A collision of delicious indulgence in a sandwich.
Why It Works
- The sandwich is a combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy all at once.
While Elvis is primarily known for being one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, we can’t ignore his namesake sandwich—the one with peanut butter, banana, and bacon all smashed together.
Nicknamed the “Elvis” sandwich, this collision of delicious indulgence is made up of ingredients that seem like they’d clash, but much like Elvis’s music—a dynamic rockabilly fusion of heartfelt country and soulful rhythm and blues—they create something beautiful. The combo is sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy all at once.
There are a number of versions of the story about how Elvis came to love these sandwiches.
In the one I’ve always heard, Elvis and some friends were hanging out at Graceland in February of 1976 when someone started talking about an outrageous sandwich they tried at a restaurant called the Colorado Gold Mine Company. This “Fool’s Gold Loaf” combined peanut butter, bananas, and bacon in a hollowed-out loaf of French bread, which was then deep-fried.
Elvis was so tempted by the sound of this decadent sandwich that he flew everyone from Memphis to Denver in the middle of the night on his private jet. The sandwich didn’t disappoint, and The King reportedly bought the recipe from the restaurant’s owner and passed it on to W. Pauline Nicholson, his personal cook, and asked her to have one standing by at all times.
I’ve been racking my brain, and short of a few paid endorsements, I can’t think of another celebrity so tied to a particular food as Elvis is with the peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich.
Have you ever had one? Or do you have your own unique combo that you’re somewhat famous for?
January 2011
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1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
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2 slices white bread
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2 tablespoons peanut butter
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1/2 large ripe banana, sliced lengthwise into 4 thin pieces
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4 slices bacon, cooked
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2 tablespoons honey
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Preheat a grill pan or griddle over medium heat. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Spread peanut butter on other side of each slice of bread. Place banana slices on top of peanut butter. Top with bacon slices and drizzle with honey. Top with the remaining slice of bread, buttered side up.
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Place sandwich on grill pan. Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to cutting board, slice in half, and serve immediately.
Special Equipment
Grill pan or griddle
Notes
You can use smooth or crunchy peanut butter.
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 860 | Calories |
| 46g | Fat |
| 89g | Carbs |
| 29g | Protein |
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 860 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| 46g | 59% |
| Saturated Fat 16g | 81% |
| 76mg | 25% |
| 1236mg | 54% |
| 89g | 33% |
| Dietary Fiber 5g | 19% |
| Total Sugars 49g | |
| 29g | |
| Vitamin C 6mg | 31% |
| Calcium 121mg | 9% |
| Iron 4mg | 21% |
| Potassium 767mg | 16% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)