Tesla Diner in Los Angeles Struggles to Maintain Momentum Months After Hype-Filled Opening
The Tesla Diner opened in late July 2025 in Los Angeles, attracting significant media attention and initial hype. Elon Musk called it one of the coolest spots in LA and hinted at expansion plans if the venue proved successful. By October 2025, Tesla reported selling 50,000 burgers—around 700 per day—and Musk announced intentions for similar venues in Palo Alto and Austin, though no formal expansions were made.
The diner featured a menu including the Tesla Giga Burger priced at $13.50, Epic Bacon at $12, hot dogs, $8 milkshakes, and merchandise such as a levitating Cybertruck figurine for $175 and a $95 hoodie. However, critics viewed the concept mainly as a branding exercise with forgettable food.
By mid-December 2025, Chef Eric Greenspan departed to open Mish Jewish deli, ceasing his promotion of the diner; Tesla declined to comment on his exit. Around that time, the diner hosted a Holiday Bash on The Skypad, offering unlimited food and drinks and a live DJ for $75, reflecting a pivot towards event hosting as ambitions narrowed.
By January 2026, the diner struggled to maintain customers, with half-full parking lots, few patrons, and the Skypad deck vacant. Staff were primarily engaged in cleaning and restocking. The venue also faced onsite anti-Musk protests, neighborhood noise complaints, and reports of menu items selling out or being served soggy and cold.
Musk remains a polarizing figure, associated with nearly $300 million in donations to support Donald Trump's election and controversies including the so-called Doge department of government efficiency. Rights groups criticized his inauguration remarks, comparing them to Nazi salutes, fueling protests reflected in signage around the diner.
