The Sandwich Elvis Presley Loved So Much, He Ate It By The Loaf

Although Elvis had his first Fool’s Gold Loaf as an adult in Denver, the sandwich actually resembles a Southern favorite he long enjoyed. The King grew up enjoying peanut butter and banana sandwiches that his mother Gladys prepared; they offered the same salty-sweet taste he loved in the Denver-born creation, albeit without the strips of bacon. Gladys grilled hers in bacon grease, which is how the sandwich is still served for visitors at Gladys’ Diner at Graceland for $4.99. In fact, toasting bread in bacon fat delivers the same umami and smoky flavor without the meat.

While consuming an entire Fool’s Gold Loaf in a single meal is a big task, the sandwich is the holy grail of contrasting tastes and textures. It balances salty bacon with sweet jelly and creamy peanut butter with crunchy bread. When heat is added to the culinary equation, the ingredients get melty and toasty, making it a well-rounded dish that’s hard to forget.

Restaurants across the U.S., like Arcade Restaurant in Elvis’ stomping grounds of Memphis, Tennessee, serve a hybrid of Fool’s Gold Loaf and Gladys’ PBB known as “The Elvis.” The sandwich includes two slices of bread smeared with peanut butter, sliced bananas, and an option to add on bacon fried in bacon grease. If you can’t find one near you, it may be worth taking the time to make one and feel like The King.