The Arcade Restaurant

Those who come to Memphis to explore Graceland and the life of Elvis Presley should know that there is more to see than The King’s estate. The Arcade Restaurant in downtown’s South Main District is a place where Elvis frequently dined, entering through the backdoor and sitting at a booth in the rear to avoid attention.  

Today, visitors can sit in that same booth and order Elvis’ favorite meal, a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, though diners now have the choice to add a layer of crispy bacon to the creation. The Arcade Restaurant is in its fourth generation of ownership under Kelcie Zepatos and her husband, Jeff, and they serve up to 50 of the famed sandwiches per day on a busy weekend. 

Elvis is not the only celebrity who has snagged a booth in this spot. Justin Timberlake visited to do a photoshoot for Nike, Norah Jones played the piano on-site and Matt Damon and Danny DeVito filmed a scene here for the 1997 movie “The Rainmaker.” Other silver screen hits like “Mystery Train,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “Walk the Line” have filmed scenes here too. What filmmakers saw in The Arcade is the same thing that attracts diners today: a genuine, 1950s-style diner that has remained virtually unchanged for 70 years, right down to the neon lights, teal- and cream-colored booths and red swivel counter seats. 

Diners not keen on ordering Elvis’ signature sandwich can find typical diner fare on the menu. American favorites abound, like bacon cheeseburgers and toasted cheese sandwiches, and there is an emphasis on comfort food, with dishes like sweet potato pancakes, meatloaf and French toast made with deep-fried baguette bread. Try a unique twist on a classic and order the chicken spaghetti. 540 S. Main St., Memphis, Tennessee 38103, 901/526-5757, arcaderestaurant.com