Roller Skates, Superchargers, and Optimus Serving Popcorn: What's Really Inside Elon Musk's Tesla Diner?

Tesla has officially launched its first-ever diner, drive-in movie theater, and Supercharger station in the heart of Hollywood, and fans wasted no time lining up to get a taste of the retro-futuristic experience.

Open 24/7 and located at 7001 Santa Monica Blvd., the venue combines 1950s Americana with Elon Musk's cutting-edge tech, including a working Optimus robot that serves popcorn.

Optimus Is Straight Out Of A Sci-Fi Movie

Crowds gathered as early as sunrise on Monday, with Tesla enthusiasts unsure of the exact opening time but eager to witness the company's latest venture. Many pulled up in Cybertrucks and Model Ys, with some describing the location as 'the future of roadside stops.'

'I'm super excited to see Optimus. They've got the robot. From what I've seen, based on social media, he's serving up popcorn. We'll see what we can get,' said James T. from Cerritos.

Sure enough, Optimus — Tesla's humanoid robot — was on hand to scoop popcorn into guests' bags, wave at the crowd, and pose for selfies. The scene, straight out of a sci-fi movie, was brought to life beneath two massive LED movie screens and rows of Tesla Superchargers.

The ground floor serves as the charging and viewing zone, where visitors can watch nostalgic shows such as The Jetsons from their car while they recharge. Upstairs, a full-service diner offers indoor and rooftop seating with sweeping views of Hollywood.

What's On The Menu?

As guests entered, they were greeted by servers on roller skates handing out ice cream samples — a nod to the 1950s inspiration that Musk first teased in a 2018 tweet: 'Gonna put an old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in LA.'

That vision has now become reality.

The menu, created by celebrity chef Eric Greenspan, includes classic diner fare such as fried chicken and waffles, grilled cheese, tuna melts, and a cheekily branded 'Tesla Burger' topped with 'Electric Sauce.' Sides start at £3 ($4), while mains range up to £12 ($15). For fans seeking memorabilia, there are also Cybertruck-themed food containers and Tesla-branded merchandise on display.

Neighbourhood Reactions

Local resident Josh Becerra welcomed the 24/7 operation but expressed mild concern about traffic. 'It's going to be open 24/7, so I think that's pretty cool,' he said. 'The only concern is just the traffic in the neighbourhood, just getting in and out where I live at.'

Noise, he said, wouldn't be a problem since audio from the movies is streamed directly to Tesla speakers rather than broadcast aloud. As for protests, Becerra predicted any dissent would likely remain peaceful.

'I feel like people are going to be pretty respectful for the most part. I don't think it's going to get super crazy,' he said. 'I feel like people are just going to voice their opinions about what they think about it, but other than that, I'm not too concerned.'

Over the weekend, Tesla hosted a soft opening for first responders and members of the Southern California Tesla Club, where guests got an early glimpse of Optimus in action and sampled the menu.

Expansion Planned

The venue stands on the former site of a Shakey's Pizza and is part of Musk's larger vision to reimagine travel pit stops as sleek, tech-forward experiences. While the current facility is a novelty, Tesla has hinted that if the concept proves successful, it could expand the format to other parts of the country—and possibly the world.

For now, the Hollywood diner serves as a high-profile test case. One that blends fast food, fast charging, and futuristic spectacle. From skaters with fries to humanoid servers, it's clear that at Tesla's new pit stop, the future comes with a side of nostalgia.