Elon Musk has made headlines numerous times this year. From his stint establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to his blowout with Donald Trump, 2025 hurt his reputation. Musk claimed in a public post on X that President Trump’s name appeared in the alleged Epstein client list. He later deleted the post, and no evidence was provided for his allegation. However, under the myriad of controversies involving Musk, something as “simple” as running a diner should be manageable. Turns out, even rocket scientists can struggle in the restaurant industry.
Elon Musk’s Diner Arrives in Hollywood
Officially opening days before Tesla’s dismal earnings report this year, Elon Musk’s diner opened in July 2025. Located in Santa Monica Boulevard, the diner is a “retro-futuristic” drive-in. It has become one of Los Angeles’s buzziest attractions since its initial opening. The diner suddenly opened on a Monday at 4:20 pm, as a kind of “stoner” joke Musk is known for. Styled as a tribute to both classic Americana and Musk’s technological ambitions.
The two-story circular structure houses 250 guests and features 80 V4 Supercharger stalls. Designer Franz von Holzhausen created the metallic, retro-futuristic aesthetic that resembles a flying saucer. Hundreds of fans steadily lined up, hoping to grab a gourmet burger, watch classic films on giant screens while charging their Teslas.
High Hopes and First Impressions
The excitement surrounding Elon Musk’s diner was evident from opening day. Many fans of Musk began forming long lines in their Teslas both outside and in the lot of the diner. Many excited visitors attending the grand opening were greeted with retro-futuristic decor, a gleaming chrome façade and homages to sci-fi nostalgia. Giant screens played “The Twilight Zone” while roller-skating waitrons served guests and robotics were on display in the diner.
On the roof deck, customers were greeted with an Optimus robot serving up popcorn. People posed with their robotic popcorn server to take pictures. Diehard Tesla fans could try burgers in cybertruck-shaped boxes. The diner operates 24/7, though restrictions apply to non-Tesla owners during overnight hours.
Menu Offerings and Pricing Structure
Curated by Musk’s highly-accredited partner, Los Angeles chef Eric Greenspan, the menu’s diner offers up classic American diner cuisine sporting Tesla-themed branding. The diner’s menu tries to live up to Musk’s expectations of ‘epic’ food offerings, which Musk demanded that anything not fitting that criteria be removed. Items like ‘Epic Bacon’ are offered along with French fries cooked in tallow to ‘own the libs’. Other items such as avocado toast or matcha lattes on their menus if ‘we are the libs’.
The signature Tesla Burger costs $13.50 without fries. The patty is prime beef with “Electric Sauce”. Popular items include hot dogs, grilled cheese, and fried chicken and waffles. The menu emphasizes locally sourced ingredients from suppliers within Tesla’s driving range.
Tartine Bakery, a luxury California bakery, provides bread, while Buena Park’s Brandt Beef supplies burger patties. Breakfast options remain available all day, though some items now have restricted hours. Despite initially having a wide array of items on the menu, weeks after opening, many customers noted that many items had been reduced. They also complained that items were frequently unavailable due to technical and supply issues. Items like “Epic Bacon,” milkshakes, and special fountain drinks disappeared within weeks of opening.
Food Quality and Service Woes
Despite the hype, many critics and customers who visited after the opening called the food ordinary, with some describing it as underwhelming. Experiences vary from cold, mediocre dishes to pleasantly tasty burgers. Service delays are a regular occurrence, with wait times of 1 to 3 hours almost the standard, especially for walk-ins. Errors and inventory shortages are a repeat occurrence, and frustrated diners often find their desired items out of stock.
The Customer Experience
For Elon Musk’s diner’s most loyal fans, the brand and atmosphere compensate for these shortcomings. People flock for social media content, photo-ops with the Optimus robot, and to collect unique merch, like $95 hoodies or $175 “levitating Cybertruck” figurines.
Tesla owners enjoy priority service, with the company rewarding brand loyalty and perpetuating a Musk-centric digital ecosystem and culture. However, tourists and less-loyal diners often leave unimpressed or frustrated by service issues and over-promised features.
Community Impact and Neighbor Relations
Not everyone in Hollywood is celebrating Musk’s latest project. Local residents describe living near Elon Musk’s diner as “absolute hell”. Poor construction planning and its 24/7 operation create constant daily traffic jams, interfering with nearby residents’ lives. Tesla vehicles line surrounding streets, hooting, causing noise pollution and clogging intersections. Residents report difficulty crossing streets safely and finding parking spaces.
The diner’s movie screens obstruct apartment building views, creating visual pollution. Neighbors initially welcomed the Supercharger station, expecting economic benefits, but now face gridlock and noise complaints. The Tesla Diner’s prioritization of Tesla-owning customers has affected the diner’s reputation amongst the neighbours.
Protest Activities and Political Backlash
Multiple demonstrations target Elon Musk’s diner due to the CEO’s political affiliations. Protesters from “Resist the Coup” organize “Tesla Takedown” events featuring inflatable Musk figures. Up to 75 demonstrators gather regularly, calling for Tesla boycotts and criticizing Musk’s government efficiency role. Organizers plan continued demonstrations throughout the summer, though they expect public interest to diminish over time.
Is the Tesla Diner Worth the Hype?
Whether Elon Musk’s venture in the service industry is a fantastical failure or see success is yet to be seen. The controversial billionaire, already plagued with a myriad of financial woes, political controversies seems to be ambitious about expansion. With staff shortages, supply chain disruptions, and technical glitches plaguing daily operations, the tech-billionaire seems underprepared for the service industry. The diner’s future, whether as Musk’s ambitions, a futuristic destination for fans, or a failed experiment, remains to be determined.
