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Many music legends have left their mark on the Grand Ole Opry or earned an induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but how many have left their name in the kitchen? Very few.
Sure, we love the recipes of icons like Dolly Parton, Tony Bennett, and Frank Sinatra, but Elvis Presley did something different—he sparked a flavor phenomenon. His signature combination has inspired everything from burgers to cheesecakes. And almost all of them go by one name: The Elvis.
Meet 'The Elvis' Sandwich
Presley was known for his love of food, and when he found a favorite, he stuck with it. In fact, if you could travel back to the glory days of Graceland, you’d likely find the King himself at the kitchen table, enjoying his go-to sandwich, made with peanut butter, banana, and bacon.
For fans of salty-sweet flavors, this combination is pure perfection. The bananas add natural sweetness, the peanut butter provides creamy richness, and the crisp bacon cuts through it all with a crunchy, savory contrast. Griddled in a generous amount of butter until golden brown, with the peanut butter melting into every bite, it’s a sandwich fit for rock-and-roll royalty.
The Story of Elvis's Favorite Sandwich
Like all great rock-and-roll stories, there’s a bit of lore behind this legendary sandwich. Some accounts suggest the original version didn’t always include bacon. According to Miss Mary Jenkins, Presley’s personal chef for 14 years, the first version she made one morning at Graceland was simply a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. When the texture wasn’t quite right, Elvis’s father, Vernon Presley, suggested toasting the bread first—and that small tweak made all the difference.
But what truly took its indulgence to the next level? Butter—and lots of it. Jenkins recalled that Elvis liked using two sticks of butter for every three sandwiches. That means each one was fried in nearly two-thirds of a stick, flipped back and forth until the bread soaked up every last drop. Now we’re starting to understand why he found them so irresistible.
Jenkins made these sandwiches for him at all hours—whether for breakfast, an early morning snack, or somewhere in between. While bacon wasn’t always included, history suggests Presley enjoyed the salty addition from time to time.
Elaine Dundy’s biography “Elvis and Gladys” describes how the young, up-and-coming Presley would eat “sandwich after sandwich of his favorite—peanut butter, sliced bananas, and crisp bacon.” This suggests the savory-sweet combination wasn’t just a later addition—it had been a favorite of his for years.
Additionally, a famous tale of Elvis’s love for peanut butter-bacon sandwiches may contribute to his association with the food. One night in 1976, the King and his friends boarded a private jet to Denver just to buy 22 Fool’s Gold loaves—warm, hollowed-out loaves of bread stuffed with one jar of creamy peanut butter, one jar of blueberry jam, and a full pound of bacon. If that’s not proof of his love for salty-sweet sandwiches, we don’t know what is.
Over time, it seems "The Elvis" has become a blend of these two legendary sandwiches, cementing its place in food history. So, if you want to recreate the Rock and Roll King's ultimate craving, here’s how.
How to Make 'The Elvis' Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of thick-cut white bread
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 small banana, thinly sliced
- 2 to 3 strips cooked, crisp bacon
- 2/3 stick butter (for frying)
Instructions:
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