‘Not Today’: Tesla’s Hollywood Diner Rejects Dogecoin Payments

A Futuristic Experience with a Hint of Disappointment

Tesla’s restaurant, designed with the company’s characteristic attention to detail, opened its doors on July 21st at 4:20 PM. Tesla’s Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, personally opened the doors to the cheers of the assembled crowd. Inside, visitors were greeted by an immersive environment where retro-futurism met modern technology. Robots serving popcorn, Cybertruck-shaped trays, and the ability to watch movies on huge LED screens synchronized with Tesla cars created a truly unique atmosphere.

The restaurant’s interior features a minimalist style with abundant metal, glass, and neon lighting, reminiscent of 80s sci-fi films but with a modern polish. Even the sound design transports visitors to the future. The menu includes classic American dishes with “Tesla-esque” names: it mentions “Tesla Burger,” “Cyber Sliders” (mini-burgers), “Giga Fries,” and “Charged Sodas,” among others. The establishment operates 24/7, offering 80 Supercharger stations, making it an ideal stop for electric vehicle owners.

The choice of Hollywood, specifically Santa Monica Boulevard, for the debut of such a project is no coincidence. It’s a place where technology, entertainment, and constant public attention intersect, perfectly suiting the Tesla brand. The restaurant attracted not only loyal Tesla fans but also numerous crypto enthusiasts.

Despite all the hype and innovation, for many, Dogecoin remained the central question. Since the restaurant’s concept was announced in 2018, Elon Musk had repeatedly hinted at integrating the meme currency as a payment method, and in 2022, he explicitly stated such a possibility. Cryptocurrency fans, many of whom arrived wearing DOGE merchandise, expected this restaurant to be the first sign of Dogecoin’s mass adoption.

However, only fiat currency was available on the touchscreen payment terminals, and when asked about DOGE, employees responded: “Not today.”

A Blow to the Crypto Community’s Trust

That “not today” came as a disappointment for crypto enthusiasts who had long seen Elon Musk as the main proponent and catalyst for their favorite coin’s growth. Musk’s relationship with DOGE began long ago: from his playful tweets that instantly pumped the price, to his appearance on Saturday Night Live, where he called himself the “Dogefather.” 

The absence of Dogecoin as a payment option in such a high-profile project, one that blends technology and commerce, raises serious questions about Tesla’s actual commitment to digital assets. For many, this isn’t just an oversight, but a missed opportunity to normalize the use of cryptocurrency in everyday transactions. The Tesla restaurant could have been an ideal venue for testing real-world crypto payment scenarios, serving as a bridge between online commerce (where Tesla already accepts DOGE for merchandise) and traditional retail.

This incident heightens concerns about the discrepancy between Musk’s grand pronouncements and their actual implementation. The digital asset sector is actively seeking tangible use cases and legitimization, making this rejection particularly disappointing.

The Future of DOGE in the Tesla Ecosystem

Despite the current disappointment, the “not today” response isn’t a definitive “no.” It’s possible it’s a temporary delay or a cautious approach to implementation. After all, Elon Musk is known for announcing ideas long before their full realization, and this could be part of his long-term strategy. Technical complexities and regulatory barriers may be slowing the implementation of crypto payments in physical retail.

Elon Musk had previously stated plans to expand the restaurant concept to other major cities and Supercharger locations worldwide. The success of the first establishment in Hollywood will undoubtedly influence these plans. Perhaps Dogecoin will be integrated into the Tesla ecosystem more organically in other areas, such as for paying for charging at Supercharger stations, which might be a higher priority than food payments.

For now, Tesla’s “not today” response leaves the crypto community waiting. Whether this represents a temporary delay or another unfulfilled Musk promise will likely influence both Dogecoin’s price and the broader cryptocurrency adoption narrative. The Tesla diner’s success without crypto payments may ultimately matter less than the expectations it failed to meet.