9 Southern Comfort Foods Elvis Loved Most
Elvis Presley wasn’t just the King of Rock and Roll—he was also a devoted fan of down-home Southern cooking. Growing up in Mississippi and later calling Memphis home, Elvis developed a serious appetite for the kind of comfort food that makes your soul sing.
Fried favorites and sweet indulgences shaped a taste profile as legendary as his music, telling the delicious story of a true Southern boy at heart.
1. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
Elvis’s most iconic culinary obsession was this sweet and savory masterpiece, often griddled in butter until golden and crispy. Some versions included bacon for an extra salty kick, creating a flavor explosion that became synonymous with the King himself.
Legend has it he could devour several in one sitting, and honestly, who could blame him? The combination of creamy peanut butter, ripe banana slices, and toasted bread is pure comfort on a plate, perfectly capturing Elvis’s love for simple yet indulgent eats.
2. Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
Nothing says home cooking quite like a thick slab of meatloaf paired with a mountain of creamy mashed potatoes. Elvis was so hooked on this classic combo that he reportedly ate it every single night for months on end.
His personal chef knew exactly how he liked it—moist, flavorful meatloaf with a tangy glaze, served alongside buttery spuds whipped to perfection. This hearty meal fueled his legendary performances and late-night recording sessions, proving that sometimes the simplest dishes hit the hardest.
3. Fried Chicken and Biscuits
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside—fried chicken was a staple at Graceland’s dinner table. Elvis loved his chicken with a crunchy, well-seasoned coating that crackled with every bite, paired with fluffy buttermilk biscuits fresh from the oven.
Whether it was a Sunday supper or a midnight craving, this Southern classic never disappointed. The biscuits, slathered with butter and honey, complemented the savory chicken perfectly, creating a meal fit for royalty—or in this case, the King of Rock and Roll himself.
4. Cornbread
Sweet, crumbly, and oh-so-satisfying, cornbread held a special place in Elvis’s heart and stomach. He’d snack on it at all hours, sometimes dunking thick squares into cold buttermilk for a traditional Southern treat that connected him to his roots.
This golden bread wasn’t just a side dish—it was a comforting reminder of simpler times. Whether served warm with a pat of melting butter or crumbled into a bowl of beans, cornbread was Elvis’s go-to when he needed a taste of home cooking.
5. BBQ Pizza
When Elvis wanted something different, he turned to Coletta’s Italian Restaurant in Memphis for their legendary BBQ pizza. This wasn’t your typical pie—it featured tangy barbecue sauce instead of marinara, topped with melted cheese and tender pulled pork.
The sweet and smoky flavors created a uniquely Southern twist on Italian cuisine that perfectly matched Elvis’s adventurous palate. He loved it so much that Coletta’s became one of his regular spots, and the restaurant still proudly serves this Elvis-approved creation to fans and foodies alike.
6. Deviled Eggs
These tangy, creamy appetizers were always welcome at Elvis’s table, especially when loaded with extra paprika and a generous dollop of spicy mustard. The King appreciated bold flavors, and deviled eggs delivered that punch in every bite.
Perfect for parties or just snacking between shows, these little flavor bombs combined smooth yolk filling with a hint of heat. Elvis’s version was anything but boring—each egg was a tiny explosion of Southern hospitality and zesty goodness that kept guests coming back for more.
7. Fried Pickles
Crunchy, tangy, and totally addictive, fried pickles were one of Elvis’s favorite guilty pleasures. These battered and deep-fried dill slices offered the perfect combination of sour pickle flavor encased in a crispy, golden coating.
Served hot with ranch dressing for dipping, they were the ultimate Southern snack that satisfied both salty and tangy cravings. Elvis understood that sometimes the best foods are the unexpected ones, and fried pickles proved that even vegetables can be rock-and-roll when you give them the right treatment.
8. Banana Pudding
This classic Southern dessert was pure heaven in a bowl for Elvis—layers of creamy vanilla pudding, fresh banana slices, and crunchy vanilla wafers, all topped with fluffy meringue. Every spoonful offered a different texture, from smooth to crunchy to cloud-like.
It’s the kind of dessert that grandmas across the South have perfected, and Elvis couldn’t resist its nostalgic charm. Whether served at family gatherings or whipped up by his personal chef, banana pudding represented everything sweet and comforting about Southern hospitality.
9. Cheeseburgers
Even the King needed fast food sometimes, and Elvis had a soft spot for Krystal’s small, square sliders piled high with cheese, onions, and pickles. These bite-sized burgers were perfect for satisfying late-night cravings after exhausting performances.
He’d order them by the sackful, proving that gourmet dining wasn’t always necessary when simple, greasy goodness would do the trick. The steamed buns, thin beef patties, and melted cheese created a nostalgic flavor that reminded Elvis of his humble beginnings and kept him grounded despite his superstar status.
