The Sandwich So Good, Elvis Chartered a Plane—And Ate 22 of Them Without Leaving the Runway
Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock and Roll, was famous not only for his music but also for his larger-than-life personality—and an appetite that matched. One of the most legendary tales of his indulgent lifestyle is the midnight food obsession that led him to charter his private jet, the Lisa Marie, just to satisfy a craving for a single sandwich: the Fool’s Gold Loaf.
On February 1, 1976—coincidentally the eighth birthday of his daughter Lisa Marie—Elvis was at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, with two friends from Colorado. The conversation turned to the Fool’s Gold Loaf, a decadent sandwich from Denver’s Colorado Mine Company. This over-the-top creation consisted of a hollowed-out French loaf stuffed with an entire jar of peanut butter, a jar of grape jelly or blueberry preserves, and a full pound of crispy bacon—a calorie bomb estimated at 8,000 calories per sandwich.
Unable to resist the craving, Elvis impulsively decided he needed to get the sandwich immediately. With his characteristic flair and means, Elvis and his friends were driven to the Memphis airport, where they boarded the Convair 880 jet, Lisa Marie. After a two-hour flight, they landed at Denver’s Stapleton International Airport around 1:40 a.m., taxiing directly to a private hangar.
Waiting for them were Buck and Cindy Scott, owners of the Colorado Mine Company, along with their teenage cook, Nick Andurlakis, who delivered 22 freshly made Fool’s Gold Loaves. Elvis invited his pilots and restaurant staff to join the feast, accompanied by Perrier and champagne. The group spent two hours indulging in the sandwiches and camaraderie—without ever leaving the airport—before returning to Memphis.
Priced at $49.95 in 1976 (equivalent to over $250 today), the Fool’s Gold Loaf was a lavish indulgence. The sandwich’s recipe involved coating the French loaf in margarine, baking it until golden, frying the bacon to crisp perfection, and filling it with generous amounts of peanut butter and blueberry preserves. This mix of salty, sweet, and creamy flavors captivated Elvis, who had long been known for his peanut butter and banana sandwich obsession—sometimes fried in bacon grease and known colloquially as “The Elvis.”
This midnight sandwich run is more than just a quirky anecdote; it encapsulates Elvis’s extravagant persona—his impulsiveness, immense wealth, and unapologetic love of comfort food. The story has become legendary, recounted by major outlets like NBC’s Today, featured in cookbooks, films such as What If (2013), and even episodes of Chopped.
Estimated costs for the entire escapade, including the flight, crew salaries, and the sandwiches, have been pegged at around $16,000 in 1976—nearly $70,000 today—making it one of the most extravagant food runs in rock history.
Elvis’s Fool’s Gold Loaf obsession remains a fascinating glimpse into the man behind the music: a king who ruled not only stages but also his midnight cravings with grand gestures that continue to delight fans and food lovers alike.
