mmm-yoso is not on vacation. Cathy is blogging while Kirk takes a day off.
Hi. A few weeks ago I met a friend from High School up in Ontario and we had the wonderful surprisingly garnished beef bowl....remember?
Well, this past Saturday one of my college roommates called, from New Orleans, and said she would be here the next day, taking her son on campus tours at Pomona and Claremont Colleges...arriving at the Ontario Airport also! I can drive 2 hours North again, no problem.
Her plane got in, they were exhausted and hungry and I was still in San Diego. I told them to eat somewhere and started my drive up.
We met at a Starbucks and talked for hours! It was wonderful to see and know that neither of us had changed in all these years!
On the way home, I saw it- The Hat!...World Famous Pastrami. Its a pretty staid Restaurant, celebrating its 55th year in the LA area...with ten locations. The Mister *loves* pastrami, and we usually only go to The Hat when we are decorating floats for the Rose Parade in late December.
Well, I thought even if the sandwiches weren't warm, the taste could get home in about two hours.
The menu is simple and the food is prepared methodically and is consistent.
I got a Pastrami dip and a Roast beef with au jus. ($6.49 each)
The sandwiches arrived home in good condition. The pastrami is made with mustard and pickle and the bread for each is so fresh (I suppose with the business The Hat has, there is no time for anything to get old). Each sandwich is over sized, the meat is flavorful and moist.
If you happen to see it, stop in.
The Hat, ten locations (Alhambra, Brea, Glendora, Lake Forest, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Simi Valley, Temple City, Upland)
pastrami is my personal favorite sandwich. Mines has to be with cream cheeze and on pumpernickel.
Posted by: RONW | Wednesday, 29 November 2006 at 03:40 AM
me again.
http://ronwaikiki.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/dagwood.jpg
Posted by: RONW | Wednesday, 29 November 2006 at 04:17 AM
Unlike a lot of other burger joints that serve pastrami, The Hat doesn't fry the cured meat which makes it less greasy. Also the fries are almost always served fresh and in huge portions. I highly recommend the chili cheese fries and the wet fries (smothered in brown gravy).
Posted by: gc | Wednesday, 29 November 2006 at 10:55 AM
Ah, The Hat. I've been a fan for over 35 years... My dads office in Alhambra was right across the street from the original Hat. Best pastrami sandwich in SoCal. I wished they'd open one somewhere in San Diego. Thanks for the review and the memories!
Posted by: Joe | Wednesday, 29 November 2006 at 11:21 AM
Hi Ron...pumpernickle, yes...cream cheez..hmmm..I'd try it...Thanks for the link; I hope the sandwiches there are as good as they look.
Hi gc-yes, the chili cheese fries and the gravy on the fries is excellent. I forgot to mention...and didn't even attempt to try to transport for 2 hours..I *knew* that would not taste the same.
Hey Joe- Thanks for visiting...The Hat is kind of one of those places we seem to take for granted...I was glad I had my camera with me. This blogging is fun...and I'm happy to share.
Posted by: cathy | Wednesday, 29 November 2006 at 02:58 PM
Had to take a friend to Huntington Beach yesterday and we stopped by the Hat in Lake Forest! Thank you for reminding me about The Hat... my friend loved it too!
Posted by: Joe | Saturday, 02 December 2006 at 03:23 PM
This comment made me sooo happy, Joe...You're welcome!...
Posted by: cathy | Sunday, 03 December 2006 at 08:11 AM