Elvis Fans? Don’t Miss Nick’s Cafe – Lakewood Colorado

Trust me. Elvis is alive and well in Lakewood Colorado.

When we were in the Denver area I asked my trusty smartphone GPS (I call her Stella) to guide us to a good breakfast spot nearby. She sent us to Nick’s Cafe. And little did I know we were walking into an Elvis shrine. But that fact became obvious as soon as we pulled up out front.

When we opened the door we were amazed to see that every inch of Nick’s Cafe was FILLED with Elvis memorabilia. Floor to ceiling…and then some!

We were quickly and warmly greeted by the cook and the server who were working in the tiny restaurant, and we were told to sit wherever we’d like.  The tables were so close together it was a challenge to make our way to a table but we were finally successful in navigating our way through the maze.

I quickly noticed the Elvis connection to EVERYTHING in the place. Even the hot sauce on our table sported his likeness!

The tiny paper menu was also a shrine to “The King.”

Now this might be a good time to be honest with all of you.

I’m not an Elvis fan and neither is Peepaw. I know that might sound sacrilegious to some of you…but I was never bitten by Elvis fever. Never. Ever.

But that morning in Lakewood we were surrounded by folks who were almost in tears as they shared Elvis stories with one another. And that’s when Peepaw and I realized we hadn’t just stumbled into an Elvis shrine. We had arrived on the 41st anniversary of his death! No wonder there was such a somber reverence in the voices of his adoring fans.

Even though I’m not a fan I was sure impressed by the stories I was hearing from the restaurant cook and the waitress. It turns out that tiny restaurant is owned and run by that husband and wife team. Nicholas Andurlakis and his wife Kathleen. Those two were like a well oiled machine as they processed order after order together. Our simple breakfast orders arrived quickly.

Kathleen made sure our coffee cups were never empty, and she filled them with a mile wide smile every time.

All the “locals” wanted owner Nick to share his personal stories of Elvis. And when he was caught up on breakfast orders he was more than happy to come out into the small dining room and regale the fans with some amazing stories. 

It turns out when Nick was only 16 years old he was already working at the Colorado Mining Company Restaurant. It was a restaurant Elvis liked. In fact he came in once and sat down at the piano in the lounge and sang for the staff after the place closed for the evening. 

Nick became friends with Elvis, and he served him a Fools Gold Loaf Sandwich. Nick even delivered them to Elvis’s jet. Yup…Nick has a photo of that too!

Once Elvis even flew to Denver to get those special sandwiches for his daughter Lisa Marie’s birthday party!

What WAS that amazing sandwich, you ask?

It was peanut butter, jelly, and bacon on sourdough bread with home fries!

Yes, Nick and Kathleen still live and breathe Elvis. And those adoring fans are mighty glad they do.

And whether you’re a fan or not, the hospitality you’ll find at Nick’s Cafe will keep you coming back for more. Blue Suede Shoes not required for admittance. And I bet you’ll Love Me Tender for telling you all about it. You might even be All Shook Up when you get there…no matter where you park!