A humanoid robot serving popcorn on the roof deck, Cybertruck-themed food containers, a drive-in movie theater, and Tesla technology everywhere. Welcome to Tesla Diner & Drive-In, a new hotspot recently opened in Santa Monica, an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.Opened just last week, the diner is already drawing hundreds of visitors eager to experience the new “retro-futuristic” restaurant that also serves as a charging station for Tesla EVs, with 80 Superchargers available in its parking lot.Elon Musk, owner of Tesla had been planning the diner since 2018. The Tesla Diner & Drive-In blends the nostalgic charm of a 1950s-style American diner with cutting-edge Tesla innovation. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard, it’s open 24/7 and features both indoor and outdoor seating for up to 250 guests.But the Tesla Diner isn’t meant to be just another American restaurant. It’s been marketed as a “retro-futuristic” drive-in experience , a place where you can enjoy a burger, watch classic films on giant screens, and charge your Tesla, all at the same time. It is a high-concept diner that combines Tesla technology under one roof. Tesla’s swankily retro-infused diner is only available in Los Angeles. (Image: Tesla)The diner is one of Musk’s futuristic projects, though not as ambitious as putting humans on Mars or developing brain implants. Still, it’s clear that the LA diner is intended as a clever marketing exercise for Tesla, whose car sales have continued to decline quarter after quarter.You don’t need to own a Tesla EV to enjoy a meal at the diner, which helps extend the brand’s appeal beyond just Tesla enthusiasts. Many of the customers drawn to the diner have been adults and new parents with babies.Also Read | Tesla updates robotaxi users about chauffeur-style service in California: ReportAs guests enter the diner, they are greeted by servers on roller skates, who roll up offering ice cream samples. The drive-in projector plays the 1960s animated sitcom The Jetsons, a show that presented a vision of the future, complete with flying cars and a robotic housekeeper. Guests can order items from a kiosk at the counter.The menu, created by chef Eric Greenspan, features classic diner staples such as fried chicken and waffles, grilled cheese, and tuna melts, along with special themed items like the ‘Tesla Burger’ with ‘Electric Sauce.’ Prices range from $4 for a side of fries to $15 for biscuits and red gravy. The prices are neither too high nor too low but reflect typical LA standards. However, many diners were unimpressed with the food, calling it “mediocre.” There were also complaints about long lines to enter the diner, which were reportedly caused by a technical glitch.Story continues below this adTesla’s branding is visible throughout the diner, reflected in both the decor and overall atmosphere. The restaurant features a 360-degree rooftop, accessible via an all-white curved staircase lined with display cases showcasing robots. The rooftop offers comfortable seating and great views of the movie screens. At the bar is a Diner shop, where guests can purchase $40 Tesla Diner T-shirts and $175 levitating Cybertruck models. Nearby, there is a popcorn stand which is operated by Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot. You don’t need to own a Tesla EV to enjoy a meal at the diner. (Image: Tesla)As soon as the diner opened in Los Angeles, videos of the place went viral across X, YouTube, and Reddit. Although Elon Musk is a controversial figure and not everyone agrees with what he says, that didn’t stop hard-core Tesla fans and the general public from flocking to the retro-futuristic diner in the heart of Hollywood. Many, in fact, showed up in their Cybertrucks, hoping to make use of the brand-new Supercharger site.Also Read | Elon Musk’s India pitstop: ‘Make in India’ is off the cards for now, but are Teslas going to be at least made for India?Should the diner become successful, Elon Musk posted on its social media platform X, the LA Diner will be the first among many.Tesla’s swankily retro-infused diner is only available in Los Angeles, but as Musk indicated, he might open more diners around the world if the existing location proves to be a hit with local residents. Tesla is already selling its EVs in India, with its first store recently opened in Mumbai. A store in Delhi is also in the works and could open toward the end of July.Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at indianexpress.com who has been covering smartphones, personal computers, gaming, apps, and lifestyle tech actively since 2011. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech, retro gaming and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. He covers major international tech conferences and product launches from the world's biggest and most valuable tech brands including Apple, Google and others. At the same time, he also extensively covers indie, home-grown tech startups. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. 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