Luther Burger

Luther Burger

Homemade Luther Burger (on a grilled Krispy Kreme donut) with fries
Alternative names	Donut burger Doughnut burger
Place of origin	United States
Created by	Disputed
Main ingredients	Doughnuts, patties
Food energy (per serving)	800 to 1,500 calories (3,300 to 6,300 kJ) kcal

A Luther Burger, or doughnut burger (among several naming variations), is a hamburger or cheeseburger with one or more glazed doughnuts in place of the bun. These sandwiches have a disputed origin, and tend to run between approximately 800 and 1,500 calories (3,300 and 6,300 kJ).

According to legend, the burger was named for and was a favorite (and possible invention) of singer, songwriter and record producer Luther Vandross. This origin is mentioned in a January 2006 episode of animated series The Boondocks, "The Itis", in which the character Robert Freeman creates a restaurant which serves the burger.

Mulligan's, a suburban bar in Decatur, Georgia, serves the Luther Burger in addition to its "hamdog". The Daily Telegraph reported that Mulligan's may be progenitor of the burger when the owner substituted the doughnuts when running out of buns.

The Gateway Grizzlies baseball team of Sauget, Illinois have served the Luther Burger at their ballpark. Their version consists of a deep-fried Krispy Kreme doughnut around a black Angus all-beef patty, melted cheese, and two strips of bacon. Dubbed a "cardiologist's worst nightmare", this burger is 1,000 calories (4,200 kJ). Aside from bringing in revenue from sales, it has drawn more fans to come out to the ballpark: apparently, attendance at games has increased and the burger is one of the most popular aspects of the park. The burger has met with criticism from burger purists and from people who are turned off by the thought of the taste and the health implications.