Signs are now up indicating the imminent arrival of The Hat, a Southern California pastrami sandwich institution, to Las Vegas. The restaurant will be located on South Rainbow Boulevard near Sobb Avenue, marking the chain’s first expansion outside of California.
The project has faced previous delays. In 2019, plans for a Las Vegas location at the same site were announced but ultimately did not come to fruition. The current construction, however, appears to be moving forward, with a 4,122-square-foot restaurant, including a drive-thru and outdoor patio, taking shape, according to reports.
Founded in 1951 as a roadside stand in Alhambra, California, The Hat has become renowned for its pastrami dip sandwiches, served with au jus. The menu has since expanded to include pastrami burgers, pastrami chili cheese fries, and a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, as well as burgers, hot dogs, and sides.
The Las Vegas location represents a significant milestone for the 75-year-vintage chain, which currently operates 11 restaurants across Southern California. News of the expansion first surfaced in June 2025, generating considerable online excitement, according to reports. The Hat teased a grand opening in spring 2026 on Instagram.
The arrival of The Hat in Las Vegas is part of a broader trend of regional prompt-food favorites expanding into the city, with recent additions including Zaxby’s, Bojangles, and Zippy’s. The Hat has not yet released specific details regarding an opening date.
