Review: To Live and Dine at the Tesla Diner in L.A.

Would I want to check out the new Tesla Diner in Hollywood and write about it, my Mashable colleague asked me last week. Well, let’s just say, I’m much more willing to help a fellow journalist than Elon Musk. I said yes.

I initially planned to check out the establishment the first Saturday following its July 21 opening, but I’m glad I waited. Social media images of block-long crowds and raucous scenes of anti-Elon protests — featuring effigies of the contentious electric car CEO — convinced me to hold off that day. I’m glad I didn’t visit on Sunday either, since that’s when a piece of patio furniture fell on a patron’s head. Could my family and I check out the hype and get out unscathed?

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The scene

Tuesday seemed like a sensible enough option for a visit that would let me avoid the weekend’s crowds (and mayhem). At about 2:15 that afternoon, a line still wrapped around the retro-futuristic diner — brought to life by Tesla lead designer Franz von Holzhausen — and dozens loitered around the restaurant’s adjoining 80 EV charging stations.

The crowd enduring the 45-minute wait appeared to consist mostly of curious tourists and families with kids — no DOGE or MAGA paraphernalia spotted. Tesla owners utilizing the chargers got to jump the line, leading to some quiet resentment about the sweaty patrons. 

While the sun beat down on waiting guests, there were some distractions, including free cups of cold water from the staff and the diner’s now-infamous jumbo screens that, at that time, showed silent clips of the 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon Wacky Races and an episode of the original Star Trek where a possessed Captain Kirk nearly assaults a woman (disturbing choice, to say the least). Tesla owners using the chargers can access the screens’ audio through their sound systems, and movies are screened nightly. Desert landscaping and dining tables dot the front, side, and back of the diner, the latter of which were utilized by seniors and crawled over by children, contributing to a lively, though not chaotic, scene — at least during my Tuesday visit.

The ordering

My party of three was eventually waved into the restaurant and quickly greeted by a friendly hostess who explained the touch-screen ordering system. It immediately became clear why we had waited so long; there are only two ordering screens. Meanwhile, various tables sat empty. (Maybe the ubiquitous lines outside the restaurant are simply a marketing gimmick?) The menu is limited and offers typical diner fare — burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheeses, and tuna melts. 

The restaurant’s interior was covered in slick silver chrome, a few dozen tables, a large counter with comfy-looking chairs, and a busy kitchen behind it. Inside the diner, there were nearly as many black-clad Tesla Diner employees as paying customers.

Our receipt didn’t come with an order number, ostensibly because we didn’t order beverages (the usual sodas and coffee were available). This led to some confusion as to how to receive our food (most people retrieve their items from the counter when their number is called). Using our receipt, an employee made sure our tuna melt, grilled cheese, chicken sandwich, and fries were delivered. Most of the staff, save for some of the harried workers managing the crowd outside, were friendly and outgoing.

The food

Good! My tuna melt came with dill and pickles, which I know is not for everyone, but I loved it. The perfectly toasted bread, melty American cheese, and white tuna reminded me of a meal from beloved East Coast institution Friendly’s (IYKYK). L.A. chef Eric Greenspan was behind the food of Tesla Diner, which is simple but done well. The ranch dip, paired with delicious fries, was also flavored with dill and received accolades from my husband. (The whole menu is posted on the Tesla website.)

One downside is the portion sizes. All three of our sandwiches were small and came with nothing, though they’re priced like a diner meal that’s sizable and comes with a side. Without any beverages, we still spent nearly $50 on lunch for two adults and a kid.

Our food also didn’t arrive in Cybertruck boxes, though we saw some other tables with them. No big loss since we’re not fans of the CTs, but others may be disappointed if they miss out.

The experience

The first floor of the diner was clean, considering the number of people cycling through it. The interior design was pretty unimpressive, though; other than the aforementioned chrome, there was little to look at on the first floor, save for the line of people outside. At night, with all the dining room’s lights set against the darkness, it may look more impressive.

It’s only when you climb the stairs to the second floor that things get interesting. Three Optimus robots encased in glass flank the twisty stairs, which lead you to the entrance of the second floor’s 360-degree open-air dining deck. A counter staffed by humans sells Tesla merch, with an empty popcorn machine nearby — we were hoping for an encounter with the diner’s famous popcorn-serving robot, but were informed by a staff member it had the day off. Musk has very ambitious plans for these bots, and he’s on record saying he expects “thousands” of them working in his factories by the end of the year, with millions more to come by the end of the decade, per Investopedia. If they’re not up for serving popcorn, well, I have my doubts.

The dining deck’s views of the Hollywood hills, various high-rises, nearby apartment buildings (with their frustrated residents), and the movie screens were truly impressive. The first floor is utilitarian, while the second floor is an experience.

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Should you go?

Well, first off, that depends on how you feel about Tesla and, more specifically, its leader. If you embrace the politically inclined Musk, or can put your feelings about him aside, it’s not a bad place for lunch or a quick bite, especially if you’re with kids. There’s even more incentive to go if you need to charge your Tesla, since owners are treated like VIPs and hop the line. The food is tasty, though limited and expensive considering the portions. 

The location, off Santa Monica Boulevard, aka Route 66, is just ok. Traffic is loud and incessant, with a constant thrum of buses and motorcycles. There is little parking if you’re not in a Tesla; it seemed some people took rideshare or hoofed it from the tourist enclave on Hollywood Boulevard. One could take the bus, as well, though the man behind all this spectacle would prefer you drive one of his cars.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

​Mashable