Photo credit: Zoe Gazzuolo

Pictured are the tater tots, fries, Caesar salad, “Single Burg’r” and “Deluxe Crispy Chick’n” from Hart House. The fast food restaurant is completely plant-based and has four locations across L.A.

While I do not regret my decision to become a vegetarian, I sometimes question my choice when I’m stuck ordering a sad side salad at a restaurant or eating a questionable-tasting vegan burger. That being said, there are many amazing plant-based restaurants around the globe, and I have made it my mission to find all of them, starting in Los Angeles.

Hart House is a fast food restaurant that actor and comedian Kevin Hart opened in summer 2022. With four strategically placed locations across L.A., the completely plant-based food chain is free from harmful ingredients such as artificial colors, preservatives and corn syrup. In an interview for Los Angeles Magazine, Hart House CEO Andy Hooper said he wants their restaurant to serve as a healthy and sustainable option that doesn’t compromise taste, aiming to please carnivores and vegans alike.

The restaurant’s third location is situated on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue in an old McDonalds drive-through. This was no accident: Hart and Hooper targeted this location. They wanted to position Hart House in one of L.A.’s most populated fast food areas to provide passersby with a plant-based alternative.

When my mom and I tried the restaurant for the first time we were hungry, excited and above all else, hopeful. We went big and ordered the “Single Burg’r,” “Deluxe Crispy Chick’n,” Caesar salad, fries, tater tots, Oreo milkshake and confetti cookie.

As we drove home after picking up our order, I could not stop myself from sampling the fries and the tots. They both had the perfect touch of saltiness and flawlessly balanced being crispy and soft — I almost got out of the car to give my compliments to the chef. While tater tots aren’t my potatoes of choice, these were game-changers and one of the best things on the menu. It’s safe to say that Hart House has their potatoes down. 

When we (finally) got home, I started with the “Single Burg’r,” a plant-based burger topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and Hart House Signature Sauce. I am pretty particular about my plant-based meats, and I wanted to like theirs a bit more than I did. Nonetheless, I finished my half of the burger in record time. The signature sauce complemented the burger perfectly, and it was an overall classic: pleasing and simple. 

Next, I went in for their crispy chicken sandwich. It was a winner. 

The crunchy texture of the chicken and kale slaw mixed with flavors of honey mustard made for the best plant-based chicken sandwich I have ever had. If you can handle some heat, I would definitely recommend getting the spicy version of this sandwich for extra flavor. 

Even with us getting our food within minutes, the Caesar salad felt both clean and crisp. It was the perfect addition to our order and balanced out the flavorful sandwiches with its cold and refreshing taste.

After making my way through what felt like their entire dinner menu, it was time for dessert. There aren’t enough words in the English language to describe how good the confetti cookie was. My mom said it tasted “euphoric” and reminded her of childhood, and I could not agree more. The Oreo shake was a classic, and its creamy texture made it hard to believe it was completely plant-based. 

For a total of $70.53, Hart House is definitely the most expensive fast food restaurant I’ve ever been to. However, it is also not your typical fast food restaurant. By being committed to using real ingredients, practicing sustainability and paying employees livable wages and other benefits, Hart House is disrupting and transforming the fast food industry for the better. For that, I am willing to pay extra.