The Hat Review

Feb 22, 2024

3 min read

The Hat is a Southern California fast-food restaurant chain that has been a staple in the region since 1951. Despite its long history and popularity, I had never visited The Hat until recently. Here’s my experience:

Discovering The Hat

The Hat

I found out there was a location near my parents’ place, and since the sandwich place I wanted to go to was closed, it seemed like the perfect time to check out The Hat.

Menu Highlights

The Hat
Walking into The Hat, I noticed a lot of people sharing Wet Fries, which are thick-cut fries topped with gravy. Instead of their WORLD FAMOUS PASTRAMI, I went for the roast beef sandwich with gravy on the side and fries.

Fries
The fries were pretty good, thick cut and served in a cup and bag with additional fries, similar to 5 Guys.

The roast beef sandwich was also good, though I was hoping it would be a little bigger. Next time, I’ll try the pastrami sandwich and wet fries.

Stats and Facts

Established: 1951
Hours of Operation: Not specified, but they serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night meals.
Locations: There are 11 locations around Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties.

Menu and Service Highlights

Notable Dishes

– Pastrami Dip Sandwich: The signature item, featuring pastrami piled high on a soft French roll dipped in gravy, topped with kosher pickle slices and yellow mustard.
– Wet Fries: Thick-cut fries topped with gravy, served in a cup and bag with additional fries.
– Roast Beef Sandwich: Served with gravy on the side, allowing for dipping fries.

Unique Features

– Retro Neon Signs: Featuring a chef’s toque and the words “World Famous Pastrami”.
– No Table Service: All items are wrapped to go, but paper plates are provided for customers who wish to dine in.

Our Verdict

Known for its pastrami dip sandwiches and wet fries, The Hat offers a variety of menu items that are both affordable and consistent. Despite some minor drawbacks, The Hat delivers on its promise of delicious, smoky food that keeps customers coming back.

Food

Service

Ambiance

Hits

– Signature pastrami dip sandwiches with a unique flavor profile

– Wet Fries, which are thick-cut fries topped with gravy

– Retro neon signs that add to the restaurant’s charm

Misses

– No table service, which might be a drawback for some customers

– Portion sizes could be larger for some items

out of 100

Locations

Cities and Contact Details:
– Alhambra: Garfield & Valley, (626) 282-0140.
– Brea: Imperial & State College, (714) 257-9500.
– Glendora: Route 66 & Grand, (626) 857-0017.
– Lake Forest: Lake Forest & Rockfield, (949) 586-9200.
– Monterey Park: Atlantic & Riggin, (323) 721-3656.
– Murrieta: Murrieta Hot Springs & 215 FWY, (951) 304-2244.
– Pasadena: Lake & Villa, (626) 449-1844.
– Rancho Cucamonga: Foothill & 15 FWY, (909) 646-7600.
– Simi Valley: Los Angeles & Williams, (805) 579-0007.
– Temple City: Rosemead & Broadway, (626) 292-1000.
– Upland: 11TH & Central, (909) 949-4607.

Rex Freiberger

Food runs deep in my blood, starting with my family’s White Sail Cornmeal company and watching my father be both a surgeon and an award-winning chef. As the founder of The Call Of, I bring the same meticulous standards that earned acclaim for my rating systems at Gadget Review and Music Minds. When I’m not developing new recipes or experimenting with fermentation in my kitchen, I’m exploring restaurants to share stories that matter.

All Articles By Rex Freiberger

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