Tesla Diner debuts in Hollywood with Musk’s futuristic drive-In and Optimus bot serving popcorn

Elon Musk’s latest stunt is part sci-fi, part drive-in nostalgia—and all Tesla. On Monday, the electric automaker opened its first-ever diner at 7001 Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, where burgers meet movie screens, charging stations, and even a humanoid robot named Optimus serving popcorn.
This isn’t your typical pit stop. It’s a mash-up of 1950s Americana and Musk’s tech-fueled vision of the future, complete with roller-skating servers, retro neon, and two massive LED screens playing old-school cartoons. And yes, Optimus—the same robot Tesla teased at AI Day—is handing out snacks like it’s just another employee on the clock.
A Longtime Tease Finally Becomes Reality
Musk first hinted at the idea back in 2018 with a tweet about building an “old-school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant” at a Supercharger in LA. Fast-forward seven years, and that vision is now parked firmly in the heart of Hollywood. The grand opening kicked off, true to Musk’s form, at 4:20 p.m.—his favorite wink to internet culture—and drew fans lining up for hours to get a first look.
He later shared photos on X, calling it one of the coolest spots in LA and floated the idea of opening more diners in other major cities and Supercharger routes, depending on how this one goes. If the crowd turnout is any sign, he won’t have to wait long for validation.
🚨 Here’s an awesome walkthru of both levels of the Tesla Diner 🍔 https://t.co/htwlA2mexJ pic.twitter.com/zXo2eo2LlH
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 22, 2025
The diner, which broke ground in September 2023, features a two-story, UFO-inspired structure open 24/7, packed with 80 high-speed V4 Superchargers. It’s as much a Tesla showroom as it is a roadside hangout, drawing EV owners and tourists alike along the iconic Route 66.
One of the standout features of Tesla’s Diner is the quality of its ingredients. This isn’t your typical fast food joint—Tesla has gone out of its way to source sustainable, organic ingredients that won’t leave you feeling guilty after your meal. “Ingredients are sourced from local farms,” Musk said in a post on X.
Burgers, Shakes, and Cybertruck Boxes
Inside (and outside in your car), diners can order from a comfort-food menu crafted by chef Eric Greenspan. Think Tesla Burgers with “Electric Sauce,” tuna melts, grilled cheese for kids, and cinnamon rolls—all packed in Cybertruck-shaped boxes. You can order from a touchscreen kiosk or straight from your Tesla dashboard using a dedicated app.
Servers glide by on roller skates handing out ice cream samples. Movie screens loop episodes of The Jetsons, with audio piped directly into your Tesla. The rooftop deck gives diners open-air seating with views of the city, and the restrooms? Styled like spacecraft pods.
Naturally, there’s merch. Guests can pick up Hollywood-themed diner tees, Tesla-branded candy, and a limited-edition all-black Optimus action figure that’ll likely sell out before the next Supercharger update rolls out.
Tesla Diner & Supercharger in Hollywood, LA
Open 24/7, starting now pic.twitter.com/nISRNoV89Y
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 21, 2025
Meet Optimus, Your Popcorn Butler
The real show-stealer wasn’t the food or the design—it was Optimus. Tesla’s humanoid robot made its debut as a popcorn server, handing out snacks to guests with a robotic wave and even trying to form heart shapes with its hands. Video clips of the moment quickly went viral, and Musk chimed in, saying, “This will become normal in a few years.”
That said, most of the robots at the event were reportedly remote-controlled, not yet operating fully on their own. Musk has claimed commercial rollout of Optimus could begin in 2026, though there’s still a long road ahead to reach true autonomy. Still, this popcorn-slinging appearance was a clear signal of where he wants things to go—and how soon.
Below is a video of Optimus serving popcorn.
Optimus serving popcorn is the best thing you’ll see on the internet today. 🍿
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) July 19, 2025
A Social Event Disguised as a Diner
The Hollywood launch wasn’t just a restaurant opening—it was a spectacle. Fans lined up for as long as 13 hours to get inside. Influencers, tech reviewers, and Tesla superfans posted nonstop across X, YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit. A soft launch over the weekend for first responders and the Southern California Tesla Club built early momentum.
Jacklyn Dallas, a well-known tech creator, called it “a paradise for tech lovers,” praising the mix of food, entertainment, and EV culture. But not everyone was sold on the hype. TikTok creator Nathan Espinoza summed up a common sentiment: “The one thing I want to know, which nobody seems to be talking about, is whether the food is good or not.”
Tesla’s Cultural Bet
Tesla might be facing real business pressures—Q1 2025 U.S. deliveries were down 13%, and Musk’s political heat hasn’t cooled—but that didn’t stop the diner from stealing headlines. It’s the kind of move that keeps Tesla in the spotlight, and Musk knows it.
More than anything, this diner is a public experiment. Can the same company that builds self-driving cars and humanoid robots also make a decent burger and give people a reason to hang out for a charge? Musk is betting on it.
And if it works, don’t be surprised if your next road trip includes a Tesla pit stop with Optimus handing you popcorn while The Jetsons plays on loop.
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