LOS ANGELES — Tesla fans started lining up outdoors Elon Musk’s long-awaited Tesla Diner & Drive-In in Hollywood early Monday, desirous to get their first glimpse of what’s inside.
However with little readability about when the gates would open, a few of Musk’s most ardent followers waited hours earlier than they have been lastly allowed in at 4:20 p.m., a traditional reference Musk usually makes to marijuana.
Constructed within the bustling Hollywood location the place a Shakey’s Pizza was once, the retro-futuristic diner, which additionally doubles as a drive-in movie show, is crammed with Tesla know-how — together with its humanoid robotic, Optimus — and merch, resembling Cybertruck-themed meals containers.
The menu, created by chef Eric Greenspan, featured diner staples, resembling fried rooster & waffles, grilled cheese and tuna melts, in addition to some themed gadgets, such because the “Tesla Burger” with “Electrical Sauce.” Costs vary from $4 for a aspect of fries to $15 for biscuits & crimson gravy.
As they entered the ability, company have been greeted by servers on curler skates, who rolled up with ice cream samples. The drive-in projector performed the Nineteen Sixties animated sitcom “The Jetsons,” which depicted life within the twenty first century and featured flying vehicles and a housekeeper robotic. Visitors might order gadgets from a kiosk on the counter.
“I noticed movies of [Optimus] on-line and it was extra of a linear motion, however it’s sort of jittery,” stated one attendee, who additionally acquired the robotic to attempt to make coronary heart shapes with its hand. Optimus was scooping and handing out popcorn on the second-floor roof deck.
The general public opening is the fruits of Musk’s yearslong ambition to open a Tesla restaurant in Los Angeles, the place the automotive and clear vitality firm has a big presence. The gang provided a sign of Musk’s continued recognition amongst die-hard Tesla followers, whilst his tech mogul persona has taken successful from his foray into politics.
Musk, whose estimated web price surpassed $400 billion in 2024, was an in depth ally of President Donald Trump earlier than the 2 had a public falling-out. His Division of Authorities Effectivity’s seemingly indiscriminate authorities spending cuts additionally brought about Tesla inventory to plummet as he misplaced public help.
Nonetheless, dozens of individuals gathered outdoors all through the day, ready patiently to be among the many early patrons.
“I just like the retro diner. It’s sort of like a Ruby’s Diner. … Placing all this collectively is simply very distinctive,” stated Vera Hammar, who drove 80 miles from Beaumont along with her husband, Morgan, and their daughter, Mackenzie Torres, in hope of seeing what the Tesla Diner has to supply.
The household, who all establish as Tesla superfans, personal a complete of 4 Tesla automobiles, together with a Cybertruck. (It was once 5 earlier than they lately offered one.)
As folks stood ready on the sidewalk for hours, many started to mingle and make pals with different Tesla followers.
Some in line have been overheard asking each other what sort of Teslas they’ve. Others interacted with folks whose social media presences they acknowledged. The creator behind the account for Tesla House owners Silicon Valley, who has 1.2 million followers on X, flew in early Monday and needed to hold pushing his return flight again. His good friend got here in a Cybertruck that was embellished with photos of “Doge,” a widely known web meme that impressed the title of Musk’s DOGE.
“It’s been enjoyable ready, simply sort of speaking to folks,” Vera Hammar stated. “It’s a really, very pleasant crowd. Like, [my husband] has seen lots of people he follows on X.”
A smooth launch over the weekend stirred some fanfare on-line, as invitees showcased the diner’s big movie show screens and spacecraft-themed rest room and Optimus’ serving popcorn on the counter. Movies of the cafe unfold throughout X, YouTube and Reddit.
