Chef Eric Greenspan is leaving the Tesla Diner in Hollywood after less than six months to focus on opening his new Jewish deli, Mish. The diner, operated by Elon Musk's Tesla, plans to transition from self-service to a full-service restaurant model soon. Staff confirmed the change, while Greenspan cited the need for focused attention on his new project.
The Tesla Diner, located at 7001 Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, opened in late July 2025 to significant crowds despite protests linked to Elon Musk's political involvement. Chef Eric Greenspan, who curated the menu starting in March 2025 alongside restaurateur Bill Chait, has stepped away from the project. Greenspan confirmed his departure in a text to the Los Angeles Times: “I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
The diner initially offered a self-serve experience where customers could order via vehicle touchscreens or at a counter, with pickup for seating. Items included Tesla-themed dishes like the "giga burger" in Cybertruck-shaped boxes, using locally sourced ingredients. However, around August 5, 2025, the menu was scaled back to five sandwiches, two sides, two pie flavors, and shakes, eliminating options such as "epic bacon." Greenspan had described the menu as "forever evolving" due to unprecedented demand.
Staff at the diner informed the Los Angeles Times that it would shift to a full-service format with waiters and table service, potentially in January 2025, moving away from the current tablet and counter ordering. This change comes amid mixed reception: initial enthusiasm from Tesla fans contrasted with complaints about noise, overpricing, and food quality, leading to waning crowds and poor reviews. Chait will remain involved with the diner, while Greenspan partners with him on Mish.
Elon Musk has called the diner successful in its early months and expressed interest in expansions to Palo Alto near Tesla's engineering headquarters and Austin near Gigafactory Texas. As of November 19, 2025, Greenspan had removed all Tesla Diner-related posts from his Instagram.
