The Tesla Diner, a themed restaurant by Tesla in Los Angeles, opened in July of last year. The automaker invested heavily in marketing, but it seems the food is not meeting the expectations of some fans.
Among the restaurant’s features are a box shaped like a Cybertruck, an atmosphere that blends the retro aesthetic of casual 1950s “diners” with a very Star Trek-style futuristic vibe, and, for Tesla owners, the possibility of skipping the line at the drive-thru.
But the food is dividing fans. In a review post shared by content creator Marina, she gave a “ten out of ten” to the chicken burger, but the beef one fell short, being described by her as an “overcooked smash burger.” She also rated the popcorn as “kind of stale,” but admitted she liked being served by Tesla’s robots.
Meanwhile, Natelo, another food review content creator, said the chicken waffle sandwich was “very dry,” while admitting that he “expected more.” “It’s a cool idea, but it’s nothing special,” he said.
At the same time, Natelo described the smash burger as “very good,” but did not hold back criticism of the hot dog, calling it “disgusting.” He also said the fried pickles and bacon slices left him “stunned,” while saying the bacon was the best he had ever eaten.
He said he waited about two hours in line, but took the opportunity to praise the restaurant’s overall aesthetic, describing it as “incredible.” “This place was packed. They have robots serving food to you, and it was designed like a retro restaurant,” he explained.
On X (formerly Twitter), internet users took the opportunity to share their very “expectation vs. reality” experiences, with one user comparing the promotional images with the actual product. “I went today and here’s what it really looks like,” said one user while showing what they received after ordering a menu item called Epic Bacon.
In terms of prices, sides and soft drinks start at US$ 4, while items such as the Tesla Burger and the hot dog cost around US$ 13.50 and US$ 13, respectively.
Items such as the Diner Club sandwich and biscuits with gravy are the most expensive on the menu, costing around US$ 15. The grilled cheese is being sold for US$ 9, while the tuna melt sandwich costs US$ 14.
Despite the initial popularity, The Guardian pointed out that, in the first week of 2026, the Tesla Diner is practically empty, while the parking lot is “partially full.”
It is worth noting that the restaurant’s parking lot has charging stations for Tesla cars, something that could help attract potential customers.
Photos and videos: TikTok @marinaodinn / @natelovlogs / X @youwouldntpost. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
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