Fools Gold Loaf
Quick Bite
A legendary, ultra-caloric sandwich consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of French bread filled with an entire jar of peanut butter, a jar of jelly (grape or strawberry), and a pound of bacon.
History
The Fool’s Gold Loaf is a famously indulgent sandwich that originated in Denver during the 1970s, at a restaurant called Colorado Mine Company.
The sandwich was created as an over-the-top specialty: a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with an entire jar of peanut butter, a jar of jelly, and a pound of crispy bacon. It was rich, messy, and intentionally excessive and more of a novelty dish than an everyday meal.
The Fool’s Gold Loaf gained national attention thanks to Elvis Presley, who famously loved the sandwich. According to popular lore, in 1976, Elvis flew from Memphis to Denver late at night with friends just to eat it. The group reportedly consumed multiple sandwiches along with champagne during the visit, cementing the dish’s place in pop culture history.
Although the original restaurant eventually closed, the Fool’s Gold Loaf lives on as a symbol of 1970s American excess and rock-and-roll indulgence, closely tied to Elvis’s legacy and Colorado food lore.
Fun Facts
“Fool’s Gold” refers to something that looks valuable but isn’t. That’s fitting for a sandwich that’s rich, excessive, and definitely not an everyday meal.
Even though the original restaurant is gone, the sandwich remains one of the most talked-about dishes to come out of Colorado.
Today, the Fool’s Gold Loaf is often cited as a perfect example of 1970s rock-and-roll indulgence. It’s big, bold, and unapologetically over the top.
Where to Try
Nick’s Cafe - Golden, Colorado
Recipe
Ingredients
1 loaf of Italian or French bread (about 1 lb)
1 jar (16 oz) creamy peanut butter
1 jar (16 oz) grape jelly or preserves
1 lb cooked bacon (crispy)
Preparation & Cooking Instructions
Prepare the loaf
Slice off one end of the bread and hollow out the inside, leaving about a ½-inch thick shell all around.
You now have a “boat” to hold the fillings.
Spread the peanut butter
Spread the entire jar of peanut butter evenly inside the hollowed loaf.
Add the jelly
Spread the entire jar of jelly on top of the peanut butter. You can use grape, strawberry, or your favorite preserve.
Layer the bacon
Lay all 1 lb of cooked bacon on top of the peanut butter and jelly mixture. Try to cover evenly.
Close and serve
Replace the top piece of the loaf if desired, or leave it open-faced.
Slice into large portions (this sandwich is very rich; sharing is recommended!).
