General Discussion

AStern

(918 posts) Mon Jan 5, 2026, 05:33 PM Jan 2026

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

14 replies

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Highlight:

D'oh! Tesla's Diner Went From Viral Sensation to Empty Pit Stop in Six Months (Original Post) AStern Jan 2026 OP

One expects that right wingers view this as a victory over electric cars Prairie Gates Jan 2026 #1

Like the cars? Kid Berwyn Jan 2026 #2

Sad to hear. sheshe2 Jan 2026 #3

Maybe that apartment complex can sue to pull down one of the giant screens. tanyev Jan 2026 #4

It's like someone took a chainsaw to it! RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Jan 2026 #5

I was behind a Tesla that had this bumper sticker. Zackzzzz Jan 2026 #6

Food and experience equally as shitty as his fucking cars, no doubt. flvegan Jan 2026 #7

Saw this sticker on a Tesla recently HAB911 Jan 2026 #8

The neighbors were pissed when it opened. BidenRocks Jan 2026 #9

The food was probably awful 😨 Clouds Passing Jan 2026 #10

Who were the dipsh*ts in the initial crowds? not fooled Jan 2026 #11

Probably "influencers" IcyPeas Jan 2026 #12

Primarily Tesla owners - the restaurant was made for them. Intractable Jan 2026 #13

Thanks for this story! It perked me up on a kind of dismal evening. Maru Kitteh Jan 2026 #14

Prairie Gates

(8,479 posts)

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

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 05:42 PM

Jan 2026

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.

Kid Berwyn

(25,108 posts)

2. Like the cars?

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 05:48 PM

Jan 2026

Musk burger must be something.

sheshe2

(98,463 posts)

3. Sad to hear.

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 05:51 PM

Jan 2026

tanyev

(49,685 posts)

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

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 05:59 PM

Jan 2026

RedWhiteBlueIsRacist

(2,260 posts)

5. It's like someone took a chainsaw to it!

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 05:59 PM

Jan 2026

Zackzzzz

(397 posts)

6. I was behind a Tesla that had this bumper sticker.

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 07:55 PM

Jan 2026

There was a large red F in front of little print elon.
Buyers remorse.

flvegan

(66,527 posts)

7. Food and experience equally as shitty as his fucking cars, no doubt.

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 07:57 PM

Jan 2026

I think I found the problem.

HAB911

(10,599 posts)

8. Saw this sticker on a Tesla recently

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 08:00 PM

Jan 2026

BidenRocks

(3,497 posts)

9. The neighbors were pissed when it opened.

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 08:00 PM

Jan 2026

Now? Not so much!

Clouds Passing

(8,195 posts)

10. The food was probably awful 😨

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 08:01 PM

Jan 2026

not fooled

(6,762 posts)

11. Who were the dipsh*ts in the initial crowds?

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 08:12 PM

Jan 2026

No decent person would have patronized F-eloon's ego outlet.

IcyPeas

(25,797 posts)

12. Probably "influencers"

Reply to not fooled (Reply #11)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 08:48 PM

Jan 2026

Intractable

(2,390 posts)

13. Primarily Tesla owners - the restaurant was made for them.

Reply to not fooled (Reply #11)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 09:01 PM

Jan 2026

Maru Kitteh

(32,010 posts)

14. Thanks for this story! It perked me up on a kind of dismal evening.

Reply to AStern (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2026, 09:14 PM

Jan 2026

Anything that reveals Musk for the LOSER he is, brightens my day.

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