TeslaThe highly anticipated 24/7 retro-futuristic diner in Hollywood may have attracted long lines of hungry customers and enthusiastic electric vehicle owners. However, it received a full dose of skepticism from a local television reporter, who was live on air.broadcastbeyond the diner swiftly gained popularity due to its boldly critical attitude.
KTLA reporter Ellina Abovian, who was reporting on the grand opening ofElon Musk’s Tesla Diner, admitted on-airthat she didn’t have a meal at the diner at all. Rather, she placed an order for a breakfast burrito through Uber Eats, informing the studio hosts, “I have no loyalty to Elon Musk. I entered with the plan to order… but it didn’t seem very appealing.”
One of the reporters then approached her: “You’re outside a diner doing an entire story on it and didn’t even try the food?”
BREAKFAST FOUL@EllinaKTLAAccidentally dropped her photographer’s burrito from the Tesla diner in Hollywood, which then resulted in additional words with@FrankBuckleyTV 😂https://t.co/gWjDb3YDrV pic.twitter.com/XMW6Yc9Hns
— KTLA (@KTLA) July 22, 2025
Abovian confirmed her choice of not dining at the venue, maintaining that her critique was “truthful” and “fair.”
While live, she also caused the Tesla-themed Cybertruck lunch box to fall to the floor, and added: “I swear I’m not doing this on purpose. Elon, don’t come after me.”
The segment, designed to highlight Tesla’s impressive new location featuring LED megascreens and EV fast chargers, became an unstructured joking session. The on-site hosts teased the Cybertruck as a vehicle that conveys, “I’m a tough guy,” and noted that its appearance was “too bold.”
While presenting the food, Abovian did not consume it but instead brought in videographer David Lopez to evaluate a partially eaten $15 Tesla burger.
“Truly, very good,” Lopez stated.
“But $15 for delicious?” Abovian snorted.
However, she commended the marketing campaign and the diner’s design, referring to it as “Greece meets the Jetsons.” Nevertheless, she couldn’t help but make another comment: “Have you seen the containers? They require a robot to hand you the food because the existing ones fall apart.”
The segment took a new direction when a studio host requested the cameraman to zoom in on nearby apartments that had obstructed views due to Tesla’s large outdoor screen.
Hey, guess what,
Legacy media is beginning to take notice of the Tesla Diner –
Try to spot these quotes
Elon, don’t come after me
‘oh that’s even worse’
how did that make it through the planning phase?pic.twitter.com/JPC19NVERw
— No Safe Words (@Cyber_Trailer)July 22, 2025
Abovian then asked a customer at the diner if locals might be upset. “They’re probably not happy,” he answered. “That’s a big sensitive spot for them.”
Although she made her criticisms, Abovian recognized the diner’s widespread appeal.
This location is open all day. It’s lively at 10 a.m.,” she mentioned. “It’s great. You can find burgers, tacos, milkshakes, a rooftop area, and even soap in the restroom.
Online responses were immediate and split regarding her coverage. Detractors criticized KTLA for “one-sided” journalism.
“Embarrassment to you, KTLA, for the one-sided and unprofessional reporting on the Tesla Diner, which many people are truly enthusiastic about,” one userposted.
“Why push so hard on something that’s genuinely good? Was this about the food or the person who created it?” another individual said.said on X.
Another viewer joked, “Traditional media is circling the Tesla Diner — the ‘Elon, don’t come for me’ moment will remain permanently in my mind.”
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Others found the situation amusing when she complained about the diner’s cybertuck burger boxes falling apart. “She places it precariously on her suitcase and then blames the box when it falls,” one post said.read.
The inaugural Tesla restaurant, which debuted on Monday, includes 250 seating areas, 80 Supercharger parking spots, unique products, and a large LED screen showing classic science fiction movies and SpaceX missions. Musk personally described it as “one of the most impressive places in Los Angeles.”
