Latest news with #ShirleyTemples
Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Tesla Diner Announces Major Menu Change After 'Unprecedented Demand'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Tesla's first retro-themed diner in Los Angeles has dramatically reduced its menu weeks after opening. Tesla Diner chef Eric Greenspan told Eater Los Angeles that the menu was "forever evolving," and that the team scaled it down to improve efficiency amid "unprecedented demand." Newsweek contacted Tesla for comment via email on Friday outside regular working hours. Why It Matters The Tesla Diner opened in July and was widely viewed as a bold experiment in brand extension, combining EV charging with nostalgia-driven dining. The project attracted intense public interest, with TikTok and Instagram users flooding the location for content and cuisine alike. It also attracted protests from critics of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has sparked numerous demonstrations over his association with the Trump administration. While the diner appears to be a hit with consumers, the menu cuts reflect the challenges of running a restaurant—even for tech giants such as Tesla. Behind the scenes, staff struggled with technical and supply chain issues, long preparation times, and the sheer volume of orders, The Guardian and InsideEVs reported. General view of Elon Musk's new Tesla Diner & Drive-In, which opened in July in Hollywood, California. General view of Elon Musk's new Tesla Diner & Drive-In, which opened in July in Hollywood, California. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/GC Images What To Know Musk first teased the idea of a Tesla Diner in 2018, and seven years later, a sleek, retro-futuristic two-story space designed by Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's head of design, opened on Santa Monica Boulevard. Originally launched with a full-service menu, the diner has now reduced its selection to a simplified list of five sandwiches, two sides, two pie flavors, shakes and a few soft drinks, Eater reported. The restaurant removed the popular Epic Bacon—maple-glazed strips dusted with black pepper, according to Eater, that could be ordered as a stand-alone item. Regular bacon remains available as an add-on to burgers or grilled cheese sandwiches. Other dishes dropped from the Tesla Diner menu include the market salad, club sandwich, hash brown bites, biscuits with red gravy and chocolate chip cookies. The veggie burger option has also disappeared, Eater reported. Breakfast items such as waffles, once advertised as "all-day breakfast," are now available only in the mornings. Greenspan told Eater that soft serve ice cream should return later this week once the supplier caught up with the demand. He added that biscuits would return as a special "sooner rather than later." The diner's retro-inspired fountain drinks, including Shirley Temples and Creamsicles, have also been cut. The diner comes with Supercharger stations, two drive-in movie screens, and indoor and outdoor seating for up to 250 people. The meals are served in novelty Cybertruck-shaped boxes by roller-skating staff and Tesla's humanoid robots, Optimus. Customers can order in its sit-down space or via carhop service while charging their electric vehicles. According to Tesla, the restaurant is open 24/7. However, The New York Times reported, citing an employee, that those hours are reserved for Tesla drivers ordering from their cars through an app. The restaurant's operating hours for everyone else are 6 a.m. to midnight. What People Are Saying Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote on X on July 21: "If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long-distance routes." What Happens Next Tesla has not announced whether the diner's full menu will return. Greenspan told Eater that the restaurant would occasionally add special menu items.
Eater
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Eater
Just Two Weeks In, Tesla Diner Already Axed Most of Its Menu
is the Lead Editor of the Southern California/Southwest region, and has covered dining, restaurants, food culture, and nightlife in Los Angeles since 2008. As of August 5, only five sandwiches, two sides, two flavors of pie, shakes, and some soft drinks were available to order from the in-car Tesla infotainment system. Even the Epic Bacon has been taken off the menu, with non-epic bacon available as an add-on to burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, but no longer as a standalone item. Tesla Diner chef Eric Greenspan told Eater over text that the menu would be 'forever evolving,' and that the 'unprecedented demand' led to the team scaling down the menu for efficiency. Greenspan also said Easter eggs and specials would be added here and there. Dishes that were originally on the menu but were removed include the market salad, chicken and waffles, club sandwich, hash brown bites, biscuits and red gravy, and chocolate chip cookies. The veggie patty option for the burger is also no longer available. Breakfast items like waffles that were once listed as 'all-day breakfast' implying they were available all the time, are only served in the mornings. Greenspan said soft serve ice cream would return later this week, so the farm could meet the increased demand, while the biscuits would return as a special 'sooner rather than later.' The reimagined classic fountain drinks, including Shirley Temples and Creamsicles, are gone. While the Tesla Diner marketed itself as a 24-hour restaurant, reports from some drivers say non-Tesla vehicles are not allowed to charge on the premises, while its hours of operation are limited to 6 a.m. to midnight, except for those charging and ordering through their Teslas. The vaunted screen-ordering system with the geofence alert wasn't working off-premises as of August 5, but Tesla drivers were able to order from their cars once they parked and began charging. Chef Eric Greenspan said that the menu would be 'forever evolving.' Grilled cheese sandwich with non-epic bacon, with the cheese not fully melted and the bread burned at Tesla Diner on August 5, 2025. Matthew Kang In March 2025, the New York Times reported that Greenspan (Greenspan's Grilled Cheese, MrBeast Burger) would lead the kitchen at Tesla Diner. Operations are managed by LA restaurateur Bill Chait, who is behind the openings of Republique, Bestia, and Firstborn, and continues to be involved in Tartine both in the U.S. and abroad. Los Angeles-based New York Times restaurant critic Tejal Rao offered an early review of the diner on August 5, noting the lack of menu items from the opening. Rao called the chicken tenders 'agreeable,' while the all-beef hot dog had 'withered' by the time she ate it on the second-floor balcony. The burger, whose patty gets smashed by a Tesla-designed device, 'didn't stand out in any meaningful way,' wrote Rao. And Optimus, the second-floor popcorn robot, was nowhere to be found. Tesla's product rollouts are often accompanied by long delays (Cybertruck, the second generation Roadster, full self-driving capabilities, RoboTaxi, etc.) and significant quality issues. Now that the car company has ventured into the restaurant business, it's becoming clear that operating a diner is fraught with its own set of challenges, including service, labor, and food costs. Whether Tesla Diner manages to bring back much of its menu or runs out of range (still) remains to be seen. LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 21: Tesla electric vehicles charge as people wait in line outside the Tesla Diner and Drive-In restaurant and Supercharger on July 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The futuristic Tesla Diner and supercharger station boasting a drive-in experience for drivers opened in Hollywood this Monday. (Photo by I RYU/VCG via Getty Images) VCG via Getty Images Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder's Jalen Williams ‘feeling loose' at parade after viral ‘Shirley Temples' comment
The post Thunder's Jalen Williams 'feeling loose' at parade after viral 'Shirley Temples' comment appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated their NBA Finals win on Tuesday with a parade. Players and coaches alike were spotted having a good time together and with the fans. Forward Jalen Williams claimed that he was even feeling good after some drinks, despite claiming he was going to originally stick to drinking Shirley Temples. Advertisement In Williams' original statement about drinking alcohol in celebration of the title win, the 24-year-old forward did admit that he was planning on drinking during the parade. It appears he was true to his word. 'I told them at the beginning of the year, 'If we win a championship, I'll drink.' … I had a couple of shots, champagne, had beer. It was all disgusting. I'm gonna stick to Shirley Temples… I can't speak on the parade, though.' After the parade was over, Jalen Williams was spotted holding a box of Don Julio Tequila and a bottle of Moet champagne. He was heard saying that he's 'feeling good' and 'feeling loose.' Jalen Williams and the Thunder more than deserve the celebration. They entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and owned the top regular-season record in the NBA (68-14). After a hard-fought journey, Oklahoma City took home the championship after defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Advertisement The one-time All-Star proved to be a fantastic second option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He emerged as a go-to scoring option for the Thunder, especially in the postseason, which saw him average 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 44.9% from the floor and 30.4% from beyond the three-point line. He also helped defensively, averaging 1.4 steals per contest through 23 total games played in the playoffs. It's nice to see the team having fun during the parade. Especially considering how calm the players were immediately after the Thunder won the championship. But this is a team that likely isn't going anywhere anytime soon, as this is a young roster stacked with a ton of talent. Related: Thunder news: OKC mayor crowns Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook Related: Isaiah Hartenstein reveals hilarious story of Thunder's free agency recruitment
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Paige Bueckers' Shirley Temple Gatorade sounds weird, tastes ... good
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers loves a good Shirley Temple. So, Gatorade made a custom flavor for her and sent it my way. If you're unfamiliar with why Gatorade would go out of its way to make such a strange flavor. Allow me to explain: Bueckers, who partnered with the company in 2021, has never been shy about her love for the classic drink. In fact, she's gone out of her way to tweet about how much they mean to her. "I know a Shirley Temple hates to see me coming," Bueckers shared in 2024. After a recent home win against the Golden State Valkyries, Gatorade surprised Bueckers with the limited edition creation, and she was totally stoked. "Shirley Temple is like my favorite drink of all time," she excitedly told the media. "So, they put it in a Gatorade flavor. So, pretty fire." Shout-out to the good folks at Gatorade because they graciously sent me several bottles of Bueckers' favorite flavor, and I tried it. We decided to see if it was actually "pretty fire." Gatorade's Paige Bueckers-inspired Shirley Temple flavor grade: B I won't lie. A Shirley Temple Gatorade sounds absolutely strange ― weird even ― but it tastes ... good? Upon opening the bottle, there's this huge burst of cherry scent, and I knew immediately I was in for a ride. However, to my surprise, it tastes exactly how you think Shirley Temple mixed with Gatorade would taste. (It's hard to explain, but those who know, know.) There's a sweet punch of flavor that stands out immediately, and reflects what would typically be the Grenadine syrup from a Shirley Temple. What's more, while there is no ginger ale, there's an odd something (Gatorade magic perhaps?) that hangs in the background, which gives the subtle undertones of ginger ale. The only thing missing from this is the literal cherry Shirley Temples carry to top it all off. This special Gatorade flavor also made me think it would taste amazing frozen. Like a slushie of sorts, or like those flavored Fun Pop sticks we used to eat during the summer as kids. (You know the ones. Those flavored frozen juice tubes probably gave us a brain freeze more times than we care to admit because we ate them so fast. It tastes like that. Hello, nostalgia and Summer in a bottle!) Anyways, this is one of the most Paige Bueckers things I've ever seen, and Gatorade pretty much nailed it as only they can. Kudos to them. It was solid. I probably wouldn't drink it every day ― I'll leave that to Bueckers ― but it was an awesome experience.
Los Angeles Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Raise the Bar: Wedding Drink Trends That Go Beyond the Expected
Crafting a thoughtfully curated wedding drink menu is an easy way to create a lasting impression at your wedding celebration. The days of simply offering wine and beer are long gone. From creative cocktail bars, custom beverage experiences and elevated zero proof drink options, the latest wedding drink trends are all about creating one-of-a-kind and inclusive drinking experiences. To help you conceptualize your unique beverage program, we contacted ten wedding experts and mixologists to discover the latest wedding drink trends. One interesting and inclusive trend is the rise of sophisticated zero-proof cocktails at weddings. 'It's no longer an afterthought and, thankfully, sober guests aren't limited to Shirley Temples. They can now enjoy drinks that are just as beautifully presented and carefully crafted as their alcoholic counterparts, blending fresh ingredients and not skimping on garnish and rimming, presented in glassware that complements the beverage,' declares Brittny Drye, wedding expert and editor-in-chief of Love Inc. Magazine. 'With so many opting the alcohol-free route, a good rule of thumb is that at least 20-30% of your drink menu be dedicated to non-alcoholic options.' With an increasing number of sober guests, couples are crafting their beverage menu to include delicious alcohol-free connections. 'Sophisticated zero-proof cocktails have become essential on modern wedding menus, reflecting a shift toward inclusivity and intentional hospitality. The result is a curated mocktail experience that allows all guests—regardless of their drinking preferences—to feel equally celebrated and engaged in the festivities,' adds Kelli Sturges, director of guest experiences and programming at The Sanctuary Beach Resort. A wedding bar that involves guest interaction and surprise elements is sure to stand out. 'One trend that comes to mind is our custom interactive beverage station—the Smoke Show, featuring a smoke gun and a smoking machine,' remarks Meg Walker, executive chef and president of MBM Hospitality. 'Watching the bartender add a unique component that guests don't regularly see adds an exciting element to your wedding beverage offering, easily adding buzz and deliciousness to your drinks menu.' Perry Lau, assistant director of hospitality at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Los Angeles, adds: 'We offer a Build-Your-Own Shochu Bar, which invites guests to explore a curated selection of shochu paired with seasonal, house-crafted fruit purees, traditional Japanese mixers such as sencha, oolong, and hot water alongside modern interpretations like matcha, yuzu, and shiso.' Being creative and using drinks to tell people about who you are as a couple is one of the most popular trends for 2025. 'Couples in 2025 want every detail to be intentional and tell a story about who they are and where they come from. So naturally, a cocktail menu will reflect that. Our signature cocktails like the 'Punjabi Mango' with yogurt and coconut rum or the 'Chai Ishq' show how beverages can blend traditions and identities in unexpected ways. The most memorable drinks always have fun, unique twists that reveal something about the couple's personalities,' states Anmoldeep Khinda, owner of Roots Indian Bistro. A themed bar is a great approach to showcase your personality as a couple. Maria Soriano, director of events and style at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo adds: 'A couple recently created a one-of-a-kind tequila and mezcal bar for their welcome party, using regional spirits from Jalisco and Oaxaca, and curated themed cocktails representative to the destination such as custom margaritas and palomas.' Brides and grooms have embraced signature cocktails for years, but now they are serving custom-crafted beer at their wedding festivities. 'San Diego is the 'Capital of Craft,' so beer-loving couples can level up their wedding beverages by brewing their beer at Ballast Point Brewing Company. The couple can create their custom beer that represents their personalities and taste preferences and serve it at the reception. As a bonus, we offer customized growlers to fill with their commemorative brew as a take-home gift for guests,' remarks Emily Goldman, director of sales and events for RMD Group. Photographer Lensy Michelle, adds: 'A couple in Maine had custom-printed beer cans they gave out during their ceremony. True to their personalities, they ditched the formalities—serving their custom beer, 'Hoppily Ever After,' and replacing the traditional 'grand entrance into cocktail hour' with a Lobster Launcher tournament that had everyone laughing and cheering.' Beverage programs are increasingly embracing hyper-local ingredients exhibiting the local produce of the wedding destination. 'There's a growing shift towards using locally sourced ingredients like regional herbs, seasonal fruits, and artisanal infusions, to craft drinks that are meaningful, sustainable, and deeply connected to the couple's story,' mentions Peeyush Bhushan, director of food and beverage at the JW Marriott Pune. 'Many couples have opted to tap into a hyper-local connection, including resort-grown herbs and citrus for their welcome cocktails. We've also been incorporating local flowers for an added Hawaiian touch, and visual element, for couples and their guests,' adds Melina Manchester, director of special events at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Couples are personalizing their cocktails with edible cocktail toppers or stirrers with photos of memorable moments like their proposal or their beloved pet. Alternatively, the portraits are of the guests themselves. 'We have had the pleasure of collaborating with The Grand Bevy, a Los Angeles-based beverage company. One of their standout features is their 'Sipmi' program. Guests can step into a booth, and within moments, their photo is printed directly onto the top of their cocktail,' states Pamela Wolter, director of sales at The Resort at Pelican Hill. 'Imagine guests arriving and being greeted with a cocktail adorned with a special photo—a truly magical moment that adds a personal touch to the celebration.'
