Kevin Hart explains how comedy, flexitarian lifestyle inspired plant-based restaurant

For Kevin Hart, “health is wealth” starts at home, but the comedian, actor and entrepreneur has begun delivering some of that personal mantra to Los Angeles with his latest plant-based restaurant, Hart House .

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve thought more about how food makes me feel and how I can make the world a better place, which led me to the idea of ​​Hart House a couple of years ago” , he said. Morning America.” “With my schedule, I’m always on the go and I realized that people need healthier and better options when it comes to fast food.”

He continued, “As a ‘flexitarian’ eater myself, I know the future of food is plant-based and I needed to create a restaurant that offers a delicious, 100% plant-based menu.”

As a comedian who has brought joy to people and communities around the world throughout his career, Hart said he hopes to bring similar appeal to Hart House.

“Yes, it’s plant-based, but it’s really good. We want everyone to like it. Hart House is all about making people feel good. We make the food you know and love, but with a better-for-you menu . . , your wallet and the planet,” he said. “The restaurant has an incredible energy, and we’re also focused on bringing joy to the lives of our workers by offering them living wages and best-in-class benefits. I want people to leave Hart House feeling full, satisfied and excited . to come back again.”

The newly opened restaurant located in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles is led by General Manager Andy Hooper and Head of Culinary Innovation Mike Salem, who are committed to “disrupting the quick service industry.”

“A lot of people are interested in a plant-based lifestyle or eating healthier in general, but the prices often put them off,” Hart said. “When we built Hart House, pricing was an important priority for us as we wanted to make a healthy alternative within the fast food industry that was affordable and accessible to everyone. Our sandwiches are between the 6 and $8 and extremely delicious Hart House is now the plant-based alternative to places like Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Burger King, and I’m so excited for people to see that sustainable and healthy food options are no longer out of scope”.

Hart explained that creating this restaurant felt like a “natural evolution” for his own flexitarian lifestyle.

“I like chicken now and then, but I try to avoid red meat and dairy. I try to live that lifestyle in every aspect of my life, even at home with my family,” she said. “I think it’s important to teach my kids that going meatless is good for the body and good for the planet, so in our house we love trying new plant-based products and, of course, eating Hart House.”

As for her order: “My favorite menu item is the Deluxe Hot n Crispy Chick’n sandwich, which tastes amazing,” she said, praising Chef Salem for doing “an amazing job.”

In addition to creating food with a better footprint for consumers, the Hart House team helps the greater community and donated 10% of opening day proceeds to Inner City Arts.

The 3,090-square-foot physical space features bright colors with designs by Kai Williamson and his team of women of color. Also, on the back wall is a mural by Nicollete Santos that reads, “Change You’ll Crave.”

Hart House has two additional restaurants currently under construction with several more leases signed and the team has targeted “up to 10 restaurants [openings] over the next 12 months.”