A Packed Opening Day
80 Charging Stations and Two Giant Screens
Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has unveiled its first-ever multi-purpose facility in downtown Los Angeles (LA), combining a restaurant and charging station in the form of a rest stop called 'Diner.'
On the 21st (local time), Tesla electric vehicles are being charged while citizens wait to enter Tesla's restaurant and rest area 'Diner,' which opened for the first time in Los Angeles (LA), California, USA. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
On July 22 (local time), Tesla CEO Elon Musk promoted the opening by posting several photos and videos of the facility on the social networking service X (formerly Twitter). Tesla's official account also announced on X the previous day that "Tesla Diner and Supercharger in LA Hollywood are now open and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
CEO Musk stated, "Tesla's Diner has newly opened in LA, and I had dinner at this retro-futuristic place. Our team did an amazing job, making it one of the most impressive spots in LA. If it turns out that a Diner I think will do well actually succeeds, Tesla will build this facility in major cities around the world and in locations that require long-distance travel." He also boasted, "You can enjoy delicious food, a great atmosphere, and fun entertainment all in one place, while charging your electric vehicle at the same time."
Additionally, CEO Musk shared posts from other X users praising the taste of the Diner's menu items such as hamburgers, waffles, hot dogs, and French fries, emphasizing, "The ingredients are sourced from local farms."
Construction began in the fall of 2023, and the facility was completed this year on a 2,023-square-meter (approximately 612-pyeong) site. It is equipped with 80 Tesla electric vehicle chargers and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Outside the two-story building, two large screens have been installed so visitors can watch while waiting; these screens show short films lasting about 30 minutes, which is the typical charging time. On the first day, films such as 'Star Trek' were screened. The Diner is open to everyone, not just Tesla vehicle owners, but certain convenience features such as in-car ordering and audio synchronization with the large screens are reportedly only available to those with a Tesla vehicle.
According to videos posted overnight by various X users, the facility was crowded with visitors from the very first day, and long lines formed. It was reported that Tesla fans who wanted to see the inside of the facility waited from early morning until 4:20 p.m., as the exact opening time was unclear that day.
When guests entered the facility, employees on roller skates approached with ice cream samples, and on the rooftop, Tesla's humanoid robot 'Optimus,' which is currently under development, was seen handing out popcorn to customers at a popcorn booth. Inside the store, a variety of Tesla-related merchandise was sold, ranging from Tesla T-shirts to Optimus figurines. Notably, the paper boxes used to serve food in the restaurant were shaped like Tesla's pickup truck, the Cybertruck, attracting attention.
Previously, in 2018, CEO Musk mentioned plans to build a Diner, saying, "We plan to add an old-school drive-in, roller skates, and a rock restaurant to one of the Tesla Supercharger locations." As the plans became more concrete, CEO Musk announced on X, "A large new Supercharger station will soon be built in LA Santa Monica," adding, "I hope to present a 1950s-style restaurant along with a selection of 100 classic movies."
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