When Tesla Diner opened on July 21, 2025, it drew massive crowds eager to see a “Grease meets The Jetsons” fantasy brought to life. Wrapped in gleaming stainless steel, the two-story saucer-shaped diner—designed by Stantec—boasts over 250 seats, 75–80 V4 Supercharger stalls, and two massive 66-foot movie screens, transforming mundane charging into entertainment and spectacle
Inside, the design is pure retro-futurism: neon-lit booths, roller-skating servers, Cybertruck-themed packaging, and even a popcorn-serving Optimus robot. Guests can order via kiosks or directly through their Tesla’s touchscreen, and some food items arrived theatrically in custom boxes .
The Initial Menu: Ambitious and Eclectic
Helmed by Chef Eric Greenspan (with Bill Chait), the original menu was an expansive, diner-classic mash-up with modern flair:
- Smash-style Tesla Burger with “Electric Sauce”
- Chicken & waffles, tuna melts, hot dogs, hand-spun shakes, Charged Sodas (with caffeine), biscuits with red chorizo gravy, and even soft-serve, pie shakes, and pastries
The tone was playful and proud—fries with beef tallow, sourced ingredients, and Cybertruck boxes to underscore the brand experience
Menu Trims: A Reality Check in August
Just weeks in, the diner dramatically reduced its menu, citing “unprecedented demand” as the reason. As of mid-August:
- The menu now consists of only five sandwiches, a burger, a hot dog, fries, a cup of chili, pecan pie, shakes, and soft drinks.
- Popular items like Epic Bacon, biscuits and gravy, veggie burger, market salad, club sandwich, chocolate chip cookies, Shirley Temple, and Creamsicles have all been dropped.
- The once-promised all-day breakfast is now strictly limited to morning hours
Additionally, the claim of being a 24/7 restaurant now only holds true for Tesla (and other EV) drivers charging between midnight and 6 a.m., while access for walk-in customers has been limited
Final Verdict: Atmosphere Over Culinary Consistency
Highlights:
- Unmatched ambiance: Truly entertaining and visually compelling—robots, retro servers, rooftop views, synchronized movie screens, and a buzz-filled vibe
- Brand immersion: From Cybertruck boxes to in-car ordering, every detail reinforces Tesla’s identity .
- Novelty appeal: For fans of Musk, EV culture, or kitschy experiences, this is a must-see .
Challenges:
- Taste vs. hype: Food quality and availability were inconsistent—some diners found it enjoyable, while others were disappointed
- Long waits and supply chaos: Queues, sold-out items, and operational glitches marred the experience—though many stayed in good spirits (“It is what it is”)
- Menu cutbacks: A tangled initial menu was swiftly replaced by a stripped-down selection, signaling overreach and under-delivery .
- Access limitations: Late-night service is now restricted, limiting the diner’s 24/7 promise to EV drivers only
Is it really new?
Tesla Diner is less about pioneering a next-gen culinary destination and more about selling a dining experience—part museum, part charging station, part sci-fi theater. If you’re drawn in by spectacle, nostalgia, and EV aesthetics, it’s a worthy stop. But if you’re seeking reliably delicious food with fully stocked menus and quick service, you might want to wait and see how the operation evolves.
