Frank Sinatra had a taste for the finer things in life, but when it came to food, he often surprised people with simple cravings. One simple sandwich, in particular, became his favorite—and fittingly, it was the last thing he ate.
Breakfasts and Simple Starts
Image via iStockphoto/cristalsimon
Before his last sandwich, Frank was already a fan of keeping his meals grounded. His mornings often started with a scrambled egg sandwich made exactly the way he liked it. The eggs were cooked with a splash of milk for a soft, custardy texture, seasoned only with salt and pepper. The bread had to be toasted in Italian olive oil, never butter or Spanish oil, because he was particular about that detail. Even the bacon on the side was cooked to his preference, soft instead of crisp. His first wife, Nancy, had even taught his valet how to prepare it to perfection.
Though he loved breakfast at home, Sinatra also enjoyed eating out in style. The Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach became one of his favorite spots. Guests lined up for “Cocktails and Breakfast with Frankie,” which included everything from mushroom and sausage crepes to prime rib and lobster.
The Last Meal
By the time May 14, 1998, rolled around, Sinatra’s health was fragile. He had been dealing with heart issues, dementia, pneumonia, and bladder cancer. That night, he sat at home in Beverly Hills with his wife, Barbara, and ate a grilled cheese sandwich. He only finished half before he suffered a heart attack. He was taken to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where he passed away at the age of 82.
For the Italian-American man who lived so much of his life on stage, the comfort of bread and melted cheese was the perfect way to say goodbye.