ordered a small fry extra crispy and small Chili. I placed my order to go. I noticed there were only all female staff working. The customer service was great. There's plenty of inside seating. The restaurant looked very clean and organized. Once I got home I ate my food which was still warm. Everything was delicious. I'm very pleased with everything I ordered today. read more

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Was recommended here by many of my friends who live in Southern California. I am visiting for work and had to stop by! First off I love the environment when you walk in. Secondly you can see the workers making your food and they are very proactive! I was able to get the pastrami sandwich and chili cheese fries. Mind you the serving of the chili cheese fries is unreal! My only knock would be that they didn't mix around the cheese. Also the pastrami sandwich was so good with plenty of meat! They definitely give you great value. As for me I didn't even make a dent in eating it all as it was so much food ! (Good thing) I was able to take home half of the sandwich and I plan on going back later this week before I head back to northern cal to try their pastrami burger with onion rings. I definitely recommend this place and the staff was quick to get your food. read more

The Hat - Pastrami sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

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It's Thursday! Had a craving for pastrami and I had to satisfy it! Only The Hat can deliver the perfect pastrami dip and fries! The right amount of meat, and the dip is the best! Pickles, mustard, peppers and delicious! read more

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First time here and no urge to come back. We just wanted to try it out. Prices: 5 stars Service: Order at the counter Seating: It's like stepping into the original store 70 years ago. They do have shaded outdoor seating. Ambiance: Busy Food: overall OK. Very large portions of chili cheese fries read more

We were driving through the city and my sister stopped here for a quick bite. Tried the Onion Rings and they were light and crispy and just pure delicious! The pastrami tasted great too. Drive thru service was busy, but it was handy since they were packed inside. This is a nice place to grab a bite to eat! read more

The Hat - By to go bag of Crispy Onion rings! A must have. - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

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The Hat is super nostalgic for me and reminds me of the good old high school days. What's amazing is that they have maintained the exact same decor after all these decades but the place is clean and well maintained. Service was friendly and professional. Plenty of seats inside and ample parking in the lot. The food will give you a heart attack with all the fat and grease but it's so good and filling. The chili cheese fries are massive. I love their classic pastrami dip but I had to dock a star because this location doesn't fill the pastrami as much and the sandwich was smaller. Please fill our subs a little more and I'll be coming back for more ;) read more

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I gotta say that I was pleasantly surprised. Though, I must confess I am not a fan of pastrami sandwiches. However, the Hat is much more than just pastrami. They have a large selection of burgers, sandwiches, BBQ, chile, tamales, and hotdogs. They have steak, turkey, pastrami, and vegan options. My daughter ordered an avocado sandwich and it was (again, I am not a big fan of avocado) quite good. I ordered the ham and cheese which was quite good but probably not healthy. You want to have a guilt free yummy sandwich, try the avocado. The service was fast, friendly, and efficient. It has a typical fast diner decor. The Hat stands out as unique in the food it offers. Give them a try, even if you don't like pastrami. read more

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Grew up on the hat in the OC. Legendary known for the ridiculous amount of fries and onion rings when ordered. Use to be pricey IMO but at 12.60 for a pastrami dip, that's cheaper than most fast food nowadays. If you have a craving for chili cheese fries this is the place, don't be afraid to ask for fries to be well done. Especially when getting chili fries, they'll hold their integrity longer and provide some extra crunch to add some nice texture to the dish to enhance your experience, you're welcome. read more

The Hat - Crushed it. Sorry, was starving. - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

Have not been to a Hat in a while.. there's something about a place that never changes the hot pastrami sandwich is the signature item and it's delicious and plentiful. Mustard pickles shaved pastrami on a fresh roll and I added Swiss cheese. Half order onion rings were seasoned and crispy. Burgers sandwiches and great sides. Gravy jus chili available. I saw a chili cheese fries that were decadent and enough for four. Complimentary peppers are the best. Service is quick and friendly and served hot. This icon has been serving since the late 40's and the ambiance is perfect. read more

The Hat - Pure pleasure - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

Quick customer service with decent menu prices. But unfortunately, the food lacked flavor. My cheeseburger, pastrami burger had no flavor. The chili cheese fries were okay. Not sure what's going on. Unfortunately, we left very disappointed to say the least. Very enjoyable 80s music playing in the background though. Tables were clean and plenty of seating available. read more

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Old faithful when you're shopping at Sam's for NYE and want great, hot food. My hubby had their chili cheese pastrami fries. Loaded with tender hot pastrami, gibs of melted cheese, and a boatload of french fries. It's enormous, but ohhh so delicious and satisfying. I had the avocado on sourdough with cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, mayo. It looks like they use a whole avocado, as the sandwich is 3-4 inches high with huge amounts of avocado. Sooo yummy. Fresh, help yourself drinks. What else could you want to satisfy that hunger!! Tried to get as much as the menu as I could without getting diner heads in the way. Menu isn't overly extensive, but you can get creative with add on's. Come try it. The Hat won't diss appointment! read more

The Hat - Avocado on sourdough - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

Sunday night was a mad house in here. The drive thru line was crazy long too. The inside was packed as usual and the floors were filthy. The tables were dirty and we didn't see anyone cleaning them. The trash cans were full and the employee took a plunger to push it down instead of taking it out. The cashier lady was not friendly at all. She seemed annoyed or didn't want to be there. The guy putting the orders together and calling out the numbers was friendly and helpful. The roast beef sandwich with au jus was very tasty. The bread was soft and fluffy. The meat was tender and had great flavor. I was just disappointed on the portion size for the price I paid. The cheeseburger was just okay. It was definitely smaller than what I thought it would be. The portion size was not good for the price it cost and taste. I've had better cheeseburgers at other places and they are bigger for the same price or less. The chili cheese fries were huge! Portion size won here for the price we paid for them. You can share them with 3-4 adults. The chili does lack flavor, so I had to add salt and chopped onions to it. I love that they have Orange Bang Bang as a refillable drink. I was sad to see the pineapple one wasn't working. Overall, it's over priced fast food. I would eat here again if I was in the area, and I felt like a good roast beef sandwich. read more

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I LOVE THE HAT!!!!!! I'm originally an Los Angeles girl l, and would eat at the hat all the time. I moved out here to SD in 2000 and they don't have the hat anywhere.!! The closest one is in Murrieta! Sooo when I'm craving a delicious pastrami, I make the little drive! And it's worth it. I get a pastrami and a large fry every time. I can never finish the fries! Sooo gooood! Service is fast and friendly. They have clean bathrooms and a clean restaurant I feel it's priced reasonably for the portions read more

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I had a great experience at The Hat I ordered a chill dog and it was served very quickly. The food was absolutely delicious, the chili was perfect. The meat was generous and very tasty. The ambiance was good, clean and organized. I will definitely return for the pastrami. read more

The Hat - Chili dog is epic - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

We grabbed food from here on our drive from San Diego to Las Vegas, and wow... this pastrami sandwich was a star of the road trip. My husband picked it up, and we didn't even eat it until about an hour later in the car. Somehow it was still amazing. The bread was super soft, the pastrami was thin sliced, tender, and packed with flavor. Every bite hit just right. Messy in the best way and totally satisfying after a long stretch on the road. I'm honestly surprised this place only has around 3.5 stars on Yelp, because this was a five star experience for me. Sometimes simple food done right is all you need, and they nailed it with that sandwich. I would probably skip the potato salad next time, but the pastrami sandwich? Absolutely worth the stop. read more

Expensive. But the biggest disappointment was the Chili Cheese Fries. Almost no flavor. Tommy's is leagues better. Not even a comparison. Always heard good things, but was terrible. read more

The Hat - Chili Cheese Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

Excellent Food and Service every time that l have eaten there! Also the Drive-Thru workers are excellent!! read more

Food is mid. Pastrami is usually a bit salty, this pastrami tasted like straight beef no seasoning just vibes. The chili was also alright. To top it off, their ranch is the elementary school buttermilk packets. It was truly a 2/5 experience. To hear so many people rant and rave about this place is scary. Go try Tams!!! read more

The Hat - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

Solid pastrami, personally really enjoy the soaking sandwich. Very juicy and flavorful. Service was quick.

Was out in Murrieta and saw The Hat Drive Thru open for business. I've been hearing a lot about The Hat and turns out they have been in business for 74 years with a lot of history of great service and good food. The menu is very simple and classic. I had to try the World Famous Pastrami Dip and Grilled Cheese Sandwich on the first day. On the second day, I ordered and tried the Pastrami Burger and the Roast Beef Sandwich with Au Jous. THEY WERE ALL SO GOOD!!! I'll let the pictures I took speak for itself. Very generous portions of meat, tasty and well seasoned. The sandwich roll was soft and tasty. And I really enjoyed the grilled cheese. Wow! Wish I had tomato soup. I'll be back to try other sandwiches on the menu. read more

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My family's first time eating at The Hat was in Sept 2018, when their Murrieta location opened. Since that first and only visit, we never ate at any of The Hat locations until this Saturday afternoon, Dec 14, 2024. After watching multiple You Tube Foodies sharing their thoughts on eating at different locations, it motivated me to give The Hat another try. We were warmly greeted by a gentleman standing at the registers. It wasn't too busy when we arrived at approximately 1345 hours. Our call/ticket # was "51". Our order: 2 Pastrami Burgers; Double Cheeseburger; Cheeseburger w/Small Fries-Plain; 4 Large Sodas Total Cost: Approx $62.00. (No receipt was issued, emailed or offered a choice of). After about a 7-10 minute wait, our order number was called. Once our orders were removed from the paper bags all orders, eat-in or take out are placed in, I opened up my pastami burger. Holy crap, the pastrami as the photos indicate, was spilling out, off the burger. It was a very generous amount of pastami! The burger was decent in size and cooked medium, but one is here for that salty, fatty, smoky pastrami! Yeah, my doctors would be wringing their hands if they knew I was wolfing down this really tasty burger! My wife ordered the same and was really enjoying hers as well. She took half of it home to polish off later. Both our sons unwrapped and devoured their burger choices so quickly that I was too late to take any photos of their burgers. Both gave their thumbs up approvals. The small order of plain fries was quite a generous portion; at most places this portion size would be considered a very generous large. My son who ordered the fries loved them; he's a carb lover. My wife and I each tried a french fry: they still tasted like the same batter extruded tasting frozen fries we ordered during our first visit. Sorry, those type of fries are not to our liking but that's a personal preference. I observed many patrons enjoying their different style of fries never-the-less. To sum it it, I'm going to increase this visit's rating to four stars from my previous first 2018 visit rating of only three stars. Why? For the price, this Hat location gives you a very generous portion of food that is still pretty tasty that definitely scratches that itch for rich, fatty delicious tasting pastrami. Another bonus, both my wife and I commented later at dinner, how neither of us were really thirsty as often happens when eating a pastrami entree. Based on this visit, we're adding this location of The Hat to our family favorites. read more

The Hat - Pastrami Burger - Sandwiches Near Me - Murrieta, California

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Pastrami had no flavor and the buns were so soft that the sandwich fell apart. The amount of pastrami was plentiful.

Last year was my first time here Omgsh the sandwiches/ burgers are so huge! My daughter and I ate (shared) pastrami burger and fries! So much food so I took my grandson there and said we will have an extra small fry still so much food he ate that burger no problem but we had tons of fries left over. Maybe get 4 people for the small fry and I cut my pastrami in half to eat the other half later read more