Featured Image Credit: Carlin Stiehl / Contributor via Getty
The reviews for Elon Musk's Tesla Diner could be hard to 'stomach' for the world's richest man, with a slew of bad reviews from critics and casual patrons alike suggesting that the flashy promo for his electric vehicle business might not have many miles on the clock.
While Elon Musk has plenty of critics, he also has a legion of loyal supporters who flocked to the opening of his flashy Tesla Diner on Los Angeles' Santa Monica Boulevard.
There were already complaints at this dystopian glimpse into the future, which feels like a Cybertruck showroom in its parking lot and tries to capture the theme of The Jetsons as Musk's Optimus robots serve you popcorn.
Local residents vowed to protest outside the diner's doors, but with queues around the block, it was a hit at launch. There was plenty of debate about the Tesla Diner menu, with dishes including Wagyu beef chilli cup ($8), the mysterious 'epic' bacon ($12), and 'dirty kombucha' ($11).
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However, just weeks after opening, Mr. Musk is apparently having to revamp the menu.
The New York Times wrote a scathing review titled "At the Tesla Diner, the Future Looks Mid", but it wasn't just the press that were unimpressed.
While most agreed that the venue designed by Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen looked the part, the food left a little to be desired. Chef Eric Greenspan has confirmed that the menu is being reduced to 'increase efficiency'. Eater has reiterated how the supposedly 24-hour diner has also slashed its opening hours while removing most of the original dishes.
The site reports that as of August 5, only five sandwiches, two sides, two flavors of pie, shakes, and some soft drinks were able to order to your car. Yes, that means epic bacon has been given the chop.
Responding to the outlet, Greenspan said the Tesla Diner will be 'forever evolving' and how 'unprecedented demand' led to the recent changes. Elsewhere, the veggie patty is no longer a burger option, all-day waffles are now limited to mornings, and reimagined fountain drinks like Shirley Temples and Creamsicles are MIA.
Greenspan stated that seasonal availability and supply chains mean soft-serve ice cream and biscuits with gravy will be back "sooner rather than later."
These changes come in the aftermath of the Tesla Diner being caught in a scandal when TMZ reported on one customer claiming an outdoor patio covering came loose and struck her on the head while narrowly missing a baby.
This is before we get to the reviews, with someone on X stating: "I finally visited the much-hyped Tesla Diner. The food was mediocre and overpriced. Optimus wasn’t on duty; when I asked, an employee told me, 'He’s off today.'
“My burger came in a plain package not the cybertruck-shaped package every one talked about. I felt like being cheated."
There's also a viral look at a 'withered' hot dog, accompanied by the caption: "The Tesla Diner is progressing as expected."
Others have pointed out that $13 for a hot dog is quite a climb from Costco charging $1.50 for one.
Eater's Matthew Kang similarly shared a snap of a pretty unappetizing-looking grilled cheese with unmelted cheese. In Tesla's defense, some claim there was a new addition of Vanilla Overnight Oats with goji berries, although it's also apparently mysteriously vanished.
Is this the start of a new era for the Tesla Diner, or will patrons still be turning their noses up at the menu?
