Chef and Co-operator behind the Tesla Diner, one of the city’s most notable and innovative new restaurants that come out of this project. Employees told the LA Times that the Electric Harvel Station and Diner charging station will switch to a full restaurant model soon.
The first restaurant from the electric car company Tesla was reported on the border of Hollywood and West Hollywood in July, drawing crowds of fans and protesters for months. Its chef, Eric Greenspan, headed the kitchen with a menu of American classics like milkshakes, tuna melts, burgers and chagyu-chili hot dogs.
But the founder of New American Cheese and Fender Chef, who helped launch Mr. Beast Burger and Weight Watchers Cafe, said that he is no longer tied to Diner and that his departure was in the works for more than one month.
“I’m leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on Mish’s opening, Greenspan wrote in a text. “Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharp focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now very focused.”
Tesla representatives could not be reached for comment.
Greenspan faced reconciliation for his involvement when his Tesla Diner affiliation was confirmed in March. One of the few comments left on his Instagram from the time references “the Swaustic restaurant.”
In July, when the diner opened, the chef posted a video on his Instagram; The caption read, “tesla diner is now open. 24/7 from now until forever.” Streams of comments were poured into burning the chef with his hand in the business and its examples on the board of Tesla, a controversial figure of Elon Musk.
Greenspan then removed the video from his Instagram page, along with all other descriptions of the Tesla Diner.
Tesla Diner Chef and Cooper Eric Greenspan in the restaurant’s kitchen on opening day.
(Stephanie Breijo/Los Angeles Times)
Greenspan did not respond to a request for comment as to whether any negative feedback had an effect on his separation from the company, or regarding the future of the restaurant’s menu.
On Tuesday afternoon, a Tesla Diner employee said he had not heard the news of Greenspan’s departure but that employees had been informed that the diner would be converted to a full restaurant in January.
Greenspan confirmed that Bill Chait, who had been with him in the Tesla Diner business, will remain attached to the project. Chait’s will have a partner at the next event, which Chait previously announced was slated to open last month on La Brea Avenue. Chait could not be reached for comment.
“It’s been an amazing experience and I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together,” Grisespan wrote in his message. “We will continue to work together at Mish, and he will always have my support in any way he wants.”
A protester brought the sign he used in the protest “There are no Kings” on Suni on Tesla Diner’s Failed Day on July 21, 2025.
(Lauren Ng/Los Angeles Times)
Not all of Tesla Diner’s feedback was negative.
On Tuesday, the rain of the past few days breaks up and the sun shines through fluffy clouds in the round bell of the Tesla diner in Hollywood. Customers streamed in around noon as our resident brothers blared through the speakers. Many were tourists, snapping pictures of the Tesla logo.
Connor Youn, 26, visiting Vancouver, had rented a Tesla and saw the charging lot. He had no idea that dinner was there until he pulled into the.
“I was like, ‘Oh, my God, this is the Tesla Diner.’ I had heard about it,” said Yan.
Non’s friend, Nick Roquefort, 25, said he has been a Tesla owner for three years in his native France.
But there is no nationalism about Greenspan, or the other forces behind this project.
“I like the diner, I like the retro futuristic style,” said Roquefort. “I think it’s cool.”
Gabriel Samuel, 21 years old, visiting Stockholm waited for his Giga Burger at the booth. He said he and his friend were excited to try the food after watching videos on social media: “We saw it on Tiktok, and we said, ‘Let’s eat there.’ “
