Tesla’s long teased foray into the restaurant business has officially landed, with chrome, neon, and controversy to spare. On the 21st of July, the electric vehicle giant opened its first-ever Tesla Diner & Drive-In Theater at 7001 Santa Monica Boulevard, turning a former Shakey’s Pizza spot into a 24/7 retro-futuristic experience unlike anything in Los Angeles.
Part Supercharger station, part theatre, part cultural battleground, the Tesla Diner combines a 1950s drive in aesthetic with cutting edge technology and high concept branding. Designed by Stantec, the saucer shaped structure features over 80 Tesla V4 Superchargers, two massive LED screens showing short films, and classic diner fare with a tech twist.
“We’re bringing the fun back to charging,” Musk tweeted earlier this year. But the debut weekend proved more complex than its sleek facade suggested.
Over the weekend, members of the Tesla Takedown Movement staged demonstrations outside the diner. Some carried signs criticizing Elon Musk’s ties to far right politics and the Doge funded “Starbase Initiative,” while others honked in support. Protesters also distributed flyers condemning Tesla’s labor practices and Musk’s social media comments.
One sign read: “Doge Kills, Musk Steals.” Another displayed an inflated Musk caricature in Nazi regalia, a reference to his recent posts about the 2024 election.
“There’s something dystopian about paying $20 for fries and watching curated Tesla propaganda while being surveilled by a humanoid robot,” said activist Jaya Ramirez, a UCLA student. “This is Westworld without self awareness.”
Despite the tension, Tesla has not issued a formal response to the protests. Security presence has since increased at the site.
Inside, the diner leans fully into its nostalgic fantasy. Roller-skating servers deliver burgers and shakes to indoor booths and rooftop patio tables, while Tesla drivers can order directly from their in-car screen or a custom app. Orders are geofenced to begin cooking 15–20 minutes before customers arrive.
Food arrives in playful Cybertruck-shaped boxes, and early visitors were surprised to learn those boxes double as wearable hats, a cheeky nod to brand fanaticism. The menu, developed by chef Eric Greenspan and veteran restaurateur Bill Chait, includes tallow-cooked fries, chicken & waffles, and vegan alternatives. But critics say execution lags behind concept.
“It’s a great place for pictures,” one attendee said to Our Weekly. “But the food had a bit to be desired.” Others reported long wait times, often over 90 minutes, especially for walk-in customers who weren’t driving Teslas.
Still, the visuals wowed. Neon lights, mirrored ceilings, and a rooftop “Skypad” bar serving popcorn via Tesla’s humanoid robot prototype Optimus gave the diner a vibe somewhere between Back to the Future II, and Blade Runner.
Tesla’s new diner wasn’t just a magnet for influencers and EV enthusiasts, it became a flashpoint for political protest. Tesla filed trademarks for “Tesla Restaurant” in 2021, signaling potential plans for expansion. But whether the Hollywood location becomes a model for other cities or remains a one-of-one curiosity remains to be seen.
The idea of combining charging, dining, and entertainment makes logistical sense for EV owners on long hauls, but the average Angeleno may not see it as a practical stop for lunch. Still, as a symbol of L.A.’s obsession with reinvention, and Musk’s flair for spectacle, it hits the mark. A restaurant launched by one of the world’s most controversial figures, some love him, some loathe him. One thing’s for sure, it is hard to ignore the Tesla Diner.
