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AStern

(732 posts) Mon Jan 5, 2026, 04:33 PM Jan 5

D'oh! Tesla's Diner Went From Viral Sensation to Empty Pit Stop in Six Months

From almost 1,000 burgers a day to a ghost town within six months, Tesla’s LA diner mirrors the brand’s broader struggle to keep its momentum.

Tesla opened its long-hyped diner in Los Angeles in July 2025. It was meant to showcase a new vision for EV charging. Rather than a basic restaurant attached to a Supercharger station, it was pitched as a retro-futuristic destination blending Americana, EV culture, and Elon Musk’s flair for spectacle – finally, you’d look forward to charging your Model Y. Six months later, that promise feels largely unfulfilled. The crowds have disappeared, the novelty has worn off, and what was framed as a bold lifestyle experiment now looks like a dystopian concept.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/teslas-diner-went-from-viral-sensation-to-empty-pit-stop-in-six-months

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D'oh! Tesla's Diner Went From Viral Sensation to Empty Pit Stop in Six Months (Original Post) AStern Jan 5 OP

One expects that right wingers view this as a victory over electric cars Prairie Gates Jan 5 #1

Like the cars? Kid Berwyn Jan 5 #2

Sad to hear. sheshe2 Jan 5 #3

Maybe that apartment complex can sue to pull down one of the giant screens. tanyev Jan 5 #4

It's like someone took a chainsaw to it! RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Jan 5 #5

I was behind a Tesla that had this bumper sticker. Zackzzzz Jan 5 #6

Food and experience equally as shitty as his fucking cars, no doubt. flvegan Jan 5 #7

Saw this sticker on a Tesla recently HAB911 Jan 5 #8

The neighbors were pissed when it opened. BidenRocks Jan 5 #9

The food was probably awful 😨 Clouds Passing Jan 5 #10

Who were the dipsh*ts in the initial crowds? not fooled Jan 5 #11

Probably "influencers" IcyPeas Jan 5 #12

Primarily Tesla owners - the restaurant was made for them. Intractable Jan 5 #13

Thanks for this story! It perked me up on a kind of dismal evening. Maru Kitteh Jan 5 #14

Prairie Gates

(7,473 posts)

1. One expects that right wingers view this as a victory over electric cars

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 04:42 PM

Jan 5

which they apparently hate for some reason owing to their extreme allegiance to oil companies.

Of course, there are additional explanations, like it is a monumentally stupid idea to connect even mid-concept dining to fueling up a car, the proverbial Buc-ee's notwithstanding. Everybody knows you fuel up the car and pick up Combos and an ice tea for the drive.

Or, alternatively, the people of California in general and Los Angeles in particular absolutely despise Nazi shitbag Elon Musk and want nothing to do with his bullshit.