---
title: "Tesla Files Permit for Supercharging Station With Drive-In Restaurant"
description: "Musk's theme of a rock 'n' roll restaurant is beginning to take shape."
date: "2018-03-14"
modified: "2019-05-31"
authors:
  - name: "Rob Stumpf"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/rob-stumpf"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/tech/19202/tesla-files-permit-for-supercharging-station-with-drive-in-restaurant"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Tesla News"
tags:
  - "Electric Cars"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "Elon Musk"
  - "EVs"
  - "Food"
  - "retro"
  - "Tesla"
---

# Tesla Files Permit for Supercharging Station With Drive-In Restaurant

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/01/ap_163022777344-e1515085431792.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

If there's one thing that Tesla CEO Elon Musk can do, it's make you question just how much of what he's saying is true. From [boring old flamethrowers](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/17997/i-bought-elon-musks-boring-company-flamethrower-and-you-can-too>) to straight up [turning a Tweet into an over-the-air update](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/13632/elon-musk-turns-drivers-twitter-comment-from-tweet-to-vehicular-feature>) for Tesla's fleet of electric cars, Musk has proven to be a man of his word over and over again. So what's he going on about now? A supercharger station that's also a [drive-in restaurant](<https://www.harvesttableculinary.com/category/our-community/>).

Last month, the billionaire and probably secret supervillains tweeted to announce that one of the newest Tesla Supercharging locations would be more than just a place to charge your car. It would instead be turned into an old school themed drive-in restaurant, complete with roller skates (like what you'd see at a Sonic) and rock 'n' roll.

https://twitter.com/\_/status/949831212326993920

Apparently, Musk wasn't kidding. A new application popped up on the [City of Santa Monica's ePermits site](<https://epermit.smgov.net/CitizenAccess/>), specifically for a "Tesla restaurant and supercharger station," indicating that *Musk and co* will soon make the next happening spot in Los Angeles. The permit, which can be seen below, is currently in the pre-submittal phase, which means that it will need to be reviewed by representatives of the city (assuming it classifies as a "complex" project), and may be reviewed as early as March 22, according to the [city's planning guide](<https://www.smgov.net/Departments/PCD/Permits/Plan-Check/Pre-submittal-Review/>).

![message-editor%2F1520978119837-20180313-teslarestaurant.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1520978119837-20180313-teslarestaurant.png>)
**via City of Santa Monica**

The address on the application currently points to an old Volvo dealership, which can be seen below on Google Maps. The footprint seems to be reasonable for Tesla's goals, and can clearly squeeze in a plethora of electrified automobiles to charge.

![message-editor%2F1520978454882-20180313-teslarestaurant2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1520978454882-20180313-teslarestaurant2.jpg>)
**via Google Maps**

Tesla also has a more robust Supercharging location in Kettleman City, California (175 miles north of Santa Monica) where it turned a former Burger King into a lounge and vending area, but it seems lackluster compared to the plans that Musk expressed on Twitter over the special theme of the future location. But when you compare a '50s themed restaurant to a glorified vending machine, it's easy to see why people are excited.

https://youtube.com/embed/j3eYj5dtWo8

Charging times are [one of the most talked about reasons](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/13873/why-are-electric-cars-and-public-charging-like-hot-dogs-and-buns>) for people denouncing the adoption of the electric car. But as battery technology advances and charging is treated as more of a commodity that you can partake in at home (unlike storing fuel), these small charging stations may become more popular and pop up more often.

## Author
After putting down the camera and leaving the tuner car scene behind, Rob has been covering the automotive world since early 2017. Rob’s blend of technology and automotive backgrounds coupled with his industry insight give a unique perspective of what the future of mobility holds.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/allthingslow/>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/RobDrivesCars>)