A 66-foot movie screen, fried chicken and waffles, a robot slinging popcorn, and 80 Superchargers humming in the background: Elon Musk’s first-ever Tesla Diner & Drive-In is officially open for business in Los Angeles.
The Hollywood launch on July 21 attracted a crowd of Tesla devotees who lined up for hours, some arriving early in the morning, to be among the first to see Musk’s “retro-futuristic” dream turned reality.
The restaurant project feels like it’s part 1950s diner, part Silicon Valley showroom, and part drive-in theater straight out of The Jetsons.
The diner sits on the site of a former Shakey’s Pizza restaurant, now completely transformed with neon Tesla signage, roller-skating servers, and a two-story layout that includes roof-deck seating and giant outdoor movie screens. As of now, the spot is also open 24/7, according to Tesla’s official website.
The menu offers classic American staples with a Tesla-themed spin, featuring items like grilled cheese, biscuits and gravy, alongside the “Tesla Burger” served with “Electric Sauce.” Diners can order from kiosks or via the Tesla Diner app, and the packaging is branded with nods to Cybertrucks and other Tesla icons.
Ice cream samples were handed out by servers on skates, and for fans of gimmicks and gadgetry, there was no shortage of entertainment, such as the Optimus humanoid robot, which scooped popcorn from a glowing machine on the roof deck.
More than just a place to eat, the diner also serves as a Tesla Supercharger hub, featuring a total of 80 charging stations. The diner is also framed by several drive-in theatre-sized outdoor movie screens that can directly connect to the interior screens and speakers of Tesla cars.
A soft launch over the weekend triggered a wave of videos across social media. By Monday morning, Tesla fans were lined up, some waiting for hours, to try out Musk’s newest endeavor.
Musk’s reputation has shifted from tech messiah to lightning rod in recent years, particularly after a public fallout with Donald Trump and the implementation of controversial cost-cutting measures in government contracts, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Yet, among Tesla fans, his popularity remains sky-high.
The CEO has already hinted that the Tesla Diner could become a global chain, including a location at the Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, saying on Monday that if it succeeds, he plans to roll it out in other cities worldwide.
“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!” Musk posted to X.
When asked by another X user if he would bring the diner and drive-in project to the SpaceX Starbase in Texas, Musk responded with one word: “ok.”
The Hollywood location serves as a kind of flagship —a stylized mashup of American nostalgia and cutting-edge technology.