Luther Burger facts for kids
Luther Burger served in Google's New York City cafeteria (February 2007)
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| Alternative names | Donut burger Doughnut burger |
|---|---|
| Type | Hamburger |
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Created by | Disputed |
| Main ingredients | |
| 800–1500 kcal | |
A Luther Burger is a special kind of hamburger or cheeseburger. Instead of a regular bun, it uses one or more sweet, glazed doughnuts! People also call it a "doughnut burger." These burgers are known for being very high in calories, usually between 800 and 1500.
Contents
Where Did the Luther Burger Come From?
The exact story of how the Luther Burger started is a bit of a mystery.
The Luther Vandross Story
One popular story says the burger was named after the famous singer Luther Vandross. Some people believe he loved this burger, or even invented it himself! This idea was even shown in an episode of the cartoon show The Boondocks in 2006. In that episode, a character named Robert Freeman opens a restaurant that sells the Luther Burger.
The Mulligan's Bar Story
Another idea comes from a bar called Mulligan's in Decatur, Georgia. They serve the Luther Burger there. A newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, once reported that Mulligan's might have created the burger by accident. The owner supposedly ran out of regular buns and decided to use doughnuts instead!
Where Can You Find Luther Burgers?
Luther Burgers have become popular in different places, especially in the United States.
In the United States
Baseball Parks
The Gateway Grizzlies baseball team in Sauget, Illinois, serves a Luther Burger at their games. Their version uses a Krispy Kreme doughnut with a black Angus beef patty, melted cheese, and two strips of bacon. This burger has about 1000 calories. Even though some people call it a "cardiologist's worst nightmare" because of how unhealthy it sounds, it has helped bring more fans to the ballpark! It's one of the most popular things to eat there.
Unique Restaurants
In Astoria, Queens, a Lebanese burger restaurant started selling a special version of the Luther Burger in 2010. Their "Crave Doughnut Burger" is made with halal meat and turkey bacon. The restaurant owner, Firas Zabib, said he sells about 10 to 20 of these burgers every day. He believes his shop was the first in New York City to sell them.
State Fairs
Many state fairs across the United States have started selling their own versions of the Luther Burger. These fairs are known for creating unique and sometimes very high-calorie foods!
- The 2010 Wisconsin State Fair had a burger with a quarter-pound Angus beef patty, Wisconsin cheddar cheese, and two strips of chocolate-covered bacon, all on a toasted Krispy Kreme doughnut bun. It had 1,000 calories.
- At the 2010 Indiana State Fair, a vendor explained he got the idea from seeing Paula Deen make one on TV. This 800-calorie burger was described as having a surprising salty-sweet taste and not being too greasy.
- The "Krispy Kreme Doughnut Burger" at the 2010 Mississippi State Fair was topped with lettuce, tomato, and raw onion, and was estimated to have 1500 calories.
- Other state fairs, like those in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tulsa State Fair, also offered their own Luther Burger versions in 2010.
Outside the United States
Canada
Epic Burgers and Waffles (EBW) brought their doughnut cheeseburger to the 2011 Canadian National Exhibition. They were inspired by seeing how popular it was at fairs in the Southern United States and at the Calgary Stampede. EBW's version had about 1500 calories. You could even add bacon and a fried egg to it!
Israel
During the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, people traditionally eat oily and fried foods, like the Israeli jelly doughnut called sufganiyot. In 2016, Burger King Israel created a special burger called the SufganiKing. This was a Whopper burger that used two sufganiyot instead of a bun! It was available only during Hanukkah 2016. Burger King Israel's CEO, Steve Ben Shimol, said it was exciting to combine two popular Israeli foods. Many employees who tried the SufganiKing said it was "delicious."
See also
In Spanish: Luther Burger para niños
