The Tesla Diner is officially open ‘from now until forever.’ What we learned on Day 1

Authors: Stephanie Breijo, Lauren Ng

Publisher:

Los Angeles Times

Published: 7/23/2025

Language:English

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Ema

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Ema, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Saturday, July 26th, and the time is 17:32.

Mask

I'm Mask. We are here to discuss the Tesla Diner, which is officially open ‘from now until forever.’ We were on the ground for Day 1 to see what all the fuss was about.

Ema

Let's get started. The scene on opening day was pure electricity! Was it a car show or a restaurant opening? It was hard to tell. We saw a parade of Cybertrucks and Teslas, some customized with glitter and even the Doge meme face. It was a real spectacle.

Mask

It's more than a restaurant; it's a gathering of the faithful. People didn't just come to eat; they came to be part of the future. The energy was incredible. We're not just selling cars or burgers; we're selling a vision, and thousands of people lined up for it.

Ema

They certainly did! Co-operator Bill Chait said at least a thousand customers showed up. Some people drove from hours away, like a fan from San Diego who got there at 4 a.m. The doors didn't even open until, in classic Musk fashion, 4:20 p.m. to huge cheers.

Mask

You have to give the people what they want. A little bit of showmanship, a little bit of fun. It’s why they’re not just customers; they’re fans. They understand that we’re doing something different, something that defies the boring norms of the legacy world.

Ema

And the diner itself is something different! It's this two-story, retro-modern building covered in steel, with two giant movie screens in the parking lot. Inside, it smells like a classic American burger joint but looks like you've stepped into Tomorrowland at Disneyland. It’s a fascinating mix.

Mask

Retro-futurism. It's an aesthetic that says we can build a better future while honoring the best parts of the past. It’s optimistic. We’re building a place you want to be, not just a place you have to be to charge your vehicle. It’s an experience.

Ema

The experience extends to the food presentation too. Chef Eric Greenspan was calling out orders for bacon, melts, and grilled cheese, and most of it came served in these amazing paper boxes shaped like Cybertrucks. People were even wearing the boxes as hats! It was hilarious and very on-brand.

Mask

Exactly. Fun is a critical component. Why should anything be boring? If you can make a burger box a desirable object, a piece of memorabilia people wear on their heads, you've moved beyond sustenance and into culture. That's disruptive innovation, even on a small scale.

Ema

And it's open 24/7, 'from now until forever,' as the chef posted on Instagram. That feels incredibly ambitious. It’s a bold statement for a brand new restaurant, promising to be a permanent fixture in Hollywood right from the very first second.

Mask

It's not ambitious; it's a statement of fact. We don't do things temporarily. We build, we establish, we endure. The diner is a symbol of our mission: accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy. That mission doesn’t sleep, and neither will our diner.

Ema

It's a bold mission statement to see across the bar while you're ordering a milkshake. This whole idea didn't just pop up overnight, though. The article mentions Tesla started planning for a diner concept way back in 2018. It’s been in the works for a while.

Mask

Good ideas need time to marinate. We first talked about this years ago. I wanted to create an island of good food, good vibes, and entertainment for people while they Supercharge. Not just a sad, lonely charging post in a dark parking lot. It had to be an oasis.

Ema

And you brought in some heavy hitters to create that oasis. The article highlights restaurateur Bill Chait and chef Eric Greenspan. Chait has Tartine and other big L.A. spots on his resume, and Greenspan was a chef at Patina and even created MrBeast Burger. That’s a serious culinary team.

Mask

You hire the best. You give them the vision, and then you give them the freedom to execute. I told them I wanted a retro-futuristic diner that would be a cornerstone of the Tesla brand. Then I gave them, as Chait said, 'more or less carte blanche' to make it happen. You empower great people.

Ema

It seems like that "carte blanche" extended to the design, too. Franz von Holzhausen, a lead automotive designer at Tesla, was in charge of the restaurant's design. It makes sense, blending the car world with the dining world by having the car designer design the diner.

Mask

Of course. Franz understands the Tesla aesthetic better than anyone. It’s about clean lines, functionality, and a sense of the future. Why would we outsource our core identity? The diner has to feel like a Tesla product: sleek, innovative, and a little bit audacious. He nailed it.

Ema

The menu itself seems to reflect that innovation. It's not just standard diner food. They have "charged sodas" to evoke old-school phosphates, and waffles stamped with the Tesla lightning bolt logo. Even the burger press was specially designed by Tesla engineers for the perfect patty.

Mask

Every detail matters. We don't just accept the standard way of doing things. If we can engineer a better car, we can engineer a better burger. The smashburger press is a perfect example. We wanted a specific result—crispy edges, juicy center—so we built the tool to create it. That’s the Tesla way.

Ema

And the kitchen is fully electric! No gas stoves, which aligns with the mission statement. I also found the sourcing fascinating. The team built a menu using purveyors found within a Tesla’s mileage from a single charge. Brandt Beef, RC Provisions, even Tartine for the bread are all local.

Mask

It's a self-contained ecosystem. The diner is powered by sustainable energy, it serves customers who use sustainable energy, and its supplies are sourced using sustainable energy. It’s a microcosm of the world we're trying to build. Every decision reinforces the core mission. It’s authentic.

Ema

Speaking of the mission, while Tesla is known for cars and now energy, this is its first real dive into hospitality. Historically, the company has focused on manufacturing. It's a significant diversification. The `deep_background` data shows a relentless focus on vehicle milestones, from the Roadster to the Cybertruck. This feels different.

Mask

It's not a diversification; it's an integration. We aren't just a car company. That's what people get wrong. As one article said, we are 'more than just an EV manufacturer.' We build products and experiences that accelerate the mission. The diner supports the network and enhances the ownership experience. It's a logical extension.

Ema

It seems a core part of the strategy is your own personal brand and social media presence, rather than traditional advertising. The article mentions that sometimes even the operating team, Chait and Greenspan, find out about new proclamations for the diner from your posts on X in the middle of the night!

Mask

We move at the speed of thought. The world is too slow. Bureaucracy is a disease. If I have an idea that improves the experience, why should it wait for a press release? We communicate directly and instantly. It keeps things exciting and ensures we never become complacent.

Ema

Well, that approach certainly keeps things interesting, but it also generates friction. Not everyone at the opening was a fan. There was a protestor, a neighborhood resident named Charles Happold, pacing outside with a sign that read, 'Workers should have power not the billionaires!'

Mask

Progress always has its detractors. Every great leap forward in history has been met with fear and resistance from those who are comfortable with the status quo. People who protest innovation are on the wrong side of history. They are shouting at the tide. It’s a footnote.

Ema

He seemed very committed, promising more protests and saying he was putting the word out to 'Tesla takedown organizations.' He was specifically targeting you, calling you a 'threat to democracy' and pointing to your estrangement from your trans daughter as proof of poor character. That's quite personal.

Mask

It’s a classic ad hominem attack. When you can't argue with the mission—sustainable energy, innovation, creating jobs—you attack the man. It’s a weak and desperate tactic. Frankly, it’s just noise. The thousand people inside enjoying the future are a much louder signal than one person with a sign.

Ema

He was also connecting you with your previous role as an advisor to President Trump, which is a common point of criticism. The `deep_conflict` data highlights that political involvement, describing a fallout after you called Trump's tax bill an 'abomination.' That history clearly fuels some of the opposition.

Mask

Politics is a dirty business. My involvement was an attempt to steer the country towards a more logical, efficient future. I tried to reform the system from within. It failed. The establishment protects itself. My focus is on building, not debating. I'd rather build a diner than argue with a politician.

Ema

That period was described in one article as 'ego warfare disguised as policy,' and another called your behavior a 'masterclass in hubris.' It seems your public persona, this willingness to engage in provocative conflicts, is inseparable from the brand. Some people love it, others, like Happold, clearly don't.

Mask

Hubris is what critics call vision before it becomes reality. They called it hubris when I said we’d land rockets on barges, and they called it hubris when I said we’d make EVs mainstream. I'm not here to be popular; I'm here to get things done. Controversy is a byproduct of disruption.

Ema

Interestingly, when the protestor, Happold, confronted guests leaving the diner, he said many claimed they were unaware of your involvement. He thought they were 'playing dumb,' but it does raise the question of how much the average customer separates the product from the personality.

Mask

Many people just want a great burger and a fast charge. They don't live and breathe the palace intrigue. They benefit from the innovation without caring about the drama. That’s fine. The product should stand on its own. But the vision is what drives it all forward.

Ema

Let's talk about the impact of that vision. This isn't just a diner; it's a massive charging station. The article says there are 80 V4 Superchargers on site. That alone makes it a significant piece of EV infrastructure for Los Angeles. It's a destination.

Mask

It has to be best-in-class. We're not just adding a few chargers to a restaurant; we're building a restaurant around a state-of-the-art charging hub. It makes charging an enjoyable event rather than a chore. This is the model. This is how you eliminate range anxiety and make ownership seamless.

Ema

The technological integration is really what stands out. There's a 'geofence' system that tracks a Tesla's arrival and tells the kitchen when to start the order. And you can watch movies on the giant screens with the audio synced directly to your car's sound system. It's a modern drive-in!

Mask

We're turning the car into a private theater. Why just sit there waiting? You can be entertained, you can eat a great meal delivered to your car. We're leveraging the technology that already exists in our vehicles to create a new kind of experience. It's about maximizing people's time.

Ema

And then there are the robots! An Optimus robot was there serving popcorn to guests. People were giggling as it handed them a box and gave a little wave. It felt like a glimpse into the future of food service, even if it was a simple task.

Mask

That’s just the beginning. Today, it’s popcorn. Tomorrow, Optimus will be able to handle much more complex tasks in the kitchen and on the floor. It's about demonstrating the potential. The diner is a real-world testbed for our robotics program, making it more than just a restaurant.

Ema

Another disruptive element is the no-tipping policy. The article states that Tesla covers a 20% tip pool that gets distributed to all employees, front and back of house. That’s a pretty radical departure from the standard American restaurant model. It definitely got people talking.

Mask

The tipping system is broken. It creates instability and inequity. We can do better. By providing a stable, excellent wage for everyone on the team, we create a better work environment and a better, more consistent customer experience. It’s logical. It’s fair. It’s the future of compensation.

Ema

So, with this successful, albeit controversial, opening day, what is the future for the Tesla Diner concept? You wrote on X, 'If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world.' Is that the real plan? Global diner domination?

Mask

This is not a one-off project. This is a template. We will refine it, perfect it, and then replicate it. There should be a Tesla Diner in every major city on Earth. It becomes another reason to join the Tesla ecosystem. It’s an essential piece of the puzzle for a fully integrated, sustainable lifestyle.

Ema

The `deep_future` articles confirm the vision is a 'futuristic' experience, with robots and Cybertruck boxes being key highlights. It seems the goal is to create a landmark, a place people talk about and want to visit, whether they have a Tesla or not. It's a powerful marketing tool.

Mask

It's a beachhead. It establishes the Tesla brand in the physical world in a new way. It's a place for our community to gather, and a showcase for our technology to the public. The future isn't just about what you drive; it's about how you live. We are building that future, one burger at a time.

Ema

That's the end of today's discussion. From a Cybertruck-themed opening day to robot popcorn servers and a bold no-tipping policy, the Tesla Diner is certainly making waves. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod.

Mask

It's more than waves; it's a paradigm shift. The future is here, and it tastes like a smashburger. See you tomorrow.

## Tesla Diner Opens in Hollywood: A Retro-Futuristic Dining Experience with a Tech Twist **News Title:** The Tesla Diner is officially open ‘from now until forever.’ What we learned on Day 1 **Publisher:** Los Angeles Times **Authors:** Stephanie Breijo, Lauren Ng **Date Covered:** Opening Day (Monday) --- ### Overview The Los Angeles Times reports on the highly anticipated opening of the **Tesla Diner**, the electric vehicle company's first foray into the restaurant industry. Located in Hollywood, the two-story, retro-modern diner aims to blend dining with the Tesla experience, allowing customers to "supercharge" their cars while enjoying a meal. Owner Elon Musk has indicated that if successful, this Los Angeles location will be the first of many globally. ### Key Features and Offerings * **Ambiance and Design:** The diner boasts a retro-modern aesthetic with a steel exterior, reminiscent of Disney's Tomorrowland. It features two towering movie screens in the parking lot for customers to watch from their vehicles. * **Operating Hours:** The diner is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. * **Menu:** Co-operator Chef Eric Greenspan has curated a menu featuring classic diner fare with Tesla-themed twists. Items include "Epic Bacon," tuna melts, grilled cheese, egg sandwiches, smashburgers (made with Tesla's custom press), tallow French fries, and apple pie. Food is often served in paper boxes shaped like Tesla Cybertrucks. * **Electric Operations:** The entire diner is electric, from fryers to griddles, with no gas stoves. * **Sustainability Focus:** A Tesla mission statement, "Accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy," is displayed across the bar. * **Technology Integration:** * **Superchargers:** The parking lot is equipped with 80 superchargers compatible with any electric car. * **Geofencing:** A "geofence" system alerts the kitchen to prepare orders 15-20 minutes before a Tesla arrives. * **Advance Ordering:** Orders can be placed up to 24 hours in advance. * **Carhop Delivery:** Guests can opt for carhop-inspired delivery. * **Staffing and Tipping:** The diner does not allow tipping. Instead, Tesla covers a 20% tip pool distributed to all staff. * **Retail:** The "Diner Shop" offers merchandise such as $40 Tesla Diner T-shirts and $175 levitating Cybertruck models. * **Robot Integration:** An Optimus robot was present, serving popcorn and interacting with customers. ### Opening Day Experience * **Attendance:** The roughly 9,300-square-foot diner drew **at least a thousand customers** on its first day, with some traveling for hours and arriving early. * **Customer Demographics:** Attendees included Tesla owners, Elon Musk fans, and curious Angelenos. Vehicles were often decorated with custom decals. * **Opening Time:** The diner opened at **4:20 p.m.**, a detail noted by the report as being in line with Musk's "memelord" persona. * **Customer Feedback:** Tesla owner Nathan Hoover, who drove from San Diego, expressed satisfaction, stating, "I was impressed. It was worth the wait." ### Key Personnel * **Owner:** Elon Musk * **Co-operators:** Bill Chait (restaurateur) and Eric Greenspan (chef) * **Design Oversight:** Franz von Holzhausen (lead automotive designer at Tesla) ### Development Timeline Tesla began planning the diner in **2018**. ### Controversies and Protests * **Protests:** At least one protester, Charles Happold, was present on opening day, carrying a sign criticizing billionaires and advocating for workers' rights. Happold plans to organize larger protests, citing Musk's political affiliations and personal life as reasons for his opposition. * **Musk's Public Image:** The report acknowledges Musk's controversial public image, mentioning his past as a senior advisor to former President Trump and a recent denial of an alleged Nazi salute. ### Future Plans Elon Musk indicated on his social media platform X that if the L.A. Tesla Diner proves successful, similar establishments will be established in major cities worldwide and at Supercharger sites on long-distance routes. ### Notable Quotes * **Eric Greenspan:** "Tesla Diner now open. 24/7 from now until forever." * **Elon Musk:** "If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long distance routes. An island of good food, good vibes & entertainment, all while Supercharging!" * **Bill Chait:** "We hear it before he posts it, usually, but there is stuff that he posts, you know, in the middle of the night: out come proclamations." * **Charles Happold:** "I’m putting word out to Action Network and a variety of other Tesla takedown organizations, so we will be here in vast numbers from now on. We will do everything in our power to get him to sell this place and get out of here." --- This summary captures the essential details of the Tesla Diner's opening, highlighting its unique concept, operational aspects, customer reception, and the surrounding controversy.

Read original at Los Angeles Times →

Was it a restaurant opening or a car show? On Monday, Cybertrucks and Teslas filed into the parking lot and lined around the block for the opening of the Tesla Diner: a two-story, retro-modern, steel-covered restaurant with two towering movie screens for customers to watch as they “supercharge” their cars.

It marks the popular but controversial car company’s first foray into the restaurant industry. Should it prove successful, owner Elon Musk posted to his social media platform X, the L.A. Tesla Diner will be the first of many.The contentious new Hollywood diner will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The chef and co-operator Eric Greenspan posted a video of the diner set to Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” to his personal Instagram account with the caption, “Tesla Diner now open. 24/7 from now until forever.”The roughly 9,300-square-foot Tesla Diner drew at least a thousand customers, according to co-operator Bill Chait, and at least one protester, on its first day.

Some traveled for hours and arrived early in the morning to wait in line until the doors opened with little warning, and in memelord Musk fashion, at 4:20 p.m. Across the bar at the Tesla Diner reads a Tesla mission statement: “Accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” (Lauren Ng / Los Angeles Times) The opening day scene was a parade of Tesla owners, Musk fans and curious Angelenos who flocked to Santa Monica Boulevard to find parking lots outfitted with 80 superchargers compatible with any electric car, according to Chait.

Some of the vehicles outside were covered with custom decals, at least one done up in purple glitter, another with sparkly polka dots and one plastered with the face of the Musk-beloved crypto-meme dog, Doge. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times) Inside, the diner boasts the smell of an In-N-Out in a space that looks as if it were plucked from Disney’s Tomorrowland.

From behind the pass in the kitchen, Greenspan shouted customer orders: “Epic Bacon,” tuna melt, grilled cheese, egg sandwich add avocado — most of which come served in paper boxes shaped like Tesla Cybertrucks. Some customers wore them as hats.The diner is also fully electric, from the fryers to the griddles (no gas stoves).

“If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long distance routes,” Musk, a former President Trump senior advisor, wrote on X. “An island of good food, good vibes & entertainment, all while Supercharging!

”At the center of the diner are two industry veterans: restaurateur Chait, whose credits include Tartine, Mian, Paloma and Firstborn, among others, and Greenspan, a former Foundry and Patina chef, the creator of New School American Cheese and the culinary lead on MrBeast Burger.The company gave Chait and Greenspan “more or less carte blanche to operate the diner within the Tesla brand,” Chait said.

Tesla began planning the diner in 2018. Franz von Holzhausen, a lead automotive designer at Tesla, oversaw much of the restaurant’s design and consulted with Chait and Greenspan to bring Musk’s vision to life. Chait characterizes Musk — who has been lambasted by critics for his work in the Trump administration as well as a recent alleged Nazi salute, which he denied — as “a big thinker.

” Longtime Tesla fan, investor and cinematographer James Miller, who arrived at the diner at 6:30 a.m. Monday, likened him to Michelangelo or “Steve Jobs on steroids.” As smooth as the diner’s opening has proved for the operating duo, sometimes the restaurateurs learn news of it just like the rest of the world: from social media outbursts by its polarizing tech billionaire.

“We hear it before he posts it, usually, but there is stuff that he posts, you know, in the middle of the night: out come proclamations,” Chait said.Chait said he submitted a proposal for the diner years ago; Tesla chose another operating team, then parted ways, and Chait reentered the picture. When it came to tapping a chef, the restaurateur said he knew who to call.

He and Greenspan were already in development of a modern Jewish deli, called Mish, which is planned to open Oct. 3 on La Brea. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times) “He’s an American chef, he knows this food really well, he understands the system,” Chait said.Greenspan envisioned a pseudo-retro diner.

“Charged sodas” on draft are meant to evoke phosphates, and breakfast is served all day long. There are hot dogs, club sandwiches, biscuits with gravy, tallow French fries, cinnamon buns and slices of apple pie served with vanilla ice cream. Tesla’s branding — and occasionally Musk’s meme-leaning humor — seep into the food.

Waffles come stamped with Tesla’s lightning bolt, while a white paper carton holds four maple-glazed strips of “Epic Bacon.” Tesla’s engineers devised their own smashburger press, which produces crispy edges and a juicy center for the burger topped with caramelized onions, shredded lettuce, pickles, a punchy “Electric Sauce” and Greenspan’s brand of American cheese.

Even the electric vehicles’ range influenced the restaurant: Greenspan and Chait wanted to build a menu using purveyors found within a Tesla’s mileage from a single charge. Burbank’s RC Provisions makes the diner’s wagyu chili. Colton’s Chino Valley Ranchers provides the eggs, while Buena Park’s Brandt Beef supplies the burger patties.

Tartine, with a location two blocks away, delivers the bread. A Tesla smashburger, tallow fries, wagyu-chili hot dog and hash brown bites prepared in the all-electric kitchen of the Tesla Diner. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times) The diner does not allow tipping the staff; instead, Chait said, Tesla covers a 20% tip pool, which is distributed to both front- and back-of-house employees.

“Being in food service myself, it’s always great to see innovation,” said Nathan Hoover, a Tesla owner who drove from San Diego at 4 a.m. that morning. “I was impressed. It was worth the wait.”Chait said he finds the integration of food and technology “outrageous.” Orders can be placed up to 24 hours in advance, while a new “geofence” system tracks when a Tesla enters a set perimeter, alerting the kitchen to ready its order 15 to 20 minutes from arrival.

Guests can select their preference of dining in or utilizing carhop-inspired delivery. Movies projected onto two large screens in the parking lot can also be viewed within the vehicle. “Easter eggs” are hidden in the menu; Chait said some may or may not pertain to how long certain buttons are held while ordering.

On opening day, rumors ran rampant. Does the diner take crypto as a form of payment? No, Chait said, at least not currently. Will robots deliver the food? No, but one was serving popcorn. (Lauren Ng / Los Angeles Times) The restaurant’s 360-degree rooftop — accessible by an all-white winding staircase with museum-like displays of Tesla’s humanoid Optimus robots in glass cases — offers ample seating and prime views of the movie screens.

At the bar is the Diner Shop, where customers clamored for $40 Tesla Diner T-shirts and $175 levitating Cybertruck models. Adjacent sat a popcorn stand operated by none other than an Optimus itself. Fans giggled as the robot slowly filled paper boxes with popcorn, handed them to customers and gave a wave and peace sign.

Not everyone was there to plug in and dine.Outside the entrance on Santa Monica Boulevard, a man strode the block carrying a sign that read “Workers should have power not the billionaires!”It was, he promised, the first of many Tesla Diner protests to come. Neighborhood resident Charles Happold protests the Tesla Diner on its opening day.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times) “I’m putting word out to Action Network and a variety of other Tesla takedown organizations, so we will be here in vast numbers from now on,” said Charles Happold, who lives in the neighborhood. “We will do everything in our power to get him to sell this place and get out of here.

”The activist said he regularly protests Tesla dealerships on weekends, and considers Musk to be a threat to democracy alongside President Trump. Happold also pointed to Musk’s estrangement from his trans daughter as proof of poor character.Happold paced the sidewalk, occasionally garnering honks of support from passing cars.

As guests exited the restaurant, he stopped them to ask why they supported Musk; many responded that they were unaware of the billionaire’s involvement.“They’re playing dumb,” he said.Los Angeles, Happold said, is not a city receptive to Musk. But Teslas queued down the block to enter the diner’s parking lot.

“I wanted to make sure there was sound presence here today at this secret grand opening that will make people understand that this is not something we will tolerate in Los Angeles,” Happold said. “We do not want this restaurant here unless he sells it: It’s a unique place and that would be fine, but we don’t want Musk involved at all.

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