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Fast Company
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
‘The overall vibe was total chaos': Tesla Diner goes viral for long waits and mixed reviews
In case you've been living under a rock and haven't heard, the Tesla Diner opened its doors in Hollywood last week, and online reviews have been pouring in. While some raved about the food, others were left underwhelmed. One TikTok user said her family waited five hours to get into the retro-futuristic spot—a common complaint among reviews. Sampling the entire menu, which is served in Cybertruck -shaped boxes, she gave the spicy chicken sandwich a 10 out of 10 and called the tuna melt a 'sleeper hit.' The imaginatively named Tesla Burger, however, was 'giving overcooked smash burger,' she said. Another popular food reviewer, who posts under the handle @1hrlunchbreak, ordered $100 worth of food, including the hot dog (7.8 out of 10), the cinnamon roll (8.4), and the buttermilk biscuit with chorizo gravy—minus a missing egg—which still earned a 7. 'Overall the food was good but I wouldn't put anything in the 9s,' he concluded. The online menu, created by Le Cordon Bleu graduate Eric Greenspan (who also helped launch MrBeast Burger), features items like a grilled cheese, Wagyu beef chili, fried chicken and waffle, breakfast taco, egg sandwich, fries, and a variety of drinks. Rolling Stone reporter Miles Klee went viral on X after sharing an expectation-vs.-reality photo of the $12 'Epic Bacon' (now removed from the menu). 'I mean quality of the meat and cooking aside, if you want to serve bacon like fries you might at least get the right size container,' he wrote. went today and here's how it actually looks — Madame Bovary Summer (@youwouldntpost) July 25, 2025 Alongside the diner, the venue includes a drive-in movie theater (R.I.P. the neighboring apartments' view), a charging station, and, often, gatherings of Tesla Takedown protestors. 'This feels very dystopian,' one reviewer wrote. Tesla owners can order from their cars and receive priority in line, but one Tesla-driving reviewer still described the visit as 'the worst dining experience of my life.' Their Tesla app's ordering feature didn't work, which is reportedly a common issue. After joining the regular line and waiting more than an hour for their food, they eventually gave up and requested a refund. 'The overall vibe was total chaos,' the reviewer said. The diner has long been a dream of Elon Musk's. In 2018, the Tesla CEO tweeted, 'Gonna put an old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in LA.' Seven years on, he declared the finished restaurant to be 'one of the coolest spots in LA!' I just had dinner at the retro-futuristic @Tesla diner and Supercharger. Team did great work making it one of the coolest spots in LA! — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 14, 2025 That depends on who you ask. 'The last place I want to end up is a parking lot full of Tesla drivers,' one TikTok user said. 'I'd rather eat at an Applebees.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I tried every iconic Disneyland snack — here's what's actually worth eating
As a chef, I gave an honest ranking of the park's most hyped foods, from churros to... blue milk? Disneyland claims to be the happiest place on Earth, but that can't be true unless its food is good. So, I decided to see for myself and headed to the park to try all of the fan favorites, from Pineapple Dole Whip, to churros, to pickle corn dogs and even something called Blue Milk. Here's my ranking from worst to best — and it might surprise you: Shrimp Po' Boy and Pirate Parfait We picked up French food along the New Orleans route, including a shrimp po' boy. Honestly, it shouldn't be called a po' boy — it should be called an "oh boy." Really, it just shouldn't be on the menu at all. The shrimp had an odd smell and wasn't even in the sandwich — it was on the bottom of the to-go box. From the same spot, we tried the Pirate Parfait. It looked great, and I had hoped it might redeem the place. After a taste, I realized I probably would've liked it more if I were six years old. This is definitely a snack catered to young kids. Rating: For the po' boy, based on the smell and appearance alone, I'm giving it a 0.5 out of 10. The Pirate Parfait ranks slightly better than the po' boy — I'll give it a 3 out of 10. Strawberry Lemonade Funnel Cake This one looked festive and delicious, topped with whipped cream shaped like Mickey Mouse. But to my surprise, it wasn't real whipped cream — it was Cool Whip, which disappointed me. I wasn't looking for something I could grab at a grocery store. I came for unique Disney-made treats. What's even worse is that the oil temperature was way too low. Instead of crisping the funnel cake, the oil soaked into it, leaving it soggy and dense rather than light and airy. Rating: With all that said, I'm giving it a 1.5 out of 10. Caramel Apples Disneyland's Candy Palace features rows of old-fashioned candy: fudge, toffee, chocolate-covered strawberries — but the Mickey-shaped chocolate-covered caramel apples were the standout to me. I had heard from some of my viewers that they were incredible, and when I saw them, I could see why. It was the largest caramel apple I've ever seen — big enough to pass as a full meal. I went in for what I hoped would be a perfect bite, but I couldn't even break through the chocolate shell. It took a serious amount of gnawing to get through the layers of chocolate and caramel. This was impossible to eat, unless you're someone who loves a challenge. Rating: The flavor was there. The chew-ability was not — and that's a dealbreaker. I give it a 2 out of 10. Pizza and Pasta I headed to Pizza Planet hoping for a decent slice and maybe some pasta. What I got didn't look promising. The pizza crust was raw in the middle, and the Hawaiian slice had what felt like an entire pineapple on it. The fettuccine Alfredo, however, was a pleasant surprise. The sauce was simple and well seasoned. Pizza Planet might fall short when it comes to pizza, but their pasta had some potential. I skipped the grilled chicken since it had telltale fake grill marks. Rating: Pizza — 2 out of 10. Pasta — 4 out of 10. Corn Dogs This was something I had been genuinely excited to try. While Disneyland is known for its classic corn dogs, they've also created a social media sensation: a hot dog, stuffed inside a pickle, then put into a corn dog. Unfortunately, they were sold out of the pickle version by the time I arrived. I figured that might happen, but I still had high hopes for the original flavor. The corn dog looked overcooked — almost burnt. My first bite revealed a distinct baking soda flavor, which made my mouth tingle. That's a sign the batter had too much leavening. When done right, that reaction shouldn't happen. That said, the corn dog was surprisingly juicy. I'll take an overcooked but juicy corn dog over a dry one any day. Rating: The burnt exterior and baking soda imbalance threw off the flavor. I'll give it a 4 out of 10. Blueberry Fritters As I wandered around searching for popular items, I stumbled upon a spot selling blueberry fritters. These aren't a particularly famous treat in the Disneyland, but they looked pretty good. They came in perfect bite-sized portions, which made them easy to eat while walking around. The flavor was similar to a blueberry doughnut, but they were extremely oily. If they had been drained better, I would've devoured them. But the grease was just too much to eat. To be fair, the flavor on these fritters was amazing. Rating: A 5 out of 10. Some people might be able to overlook the oil — I wish I could. Cotton Candy Simple and reliable — cotton candy is a classic theme park treat, and Disneyland is no exception. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, and there's nothing like a fluffy ball of sugar to satisfy that craving. I grabbed a bag of pink cotton candy. It was perfectly sweet and easy to eat. However, the bag had been sitting in the sun for a while, which made the cotton candy more compact than I would've liked. Still, the flavor held up. Rating: I'm docking a few points for the compression, but overall I'd get it again. A solid 5.5 out of 10. Mickey Mouse-shaped Beignets In the New Orleans section of the park, the Mint Julep Bar serves Mickey Mouse-shaped beignets — a Disneyland version of the popular New Orleans dessert. I tried the banana-flavored beignet, and it was pretty good. I did manage to get powdered sugar all over myself while eating it, but that one's on me. Rating: It doesn't compare to a traditional beignet from New Orleans, but for being across the country, it holds up. I give it a 6 out of 10. Churros The first thing I ate at the park was a churro from the Crispy and Sweet cart. It is definitely the longest churro I've ever seen — so long that my cameraman Manny and I could bite each end and still have considerable distance between us. The taste was almost identical to Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I'm not sure if that's good or bad… but that is probably good to most people. It did leave a slightly strange aftertaste — one I don't typically associate with churros. Rating: It wasn't the best churro I've ever had, but it was solid. I'm giving it a 6.2 out of 10. Lobster Roll As a native New Englander, I like to think I know a thing or two about lobster rolls. At Harbor Gallery Restaurant, lobster rolls are the specialty, and it was up to me to find out if they could measure up to a classic New England version. The smell was convincing — not fishy or off-putting at all. It was clear this wasn't fresh lobster, but the seasoning helped make up for that. It had a bit of Cajun spice to it, which you wouldn't normally find back home. Rating: I surprisingly enjoyed this. I give it a solid 7 out of 10. Barbecue Skewers I'd heard great things about the barbecue skewers in the park. They're cooked to order and smelled amazing on the grill. The key to a great skewer is meat that's tender and easy to pull off the stick. The beef skewer was incredibly tender — though slightly too peppery for my taste. Honestly, it was comparable to some of the wagyu I've cooked before, and I've cooked a lot. The chicken skewer, however, was really dry and overcooked. I was surprised that it wasn't good considering I just ate one of the best beef skewers of my life from the same spot. I definitely recommend sticking with the beef skewers when visiting the park. I'm still dreaming about them. Rating: Beef skewer — 8 out of 10. Chicken skewer — 3 out of 10. Summer Strawberry Float After a string of heavier snacks, I needed something to wash it all down. Enter the Summer Strawberry Float — essentially a cup of Sprite topped with strawberry ice cream. It tasted like strawberries and cream, and when you stir it up, it becomes smooth, foamy and extra refreshing. Rating: Unexpectedly one of the best bites of the day. I'm giving it an 8 out of 10. Dole Whip Perhaps the most famous food in all of Disneyland is the Dole Whip — a pineapple-flavored soft-serve treat. With all the hype surrounding it, I went in with sky-high expectations. Even the person serving it told me it was the most popular item in the park. On a hot California day, this was exactly what I needed. I expected it to taste artificial, but it surprisingly delivered a fresh blend of cream and real pineapple flavor. While I couldn't say it was the best food in Disneyland before trying everything else, I already knew it would at least be in my top three. Rating: An easy 8 out of 10 — leaving two points worth of room in case something managed to top it. Spoiler alert, something did. Birria Grilled Cheese Jolly Holiday serves up a birria grilled cheese sandwich that I was genuinely excited to try. When it arrived, it looked amazing. The bread was perfectly toasted, stuffed with generous amounts of cheese and meat, and it came with not one, but two outstanding sauces for dipping. It was love at first bite. Rating: An overwhelming 9.5 out of 10. I might buy a Disneyland ticket just to eat this again... and maybe follow it up with a Dole Whip for dessert. Turkey Leg The Disneyland turkey leg has legendary status — it's been around for years and has a cult following. I had never tried one until now. I knew it would be good when I saw it dripping through the packaging — a juicy turkey is something you rarely see on Thanksgiving. The smell alone was incredible. One bite in, the perfectly seasoned meat was falling off the bone. It was huge — probably one to two pounds worth of meat — enough to keep me full all day. That said, I don't understand why you'd eat something this heavy right before getting on a roller coaster. Seems like a risky choice... but hey, to each their own. Rating: This turkey leg is a 10 out of 10. I have zero notes. I wish I could have it on Thanksgiving — and honestly, on every other day of the year, too. Blue Milk I had been waiting all day to try the famous Blue Milk from Star Wars. It's often hyped-up, and apparently for good reason. One of my favorite drinks is horchata — rice milk flavored with cinnamon and sugar. This reminded me of that, but even better. It tasted like creamy Italian ice and was the perfect refreshment on a hot day. Rating: Easily a 10 out of 10. My expectations were already high — and they were completely exceeded. Monte Cristo Finally, the moment we've all been waiting for! The best food at Disneyland was a complete surprise to me. The must-try item is the Monte Cristo — basically a deep-fried ham and cheese sandwich. It smelled amazing, and I hoped it would taste even better. It did. In fact, it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The restaurant that serves it has experienced a three-month waitlist, and it quickly became clear to me why. Rating: The Monte Cristo is even better than the turkey leg — and that got a 10 out of 10 — so I'm giving this one an 11. Parting thoughts Theme park food can be hit or miss — and Disneyland is no exception. As a chef, I'm naturally looking for the best of the best, but this adventure was about more than just finding the perfect bite. It was about having fun, embracing the surprises and seeing what all the hype was about. Some of these snacks blew me away (looking at you, Monte Cristo), while others… well, let's just say they made the ride lines feel even longer. But that's part of the magic — not knowing what you'll get until you try it. If you're planning a trip, I recommend grabbing a few of these iconic eats and making your own list. Your favorite might be one I gave a low score, and that's totally fair. Food is personal. And if you enjoyed this breakdown, check out my video to see all of what Disneyland had to offer:
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
3 Portland spots included in Yelp Elite's roundup of the nation's best fried chicken
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Three Portland fried chicken spots have been praised by some of the restaurant industry's most active reviewers. Earlier this month, Yelp uncovered its Elite squad's served throughout the U.S. and Canada. are active users of the business-reviewing platform, and are considered to be their 'community's top writers, photographers, and local experts.' 'There are seasons in life': KOIN 6 anchor Jeff Gianola to step away Out of the 50 restaurants recognized in the new roundup, Eastside location was the highest-ranking Portland business at No. 9. 'Screen Door is a local favorite celebrated for its mouthwatering Southern comfort food and lively, welcoming atmosphere,' Yelp said of the restaurant with 8904 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating. 'Known for signature dishes like crispy fried chicken, decadent brunch plates, and classic sides, Screen Door draws locals and visitors eager for a true taste of the South.' Over on 3808 N Williams Ave., was ranked at No. 16. The Thai barbecue spot was a finalist for the James Beard Award's Best New Restaurant in 2020, and has since earned a Yelp rating of 4.5 stars from nearly 1500 diners. Eem's sweet and sour fried chicken is among its most popular menu items. Portland's was deemed as the region's 31st-best fried chicken spot. Although the small local chain has two locations, its Southeast Powell Boulevard food cart was recognized for its 'seriously crave-worthy fried chicken sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and comforting sides.' Jojo also has an average 4.5-star rating, and 374 reviews and counting. Adults-only pinball space and social club is Vancouver's latest addition In Washington, Seattle's Aroy Mak Thai Food and Filipino-inspired The Chicken Supply were placed at No. 14 and No. 44, respectively. But Elite users ranked Howlin' Ray's in Los Angeles as the best fried chicken spot overall. Monell's Dining & Catering in Nashville, Tenn., Tanioka's Seafoods & Catering in Waipahu, Hawaii, Ekiben in Baltimore and Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room in Savannah, Ga. rounded out the top five. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I've Eaten More Than 50 Frozen Dinners So Far This Year — These Are the 3 I'll Stock in My Freezer Forever
This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. Thanks to major improvements in flash-freezing technology, better sourcing, and a surge of innovative brands, the freezer aisle has become one of the most exciting (and overwhelming) sections in the grocery store. There are hundreds of meals touting plant-based ingredients, globally-inspired recipes, and famous chefs. It can be hard to tell what's worth stocking up on just by looking at the frosty packaging. I've made it my mission this year to try as many frozen meals as I could get my hands on — more than 50 and counting. There were frozen burritos, sandwiches, pasta, and plenty of frozen pizzas. These are the three that really stood out to me and have (and will continue to be) on my grocery list. 1. Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala There's a wealth of frozen Indian food options in grocery stores today (Trader Joe's has a dozen in its freezer case). I've tried a handful of tikka masala, and while a lot of them fell short (too much cream or not enough spices), Saffron Road's Chicken Tikka Masala is absolutely delicious. It's got a bit of warmth from the medley of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. The chicken is really tender, and you really won't believe that it came straight from the freezer, while the rice is plentiful and fluffy. Saffron Road makes a few other really good frozen meals, too. Try the Saffron Road Chicken Biryani with Basmati Rice; our resident registered dietitian raves about it. Buy: Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala, $5.99 for 10 ounces at Amazon 2. Dr. Praeger's Pizza Stars I'm getting a little abstract on what is considered a meal. These Dr. Praeger's Pizza Stars are what happens when you cross a pizza pocket with veggie-shaped nuggets, and I am here for them. They are gluten-free (the exterior is made with a cauliflower base) and feature a cheesy, marinara sauce-rich filling with a few hidden (as in you can't taste them) vegetables, like zucchini and cauliflower. I'd say the entire box is a meal in itself, but it also goes great with a side salad. I heat them in the air fryer to get a bit crispy while the center stays gooey. It's one of Dr. Praeger's greatest creations to date, just behind those frozen veggie burgers. Buy: Dr. Praeger's Pizza Stars, $5.99 for 9 ounces at Target 3. Mìla Caramelized Scallion Noodles Most frozen foods are meant to be baked or microwaved, but Mìla has helped redefine convenience by offering a variety of frozen dumplings and noodles that are steamed or boiled. These Caramelized Scallion Noodles require a quick stint on the stovetop before being tossed in a sweet and savory sauce. Trust me — these noodles taste better than takeout and cost less than half as much. Plus, they're readily available at retailers nationwide, like Target, Whole Foods, and more, in addition to Mìla's website. Buy: Mìla Caramelized Scallion Noodles, $5.99 for 9 ounces at TargetWhat frozen dinner do you always have in your freezer? Tell us about it in the comments below. The Weekly Checkout Sign up for The Weekly Checkout to get the most up-to-date grocery news, tips, and highlights. Subscribe to The Kitchn! Further Reading We Used Our New 'Room Plan' Tool to Give This Living Room 3 Distinct Styles — See How, Then Try It Yourself The Design Changemakers to Know in 2025 Create Your Own 3D Room Plan with Our New Tool Sign up for The Kitchn's Daily newsletter to receive our best recipes, posts, and shopping tips in your inbox.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Man tests £16 Harrods chicken Kiev to see how it compares to the £6 M&S variety - with very surprising results
A food fanatic has revealed that he prefers M&S 's £6.75 chicken Kiev over the £16 version from Harrods. Carmie Sellitto tested both varieties the Ukrainian staple but felt that the high street chain's version was a tastier meal - despite being less than half the price. The British TikToker, who goes by the name @touchdalight online, said 'in some chicken Kievs you get a lot of overpowered flavours but this is just perfect' when reviewing M&S's version. He added that 'the garlic butter in this is actually incredible, the flavour is brilliant and even the coating of the chicken is perfect'. But the luxury department store's imitation left much to be desired, despite costing considerably more. 'This is three times more expensive [sic] than the M&S one so it better taste three times better,' he commented as he unpacked the meal. When he first cuts into the chicken, Mr Selitto exclaims 'what! Look at the garlic butter in there' and showed the food to the camera. Whereas M&S's version had garlic butter 'bursting out' when it was sliced, the Harrods sauce held its shape more and did not trickle out in the same way. Mr Selitto, who often makes videos comparing food, said it 'kind of looks like pea sauce' but noted that 'it's pretty loaded with chicken to be fair, you can't go wrong with that'. However, the fault the critic had issue most with was its allegedly strong lemon flavours. He said: 'The sauce is really good to be fair, I really like that, but I'm getting mad hints of lemon which I don't like too much. 'The sauce is also a lot thicker than the M&S one, I'm assuming they've got completely different ingredients because they taste very different. 'The sauce is very overpowering in this.' He added: 'I do prefer the breadcrumbs on the M&S one, it just feels more crunchy and this one is more soggy.' The influencer then concluded: 'I would rate the M&S one a nine out of 10 and the Harrods one a 8.5 out of 10.' He explained this was due to the pricing but remained unconvinced if he would choose the Harrods variety if it cost the same. 'I think its mainly because of the pricing but if they were the same price maybe I'd buy Harrods but then again I'm not sure,' he said. On its website, Harrods advertises its Chicken Kiev at £16 (despite Mr Sellitto saying he bought his for £14) and served two people. The M&S variety said that it served one person. Chicken Kievs caused a huge debate in 2023 over its pronunciation - in a one-off Christmas special, William Sitwell delivered a homemade version on Celebrity Masterchef, but the dish was repeatedly pronounced as 'Chicken Kyiv.' The pronunciation, which has been re-adopted by Ukranians following the country's invasion by Russia in February 2022, caught many viewers off-guard. One posted: 'WTH... have I been saying it wrong all thes years???,' and another shared: '#masterchef we all been calling it wrong should be chick keev not chicken kieyev.' The pronounciation, which has been re-adopted by Ukranians following the country's invasion by Russia in February 2022, caught many viewers off-guard A third posted: 'So, are there any other obviously uncultured souls out there, who still pronounce it chicken kiev, rather than chicken keeev?' 'I've just learned I've been pronouncing chicken Kiev wrong,' one added. 'Kiev' was the standardised spelling for the city under Soviet rule, but recent Russian aggression has seen more Western institutions heed calls to abandon it in favour of the Ukrainian alternative. And after the invasion began in 2022, many shoppers called for supermarkets to rename the dish as chicken kviv.
