The Hat – Alhambra

This is the San Gabriel Valley's take on the dip: instead of roast beef, the French roll is loaded with pastrami. The Hat's own site makes a point of generous portions. It stays open late, until 1 am every night per its own site, so it doubles as an after-hours stop. The Hat has since grown into a small Southern California chain, but this corner is where it started.

The Hat's own history page says it opened in Alhambra in 1951 as a small roadside stand selling pastrami dips; the Las Vegas Review-Journal also says it began in 1951 as a roadside stand in Alhambra.

Sources: thehat.com, Alhambra location (address, phone, open daily 10 am–1 am, checked 2026-11-02); thehat.com and its history page (opened in Alhambra 1951 as a roadside stand; "signature Pastrami Dips and Chili Cheese Fries"; generous portions); thehat.com menu (Pastrami Dip, "Our World Famous Pastrami Sandwich"); Las Vegas Review-Journal, "This famed pastrami sandwich spot is finally coming to Las Vegas" (undated, 2025–26; began 1951 in Alhambra; 11 Southern California locations); Wikipedia, The Hat (original at Garfield Ave and Valley Blvd; French roll with mustard and pickle; neon "World Famous Pastrami" signs).