The chef and co-operator behind Tesla Diner, one of many metropolis’s most notable and polarizing new eating places, is exiting the mission. Workers advised the L.A. Instances that the mixture electric-vehicle charging station and diner may even shift to a full-service restaurant mannequin quickly.
The primary restaurant from electric-vehicle firm Tesla debuted on the border of Hollywood and West Hollywood in July, drawing throngs of followers in addition to protesters for months. Its chef, Eric Greenspan, headed the kitchen with a menu of American classics equivalent to milkshakes, tuna melts, burgers and Wagyu-chili sizzling canines.
However the New College American Cheese founder and former Foundry chef, who additionally helped launch Mr. Beast Burger and the Weight Watchers cafe, stated he’s not tied to the diner and that his departure was within the works for a couple of month.
“I’m leaving the Tesla Diner mission to give attention to the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli,” Greenspan wrote in a textual content message. “Tasks like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and a spotlight, and my focus and a spotlight is now squarely on Mish.”
Representatives of Tesla couldn’t be reached for remark.
Greenspan confronted backlash for his involvement when his ties to Tesla Diner have been confirmed in March. One of many few remaining feedback on his Instagram from the time references “the Swasticar restaurant.”
In July, when the diner opened, the chef posted a video to his private Instagram; the caption learn, “Tesla Diner now open. 24/7 from now till eternally.” Streams of feedback poured in chastising the chef for his hand within the enterprise and its ties to Tesla’s chief govt, controversial determine and world’s richest particular person Elon Musk.
Greenspan then deleted the video from his Instagram web page, together with all different mentions of Tesla Diner.
Tesla Diner chef and co-operator Eric Greenspan within the kitchen of the restaurant on opening day.
(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Instances)
Greenspan didn’t reply to request for remark concerning whether or not any damaging response contributed to his cut up from the corporate, nor concerning the way forward for the restaurant’s menu.
On Tuesday afternoon a Tesla Diner worker stated that they’d not heard information of Greenspan’s departure however that employees had been knowledgeable the diner could be transformed right into a full-service restaurant by January.
Greenspan confirmed that Invoice Chait, his former enterprise accomplice in Tesla Diner, will stay connected to the mission. Chait may even be a accomplice within the forthcoming Mish, which Chait beforehand stated was slated to open final month on La Brea Avenue. Chait couldn’t be reached for remark.
“It’s been a tremendous expertise and I’m very happy with every part we completed collectively,” Greenspan wrote in his message. “We’ll proceed to work collectively at Mish, and he’ll all the time have my assist in any approach he wants it.”
A protester introduced the signal he used at a “No Kings” protest in June to the Tesla Diner’s opening day on July 21, 2025.
(Lauren Ng / Los Angeles Instances)
Not all suggestions for Tesla Diner has been damaging.
On Tuesday, the rain of the previous few days broke and the solar shone by way of fluffy clouds on the rounded metallic of the Tesla Diner in Hollywood. Clients streamed in round lunchtime because the Everly Brothers blared by way of the audio system. Many have been vacationers, snapping pictures of the Tesla signage.
Connor Youn, 26, visiting from Vancouver, had rented a Tesla and noticed the charging lot. He had no concept the diner was situated there till he pulled within the lot.
“I used to be like, ‘Oh, my God, that is the Tesla diner.’ I had heard about it,” Youn stated.
Youn’s buddy, Nick Roquefort, 25, stated he’s owned a Tesla for 3 years in his dwelling nation of France.
However neither had heard of Greenspan, nor another culinary forces behind the mission.
“I just like the diner, I just like the retro futuristic model,” Roquefort stated. “I believe it’s cool.”
Gabriel Samuel, 21, visiting from Stockholm waited for his Giga Burger in a sales space. He stated he and his buddy have been excited to strive the meals after watching movies on social media: “We noticed it on TikTok and stated, ‘Let’s go eat there.’ ”
