I love the hat and the pastrami is very good, me and my family love to eat here. I recommend eating here if you like pastrami or the other items on the menu. read more

I went here last week after many years of hiatus. The Pastrami was mediocre at best. (Oinkster in Eagle rock has a great pastrami) I also ordered a Cheeseburger because one of friends said they had one of the great burgers in town. It was nothing special and lacked seasoning so making it one of the worst burgers I've had. I asked them if they seasoned their burgers and they said no. Q: So if I ask you to season the burger on the grill, will you? A: "No!" You can use the salt packet yourself! We don't put anything on the grill...! I don't see a reason to go back again. read more

I used to LOVE The Hat. I worked in Pasadena in the late 2000's and ate lunch here often. It was the best pastrami I had ever had. I went today for the first time since the Covid pandemic ended. My sister and I did our usual order 1 pastrami (split in half) with dip on one bread & chili cheese fries with extra cheese and diced onion (also shared) Nothing had the same flavor. If I ate a piece of pastrami by itself it had little to no flavor. The pickles and mustard were still tangy and good. When I had a bite of everything together, it was still good but not delicious. Same with the chili cheese fries, not a lot of flavor until I added black pepper, ketchup and the juice and seeds from the hot peppers. Worst part was the actual pastrami meat. It was not trimmed properly and one side of each piece had this sinew of string that was inedible. I had to pull it off of every slice and reconstruct my sandwich before I could take another bite. As I write this it still feels like some of it is sitting in my throat from my first bite. All in all... I'm no longer hungry but I don't think I'll be coming back anytime soon. read more

The Hat - Poorly trimmed pastrami. Sinewy strings had to be pulled off of every piece to be able to eat the sandwich. - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is definitely a place that knows what it is. Has that 50s/60s diner vibe. Order at the counter place. Huge portions. It's a pastrami place and they don't skimp on the pastrami. Their chili cheese fries portion is an entree in itself. read more

The Hat - Chili Cheese Fries - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Went to the pick up sign, they said I had to get in line. Went to "online and phone orders here sign", and cashier said I had to wait in regular line. Waited for 20 minutes. Got to the front and they sent me to where I first went to pick up my food. My food wasn't there, but they called my name after a few minutes. My food was out of reach, I said hello I'm Sean, and the lady said "wait a second" like I was bothering her. It was a sign from G.O.D. that I needed to stop eating this greasy, unhealthy crap. Thanks for understaffing and annoying me The Hat! You gave me a few years of my life back! read more

The Hat - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

One of the best things growing up in this area was the hat! I grew up on their pastrami and chili cheese fries. There are a few places for people who grew up in Pasadena that is just embedded into our memories and this place is one of them. It's like coming home every time I come here. As an adult now, one of the best thing is that they have their own parking lot! Also, there are tons of seats inside. They believe in tons of condiments - based on their giant display of condiments on the side. The place is always really clean, and the people are nice but honestly need to smile more. Chili cheese fries: the best! It is giant enough for a family! It is placed on top of a 4 cup holder container! Ok enough said. I dream of these fries! They are the best chili cheese fries in the world! Pastrami: it is very lean shockingly. I don't see a lot of fat on it so that's a bonus because this is enough calories on its own! Burger: this is not the best burger...however if you get the chili burger or the pastrami burger then of course it is better! The chili and pastrami makes this burger amazing! There are tons of items on their menu. I did not try everything because over my young years...only eat the same thing over and over. If it's not broken then why change is right?! I always get their chili cheese fries and burger and it will never stop. I get so happy and excited whenever I come here! Worst part is that I visit this place even after my doctors appointment....shhhh don't tell her read more

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Service was okay first time coming to this location asked the cashier what she would recommend. And she told me the pastrami sandwich . Defiantly alot of pastrami for those pastrami lovers . Sad to say the sandwich and specialty fries didn't sit to well for my boyfriend and i :( Immediately after finished eating we had to go to my local drug store for pepto and other meds to relieve my stomach pain and trips to restroom read more

Everyone says the same thing. The fat of the pastrami is chewy and leathery. That fat should melt in your mouth like butter. It doesn't. I spit out half that sandwich. Small order of dries can feed 20. I wonder how much potato waste goes on there. How many fries do you think k people should eat? Ridiculous read more

Fast service and huge portions, I mean huge...we got the large onion rings and it was impossible to finish them! I'd definitely recommend for families and the service was very family oriented. They have a great drink menu too. Many sweet sodas I don't see available or done well, anywhere else. The bbq sauce is savory...if you like sweet just be prepared for a different flavor. read more

If I was rating them just in their pastrami sandwiches then they would get BUT they serve much more and I'm rating them overall. If you are ever in southern Cali and you like pastrami ...this is a MUST stop. There is a chain of restaurants so you can find one to try. I like the throw back burger stand presentation but many of these establishments can use an upgrade. The menu prices have also gone up quite a bit but people will pay the dinero for their bomb pastrami. Thinly sliced, shredded pastrami with an au ju dip! AMAZIING. This is not a key friendly, weight watchers menu. All pretty hearty food on the menu. They are always pretty fresh and a bit a way from a heart attack. I eat in moderation but still indulge when I can. They give you decent helpings and many of their items are shareable (chili cheese fries). Lastly, customer service is typically quick and they are open late. read more

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Nothing to complain, always delicious, outstanding service and the food is great....pls consider opening in San Tan Valley Arizona we will welcome you with open arms... read more

This location is disgusting !! The food was nasty the fries stale af and the burger was all smashed unacceptable read more

Legit roast beef dip. For a solid roast beef get au jus. Hat is best option in Pasadena. Add onions

We ordered three Pastrami sandwiches, and large onion rings. Good grub Pastrami sandwiches are very delicious, they are very generous with their portions of meat. The large onion rings are more than enough for three people. read more

A must try LA institution if you're ever in the area! My go to spot if I'm ever craving a pastrami sandwich. The meat inside is extremely juicy, tender and they always load it up. The bread is just perfectly soft and the mustard adds the perfect acidity to it. The combination of all this is to die for. The chili cheese fries and the wet fries are also top notch here. The fries are crispy and always fresh. Both the chili and the gravy on the wet fries are also very flavorful. I highly recommend trying one or the other if anyone goes. Just typing all of this out is making me hungry! read more

The Hat - Pastrami Sandwich + Chili Cheese Fries + Wet Fries - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Pre UCLA Rose Bowl pastrami! Located less than 10 mins away. Our family picks up pastrami dip sandwiches and onion rings to go for our pre game tailgate. Lines weren't long (5 people deep) and it went fast. We watched as ladies assembled the orders and saw the various pastrami combinations...with sliced cheese, shredded cheese, chili, etc Maybe I'll try with chili next time. Our order was ready in 10 minutes. The sandwiches were still warm as we enjoyed them as we tailgated at the Rose Bowl parking lot. read more

As always, pastrami was awesome. Quite busy but very efficient service. Not overly friendly but efficient

Trash. What kinda place doesn't sell combos? Yeah we have what you need, but you gotta buy it all separate to enjoy it. No we won't make it convenient for you. What kinda Soviet Union business is this. read more

Always delicious and fresh , we are never disappointed and they give so much meat in the sandwiches and the chili fries are the bomb yum

Premium pastrami from an iconic restaurant you will be sure to visit again and again. Thinly sliced fatty and juicy pastrami with or without the bread. Fast service and a reliably clean family friendly atmosphere. Menu has a few other delicious options but the pastrami is something you won't want to pass up. And did I mention they have Orange Julius beverages. read more

The Hat - Orange Julius and a pastrami sandwich. - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Very good pastrami dip. Very large portions. I also got a side of onion rings, and the small was very large. F you like large portions this is your spot. Very good customer service. read more

The Hat - Pastrami dip - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

A low-key out-of-the-way place with fantastic sandwiches. A nice surprise to find in Pasadena.

The Hat is Always delicious! My go to order is the Pastrami Dip, Fries & Coke. Perfectly cooked pastrami and french fries that are crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Don't forget the banana peppers...so spicy and really complement the pastrami. Yum. First time eating inside a restaurant in over a year. They have limited seating inside. Tables are taped off for social distancing. Masks are required inside, unless you are eating and drinking. read more

The Hat - Pastrami Dip & Fries - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

I'm from the east coast. Missing a good pastrami sandwich. The Hat was great took me home. Gigi

Overpriced but solid. They are starting to skimp on the meat they put in the pastramis and the large fries aren't so large anymore. Service is ok but the order pickup area can be a mess. No one regularly wipes down the tables, I usually do it myself. Bathrooms aren't anything special. read more

Hands down the best pastrami sandwhich in Los Angeles. The chili cheese fries are enough to feed 4 people. Very clean restaurant with nice staff. Food comes out fast and hot. Never a bad meal. read more

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The service is poor and food was cold not a very good place to eat the manager is rude like the cooks

The big guy with the mustache working at 9:40 pm at the register forgot our order. It's our first time there and we're never going there again. They wouldn't give me an update on my order because he didn't give me a ticket receipt. One thing is saying you know what I forgot to give you the ticket but another thing is not taking accountability. HORRIBLE SERVICE AND WHEN I WAS LEAVING GAVE ME THE MOST DIRTIEST LOOK. You guys don't even deserve one star read more

This is THE spot for a good pastrami chili cheese fry!! After years of searching I have not found a better pastrami chili cheese fry in LA/OC. Their portions are also huge, so be prepared to share or to pack the leftovers for another day. The chili itself is very flavorful, well spiced, and a nice creamy texture. The pastrami is sliced as thin as can be, but they give you a good portion so you'll have some in each bite. I only wish the fries were a bit crispier and saltier. One thing I have to mention! No matter which Hat location I go to the quality of ingredients and preparation is always the same. As a customer I really appreciate the consistency. read more

The Hat - Pastrami Chili Cheese Fries - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

I love that hat it brings back memories of my younger years. The food is good. My favorite is the cheeseburger and chili fries.

Three words... chile cheese fries! Always tasty and always quick! We call in our order and then we go straight to pay and pick up. So easy and quick! read more

Damn, that is a lot of pastrami for $12 in 2024. Not fancy artisanal pastrami, somewhat wetter than I would prefer, but still, tasty and very satisfying and perfectly heart-attack-y, just like you'd want. And Orange Bang, too? The Hat, you're killing it. read more

Five stars if you are looking to clog your arteries with cholesterol! Lol tasted good. ONE order of fries with chili sauce is plenty for four people. The service was fast and efficient even though they were busy! read more

The Hat - Chili Fries - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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A classic. It's the same as always, except for the ever-increasing prices and a couple of tangential things. We have been going to The Hat on Lake in Pasadena for decades, and the food holds up. Parking can be tight - their lot is small. You order at the register, wait at your table for your number to be called, and get your food at the counter. The staff is always busy. The place is clean. The drinks appear to have been the victim of shrinkflation, but you can still get a free refill. What used to be self-serve (iced tea refills, napkins, paper plates, and condiment packets) are victims of COVID - you need to ask now. The cheeseburgers, grilled split hot dogs, chili tamale, and beef dip are delicious. The french fry and onion ring portions are huge, and taste good. The chili cheese fries could feed an army. They they say they are famous for their pastrami, but nobody in our family likes pastrami, so we will need to take their word about how good it is. If you have never been, give The Hat a try. read more

This place is fire. They got everything. Def a boys spot tho not gonna lie. Don't take the wife there for your 10 year.

Not as good as it used to be. Not only are the sandwiches costing about $4 ea more than posted here, real price is $11.99 !! I was given no condiments for my sandwich nor my onion rings. They are all now behind the counter where you can't get them and the server just turned and walked away. I ordered to go and was handed two bags and a container of jus with no way to travel w the questionable seal. The onion rings were real onion,a plus , and crispy. Fair. The first sample of the beef was gristle. Absolutely nothing on the bread but the roast beef. No pickles, peppers etc as a side. Final verdict : an old secret diet cheat was disappointing. Probably won't be back. Try Fair Oaks Burger for a better pastrami and better fries. read more

The Hat - New increased prices from Yelp menu. - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I have had it a few times and I really don't see what the hype is about. Def not the best pastrami sandwich I have had. Price is right though. We got 3 sandwiches and the wet fries for $40. The wet fries had what tasted like cheap canned gravy. And the bbq beef sandwich was drenched in a not very good vinegar based bbq sauce. Meat was tuff as well. read more

Haven't had this place in years but it doesn't disappoint. The chili cheese fries are bomb! Super filling and huge portions. We usually order this as a side to share with 4 people. Chili is so flavorful but can also be heavy, the fries are thick, and the cheese is dense! read more

The Hat - Takeout. Yummy chili cheese fries, onion rings, and Pastrami Sandwich - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Ham and swiss sandwich all bead and no meat for 8 bucks and the competition that is out there I expected more. The people are nice but this was really disappointing. read more

The Hat - Ham and swiss all bread no meat booo - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Classic deliciousness. Pastrami dip always delivers. We had chili fries and wet [gravy] fries. Both were amazing. Speaking of amazing, a round of applause for the staff. Everyone seemed cheerful and generally happy to be there. read more