The King's Kitchen

16 years ago

Just now I am wrapping up the last couple days of an epic drive across country from California to North Carolina and back. It got to be stop-for-the-night time when I approached Memphis and as I was looking for campgrounds (I'm in my motorhome) I spotted the "Graceland RV Park." Yes, kids, the King now has an RV park.

Be that as it may, I could not resist taking the tour of Graceland and getting that essential check-in-the-block of Americana completed. The tour includes a walk past the kitchen so I snapped a few photos with my cell. Sorry for the darkness, but flash is not allowed. Plus, the kitchen really is dark.

This Tappan Fabulous 400 range has the enamel finish in Avocado with the stainless cooking surfaces. You can't see the hobs because they recess into the range unless pulled out for use. A friend of mine has a similar, competing, range back in California that also had the cooktop slide out on rails. It was called the Frigidaire "Flair." But as for me, I prefer the name "Fabulous 400" over anything else. In fact, if I ever get another kid or dog, I'm going to name him or her "Fabulous 400" just because there is no better name for anything, anywhere, in the whole universe.

I think I want to change my own name to Fabulous 400!

Another view.

This drawer pulls out and there's a cooktop!

This auxiliary cooktop doubtless fried many a Peanut Butter and 'Nanner samwich for The King and his hungry proteges.

This harvest gold fridge doesn't really pair up all that well with the Avocado Tappan, but then, on second thought having lived through the 70s myself, maybe it does.

Glassware cabinet on the wall, full of tumblers that will forever await another pour of cold Dr. Pepper.

The Kitchen Phone, in Red, likely to field phone calls from President Nixon, Frank Sinatra, or Charro

Overall, the house is an exercise in 60s kitsch and 70s excess, as are the various cars and airplanes that are available for touring. But hey, who didn't go a little overboard back then. Say what you will about his taste, but his good heart and generous spirit, not to mention his phenomenal talent are really the most important takeaway from Graceland. That and the name: FABULOUS 400!

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Comments (10)

hpxmirage
16 years ago
Priceless, thanks for the trip down Memory [with The King] Lane!

Are they still offering tours of the airplane, too? :-)
mojavean
Original Author
16 years ago
Glad you liked the pics.

Yes, both of Elvis's jets are on permanent static display across the street from the mansion. They are part of the Platinum Tour which allows one to rub elbows with tons of other sweaty tourists in far more cramped quarters for only an additional four dollars over the standard rubes tour which denies that privilege.

The Convair 880, the "Lisa Marie" is open at both ends and fans may walk the length of the cabin enjoying every inch of outrageous decor. The smaller jet, the "Hound Dog II," is only open at the front where the curious may hunker down and examine the cockpit and festive cabin while an overweight dentist from Cincinatti and his bored teens impatiently wait for you to get out of the way.

For the record, the Platinum Tour is $34 for every adult who leaves their AAA card in the glovebox like me. If you can produce your card, it knocks off 10%.

Sincerely,
Fabulous 400
Formerly known as Mojavean
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dodge59
16 years ago
One hopes you do not "Grow into your "New Name".
dan_no_9
16 years ago
Thank you - thank you very much.
User
16 years ago
There's a documentary out there that features his cook Mary Jenkins and all of the items she used to make for The King. It's more interesting than you'd think. Netflix it some time.

Before you leave town you've gotta eat some real barbecue at Interstate down on Third Street. It's not in the best neighborhood after dark, but it's safe enough during the day and it's the best in Memphis, which says a lot. The International Barbecue Championship is held in Memphis. (pork, of course!) Should be easy enough to find if you get on 55 west right there at EP Blvd toward the old bridge across the river. Third street exit and go south. On your right. Pulled pork and the barbecue spaghetti followed by the sock-it-to-me cake. Heaven. It's been ages since I've eaten there. I just don't drive into town that much these days.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Burger and The King
mojavean
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the suggestion, Live Wire, but my stay in Memphis was too brief to allow more than two meals and the vehicle configuration I am in (motorhome pulling a utility trailer) severely restricts the places I can visit. I did have barbecue at Marlowes (they offer a free shuttle from the Graceland RV Park) and I hired a cab to run over to Uncle Lou's to get some of their famous fried chicken right before I left town.Â

By the time I got around to posting the pics I was already well into Arkansas. I am typing this from Albuquerque, not far from the interstate, but many miles from Interstate Barbecue.

Next trip, perhaps. I always like to save the interesting stops for when I am on the motorcycle. There's never a parking problem with that unless it's Key West.

Also, thanks for the suggestion of the documentary. I'll watch it on Netflix when I get home. But for now it is the very beginning of the green chile harvest in New Mexico (my native state, I was born right here in Albuquerque) and I need to find a good grower with some sacks of Big Jims to sell.
maire_cate
16 years ago
Thanks for the tour Fabuloso - that carpet just slays me, but I can see where it would really hide all those drops of ketchup and mustard on the floor.
jakkom
16 years ago
What fun!

A friend of ours lived in a gorgeous 1930's apartment by Lake Merritt here in Oakland, CA. She had a magnificent O'Keefe & Merritt electric range with the cooktop that slid in and was completely hidden. The double ovens worked fine and the top oven had a lift-up door. She said she'd always loved gas before but had to admit this range really cooked as well as gas.

But it didn't have a cool name like 'the Fabulous 400'!
bickybee
16 years ago
I grew up with the Fabulous 400! I remember when we got it new in 1962 for the house my dad built in Canada. It was so sleek and modern! Nobody had seen anything like it.

Oh, how many times I pushed that button (visible just above the electrical outlet in the first photo) pulling out or pushing in the drawer as a young girl learning the fine points of cleaning up after supper.

Eventually the parts became unavailable and my parents replaced it with a plain boring range.

I missed it then forgot about it until now.

Thanks for the memory jolt.
segesta
16 years ago
(derisive snort) Yeah, but the knobs aren't red. I mean, come ON.

But seriously, Fabulous 400, you know how to TCB... in a flash. Thanks for the photos.