Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, was known for many things—his iconic music, unforgettable performances, and unique style. But behind the fame, he had a simple love for comfort food. One dish, in particular, captured his attention for an extraordinary six months, becoming a nightly dinner staple in his Graceland home.
Angie Marchese, Vice President of Archives and Exhibits at Graceland, shared this fascinating detail in a 2020 Graceland video. She revealed that Elvis repeatedly requested the same meal at dinner for half a year. Marchese described how the meal was prepared and highlighted its connection to the Presley family traditions.
Daniel Clark, Graceland’s Food and Beverage Director, demonstrated how the Presley family made their signature meatloaf. The demonstration offered fans a rare glimpse into the King’s everyday life and the dishes that filled his table.
Marchese confirmed, “I heard, and Priscilla Presley has confirmed this, that for six months straight, this is what Elvis wanted for dinner every night.” Clark added that he would show exactly how the family made it, staying true to its original recipe.
The Classic Presley Meatloaf Recipe
Instagram | @elvispresleyfansofnashville | Angie Marchese shared that Elvis ate one specific meal for six months.
The recipe is straightforward yet hearty, reflecting Southern home cooking that Elvis loved. It includes:
Ground beef
White bread
Salt and pepper
Wheat germ
Garlic
Celery
Vidalia onion
Eggs
A can of tomato juice
The dish was traditionally served with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, completing the meal that Elvis favored so much.
This recipe comes from “The Presley Family Cookbook”, first published in 1980. It was authored by Vester Presley, Elvis’s uncle, along with Nancy Rooks, the family’s maid and cook. Rooks described her time at Graceland as feeling like home, saying, “We all loved our boss and his family. His home was like my own home because I spent more time there than at my house.”
She recalled Elvis’s manners and generosity: “He always said ‘thank you’ when we served him. At times, Mr. E.P. might put a $100 bill in my pocket and smile and say, ‘Don’t say anything,’ but I would thank him anyway. I always enjoyed preparing his food.”
Southern Comfort Was a Constant
Instagram | elvis | Elvis was a “creature of habit” who strictly preferred Southern-style comfort food.
Elvis grew up in the South, and his palate reflected those roots. During a virtual tour of Graceland, Marchese emphasized that Elvis was “a creature of habit.” Meals made in the Southern style—meatloaf, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, mac and cheese—were consistently on his list of favorites.
This love for familiar dishes showed a personal side of Elvis that fans rarely saw. It wasn’t about extravagance but the simple pleasure of a home-cooked meal.
Elvis Presley passed away on August 16, 1977, at his Graceland home. He was laid to rest in the Meditation Garden alongside his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, and grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley. His daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, and grandson, Benjamin Keough, are also buried nearby, keeping the family connected in the home he cherished.
The story of his six-month meatloaf obsession offers a glimpse into the daily life of one of music’s greatest icons. It reminds fans that even legends have favorite meals and routines that bring comfort and consistency.
