The much-hyped Tesla Diner in Hollywood has barely opened its doors, but the buzz has turned from viral to volatile as residents and protestors clash with the chaos surrounding the all-night eatery. Set up near the busy corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Sycamore Avenue, the diner has drawn sharp criticism for everything from traffic nightmares to its association with Tesla boss Elon Musk.
Demonstrators from the activist group Resist the Coup gathered outside for a second night of protest, with spokesperson Toby Bronson blasting Musk for what they see as a double act with Donald Trump. “You don’t get to destroy our country, walk away, pretend to be the nice guy, and pretend that you’re battling Donald Trump, when we all know that he’s secretly still in our government doing what he’s doing,” Bronson said, voicing the group’s frustration.
At Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner, protesters denounce fascism, billionaire’s ties to Trump.
— Los Angeles Public Press (@LAPublicPress) July 29, 2025
The 250-seat diner has become a focus point for people protesting the world's wealthiest man's role in the second Trump admin. and his embrace of right-wing politics. https://t.co/aEOXJJVAPC
Locals have also had enough. From constant car horns to parking shortages and pedestrian safety concerns, the surrounding community is calling foul on what they say is poor planning from a brand that prides itself on innovation. “If you can send people to Mars, you should be able to figure out how to make this doable for residents,” neighbor Laura Kody remarked.
One resident described the surrounding traffic gridlock from early afternoon deep into the night as “insane,” adding, “I can imagine that if there’s an emergency or something, an ambulance would literally not be able to get to us and that’s extremely concerning for me because my parents are elderly.” Others pointed to the nonstop honking and inability to safely cross the street as signs that the 24-hour diner has quickly become a hazard, not a hotspot.
Things escalated over the weekend when members of Tesla Takedown pulled up with giant inflatable Musk balloons styled with his signature Tesla tee and black cap, mimicking Nazi salutes. Protest signs read “Doge Kills, Musk Steals, Boycott Tesla,” as the crowd of roughly 75 made their message clear. “This is the world’s most renowned anti-trans advocate who just opened a diner in West Hollywood,” organizer Joel Lava told CNN. “The community is not very supportive of Elon.”
Despite the backlash, Tesla fans have reportedly waited up to 11 hours just to grab a bite from the branded burger spot. But with rising tensions on the street and growing resentment from residents and activists alike, the future of Tesla’s Hollywood diner might not be as flashy as its opening week.
So what y’all think, if you’re in LA are you stopping by for the burgers or the bedlam?