All You Need Is…Veggies: Q&A with 102.9 WMGK’s Andre Gardner

Andre Collage

Classic rock fans hear his iconic voice every day during his meaty broadcast from 2–7 p.m. But did you know that WMGK DJ and Beatles guru Andre Gardner is a vegetarian? Andre was kind enough to answer a few questions for Dish about living the veggie lifestyle on the Main Line, and even recommends great local spots for a meat-free night out!

PA Eats: How long have you been living a vegetarian lifestyle?

Andre Gardner: I’ve been vegetarian for almost 25 years and, initially, my decision to stop eating meat was purely for humane reasons. The health benefits of a meat-free lifestyle didn’t really resonate with me until a few years ago, when I lost 100 pounds. As I used to say to people, there’s no meat in chocolate, peanut butter or ice cream!  Nowadays I’ll still indulge in those goodies—just not as often.

soupWhen fall arrives, what are some veggie dishes you most look forward to eating?

As soon as the weather starts getting the slightest bit cooler, I bust out the soups and casseroles. I love just about any bowl of soup you put in front of me, particularly if northern white beans are involved. Give me a nice, hot bowl of pasta e fagioli with some crusty multigrain bread and I am a content human. Fall is also a good time for one of our family’s favorite recipes:  spaghetti squash gratin. I think we found that in a Wegman’s magazine a few years ago and we absolutely love it. Another favorite cooler weather meal we serve here at home is our Sunday night homemade pizza. It’s perfect after a long, hard day of watching hours and hours of football.

indian foodObviously, everyone needs a night out. What are some of your favorite spots to get the grub that suits you best on the Main Line?

My absolute favorite food is Indian, and there are myriad good Indian restaurants along the Main Line. The best Indian restaurant in the area, in my opinion, is A Taste Of India in the Gateway Shopping Center in Wayne. They nail it every time, whether it’s for the lunch buffet or a nice dinner. Plus, when I ask for the meal to be “phall hot,” which is extremely spicy, they deliver the goods. Ekta and Tiffin, both in Bryn Mawr, are excellent alternatives when I want to get my curry on.

Vge Cafe SandwichOn the non-Indian front, there’s a delightful vegan place in Bryn Mawr called Vgë Cafe. It’s 100% vegan and their dishes are very cleverly prepared and exceedingly tasty. If you go, save room for dessert! You haven’t lived until you’ve had a piece of their vegan peanut butter bomb cake!

We just recently tried Honeygrow in Radnor. Their food is almost all locally sourced and they have a great selection of yummy stir fry and salad dishes, not to mention their soon-to-be-legendary honey bar. You pile a bit of fresh fruit in a cup, add some granola and your choice of honey (wildflower is my fave) and top it with homemade whipped cream—heaven, my friends!

Do the other members of your family eat vegetarian? If they don’t, or if they don’t all the time, does it ever get tricky for you to keep going?

My 15-year-old daughter has alternated between the carnivorous, vegetarian and vegan lifestyles over the years. Currently, she’s an ovo-lacto vegetarian like I am, so it’s pretty easy with her. When she was a straight out vegan it was a bit challenging, particularly when dining out, but we always managed to find something for her. We traveled to Europe this past summer and when they say, “good luck finding a vegan place in Paris,” they’re right! My wife had been vegetarian for a number of years before going back to eating meat. It’s not tricky for me at all to stay with it. I’m never tempted to go back to eating meat again.

One final question: Does rock & roll EVER forget?

Bob Seger was right—rock and roll NEVER forgets! Those of us Baby Boomers who love it, on the other hand…