Elon Musks Tesla Diner chef just quit to open a deli
Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner, an eye-catching UFO-shaped restaurant located in Los Angeles, is reportedly seeking a new chef following the departure of its co-operator, Eric Greenspan. According to a recent article from the Los Angeles Times, Greenspan has decided to leave the project to focus on his long-anticipated venture, a Jewish deli named Mish. While he cited his commitment to Mish as the primary reason for his departure, the report also highlighted the backlash he faced for associating with Musk and the Tesla brand. In a text message to the LA Times, Greenspan stated, “Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Since its opening, the Tesla Diner has offered a unique dining experience with a menu featuring classic American diner fare, whimsically rebranded with names inspired by Musk’s ventures. Items like the “giga burger,” “electric sauce,” and “autopilot avocado toast” have drawn attention, although some critics, including Mashable editor Neal Broverman, noted that the food, while decent, felt overpriced for the portion sizes. The diner has already undergone significant changes since its debut, including a reduction in menu items—most notably the removal of the “epic bacon”—and a shift towards a full-service model. Currently, patrons place orders via tablets and receive counter service, but the future direction of the diner remains uncertain with the chef’s exit.
As the Tesla Diner navigates these changes, it raises questions about its sustainability and appeal in a competitive dining landscape. With the departure of Greenspan, it remains to be seen how the diner will adapt and whether it can maintain its unique identity while attracting a loyal customer base. As Musk continues to innovate across various industries, the fate of this futuristic restaurant will be closely watched by fans and foodies alike, eager to see if it can transform into a culinary destination or if it will fade into the background of Musk’s ambitious projects.
Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner — the billionaire’s shiny, UFO-shaped restaurant in Los Angeles — may be in the market for a new chef.
The
Los Angeles Times
reported
this week that chef and co-operator Eric Greenspan is leaving the project. The chef said that he was leaving to focus on opening his new spot, a Jewish deli, but the paper also noted he faced stark pushback for joining forces with Musk.
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli,” Greenspan told the
LA Times
in a text message. “Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Mashable visited the Tesla Diner
back in August, which serves the classics — burgers, fries, shakes, etc. — but with Muskified names. So
you get items like
“electric sauce,” “autopilot avocado toast,” a “giga burger,” and now-defunct “epic bacon.” The
food did earn decent reviews
from Mashable editor Neal Broverman, even if it felt overpriced for the portion size.
This isn’t the first big change at the Tesla Diner. Shortly after the diner’s opening, patrons
noticed that the menu
had been scaled back — thus the goodbye to “epic bacon.” The
LA Times
also reported that the diner was looking to move to a full-service model — for the time being, you order at a tablet and get counter service. And, of course, now the chef has left.
In short: It seems quite unclear what the future holds for Musk’s futuristic restaurant.
