Elvis Presley was more than just the King of Rock and Roll — he was a man with a serious love for food. From greasy diners to fancy steakhouses, his appetite was as legendary as his music.
Whether he was sneaking out of Graceland late at night or rolling deep with his Memphis Mafia crew, Elvis always found his way to a great meal. Here are 15 restaurants that held a special place in the King’s heart.
1. Ayres Diner (Tampa, FL)
Back in 1955 and 1956, a young Elvis Presley was burning up stages at the Hesterly Armory in Tampa — and working up quite an appetite. He made several visits to Ayres Diner, tucked away in the Seminole Heights neighborhood, after his shows.
Today, the spot operates under the name Chanko, but a quiet little plaque still marks the very booth where Elvis is believed to have sat. History has a funny way of sticking around.
2. Las Casuelas (Palm Springs, CA)
Opened in 1958, Las Casuelas quickly became one of Elvis’s go-to spots whenever he was relaxing at his Palm Springs getaway. He had a favorite booth, naturally, because the King never sat just anywhere.
His usual order? A bowl of ranchero beans and a tall glass of iced tea — simple, satisfying, and totally Elvis.
It just goes to show that even rock royalty appreciates a no-fuss, delicious meal.
3. Coletta’s (Memphis, TN)
Ask any Memphian about Coletta’s and they’ll tell you it’s a local treasure. But for Elvis, it was personal — this Italian restaurant’s BBQ pizza was reportedly his all-time favorite menu item.
That’s right, the King chose BBQ pizza over everything else on the menu.
The South Parkway location even has a dedicated “Elvis Room” filled with memorabilia. The BBQ pizza remains a top seller to this day, a delicious tribute to its most famous fan.
4. Sherman’s Deli and Bakery (Palm Springs, CA)
There’s something undeniably satisfying about a perfectly stacked hot pastrami sandwich, and Elvis knew it well. Sherman’s Deli and Bakery in Palm Springs was one of his regular stops, and the hot pastrami was his weapon of choice.
He rarely showed up alone — the Memphis Mafia, his loyal entourage, usually rolled in with him, turning a simple deli run into a full-on group outing. Sherman’s has been serving Palm Springs since 1954 and still draws crowds today.
5. The Golden Steer Steakhouse (Las Vegas, NV)
Las Vegas and Elvis go together like steak and a good knife, so it makes perfect sense that he was a regular at The Golden Steer Steakhouse. After wowing crowds at The International Hotel, he’d wind down in booth number four — now officially named in his honor by the Elvis Presley Estate.
His very first meal there was a burger made from USDA prime beef trimmings. Low-key vibes, top-tier beef — that’s a classic Elvis move.
6. The Formosa (Los Angeles, CA)
During his Hollywood years, Elvis needed a reliable spot to unwind between film shoots, and The Formosa — a legendary Chinese-American restaurant across from United Artists Studio — fit the bill perfectly. Booth six was his usual perch.
One wild story claims he once bought a waitress a brand-new Cadillac after his manager forgot to leave a tip. Whether legend or fact, it sounds exactly like something the generous King would do.
7. Arcade Restaurant (Memphis, TN)
Memphis’s oldest restaurant, the Arcade, holds a very special place in Elvis lore. He reportedly claimed a specific booth in the back — one that faced a mirror so he could discreetly keep an eye on the door.
Smart thinking for a man who couldn’t go anywhere without causing a scene.
His order of choice was a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, arguably the most Elvis meal imaginable. The Arcade still serves it today with pride.
8. The Colorado Mining Company (Denver, CO)
Few food stories are as wonderfully over-the-top as the tale of Elvis and the Fool’s Gold Loaf. The Colorado Mining Company in Denver served this monstrous sandwich — stuffed with peanut butter, jelly, and bacon — and Elvis loved it so much he visited eight times.
On one famous occasion, he had the sandwiches flown from Denver directly to Memphis on a private jet just to satisfy a craving. The restaurant has since closed, but the legend lives on.
9. Krystal (Southern States)
Not every meal Elvis enjoyed came with white tablecloths and fancy lighting. Sometimes, the King just wanted a small, satisfying slider from Krystal, the beloved Southern fast-food chain famous for its tiny square cheeseburgers.
Priscilla Presley herself mentioned his fondness for the sliders, noting how much he loved their bite-sized format. Krystal has been a Southern staple since 1932, and knowing Elvis was a fan makes every little burger taste just a bit more legendary.
10. Johnnie’s Drive-In (Tupelo, MS)
Tupelo, Mississippi is where Elvis’s story began, and Johnnie’s Drive-In was part of that hometown fabric. Located close to his childhood home, it was a natural hangout spot for a young Elvis and remained a favorite long after fame found him.
He enjoyed the cheeseburger and the local specialty known as the dough burger — a uniquely Southern creation worth trying at least once. Johnnie’s still proudly displays an “Elvis Booth” for fans who make the pilgrimage.
11. Leonard’s Pit Barbecue (Memphis, TN)
Late-night cravings hit differently when you’re Elvis Presley, and Leonard’s Pit Barbecue in Memphis was his secret after-dark destination. He’d pull up quietly, usually well past regular hours, keeping a low profile the way only a global superstar has to.
Staff at Leonard’s remembered him as an incredibly generous tipper — the kind of customer every restaurant worker hopes walks through the door. Good barbecue and good manners?
The King truly had it all figured out.
12. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous (Memphis, TN)
Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is famous for its dry-rubbed pork ribs, and Elvis was one of their biggest admirers. Here’s the quirky twist though — he never actually ate inside the restaurant.
The owner refused to shut it down just for him, which is honestly a pretty bold move.
Instead, Elvis had Rendezvous ribs delivered straight to Graceland and even to Las Vegas during his residencies. When the ribs are that good, you find a way to make it work.
13. Marlowe’s Ribs and Restaurant (Memphis, TN)
Sitting just down the road from Graceland, Marlowe’s Ribs and Restaurant had the kind of convenient location that made it easy for Elvis to pop in. Back in his day, the spot was known as The Whitehaven Ranch House, serving a quirky but appealing mix of Italian dishes and classic hamburgers.
It’s the kind of neighborhood joint that feels like an extension of home — which, given its proximity to Graceland, it practically was for Elvis.
14. Canter’s Deli (Los Angeles, CA)
Open 24 hours a day since 1931, Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles has fed generations of Hollywood legends, and Elvis was no exception. When you’re filming movies all day and performing at night, a round-the-clock deli is basically a lifesaver.
Canter’s has that warm, no-nonsense energy that makes everyone feel welcome — from regular folks to rock icons. It remains a beloved LA institution, and knowing the King once pulled up a chair there makes it feel even more special.
15. Caliente Tropics (Palm Springs, CA)
Palm Springs in the 1960s was the ultimate celebrity escape, and Caliente Tropics was right at the center of the fun. This lively Tiki lounge had the kind of tropical, laid-back atmosphere that made it easy to forget you were one of the most famous people on the planet.
Elvis frequented the spot regularly during his Palm Springs stays, adding it to his roster of local favorites. Tiki vibes, good company, and the King himself — sounds like a perfect evening.