The Hat

Outstanding!! The pastrami is truly amazing. The lines are long but they know how to move you through quickly. Definitely worth the wait.

This restaurant offers exceptional classic pastrami it's the best I've ever had. Their chili fries are also outstanding. The portions are quite generous, easily enough for two or three people. If you're heading for lunchtime, arriving early is recommended. You can expect a long line for order.

I had a great experience at The Hat in Brea! The food was delicious, and the portions were generous. I ordered the Chili Fries and the Pastrami Dip, and both were fantastic. The pastrami was flavorful and tender, and the chili on the fries was rich and hearty. Definitely a spot worth visiting if you’re craving a satisfying meal with big portions. I’ll be coming back for sure!

I have been coming to this place for many years Although their pastrami is good … their staff lacks customer service 🤷🏻‍♀️ This time I ordered a pastrami cheeseburger 🍔 it was OK I prefer their pastrami sandwich Chili fries always good but wish they serve a smaller portion 🤷🏻‍♀️

Pastrami needed some seasoning it could have been the wrong time of day but the pickles an mustard held that sandwich together an I'm glad I asked for Xtra pickles chilli fries were set the chilli had to be microwave be it was cold an gotten solid once warmed up it was easier to eat with the fries.. Overall this was I'm 1st an last time not as good an people make it look especially when you've had better...

If you’re craving iconic loaded pastrami sandwiches, The Hat is THE spot! This legendary joint is all about stacked, juicy pastrami that’s bursting with flavor. Here’s what they’re known for: The Pastrami Sandwich Piled high with tender, perfectly seasoned pastrami on a soft roll—an absolute must-try! Pastrami Dip A savory twist with au jus for dipping. The ultimate comfort food! Roast Beef & Steak Sandwiches Classic and hearty, these sandwiches hit all the right notes. Chili Cheese Fries Golden fries smothered in chili and cheese—a side that’s bold enough to steal the show. Every bite is packed with flavor and nostalgia. Whether you’re a pastrami lover or just looking for a satisfying feast, The Hat delivers every time.

It having been Sunday dinner time, I was not expecting it to be dead lol the line was long for the drive thru but honestly fast for how long it was. Prices are reasonable, and the staff are always friendly even when they are swamped. If you haven’t tried them yet and love chili burgers and fries I highly recommend it! The portions are also very filling.

I love The Hat. Not only is it nostalgic from my high school days but whenever I am back in town, I need to stop by for the BEST pastrami sandwich. The bread is always fresh and the pastrami is the best I’ve ever had. Their chili cheese fries are also top notch but huge, so be prepared to share with at least 1-4 others depending on if it’s a meal or side. The employees have always been very helpful and friendly. Service is quick.

The Hat *August 17, 2025 *12pm- Sunday *3.5 Stars Environment: *Quick Service *Take-Out *Tricky Parking Lot Food/Drink: *Pastry Chili Cheese Fries *Pastrami Sandwich (2) It had been a while since my last visit to The Hat, but I was craving their pastrami and fries. My party and I decided to use the drive-thru for convenience, and despite the number of cars, the line moved fairly quickly. I did notice that the ordering station felt outdated. It was extremely loud and difficult to hear, unlike the digital screens most places use now. Still, the my party was able order without any problems. The portions were generous, and the food was consistent with what I've had in the past. The pastrami chili cheese fries came loaded, and the sandwiches were filling. The prices have definitely gone up since my last visit, and it feels very pricey for something that's considered fast food. Still, it was a satisfying meal that left me full and ready for a nap afterward.

Pastrami dip = very good. Fries = need salt and seasoning Chili cheese fries = hard, unmelted cheese on top? Unforgivable!

The Hat is one of those names you hear tossed around when people talk about LA food staples, and with roots going back to 1951 in Alhambra, it definitely earns the legacy. They're best known for two things, their world famous pastrami dip and chili cheese fries, and the Brea location holds up to that reputation. An old LA Times magazine article once mentioned they used to sell 30 tons of pastrami per year, and now with multiple locations, they're pushing that number per week. It's wild, but once you taste it, it kind of makes sense. The inside has a total throwback vibe, wooden paneling, plastic greenery hanging down from the ceiling, and overhead fluorescent lighting that reminds you of a cross between an office and a diner. There's something comforting about how unchanged it feels. I ordered the pastrami dip, $12.60. The meat was flavorful, juicy, and packed into a soft roll with the option of mustard and pickles to balance it out. That said, it was really salty; still delicious, don't get me wrong... but if you're sensitive to sodium or have heart issues, just be aware before diving in. Marco, the guy who took my order, was efficient and personable, and also suggested I grab the chili cheese fries. They came out hot and fresh, smothered in chili and cheese which wasn't melted, with tomatoes and pickles on top to keep things from getting too heavy. It's exactly how I remember it tasting when I was a kid, and it's still just as solid. Parking is tucked behind the building, kind of a tight lot, but there's a second overflow section a little farther back that makes things easier.

You can't go wrong with The Hat! This place is great. It is worth a drive if you are far away. For Southern California, The Hat is very well-known. The Hat is known for the famous pastrami sandwich and huge portions. I mean, huge portions! Enough to share. My husband and dad love this place. This is a haven for anyone who enjoys pastrami. My mom and I are vegetarians, so we don't do the pastrami lol They do have a grilled cheese and an avocado sandwich for vegetarians. Service is always great here. They do a great job of managing the crowds. It gets super busy here, so ambiance is always crowded. The drive-thru is usually long. I got lucky recently, there were only 5 cars in the drive-thru, score! I grabbed some sandwiches and drinks. They sandos were great. Very fresh and tasty. 10/10

To kick off my birthday my mom treated me to an early lunch here. I haven't been to The Hat in yeeears! So I was really excited to be back. Once you enter, it's pretty specious, you place your order at the register and then pick up at the window once your name is called. Wait time was just a few minutes. I ordered the pastrami dip with a side of chili cheese fries. My food was delicious! Everything cooked to perfection. Ambience is casual, but very neat and clean. There's outdoor seating as well which my mom and I opted for. Over all I was very please with my food and experience here. Thanks again mom for treating me!

Haven't been to the hat in a while but my husband and daughter felt like it. We got the pastrami chili fries and baby girl got a hot dog with fries. We went through the drive through it took a little while, which was ok since he was driving lol. We ate well and enjoyed our food at home, they always give you your food with a smile i love that. All the food is delicious here and we also got a cherry coke I love that they use real grenadine makes it taste even better. Probably not the healthiest meal, but it sometimes helps to eat junk food when not feeling well. If you haven't tried the hat and their pastrami fries I hope you do their food is very good. Have a beautiful, be kind to everyone :) Aloha

This is a place my family, friends and I come.. it holds a nostalgic feeling... this is the first time at this particular location.. I typically go to the ones in the San Gabriel valley neighborhoods.. customer service is on point, food is delicious, the environment is clean.

The Hat always hits and never disappoints. Highly recommend the chili cheese fries with gravy on the side! Extremely quick service, delicious pastrami. Open late nights as well

Honestly this place has been a classsssic.. and I actually loved coming here for their chili cheese fries but something about it isn't the same.. not as good. The chili is way more bean forward now and not as rich. It was even somewhat bland. The fries themselves are so good. Maybe it was just this day or because I went around 9pm? I'm willing to give it another try just bc of how much I've loved this place for so long.

Was cravin' me some hot pastrami so had to finally try the Hat while in SoCal. The Pastrami Dip is spot on delicious with its thin carvings of hot pastrami, mustard, and pickles. 5 stars. Fries were good. We just had the plain ones but saw the massive fries with chili, cheese, and pastrami go by. My heart skipped a beat just being in close proximity. The hamburger was okay and not what you'd come here for so I'd say that's a 3 stars. Service is efficient. Place has a nice hamburger joint feel and was clean.

This is a restaurant I have been going to for decades, specifically this location. The service is always fast and even when it is busy at lunch time, you will get in and out before your break is over. What can I say about the food, top tier would be good. I love pastrami and their sandwiches are great because of the amount of pastrami you get. The fries are good, you season them to your liking, and they just hit the spot. The other restaurant in the center closed down, so it is the only one at that corner, and with fancier offerings at all the other corners of the intersection, this is a great casual spot for a quick bite.

Overpriced $13.00 Pastrami! PROS: Good quality meat and bread. CONS: Small bread and pastrami portion for the price.

I came for the chili cheese fries with pastrami. I wanted a little of everything. This is something you should order for two or three to eat with other items. The portion is large. The food was really good. I left with a happy tummy. They have great service. Everyone is friendly. Next time I'll get a sandwich and try their onion rings.

I have been to The Hat many times over the years and typically always get the pastrami, decided to try the steak sandwich this go around. I must say I was pretty disappointed, the sandwich is the same price as the pastrami's and there is very little to it, a couple small pieces of steak, a little lettuce and tomato and that's it, not worth almost $13, it was quite small as well. With that said, the pastrami's are probably half the size they used to be as well, shrinkflation? After not coming for some time, was shocked to see how things have shrank and prices way up. We also got an order of regular fries, not recommended, the fries here are not good, missing the most important thing, flavor. They do give you a lot though. Fries are only good if you load them with pastrami, gravy or something along those lines. We also got an order of gravy fries, soooo much better. Skip the plain ones and get topping or skip them all together and get an order of onion rings. The onion rings were the only thing that saved my disappointment here. They were excellent, crisp, nice batter, not too greasy, perfectly cooked and they give you a very good amount of them as well. My coke was also tasty. Typically, The Hat is very busy, but the employees are friendly and speed through the lines and get the food out quickly, which is great. Inside, a lot of seating, classic wood tables and booths. Still may have a tough time landing a seat, but we got lucky and got a booth for 6 without trouble. The nostalgia for me was lost on this visit, sad to say, but probably will be many years before I visit again. Enjoy!

This place is very nostalgic to me. I used to come here all the time as a kid and now we enjoy visiting for their pastrami fries. The serving is huge, I think it could feed at least 4 people. We add cheese, chili, and onions and it's a great snack or meal. The interior is welcoming and gives off that family feel. A big fan of the Hat and always down for their pastrami.

Love this place for burgers and fries!! I normally get the double burger with no lettuce or tomato! It's so juicy, freshly made, and I get there fries that are the best!! Served nice and hot and cooked to order. The service is always friendly and the place is very clean!!!!!! Great job!

A coworker suggested this spot so we came in a group of 11 during lunch at around 11:15 am on a Friday. We had to sit at 3 separate tables but were close to each other. I got the pastrami dip sandwich which they pack with pastrami. The sandwich tasted fresh but definitely on the heavier side. Bread does get soggy if you don't eat it quick. 7.8/10 One of my coworkers got the chili cheese fries which was massive. It must've been 1400-1600 calories. Overall, the food was good and none of us had complaints. Since I found the food to be heavy, I would personally come back after a night out instead since they stay open late.

If you're craving iconic loaded pastrami sandwiches, The Hat is THE spot! This legendary joint is all about stacked, juicy pastrami that's bursting with flavor. Here's what they're known for: The Pastrami Sandwich Piled high with tender, perfectly seasoned pastrami on a soft roll--an absolute must-try! Pastrami Dip A savory twist with au jus for dipping. The ultimate comfort food! Roast Beef & Steak Sandwiches Classic and hearty, these sandwiches hit all the right notes. Chili Cheese Fries Golden fries smothered in chili and cheese--a side that's bold enough to steal the show. Every bite is packed with flavor and nostalgia. Whether you're a pastrami lover or just looking for a satisfying feast, The Hat delivers every time.

Food is good workers friendly when they have time they look up and smile they are so busy, the line is out the door, it's a good sign, our once a month trip, People go!!!!

As we left Los Angeles heading to Orange Coumty. We all agreed as a family "The Hat is where we will eat at. Upon our arrival I quickly noticed the drive thru was wrapped around all along imperial highway. Once inside it was busy I mean busy. Folks were waiting for food pick up , folks trying to get thier food ordered. I quickly realized we needed seats since we were dinning there. Every booth inside was taken. I gave my order to my friend so I could get a table outside. As we sat and enjoyed our food outdoors was perfect. Just like the chili! Food was perfect and hot with a whole Lotta chili !!!!

The Hat - 73 Years of Iconic Pastrami Sandwiches in California If you love pastrami sandwiches, then The Hat is a must-try! Like In-N-Out, this fast-food chain originated in California and has been serving up its famous smoked pastrami sandwiches since 1951. The first location opened in Alhambra, and now, 73 years later, they have expanded to several cities, including Brea, Glendora, Monterey Park, Pasadena, and more. What Makes The Hat Special? The signature pastrami sandwich features house-cured, smoked beef, packed generously between freshly baked bread, creating a rich and flavorful bite. Their Chili Cheese Fries are another customers' favorite! The menu also includes cold sandwiches, hot dogs, onion rings, and drinks. My husband and I stopped by the Brea location where is conveniently located right off the freeway. Every time we pass through Brea, he can't resist stopping for The Hat! Even on a Monday evening around 6 PM, the restaurant was packed--we almost didn't get a seat. And when we left, the drive-thru line was still really long. If you're a pastrami lover, The Hat is definitely worth a visit. The Hat - Brea 1210 E Imperial Hwy, Brea, CA 92821

This was my first visit to the Hat and I'm so upset I didn't come in sooner! This place is immaculately clean, from the dining area to the kitchen and even the bathrooms were spotless! We got our food super fast and it was so delicious! The pastrami was served in a soft bread roll and paired perfectly with mustard and sliced pickles. I've eaten pastrami at places like Katz deli in Manhattan and the Hat can run with the best of them! Please have the chili fries but only if you have 4 people to share them with! I will be claiming back real soon for the prices, the food, and the ambience!

Amazing pastrami sandwich- thin sliced with lots of flavor. Roast beef was so tender with au jus made it so great. It was busy but served quickly. Everyone was smiling. Highly recommend for the price!

Service is friendly, and the restaurant is always packed late at night. The food can sometimes be a hit or miss, but overall a great experience.

So this place popped up on my feet a couple times and as I was in the area of visiting family had to give it a shot. It was mid week around 8 PM wasn't crowded at all. Walked in place my order got my food within 10 minutes. Has a very old time diner feel to it. Went with the classic pastrami and it did not disappoint and their chili cheese fries was a very large portion made for two. Overall, so happy with this place and I will definitely recommend it and I will be back.

Great Pastrami sandwiches and burgers The star of the show is the fries !' Chili fries Gravy fries Regular fries. Perfect every time. The perfect shape, taste and bite. Outstanding onion rings too! People behind the counter are super cool and friendly Insider tip - make the best cherry coke ! Fill your cup 3/4 with coke and 1/4 with cherry Fanta. You're welcome

Food was so bland and poor quality. I had the steak and it was chewy and honestly gross. My partner had the pastrami and woke up after eating here with the sweats and stomach cramps. The quality was not there. It was a recommendation from a friend but was not one I can pass on. It was a dirty space and the staff was not there friendliest. No thanks.

Fantastic pastrami and chili. I recently Was told that the Hat uses the same chili as Tommy's. Today's order is chili cheese fries with pastrami, so I get to enjoy their world famous pastrami and my favorite chili. Order and pay at the counter and they will call your number when your oorder is ready. Grab a table inside or if it's a nice day on the patio. Once your food is reready dig in. I highly recommend bboth the pastrami and chili. Ambiance is typical fast casual.

This place is consistently 10/10 in my book. This location has a drive thru! (Some locations do not) Staff is friendly service is quick considering there's usually a long line everytime I get here! This place has a casual ambiance to it so whether you're grabbing lunch or on the go to an event or wanting to eat out with your family this is a place for you. I ordered a pastrami dip sandwich HITS EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. (inserts the clapping emojis here haha) The meat is tender, juicy, warm, and seasoned perfectly The bread roll they use is perfect for catching the excess juice from the meat My sandwich had pickles and mustard but I'm a mustard kinda girl so I always request for extra mustard packets. I ordered a root beer this time for my drink, it was delicious and the balance of syrup and carbonation was on point.

Pastrami dip - needs mayo and pickles - lots of pastrami Chili cheese fries w/ pastrami - good chili - fries are okay - good pastrami - good size for 2-3 people

They heap the meat deeply here. Anyone who orders pastrami in any format here is going to get it dropped on them. I saw plenty of sated diners struggling to finish devouring the meat & cheese mounds they ordered. Appetites are required here. I tried the chili fries. If I recall, an ample amount of french fries lay buried beneath an avalanche of chili, cheese, tomatoes, and pickles. I ate most of it before I started to feel the grease seeping from my pores. Pacing is key, and I had made the error of eating more than my body could process without hibernating for a season. Needless to say: a tasty dish. Ambiance? Ambience? late 19th century: from ambient + -ence, or from French ambiance, from ambiant 'surrounding'. I prefer the second iteration of ambience myself. In any case, ambience is a bit of a fancy term to describe a diner like The Hat. It's not like there were two dudes floating through the dining area serenading people with strains of music from their violins, or some chick laying on a grand piano belting out jazz numbers. Sometimes enough good fries are enough.

Fast food at its best!! This place is known for pastrami sandwiches or rather pastrami on anything you like! Got the chili cheese fries with pastrami and wow it's delicious!! Fries are good, chili is good and pastrami is of course good! This place is popular especially during dinner time. Staff is very nice too. Parking right outside.

Wow didn't think a simple pastrami sandwich with mustard and pickles could blow me away like this did. Holy cow seriously crave worthy. The pastrami was so flavorful and had almost a bacon texture to it but was till super moist not sure how they do that. Walked in to get take out and I ordered and had my sandwich in less than 5 minutes. Staff was super friendly and the interior had the flare of the 70s.

I found my go to here French dip with regular fries! They are huge, two people can share one Sandwich and fries. When I am craving for a French dip, I know where to go!

Food: I reccomend the pastrami sandwich and the pastrami chilli cheese fries! So good. Both were under $30 combined and serves 2-3. The service: Nice, efficient, and friendly workers! Ambiance: Lots of seating inside :)

Not sure what's going on with The Hat! This is not acceptable, the bread isn't a roll, looks like a sandwich and what happened to the meat?? This is not what I remembered!!

Earlier in the day, I went to the location in Upland and really enjoyed it. Visiting from out of town and was craving some more pastrami. It's a fast food vibe where you order at the counter and they call your number. This time I added Swiss cheese to my pastrami dip. Very reasonably priced. It's a very simple sandwich with thinly shaved pastrami, mustard and pickles on a soft sub roll. I would've liked to have some sauerkraut but that's something they don't have here. Not a big deal. The sandwich is delicious. 4 1/2 stars, but I'm rounding up!

Yummy. You need to quit scrolling and head over to the Hat immediately. Great food and portion to price was inline. Place gets very busy

Drove through after spending forever trying to figure out what we wanted for dinner. It he inside was packed, so was the drive through, but the line moved quickly: we received our order. The our food, especially the fries were soooooooo hot and super fresh we had to wait for them to cool off before to eat them. The food was delicious as always and I'm already looking forward to our next visit.

This was my first time going to this The Hat location and had a really good experience. I ordered my usual when ever I go to The Hat which is a pastrami dip, chili cheese fries and Fanta wild cherry soda. I really like the pastrami at this location. I feel that they sliced the pastrami thinner which I like. The bread is also really soft. The chili cheese fries is good and doesn't give you heart burn. The serving is also huge and 1 order is enough for 4 people to share. The wild cherry soda is so refreshing and complements the food really well. There are always lots of people, but the line moves quickly and service is quick. They also have a drive thru which is a plus.

The pastrami sandwich here was so good!! I also love chili fries, and their portion was huge omg :o

Prices on Pastrami Dip just went up to $12.60. My sandwich was noticeably smaller than the last time.

It's been a few years since I've been to the hat. But it's as good as always. They give a lot of protein which provides a satisfying meal. Didn't wait too long for our food, even though it was busy. Casual, family-friendly vibe

Came here to try the pastrami sandwich and was not disappointed, awesome location and worth the hype, also had friendly staff and great service

Having visited this location several times, I can attest to the consistently high quality of the food. Despite the constant activity, service is prompt. Drinks and condiments are always on hand. Although the cashiers are generally competent, a more welcoming attitude would improve the ordering process. The cuisine is consistently fresh and appetizing

Pastrami enthusiasts, this is a local mainstay and if you haven't tried them, you're doing yourself a disservice. Pastrami Dip is the classic way to go here; the bread is soft and slightly soggy, the pastrami is lean yet super juicy, the mustard and pickles bring on the perfect complementary tang if you're into that sort of thing. They are generous with their meat and the sandwich is pretty substantial without feeling disgustingly heavy. Now if you ARE looking for something disgustingly heavy, I highly recommend their chili cheese fries. The fries are fresh and pillow-y as is, and when you top them with the chili and cheese, you've got yourself a rich and meaty monstrosity. The chili is dense and greasy (think Tommy's), and then they pour on a blanket of shredded cheddar. Definitely the type of food you'd hunt for after a bit of partying. Good thing they're open late! Oh, and don't forget to grab plenty of napkins. You're going to need them.

Food is greasy and good for a late night snack. However, I wish they would be clear about their prices. Their prices listed end up with an extra charge for something (like cheese) and they don't communicate that it's NOT included. I would understand an extra charge of a dollar or something but it's about $3 more on fries. Also, your receipt you get doesn't give you any price breakdown. Both times we feel confused what we get charged for and the lady at the drive thru seemed upset that we bothered her to ask.

This is one of the oldest fast places in the area opened in 1951. They have very good pastrami sandwiches. They also have plain chilli French fries. I always as juice with my pastrami. Overall good fast service. I think price is little high but it tastes good. Plenty of parking, clean restrooms.

Come here if you want to get super stuffed and food coma. I opted for the Chili Cheese Fries today w an Orange Bang, and the fries are fully loaded. You can most definitely share this portion with 3 other people. The meal is very fast food/heavy but hits the spot for late night munchies. Inside line and drive thru can both get pretty busy. I usually have better luck by going inside vs waiting the drive thru though! Easy to find and a convenient location. Ample parking available, but the drive thru like can definitely cause difficulty with getting in and out of spots.