STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Anticipation is increasing following Elon Musk’s post yesterday indicating that Starbase will host one of his Tesla dining locations, with the first opening in Hollywood, California, on Monday, July 21, 2025.
Valley Central interviewed various individuals with differing opinions on the issue, and numerous people think it could serve as a significant economic catalyst for the area.
As a lover of space, Fernando Jimenez Jr. is eager and prepared to witness its opening when it’s completed.
I believe it transforms the restaurant scene and offers a wider variety of dining options,” said Jimenez Jr. “This will be on a whole new level, and I would tell my dad to take me.
The venue will be a retro-futuristic restaurant serving classic American cuisine to customers. It will also include charging stations for electric vehicle owners and a drive-in movie theater.
In California, patrons can also view films on the diner’s large screens or from their personal cars by using the Tesla diner app. However, not everyone is enthusiastic about the new initiative and see it as something only a limited number of people will be able to experience.
Well, I believe that’s for those who have the funds,” said Maria Garcia. “People like us who aren’t wealthy— I don’t think we can afford it often.
Some people see the possible economic advantages of this project, as they think SpaceX has enabled many to achieve a more comfortable lifestyle.
I mean, for me, it’s beneficial for tourists and others to come here and visit Brownsville for these kinds of restaurants,” said Fernando Jimenez. “We already have SpaceX, so I believe this will be positive.
President and CEO of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, Gilberto Salinas, states that this will attract more tourism and employment opportunities to the region.
SpaceX already contributes roughly $100 million in tourism revenue for the broader Brownsville area, with around 20,000 rocket viewers arriving per launch,” Salinas stated. “Now, there’s another opportunity for them to engage with the community, staying in Brownsville for a few days, and the Tesla Diner enhances that experience.
Salinas mentioned that SpaceX currently has around 3,600 employees from the Valley, and this initiative would bring in additional staff, as well as the retail complex that is being developed.
Even though there are no specifics available regarding the start of construction, Salinas is enthusiastic about the future.
If you visit the star base facility, it has that Jetsons vibe,” Salinas remarked. “So when I found out they’re bringing this in, it was like, yeah, of course, we’re going to do this. It’s about reliving those times from before, when the world was just beginning to be explored, and it’s being sent into space.
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