Luther Burger

ALuther Burger, ordoughnut burger(among several naming variations), is ahamburgerorcheeseburgerwith one or more glazeddoughnutsin place of thebun.  These burgers have a disputed origin, and tend to run between approximately 800 and 1,500calories(3,300 and 6,300 kJ).
According to legend, the burger was named for and was a favorite (and possible invention) of singer, songwriter andrecord producerLuther Vandross.This origin is mentioned in a January 2006 episode of animated seriesThe Boondocks, "The Itis", in which the character Robert Freeman creates a restaurant which serves the burger.
Mulligan's, a suburban bar inDecatur, Georgia, serves the Luther Burger in addition to itshamdog.The Daily Telegraphreported that Mulligan's may be progenitor of the burger when the owner substituted the doughnuts when running out ofbuns.
TheGateway Grizzliesbaseball team ofSauget, Illinoishave served the Luther Burger at theirballpark.  Their version consists of aKrispy Kremedoughnut around ablack Anguspatty, melted cheese, and two strips of bacon.  Dubbed a "cardiologist's worst nightmare" byABC News, 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.
InAstoria, Queens, aLebaneseburger restaurant began selling ahalal-compliant version of the Luther Burger (a Crave Doughnut Burger) withturkey baconin 2010.  The restaurateur added the1⁄4-pound (0.11 kg) burger to the menu after a friend experienced one while traveling through theSouthern United States.  Restaurant owner Firas Zabib has said he sells 10–20 of theUS$6.50(equivalent to $9.08 in 2023) burgers per day, and that his was the first shop inNew York Cityto sell them.
Around the United States, copies and variations of the Luther Burger have appeared atstate fairs.  The 2010Wisconsin State Fairvariation held a1⁄4-pound (0.11 kg) Angus beef burger, topped with Wisconsin cheddar cheese and two strips ofchocolate-covered bacon, on a toasted Krispy Kreme doughnut bun.  The burger sold for$5(equivalent to $6.99 in 2023) and equaled 1,000 Calories.Erika Celeste, forNPR'sAll Things Considereddetailed a "doughnut burger" sold at the 2010Indiana State Fairwhen discussing the imaginative and caloric "arms race" at state fairgrounds to devise new "wackier" menu items: "[a] fresh patty of beef and melted cheese sandwiched between two glazed doughnuts".  The Indiana vendor explained his impetus to sell the burger after seeingPaula Deen"[do] it on TV".  The 800-calorie (3,300 kJ) burger was described as having a salty-sweet taste, and surprisingly ungreasy.The "Krispy Kreme Doughnut Burger" as served at the 2010Mississippi State Fairwas garnished with "lettuce, tomato and a generous slice of raw onion", and was estimated to provide 1,500 calories (6,300 kJ).TheAlabama,Arizona,Louisiana,North Carolina,South Carolina,andTulsa State Fairsalso served up Luther Burger variants in 2010.
Epic Burgers and Waffles (EBW) introduced their doughnut cheeseburger to the 2011Canadian National Exhibition; they were inspired after seeing it at fairs in theSouthern United Statesand noting its popularity at theCalgary Stampedethe month before.  EBW's version costCA$8(equivalent to $10.49 in 2023) (orCA$10(equivalent to $13.11 in 2023) to add bacon and afried egg), and contained 1,500 calories (6,300 kJ).
During the Jewish festival ofHanukkah, Jews traditionally indulge in eatingoilyandfriedfoods—such as theIsraelijelly doughnutsufganiyot(Hebrew:סופגניות)—in connection to themiracle of the cruse of oil.  In 2016,Burger King Israelintroduced theSufganiKing(Hebrew:סופגניקינג): aWhopperwith twosufganiyotin place of the bun.  TheSufganiKingwas available during Hanukkah 2016 (December 25, 2016 – January 1, 2017),and cost 14.9Israeli new shekels(equivalent to US$5.08 in 2023).  Burger King Israel'schief executive officer, Steve Ben Shimol, said of theSufganiKing, "This matching of two popular Israeli food items was inevitable for us. We’re proud to be able to end 2016 on a creative, festive note."The Times of Israelreported on Burger King Israel employees who had eaten theSufganiKingand called it "delicious".