The Hat - Lake Forest, California

Design L. E.

I rarely give five star reviews anymore just because the nature of today’s lack of service food, quality and higher prices makes it impossible almost to give a high score. However, I’ve been coming to the hat for years and a bad experience. Sometimes the pastrami can be a little salty and chewy. Thus I tend to go with the roast beef which today I had and it was exceptionally good. The au jus sauce was great. The french fries with gravy were great. Service was good restaurants clean bathroom is clean. It’s really hard to beat this place. Even if it cost me 20 bucks for a sandwich fries and a drink.

sholeh J.

This was my 3rd time, trying this place. The pastrami sandwich was very dry, hardly any visible mustard and the bread was totally dry. I ordered the sandwich with the dip, but they never dipped the bread in the juice nor gave me a side dip. There was nothing special or memorable about this place nor the food. I’ve had better.

Alan S.

The Hat has been home to signature pastrami dips and chili cheese fries since 1952! Believe it or not, the Lake Forest location is their 9th store and opened back in 2004. They by no means serve up a healthy meal, but I’d def recommend ordering a pastrami dip, chili cheese fries and topping off with an Orange Bang on your cheat day. I appreciate that their pricing is fair, especially during these inflationary times, and I’m a fan of their portion sizes. This location also has a drive thru but if you decide to dine-in, the service is personable and efficient. With locations across the Southland, it’s no wonder why this establishment is popular and the greasy goodness never disappoints!

Mike R. (. W. M.

First time here. Have heard about The Hat forever so as soon as I was able to visit Southern California, I beelined it here. AMAZING!

Wow, these are big portions! Oh man every bite was delicious! And that orange bang soda? Yum! Reminds me of a Dole Whip that you’d get at Disney World.

Robert R.

Excellent food. The Pastrami Dip is so amazing. The food choices and portions make my soul happy.

Michael S.

Clean, well organized, well managed "sandwich shop". 🥪 (so much better than calling it that)
Another place I went to recently claimed to have the best pastrami sandwich in Orange County. While theirs was very good, it doesn't compare to The Hat.
I've eaten at several of their locations and all are superb!!!
This visit I got carried away with my order. I ordered a "Pastrami Dip", and an order of "Pastrami Fries". Each on their own can feed two comfortably. The fries are a monstrous mound of taters topped with a generous pile of pastrami (one can add chili and cheese if desired - I didn't).
Then there's the sandwich...
A soft fresh French style "loaf", about 12 inches, piled with pastrami and had pickles and yellow mustard on it as well.
Very Very good...incomparable!!!
No, I didn't even finish the fries; I ate the pastrami off the top along with a few fries, took the rest of the fries home.
Didn't even touch the sandwich until later in the evening.
My beverage was an "Orange Bang".
I love Orange Bang, but it's not for everyone...rather sweet.
Service was quick and efficient, as was the preparation of the order.
Worth the Trip, the Visit, and the Price.

Max M.

Great large portions. We were able to overfeed a group of 7 for $100, and all the food was great. The Chili Fries were a great value and I loved the pastrami. Onion rings were great too.

Tarek A.

This place has one of the best pastrami sandwiches in Orange county, they've been around forever and their prices are still reasonable. The typical pastrami sandwich can easily be for two people, it's extremely big and very very filling so just be careful if you end up ordering two thinking you will finish them because it is way too big