The chef and collaborator behind Tesla Diner, one of the city's most notable and polarizing new restaurants, is leaving the project. Staff told the LA Times that the combination electric vehicle charging station and restaurant will also soon change to a full-service restaurant model.
Electric vehicle company Tesla's first restaurant debuted on the Hollywood-West Hollywood border in July, drawing crowds of fans and protesters for months. Their chef, Eric Greenspan, led the kitchen with a menu of American classics like milkshakes, tuna melts, burgers, and Wagyu chili hot dogs.
But the New School American Cheese founder and former Foundry chef, who also helped launch Mr. Beast Burger and Weight Watchers cafe, said he is no longer associated with the restaurant and that his departure has been in the works for more than a month.
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on opening Mish, my much-desired Jewish deli,” Greenspan wrote in a text message. “Projects like Mish and Tesla Diner require great concentration and attention, and my attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Tesla representatives could not be reached for comment.
Greenspan faced backlash for his involvement when his ties to Tesla Diner were confirmed in March. One of the few comments left on his Instagram from that time refers to the “Swasticar restaurant.”
In July, when the restaurant opened, the chef posted a video on his personal Instagram; the headline read: “Tesla Diner now open. 24/7 from now until forever.” Streams of comments poured out chastising the chef for his involvement in the business and his ties to Tesla CEO, controversial figure and the world's richest person, Elon Musk.
Greenspan later removed the video from his Instagram page, along with all other mentions of Tesla Diner.
Tesla Diner chef and co-operator Eric Greenspan in the restaurant's kitchen on opening day.
(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)
Greenspan did not respond to a request for comment on whether any negative response contributed to his separation from the company, or on the future of the restaurant's menu.
On Tuesday afternoon, a Tesla Diner employee said he had not heard of Greenspan's departure, but that staff had been informed that the diner would become a full-service restaurant in January.
Greenspan confirmed that Bill Chait, his former business partner at Tesla Diner, will remain involved in the project. Chait will also be a partner in the upcoming Mish, which Chait previously said was scheduled to open last month on La Brea Avenue. Chait could not be reached for comment.
“It has been an incredible experience and I am so proud of everything we accomplished together,” Greenspan wrote in his message. “We will continue to work together on Mish and he will always have my support in any way he needs it.”
A protester carried the sign he used at a “No Kings” protest in June to the opening day of the Tesla Diner on July 21, 2025.
(Lauren Ng / Los Angeles Times)
Not all comments about Tesla Diner have been negative.
On Tuesday, the rain of the last few days eased and the sun shone through fluffy clouds onto the rounded metal of the Tesla Diner in Hollywood. Customers arrived around lunchtime as the Everly Brothers blared from the speakers. Many were tourists taking photos of the Tesla signs.
Connor Youn, 26, visiting from Vancouver, rented a Tesla and saw the parking lot charging. He had no idea the restaurant was located there until he pulled into the parking lot.
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is the Tesla restaurant.’ I had heard about it,” Youn said.
You's friend Nick Roquefort, 25, said he has owned a Tesla for three years in his native France.
But none had heard of Greenspan or any other culinary force behind the project.
“I like the restaurant, I like the retro-futuristic style,” Roquefort said. “I think it's great.”
Gabriel Samuel, 21, visiting from Stockholm, waited for his Giga Burger at a stand. He said he and his friend were excited to try the food after seeing videos on social media: “We saw it on TikTok and were like, 'Let's eat there.'”
