Delaware Today Article

Eat Like the King

Celebrate Elvis’ Birthday with these local treats.

Elvis Presley, famous for his appetite for life and fried peanut butter sandwiches, continues to inspire. The King, who would’ve turned 74 this month, has even altered the course of cuisine in Delaware.

Customers love the Elvis cake at Harry’s Savoy Grill (2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, 475-3000). Pastry chef Erica Ferguson assembles a banana chiffon base with a crunchy peanut praline layer and tops it with creamy peanut butter mousse and a dark chocolate glaze. Caramelized bananas decorate. Era: Late Elvis. “Early Elvis would’ve had just a sandwich instead,” Ferguson says. Song: “Love Me Tender”

Flying Elvis ice cream at Sweet Lucy’s (3201 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 477-0777) is the creation of owner Ted Brackin and Woodside Farms Creamery. The banana ice cream, peanut butter swirl and chocolate chunk combo is named after the skydiving impersonators of Las Vegas. Era: Late Elvis. Song: “A Little Less Conversation.” Brackin says the Flying Elvis is all action.

Angelo’s Luncheonette (1722 N. Scott St., Wilmington, 658-8625) and Helen’s Sausage House (4866 N. Dupont Hwy., Smyrna, 653-4200) are known as much for their Elvis memorabilia as their ample portions. Angelo’s is decorated with an Elvis cutout, clock, phone and an original “Jailhouse Rock” movie poster. Era: Early Elvis. “He would’ve loved eating here, since we’re from back in his era,” says August Muzzi, owner of Angelo’s. Song: “Can’t Help Falling in Love”

The Elvis burger at 2 Fat Guys American Grill (701 Ace Memorial Drive, Hockessin, 235-0333) was born when chef-owner Tom Craft experimented with a peanut butter and jelly chicken wing sauce. The result is a half-pounder topped with peanut butter and bacon. One customer loves it so much, he eats two to three a week. Era: Early Elvis. “The Elvis burger isn’t for the faint of heart,” Craft says. “So it’s more like that ambitious, younger rocker Elvis.” Song: “Stuck On You”  —Matt Amis