Electric vehicle charging is becoming faster, but it still takes longer than filling a gas tank. Tesla first announced an idea for a combination Supercharger-diner in 2018, promising food, movies, and more, but it’s taken until this year to become a reality.
Tesla’s retro diner opened at 4:20 p.m. on July 21 in Hollywood, giving a nod to Elon Musk’s long-running pot jokes. The automaker’s announcement said, “Tesla Diner is a retro-futuristic diner & drive-in charging experience all wrapped into one. You’ll be able to place your order through your vehicle’s touchscreen & have your meal dropped off at your driver-side window.”
The building and site fulfill that promise, with a round, spaceship-like building and a hulking movie screen on one side of the lot. But, while the location and décor stand out, the menu doesn’t take many chances, other than asking $12 for four strips of candied bacon. Customers can order traditional diner food like burgers and shakes, along with more SoCal-friendly options like kombucha.
While it took Tesla almost eight years to open the first diner location, Musk said the automaker could open more if the first site is successful, posting on X/Twitter: “If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long-distance route. An island of good food, good vibes & entertainment, all while Supercharging!”
[Images: Josiah True via Shutterstock]
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