Spring makes my mind wander to our own Roadfood experts Wanderingjew and The Travelin Man, who are gearing up for their College World Series & RF trip to the Midwest. But minor-league baseball makes my mind wander to the Frontier League’s Gateway Grizzlies just south of St. Louis, where the concession stand offers “Baseball’s Best Burger”: that’s a bacon cheeseburger nestled between two halves of a Krispy Kreme doughnut in lieu of a traditional bun. It’s a variation of greater Atlanta’s Luther Burger, which supposedly was invented by (or for?) soul singer Luther Vandross and popularized at Mulligan’s Bar in Decatur.

Mulligan’s has since closed, but East Atlanta’s Gravity Pub has resurrected both the Luther Burger and the Hamdog, a hot dog wrapped in ground beef then deep-fried, topped with chili, cheese, grilled onions, and served in a hoagie roll (this currently has no sports affiliation, to our knowledge). And let’s not forget Pittsburgh’s Roethlisburger, a gut-busting tribute to Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. First made at Peppi’s on the North side of Steel City, this sandwich boasts ground beef, sausage, scrambled eggs, American cheese, and onions, all housed in a Portuguese roll.

In any case, we’re adding Peppi’s, the Grav, and GCS Ballpark in Sauget, IL to our short list for our next roadtrip. Hurray for sports-themed Roadfood!