Eat Like Elvis in Birmingham

”Are you wholesome, tonight? Would you binge on me, tonight? Are you sorry, you only, ordered one?“

Elvis Presley, 1960.

Well, ok, we know these aren't the real lyrics, but you get the idea. The King of rock 'n' roll certainly had his talents. Apart from mercilessly thrusting his pelvis across the stage and seducing millions with his swooning melodies, his main talent was scoffing that pretty little face of his.

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So, as a tribute to his gut, here's Itchy's guide on how to eat like Elvis:

Let's meet Mr Egg. If ever there was an Elvis of the greasy spoon world, Mr Egg and his speggtacular smoke-stained fluorescent café on Hurst Street would be it.

He's not so hot on the pelvic thrusting, but he's got shed loads of eggy feasts and fry-ups to gorge on; also staying open after club closing times to cater for the boozed up beer munchers staggering out of Oceana. Ah, how we love Mr Egg.

Another blatant homage to binging on greasy, fatty, yummy munch is Big Wok, in the Chinese Quarter. This mammoth all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant, sorry, canteen, takes the gold at the Chinese buffet Olympics, leaving its pitiful competitors behind in a cloud of chicken chow mein. There are no points for style, comfort or sophistication, but who cares when you're only paying a fiver?

There's one place that must have been made for Elvis and his colossal appetite: Gourmet Burger Kitchen, on Wharfside Street. Get taken on a whirlwind journey of burger discovery through a taste bud wonderland of mango, egg, pineapple, avocado, goats cheese, pesto, and of course good old bacon and cheese burgers. You won't get any cardboard, McDonalds fat-discs here; it's all top notch stuff, but it comes with a price tag, and a 5k run to burn it off afterwards.

The King would be proud.

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