Comedian and actor Kevin Hart opens Hart House, a plant-based fast-food restaurant. Hart House will officially be up and running tomorrow in Westchester. The restaurant is located at 8901 Sepulveda Blvd and is less than a four-minute walk from the LAX-adjacent location of In-N-Out Burger. In addition, a flagship Hart House location is headed to Sunset and Highland.
Hart broke the news last week and has two locations under construction. We can expect ten Hart Houses over the next year. Hart joins a list of other celebrities to open a restaurant in LA. Although the “Fatherhood” actor isn’t a total vegetarian, he’s always been open to a diet that works for him. He eventually started looking at a plant-based lifestyle. Furthermore, he wondered about accessibility for those who typically can’t afford to dine out at most vegetarian options.
“We wanted a price that doesn’t turn customers away,” says Hart. “It was extremely important to us from the beginning to make [affordability] a massive priority.”
Hart was thoughtful about breaking into a new industry. “For me, it’s about getting the customers that aren’t necessarily your target or your demographic,” says Hart. “You’re trying to appeal to all. [Hart House] is plant-based, but it’s really good. How can we get everybody to say, ‘I want Hart House today.’ That’s something I’ve been able to do in my career. I’ve been able to travel the globe and do my job at a very high level by appealing to everyone. So for Hart House, I want [it] to match the world of me and what I’ve done, and have that same global appeal as we grow and as we go.”
Hart House Recruits
Hart recruited restaurateur Andy Hooper and Chef Mike Salem to keep the prices affordable and menu appealing. Salem is the former head of culinary innovation at Burger King and helped launch the Impossible Whopper. Salem developed all of the Hart House menu items.
Customers can indulge in burgers, chick’n sandwiches, chick’n nuggets with various dipping sauces, salads, French fries, and more. Oh, and there will also be milkshakes made from an oat and soy milk blend. Hart House sandwiches and burgers are in the $5 to $7 price range.
Hooper shared that the second location will open in Hollywood and will be Hart House’s flagship and drive-thru location. It will be located directly across from Hollywood High School and Chick-fil-A. They were strategic in picking locations with heavy traffic and on famous streets.
Hart House will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
