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The Hat

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stvchin
stvchin
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
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The Hat

  • April 15, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by stvchin from Tustin, California
The Hat

The Hat is a small chain of fast food sandwich restaurants, specializing in their World Famous Pastrami. I visited The Hat in Lake Forest. It's on Rockfield, just west of Lake Forest Drive and one light north of the 5 Freeway. There are also a few other Hat locations in Brea, Los Angeles County, and Riverside County.

The Hat is basically a no-frills, greasy spoon type of joint. When we arrived, it was packed full of hungry people. The menuboard above the front counter features The Original Pastrami Dip, burgers, hot dogs, chili burgers, chili dogs, and cold sandwiches, too. They have sides such as fries, onion rings, chili fries, and wet fries.

I ordered an Original Pastrami Dip and wet fries to share. My friends ordered a steak sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, and a hot dog, as well as drinks. Our total was $28. We were given a receipt with our number and our drink cups.

We found a comfy booth off in the corner of the restaurant. The decor at The Hat is no frills: wood panel walls, florescent lighting, wooden booths. They have pictures of various The Hat restaurants since the Fifties.

Their drink dispensers feature the normal soft drinks you'd expect to find, but they also have BANG. BANG is a non-carbonated whipped soft drink, with flavors such as orange BANG (which tastes similar to Orange Julius's whipped orange drink,) lemonade BANG, and Pina Colada BANG.

About 10 minutes later, we heard our number over the speakers and I went to pick up our food at the counter. Our food came in brown paper bags and grey recycled cardboard trays. This really is a no-frills place! Along the counter is a huge array of dispensers for every condiment imaginable in single serve packets.

I tore into my Original Pastrami Dip. It's a huge heap of thinly sliced pastrami dipped in it's own juices and stuffed in a soft French roll. I think The Hat makes the best pastrami sandwich I've ever had. The wet fries are fries smothered in brown gravy. Kinda reminds you of mashed potatoes and gravy, doesn't it? The wet fries are very good and very addictive. One order is big enough to serve 4.

My friend loved his steak sandwich. Instead of one long piece of steak, there are 4-5 smaller pieces of tender steak. It's much easier to bite into the sandwich.

My other friend enjoyed his hot dog. The all beef hot dog wiener was cut in half lenghtwise for more efficient grilling, and you can taste the results!

He shared his chicken salad sandwich with me. I may have found a second favorite in the chicken salad sandwich. There's so much chicken salad it overflows! There's also lettuce and tomatoes on your choice of very soft bread. You can taste the celery and onions, and it's very sweet and creamy.

I very highly recommend The Hat for really tasty, filling, yet inexpensive food. It's just good stuff.

From journal Dining Around Orange County

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