On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, American (Traditional) [Edit]
23641 Rockfield Blvd
58 reviews
Corona Del Mar, CA
"Double down on the skillet cornbread. Always get the water, the water is triple reversed osmosis. It's essentially triple filtered, very…" read more »
Loading...
ok I've been going here for years for the pastrami sandwiches. Recently on my trips down to southern California I've been introducing my out of town friends to the Hat. Of course I try to push pastrami but they never listen which is good since it has now expanded my menu options! If you don't feel like pastrami try the french dip! It is sloppy goodness. a perfect compliment to this is a mountain of chili cheese fries and a cherry fanta! and if you don't want any red meat goodness go "healthy" and get the grilled cheese which until last week I never knew existed here! It's hidden at the bottom of the menu in the lower right hand corner. It's a cheesy cure for any hangover! And of course add the chili fries and cherry fanta!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I write this review with the following caveats.... I rarely, if ever, eat red meat and try to steer clear of anything deep fried.
That being said, I do like The Hat. Since I work with 8 red meat eating guys, this spot is heavy on the lunch rotation. I realize this may sound silly, but the grilled cheese sandwich here is one of the best I've ever had. The sourdough bread is perfectly golden brown and surrounds the most gooey generous portion of cheese. The guys always order chili cheese fries, which they try with all their might to devour. But somehow that mound of fries smothered in chili and sprinkled with cheese never gets finished off. While I don't partake in the chili cheese fries, I do love when they order some onion rings to accompany the fries. The Hat really knows how to make onion rings! The crunchy golden batter is just right, not too thick and "bready". I try to resist the onion rings, but I think their secret ingredient may be crack, because I cannot stop eating those things!
So even if you are not of the carnivore persuasion, I still recommend The Hat!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Pastrami fries are even better with orange bang. 4 stars now you ask? Even with ice the orange bang took forever to get cold. Regardless, the combo is delicious and deadly. Cheerio.
09/13/2008
So at work yesterday I came across a random post on Niketalk in the SoCal forum. I was just clicking… Read more »
I only like the Pastrami sandwich here..
the rest are just okay!
it's the best culinary clogging, heart attack inducing Sandwich ever!!
if you're a health nut-- don't go here..
actually you should only eat here maybe once or twice a year!!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I've lived in the area for years and was finally introduced to The Hat. Ever since, I only get one thing: the pastrami. (pastrami burger, pastrami sandwich, etc.) There is something amazing about pastrami. I only go here once in a while, but when I do it is a greasy treat.
Best pastrami sandwich I had. I usually don't eat them unless I really crave for junk food, you know what I mean, there are times you really want to have something greasy, fattening and satisfying ;) I usually just order the pastrami sandwich b/c that's what they are famous for..never really try anything else besides their pastrami dip. I think the only time I would eat there is after work, b/c it's so heavy that I wouldn't want to work or use my brain afterward. Very good winter food in fact, it warms my body up after eating it.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
OH The Hat!! You are food that's "bad for you" done right!! The chili cheese fries alone are amazing!! I seriously drool just thinking about them, and can't think of a better place to go for them.
Not oily in that bad way that many other restraunts mistakenly do. The Hat gets it right just perfect chili ratio to fries combo and a large portion, so grab a fork and share with a friend. The Hat offers other good old dinner food from hot dogs to sandwiches. Everything I ever had there was great and at a reasonable price.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (3)
Cool (5)
Pastami overload... really good pastrami, but the portion sizes are way too big and it's a bit pricey for fatty fast food.
I've been to The Hat two or three times now. And everytime I'm blown away by how huge their portions are and how good their food is. Definitely a guilty pleasure for me... minus the guilt part. Just a recommendation: two people could split the pastrami sandwich and still be full and satisfied afterwards.
Tip of the hat...to the hat
I seriously can't believe I've been in California for 3 days and found what very well may be the best pastrami sandwich ever!!! So I was cruising around using the Yelp app for my iPhone and came across The Hat. pulled in and ordered the famous Pastrami dip and chili cheese fries. Good lord. The Chili cheese fries were packed into a box and weighed in at roughly 3 pounds. The sandwich itself was pretty massive. The pastrami was so juicy and fresh I couldn't believe i had deprived myself of this godly goodness for so long. Got it home and my roommate about fell over at how big the chili cheese fries were. The CCF were pretty dang good but i think that the sandwich really made the meal. And for 10 or 12 bucks you honestly can't go wrong.
who needs a fully functional heart?
-s
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I came here for lunch today, and ordered my usual pastrami dip. I typically get the chili cheese fries, but since I didn't feel like experiencing any heart palpitations today, I decided to go with the "lighter" onion rings. The Hat's onion rings are by far my favorite, crispy and not too-heavy batter, and not greasy. And wow, the place was packed to the max. Good thing I was able to snag a table at around 11:30, because by the time it hit past noon, it was getting a little uncomfortable with everyone hovering around trying to snag a table as soon as you give any inclination that you're about to leave. I had a Mitsuwa food court flashback there for a moment.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
04/28/2008
I find it funny that everyone talks about how greasy or unhealthy the food at the Hat is, but in… Read more »
I can only come here once in a while, as my heart screams in pain each time I eat here.
The pastrami dip sandwiches here are SO good! They pile on a good two inches of meat between a tiny bun... just the way I like it! The pastrami is moist and flavorful and oh so delicious. I don't even know why they bother giving you a bun, they should just give you a bowl of meat and a fork. Meat... it's the new bread.
If I'm feeling very adventurous and come with friends, I'll maybe even share an order of their chili cheese fries... huge steak fries drowned in chili and topped with cheese. Triple bypass heart surgery central!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (3)
Cool (1)
The World Famous Pastrami is here at The Hat. At least that's what it says outside. And their Pastrami sandwich definitely doesn't disappoint. The place looks like an old burger joint ripped out of the 60's with the yellow themed color scheme. Stepping into the place at about 10:30PM, their menu in the back has in big bolded letters stating their Pastrami Dip Sandwich is $6.70. Like being hypnotized, I went straight to ordering just that. I also ordered a Chili Cheese Fries while I was at it.
The Pastrami Dip definitely packs a punch with the amount of meat in it. I thought I had ordered a Philly Cheesesteak or something. The sandwich was just pastrami, pastrami, pickles, pastrami, mustard, and more pastrami. I think there might've been another garnishing in there, but there's so much meat that you don't really taste the other things in there. The sandwich was definitely above par, but I kind of felt that there could be times in life where too much meat could be a bad thing. Not terribly bad, but it's a little overwhelming at times. As for the Chili Cheese Fries, the 3 of us couldn't finish it; it's quite monstrous, but totally worth it. And there ain't nothing wrong with that.
I rarely make an appearance down to SoCal, just because it's 300 miles away from where I live, but so far each time I've gone, I've rarely been disappointed with the food down there (though I suppose I get taken to the hot spots). Places like these make me want to go down more just to try new flavors that you don't get in NorCal. If you're getting the munchies late at night, then The Hat is a great place to go to fill your hunger and more.
oh chili cheese fries - i love you thee. i wish you were free so that i can eat you everyday and be happy.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (5)
Cool (2)
09/17/2007
I come here strictly for the Chili Cheese Fries. If you're an avid reader of my blogs and reviews, I… Read more »
My colleagues in Lake Forest used to go to the Hat every week for a Friday treat. It was their special lunch $10 lunch, compared to their usual scrimpy Lean Cuisines or cups of yogurt or whatever. After hearing so much about this famous Hat, I had to go check it out for myself.
The pastrami sandwiches are stuffed so silly that nearly half of the meaty guts spilled out the sides. The tender pastrami was strong and bitter, punctuated by yellow mustard but otherwise obscured by nothing. Just a giant pile of salty, briny meat on a thin bun.
After a while, though, the pastrami was just too much. I started thinking about that pastrami drilling through my digestive system, shredding innards, clogging arteries.
So I tried the hot dog. The hamburger. The tuna sandwich. The roast beef. All adequate, none special. Without the pastrami, the Hat is a mediocre diner. With the pastrami, it's a recipe for heartburn and indigestion.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
Pretty god pastrami sandwiches. Pretty expensive for a sandwich, but I can't think of that many other good pastrami sandwich places.
I think you have to love meat in order to fully appreciate this place. Me, I'm not a big pastrami fan. It was the normal, mustard + meat on bread. The chili cheese fries were waay too heavy, but my friend and I did the best to defeat them just the two of us. They also have orange bang! Yum.
I hadn't been here in awhile, partly because I don't usually venture out to Irvine. However, both times I have been here, I have had a good experience. The first thing I notice upon walking in is the staff behind the counter. You can see into the kitchen and can see the cooks are older and appear to be more experienced.
The pastrami is awesome. The first time I went, I had just a pastrami dip. It was awesome. The dip and the bread and the meat just melts in your mouth when you chew on it. I think it's the dip that does it though. I lets you know that it's there, but it doesn't overwhelm the meat nor does it oversaturate the bread.
The second time I got a pastrami burger. Another score. This time there were vegetables in my burger. It wouldn't have broken my heart if they left all that out though. It's ironic though, because I asked for the pickles my friend discarded. I should have left those out because my burger was stuffed.
The soda fountain accessibility is also a plus, always. Conveniently located right off the freeway, halfway to LA, or back to SD, depending on how you look at it.
The Hat is the McDonald's of Pastrami places. Only waaaaaay more expensive.
I hate to do this, and I can easily see this place has many fans, but I really think its because they've never had better. Eating at the Hat after eating the world's most perfect sandwich from Langers is like eating at Black Angus after eating at a Morton's type (quality level) steak place. You are just left totally unfulfilled and wanting something else.
My first disclaimer, don't eat here alone. BIG mistake and HUGE waste of money. I can throw down with Kobayashi on some occasions but this place would fill him up. I came for lunch, by myself (like I said, bad idea) and ordered the Pastrami Dip (have to try the signature item) and Onion rings.
Second disclaimer, bring a lot of $$$$. My sandwich, onion rings and small drink cost $13.22. $13-FREAKING-22 for lunch? Oh what have I done.
Well, the good news is (or it could be the bad news) that you get PLENTY of food for the dollar. My sandwich was the size of a newborn baby, complete with the same pink color. The roll was solid and dipped in au jus and even held up well for the whole meal.
The meat......ahhhh.......yeah......yuck. The meat was a fatty, greasy mix of toughness but damn was there plenty of it to go around. So much so, half of it overflows and spills out. Yeah, yeah, I know if you're ordering pastrami, you're not expecting lean turkey here and the fat adds to the flavor, but come on. This is where Langers spoils me. There you can even order Extra Lean which is the most delicious sandwich meat you'll ever have! Next, the onion rings I kid you not was basically an entire brown lunch bag filled halfway to the top. JEEEZ! It was like they gave me my own bag of rings (meaning had I gone to the market and bought a bag of frozen rings - they give you that much). This is why I say don't come alone. You can EASILY share, even hungry males, can split 1 dip and 1 side order (Rings, Fries, Chili Cheese fries) with someone else and be perfectly full. I threw away 80% of my rings but what can you do? Save em?? No.
I know there are people out there that love McDonald's and love Taco Bell, etc. but that is really because they have never had the best, which is understandable. I have had the best and the Hat isn't even in the team photo.
I'll close out this disappointing review by restating what one of my fellow yelpers said, "you don't see any skinny people at the Hat."
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Minus one star for the immediate indigestion upon ingesting. ha!
This place is truly world famous for its pastrami dip. Don't be mistaken though, if you get a dip, you'll have a hard time downing a side of fries with that. The sandwich is monstrous!
I got the chili cheese fries because I just wasn't that hungry. Hot damnnnn
when my order came out I was shocked. An overflowing mound of chili suffocating my huge pile of fries literally spilling out all sides was handed to me over the counter. Oh, it's about to go down.
One thing I absolutely LOVE about The Hat is their condiment selection (generously packed into dispensers for your taking). I'm a condiment whore and with the limitless possibilities of mustard, ketchup, ranch, horseradish, you name it they have it!
yum!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Thank you Yelp for informing there was a HAT in Lake Forest.
Went here on Sat. night and enjoyed some tasty chili cheese fries..YUM!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Best pastrami ever. My only complaint is that the bread is insta-soggy from the pastrami, but what can you do. I am not crazy about their rather flavorless steak fries, but I love me some Hat pastrami. Served right with pickles and mustard.
The sight of this place makes my mouth water, like some kind of pavlovian dog. Yes The Hat is probably not good for you. But so what? It tastes delicious.
This place is comfort food heaven. The chili cheese dogs (ginormous), grilled cheese (huge), and chili cheese fries (bigger than my head) are all super delicious. And filling. And amazing. I am also convinced that the steak sandwich is made with some kind of crack in the sauce.
Perfect place to go after you have had a bad day and need a pick me up that will also clog your arteries.
I was in the haze of drunk munchies and began raving about the chili cheese fries from Del Taco(I likes what I likes) and my roommate decided to educate me with a more satisfying alternative.
My eyes lit up at the appearance of a mountain of chili and cheese, as well as tomatoes and pickles, on top of a giant heap of fries. It's all served in one of those egg carton drink holders covered with some wax paper. It wasn't until we were almost finished that we realized there was a tiny little box under that which was supposed to hold the fries....
My two roommates and I shared this hefty order while also sharing gravy fries and each having our own pastrami sammich. Suffice it to say, my meal was chased with a shot of Pepto Bismol.
However, I wouldn't make a habit out of eating here. The average weight of the customers in there certainly added a sense of warning to my indulgence.
I go here so rarely because I know the gluttony that comes with a visit. Today, it was the comfort food I needed to ease my flu. Took the drive thru route in the truck, and patiently waited for my pastrami dip and orange bang.
Man, do they put in a lot of pickles! Counted 12(!) Could only wolf down half before calling a time out. I think I'll polish the rest off at work tomorrow. Didn't get any sides....this time. So glad there's one this close to home.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I am no stranger to this place since I used to live in Alhambra and work in Monterey Park. Those were one of the earlier locations for this fine dining. Heck, I remember when the pastrami was $4.25. Regardless though, you should still order the pastrami ($6.49) if you never tried this place. Also get the chili fries, it is that good. They also have cherry fanta and orange bang for unlimited refills. ($1.79 for medium) Score!
The patrons in these new locations don't know how good they have it. The Alhambra location is not really enclosed so wind and gas exaust from neighboring traffic blows into you. I used to have to eat the food really quick so I don't freeze in the cold. Well, if you come here, you will not freeze, or I guess you can use the drive thru and just take it home.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Grease in the hat is more like it and damn that grease taste good. The place is overly generous with the portions of food. For example there small fry makes Del taco's Macho fry look like a pussy. I especially love how if you get a small order of onion ring they fill an entire bag with onion rings but somewhere at the very bottom there is a tiny little paper tray as if that would even come close to holding all the onion rings, same goes for the fries, its hilarious if you've seen what I'm talking about. The sandwiches here are fantastic! The Turkey sandwhich is my favorite.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
On certain nights you convince yourself that your hunger is so insatiable, that only eating an ungodly amount of food will satisfy your ravenous appetite. Well, The Hat makes you regret that decision.
Take for instance, my second experience with The Hat. Knowing that they shovel their thick-cut french fries in a giant brown bag, I still opted for the large fries. Knowing that their pastrami dip inoculates me, I decided to go for the Angioplasty Special: the pastrami burger.
The pastrami burger is a thin burger patty piled with pastrami. Their pastrami is flawless, right amount of fat, peppered perfectly and married perfectly with the lettuce, tomato, and mustard in the sandwich. Whether you order the sandwich or the burger, the pastrami really does live up to the moniker "World Famous." Once I finish the delicious sandwich, my heart rate significantly lowers and I realize my stomach is pleading with me to stop the madness. Nonetheless, I voluntarily ingest the massive fries, until my heart begins to beg for its life. Their fries are great, but no one should ever attempt to get large fries for themselves.
The Hat will always be the destination for me when I'm incredibly hungry. I always end up ordering too much, but I can safely claim that if you don't try to kill yourself with the amount of food you order, your experience will be enjoyable.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Hearty portions, chili that will knock your socks off, and the best of all... ORANGE BANG. You'll feel like a total glutton after eating here... totally worth it.
Just thinking about this place makes my mouth water..but I'm drooling grease...and it's awesome. The food is delicious and the portions are gigantic. mmm...pastrami!
Now, can someone pass the antacid.
Lewis Black has a comedy routine where he says that on the back of the menu at IHOP there is a written guarantee that no matter how fat you are, there will be someone in the IHOP who is at least twice as big as you will ever be.
The Hat is the same way. This is food you will love and regret eating at the same time. You will feel like Mother Teresa masturbating. It feels so good, but you know it is wrong.
I think soon enough the FDA will force them to put labels on the wrappers: "This food product is known to cause fat assedness."
Anyhow, I always jaywalk over from the car dealerships when I'm having a car serviced there, so in my mind walking that quarter mile burns off all the excess calories. Sure, 50 calories of exercise, 1500 calories of food. No problem. Now what the hell is wrong with these pants, musta shrunk in the wash or something.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (4)
Cool (1)
3.5 stars. A nice hot pastrami sandwich with a small fries really hits the spot when I come here to eat. The pastrami sandwiches use to be alot bigger than they currently are. The fries however are still massive. Prices are fair and the place is like any fast food restaurant. This place is always busy so expect a wait when you come here.
This is another place that I would have never known existed....thank goodness for Yelp!
I went for lunch with a friend, and even at 2pm, it was packed. We ordered a ton of food - a pastrami sandwich, a cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, AND onion rings! Yessah. We had no idea how massive everything was going to be.
The chili cheese fries were the best I have ever had! Seriously good. The chili was basically ground meat in sauce - no beans, no recognizable veggies, soooo good. I would have been happy and very full with only that, but I did try everything else. The pastrami was perfect. All in all, I'm not a big pastrami person, but the bun was soft and there was a perfect amount of pickles and mustard. The cheeseburger was alright. Nothing exciting, but this place isn't famous for their burgers. My friend thought the onion rings were fabulous. And one order would feed four! Keep that in mind.
The Hat is seriously good!
*UPDATE: I have been back and had a chili cheese burger. It was good. I've decided that the burgers aren't stellar, but anything covered in their chili is.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Place rocks if your hungry. I mean really really hungry.... 3 of us tried to kill a chili cheese fries along with our sandwich and failed utterly. If you feel like a clogger and want to do it in style or if you just want one of the best pastramis out there then try out the hat.
The best geasy-ass pastrami dip sandwich I ever had. Eating one of these bad boys is no easy trick . . .you will pay the price, believe me. It's worth it, though . . .I try to limit myself to 1 or 2 visits per year but man . .don't get between me and my pastrami when it's time to chow-down.
This is MEN'S food. By that I mean it's HUGE and bad for you, and disgusting (but in a good way!). I'm not a big meat eater, and if I do indulge, I typically stick to chicken, but I knew I was craving something gnarly, and The Hat has just that: gnarly food.
I had a chili cheeseburger (no onions), and a "small" fries (still HUGE), with a small drink. Wanted the food to-go, so I waited right by the drink cell, eventually refilling my Orange BANG! 4 or 5 times before I even got my food. When I left, it was a rush back home to the bathroom!
When I got my bag, I filled it up with a cocktail of sauce packets. Buttermilk House Sauce, Honey Mustard, 1000 Island, Ketchup, Mustard, BBQ Sauce, Ranch, you name it, I grabbed it by the handful!
My burger was good, but it was huge, and I could only eat about half of it. Man, those fries are addicting though, I ate a truckload of those.
The Hat is open until 11 pm on weekdays and 1 am on Friday and Saturday.
I gave this place a 4 because after finishing, I had a heart attack and died. Just kidding.
People thought this was:
Funny (4)
Pastrami piled high and a shopping bag of onion rings, fresh from the fryer. What's not to like?
Solid 4 stars for the food quality and the value.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
This place is a coronary waiting to happen.
The best time to go is Sunday afternoon when you've finished all your errands. You may need a designated driver because you will start to feel the effects within an hour. Symptoms include fatigue, sleepiness, and desire to take a nap.
That being said, I love it. It's a walk away from my mechanic and I always stop here when I'm getting an oil change. Lots of condiments to choose from and orange bang to drink! Very nostalgic.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
THE HAT! PASTRAMI BURGURS!!!!!!!! Its nice, hot, delicious burgers wrapped in cheap paper that breaks easily after its been soaked with mustard.... And honestly its too expensive... but yeah... i have to admit... its very delicious... but as a guy... its not enough to fill me up... but oh.. its so good... yes i will go from time to time
There is too much hype over this place. My friend and I went for the first time for lunch. I had the famous pastrami dip sandwich and we shared a monstrous order of chili cheese fries.
I seriously felt the fat and oil building up in my arteries after that meal. The sandwich is huge, filled with a lot of fatty mean. There is a layer of mustard one one side with pickles. The chili fries were over bearing, a good amount for 3-4 people to share, Too much for two people to consume by themselves.
I also tried Orange bang for the first time. Pretty good, just be sure to use a lot of ice and drink it when it is nice and cold.
I just don't see what the hype is.
