The Hat - World Famous Pastrami

I had another Southern California first. For the first time in my life, I went to The Hat for a pastrami sandwich. We went there because we were taking my co-worker Kurt to lunch for his birthday, and that was the place he picked.


The Hat - World Famous Pastrami. (12/06)

The Hat is a regional Southern California chain known for having the best pastrami sandwiches this side of the Hudson River. The family-owned chain originated in 1951 when it opened a walk-up restaurant in Alhambra. Today there are 10 locations.

The signature dish is the Pastrami Dip, featuring a half-pound of pastrami soaked in au jus. So that's what I ordered. We also got an order of fries and an order of onion rings to share among the four of us (and we still had a ton left over!)


The pastrami sandwich was fantastic at the time. (12/06)

I have to say, the sandwich was delicious as I was eating it. But to be honest, I didn't feel all that hot the rest of the afternoon. It felt like I had a brick of pastrami sitting in my stomach (and in a way, I kind of did). I don't know if I'd do it again, but I'm glad I had it at least once.