Deep fried on a Krispy Kreme bun

Add a couple of notches to the Bible Belt

Nutritionists have found it's hard to teach an old region new tricks. How can Southerners give up delicious staples fried chicken, fried seafood, fried green tomatoes and cornbread slathered in butter?

A specialty of Mulligan's, a suburban bar, is a hot dog wrapped by a beef patty that's deep fried, covered with chili, cheese and onions and served on a hoagie bun. Oh yeah, it's also topped with a fried egg and two fistfuls of fries. Owner Chandler Goff is quick to point out that the bar also offers healthy alternatives, such as salads and sandwiches that aren't deep-fried.

But he acknowledged that the "Hamdog" and the "Luther Burger," a bacon-cheeseburger served on a Krispy Kreme doughnut bun, are what draw attention.

Before this, the best triple-dog-dare-your-heart-to-object was actually in Chicago: a "bacon double CHEESE burger" where the top bun was replaced by a slab of deep-fried mozeralla.

But replacing the bun with a Krispy Kreme doughnut - that's just friggin' genius! I'm so proud of my people.