Elon Musk devotees camp out for hours to get a glimpse of new Tesla diner

Elon Musk's new Tesla Diner & Drive-In in Hollywood, Calif., on July 11. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin / GC Images/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — Tesla enthusiasts began lining up outside Elon Musk’s long-awaited Tesla Diner & Drive-In in Hollywood early Monday, eager to get their first glimpse of what’s inside.

But with little clarity about when the gates would open, some of Musk’s most ardent fans waited hours before they were finally allowed in at 4:20 p.m., a classic reference Musk often makes to marijuana.

Built in the bustling Hollywood location where a Shakey’s Pizza used to be, the retro-futuristic diner, which also doubles as a drive-in movie theater, is filled with Tesla technology — including its humanoid robot, Optimus — and merch, such as Cybertruck-themed food containers.

The Tesla menu screen at the Tesla Diner in Los Angeles on Monday. (Angela Yang / NBC News)

The menu, created by chef Eric Greenspan, featured diner staples, such as fried chicken & waffles, grilled cheese and tuna melts, as well as some themed items, such as the "Tesla Burger" with "Electric Sauce." Prices range from $4 for a side of fries to $15 for biscuits & red gravy.

As they entered the facility, guests were greeted by servers on roller skates, who rolled up with ice cream samples. The drive-in projector played the 1960s animated sitcom "The Jetsons," which depicted life in the 21st century and featured flying cars and a housekeeper robot. Guests could order items from a kiosk at the counter.

An Optimus robot waves as it serves popcorn at the Tesla Diner on Monday. (Angela Yang / NBC News)

“I saw videos of [Optimus] online and it was more of a linear movement, but it’s kind of jittery,” said one attendee, who also got the robot to try to make heart shapes with its hand. Optimus was scooping and handing out popcorn on the second-floor roof deck.

The public opening is the culmination of Musk’s yearslong ambition to open a Tesla restaurant in Los Angeles, where the automotive and clean energy company has a large presence. The crowd offered an indication of Musk’s continued popularity among die-hard Tesla fans, even as his tech mogul persona has taken a hit from his foray into politics.

Musk, whose estimated net worth surpassed $400 billion in 2024, was a close ally of President Donald Trump before the two had a public falling-out. His Department of Government Efficiency’s seemingly indiscriminate government spending cuts also caused Tesla stock to plummet as he lost public support.

Still, dozens of people gathered outside throughout the day, waiting patiently to be among the early patrons.

“I like the retro diner. It’s kind of like a Ruby’s Diner. ... Putting all this together is just very unique,” said Vera Hammar, who drove 80 miles from Beaumont with her husband, Morgan, and their daughter, Mackenzie Torres, in hope of seeing what the Tesla Diner has to offer.

Customers at the Tesla Diner. (Angela Yang / NBC News)

The family, who all identify as Tesla superfans, own a total of four Tesla vehicles, including a Cybertruck. (It used to be five before they recently sold one.)

As people stood waiting on the sidewalk for hours, many began to mingle and make friends with other Tesla fans.

Some in line were overheard asking one another what kind of Teslas they have. Others interacted with people whose social media presences they recognized. The creator behind the account for Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, who has 1.2 million followers on X, flew in early Monday and had to keep pushing his return flight back. His friend came in a Cybertruck that was decorated with images of “Doge,” a well-known internet meme that inspired the name of Musk’s DOGE.

“It’s been fun waiting, just kind of talking to people,” Vera Hammar said. “It’s a very, very friendly crowd. Like, [my husband] has seen a lot of people he follows on X.”

A soft launch over the weekend stirred some fanfare online, as invitees showcased the diner’s giant movie theater screens and spacecraft-themed bathroom and Optimus’ serving popcorn at the counter. Videos of the cafe spread across X, YouTube and Reddit.

At midday, a "Coming Soon" fence around the perimeter of the diner and Cybertrucks parked on the street by the diner. (Angela Yang / NBC News)

On Monday morning, when the facility was initially scheduled to open to the public, the scene was a little different. A chain-link fence bearing “Coming Soon” banners was still up around the perimeter, and security guards outside said they had no information about when people would be let in or where they should line up.

Many rolled up in their Cybertrucks, hoping to make use of the brand-new Supercharger site. But as time ticked into the afternoon, dozens of Tesla fans were still standing around on the sidewalk.

“I’m ready to say, ‘Elon, I need a charge here. I’m dying.’ I need to be the first in to charge,” joked Tracy Kuss, a San Diego retiree who made the 2½-hour drive to arrive at 8 a.m. sharp.

Kuss, who participates in many Tesla-focused circles on X, said she didn’t mind having to wait it out — although she was getting anxious to charge her Tesla, which had dwindled to less than 25% battery.

The crowd remained cheerful as they camped out outside. Without access to the Superchargers, a lineup of Teslas parked up and down the street.

YouTuber Everyday Chris, whose content focuses on Teslas and electric vehicles, had also been waiting with his wife, Janice, since 5:30 a.m. He and others in the crowd said that despite the delay and the lack of information, they noticed employees entering the facility and sometimes even smelled food being prepared.

“I’m hoping the robot will be here. I really want to test out the bathroom, because we’ve seen cool pictures of the bathroom. But the chicken waffle sandwich is supposed to be good; the fries are supposed to be good,” he said, joking: “But now I’m getting really mad. I’m getting hangry.”

The wait wasn’t entirely unexpected. He noted that “with Tesla, a lot of stuff is always delayed or it’s never set in stone.”

A lone anti-Trump protester, Josephine, outside the Tesla Diner on Monday as others wait in line outside. (Angela Yang / NBC News)

A man began passing around donuts to others in line. By around 1 p.m., a snack vendor had shown up with a cartful of ice cream, chips and drinks for the gaggle of people still waiting outside.

A local Musk fan also took the opportunity to make a political statement while onlookers were still waiting to get in. A woman came with her dog and a cardboard sign that read: “Elon Musk save America from evil Trump and his puppets.”

Not everyone has been receptive to Musk's foray into the Los Angeles dining scene, however.

In March, several chefs and restaurateurs who spoke with The New York Times expressed skepticism about getting involved with the project.

Walter Manzke, chef and owner of the popular Los Angeles restaurant République, also got a slew of backlash online after he told the Times that the Tesla Diner “sounds exciting." He had also told it that his wife and business partner was possibly interested in buying a Tesla.

Manzke later wrote, and then deleted, an Instagram post in which he said, "République does not take political stances; we are here to create a space for everyone, no matter their background or beliefs.”

“If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long distance routes,” he wrote Monday. “An island of good food, good vibes & entertainment, all while Supercharging!”