Former unofficial head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, is set to launch yet another business, and this one will come as a surprise to most people.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is opening his own restaurant, which is currently under construction at Santa Monica Boulevard and Orange Drive in Hollywood, The SFGate reported.
The concept was first announced by Musk in 2018, when he tweeted about creating an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant” at a Tesla Supercharger location in LA.
After years of anticipation, the structure is now complete, and the interior is being furnished.
Chef Eric Greenspan, known for his casual dining ventures and television appearances, has been brought on to lead the menu, although he has not publicly commented on his involvement.
Despite the excitement surrounding the diner, some members of the Los Angeles restaurant community have expressed skepticism. Prominent local restaurateurs declined involvement, citing factors like the restaurant not having a liquor license.
But what may perhaps be the biggest factor in such a liberal area is Musk’s affiliation with President Donald Trump.
Legendary restaurant Bill Chait’s company Zero2One is expected to operate the diner, though no official opening date has been announced.
The Tesla Diner plans to offer a 1950s retro charm, complete with dazzling neon lights, the scent of freshly grilled burgers, and hand-spun milkshakes. The design includes outdoor eating space on the rooftop and counter-style seating at ground level. Drive-in theater screens are located along the western and northern perimeter of the site, allowing for movies to be shown.
The diner is reportedly a prototype for what could be a new form of deluxe Tesla charging stations, which, if successful, would be rolled out in other cities across the country.
Musk will have plenty of time on his hands to work on the restaurant as he finished his work with DOGE on Friday.
Even though he is leaving DOGE, Musk reassured Americans on Friday during an Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump that it would not be the end of the department.
“Nobody liked him, and he had to go through the slings and the arrows, which is a shame because he’s an incredible patriot. The good news is that 90% of the country knows that and they appreciate it, and they really appreciate what he did,” the president said of Musk’s work before the CEO responded.
“This is not the end of DOGE, but really the beginning,” Musk said.
“My time as a special government employee necessarily had to end. It was a limited-time thing. It was 134 days, I believe, which ends in a few days. So that, you know, it comes with a time limit. But the DOGE team will only grow stronger over time. The DOGE influence will only grow stronger,” he promised.
“I liken it to a sort of Buddhism. It’s like a way of life. So it is permeating throughout the government, and I’m confident that over time we’ll see $1 trillion of savings and a reduction in $1 trillion of waste and fraud,” Musk said.
“The calculations of the DOGE team thus far, in terms of FY25 to FY26 delta, are over $160 billion, and that’s climbing. We expect that number will probably go over $200 billion soon. I think the DOGE team is doing an incredible job. They’re going to continue doing an incredible job. And I’ll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and adviser to the president. I look forward to, you know, times being back in this amazing room,” the billionaire said.
“By the way, isn’t this incredible? Like, this is incredible. I mean—it’s stunning. I think the way that the Oval Office—how the president has just completely redone the Oval Office—it’s beautiful,” he said after the president handed him a “gold key to the White House.”