Elvis Presley was a one-of-a-kind talent who reached extraordinary heights of fame, but there was a brief period in his legendary career when he lived the life of an ordinary man.
The “King of Rock and Roll” served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. While stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, his weekend escape became nearby Waco, now more known for Baylor University and all things Magnolia given the glow-up driven by Chip and Joanna Gaines.
But there’s one former haunt in town still going strong, embracing its roots as a regular stop for Elvis.
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Still serving his go-to meal, Cupp’s Drive Inn, a classic pull-up-and-order eatery with limited seating, has held onto the juicy, double-patty cheeseburger with bacon Elvis would indulge in during his visits to Waco, typically pulling up in a Cadillac with his pal Eddie Fadal.
To this day, Cupp’s is one of Waco’s time capsules. While prices have certainly spiked since the ’50s, by today’s standards, its burgers are still a bargain—and remains a local staple for college students, longtime residents and visitors swinging by the must-visit Magnolia Market.
Recent patrons have described them as “the best cheeseburger I’ve had in a long time,” while another wrote, “Been eating here for 55 years. The best burger in the Waco area.”
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Holding a near-perfect 4.8-star rating on Google, the old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover” has been proven true once again, with one reviewer stating, “This place was fantastic. We rolled up to this place, thought it was a piece of junk, borderline thought we were in the ghetto. We walk in, awesome service, amazing food.”
Elvis’ favorite order was a double cheeseburger with bacon. It can still be ordered today by adding bacon to Cupp’s Double Double, coming to a total of $10.49—not too shabby for a taste of history in this timeless hole-in-the-wall.
This story was originally published by Parade on Sep 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.