Elvis statue stolen from Mama’s Mexican Kitchen

Elvis has left the building, or at least his post outside of Mama’s Mexican Kitchen in Seattle.

A life-size statue of Elvis that’s greeted customers outside of the Belltown restaurant for 15 years has gone missing.

Mama’s owner Mike McAlpin tells KIRO Radio’s Andrew Walsh Show a neighbor alerted them to the theft.

“A neighbor came in and warned us that somebody had taken off with Elvis and he ran down the alley with him.”

Mannequin Elvis was a staple at the eatery. McAlpin says the staff and customers miss him very much.

“Everybody loved him out there, and we loved the interaction of people really excited, you know groups of women taking their picture with Elvis, it was just a real fun thing so we all miss that.”

The restaurant’s association with the King began when McAlpin displayed some of his memorabilia at the restaurant. He says somehow the collection just kept growing.

“Pretty soon we had no room for them [Elvis items] so I said let’s put them in that room in the back that a lot of times people don’t want to sit in there because it’s kind of back away from the sunlight,” says McAlpin. “That’s how the Elvis room was born. Over the years people started doing Elvis drawings on napkins so there’s about 50 to 100 napkins that have Elvis likenesses on them.”

McAlpin says they just want Elvis to return. They don’t plan to make any trouble for the person that took him as long as they get him back.

“If somebody could just bring him in and prop him up where he was,” says McAlpin. “No questions asked. We just want him back.”

McAlpin provided a description for the KIRO Radio audience.

“This is a young Elvis,” says McAlpin. “He’s about six foot tall and he has a pompadour and he’s got one leg propped up like he’s leaning against the building.”

Elvis has painted on jeans and a leather jacket. If you see him, please contact Mama’s Mexican Kitchen, and if you know who has him, please tell them to return Elvis to his post. Mama’s needs their greeter back.