At Makris Lobster & Steakhouse, our menu showcases a variety of fresh seafood, and lobster is one of our biggest hits.
Lobster is practically synonymous with New England. Today, you can find it everywhere—from sushi rolls to lobster mac and cheese! Yet this treasured delicacy has a surprisingly unusual history.
Believe it or not, lobster was once considered a food for the poor rather than a luxurious delicacy. Its abundance even contributed to disputes over fishing territories between New Hampshire and Maine.
How did lobster go from being viewed as undesirable to becoming one of the most sought-after seafood dishes in the country? Read on to find out!
The Seacoast Specialty
New England has thousands of miles of coastline, making seafood an important part of the region’s history and culture.
Even during colonial times, seafood was plentiful. Lobster, in particular, was so abundant that people often used it as fertilizer or bait rather than as a meal.
In some cases, nature practically delivered lobster right to shore. Historical accounts describe storms washing large numbers of lobsters onto the coast, sometimes leaving them piled several feet high.
Small rowboats, hand lines, and wooden traps provided access to the ocean’s bounty for families along the coast. This allowed them to, generate a sustainable income and supply.
From Delicacy to “Prison Food”
Lobster was not always considered appetizing. Because lobsters live on the ocean floor, they were sometimes viewed as the “cockroaches of the sea” and associated with low-quality food.
Lobster was inexpensive and readily available, which made it a cost-effective food for institutions, including prisons. Servants and other working-class people also ate lobster regularly because it was so affordable and accessible.
Some historical lore even suggests that servants would negotiate limits on how often they could be served lobster as part of their employment agreements. Whether every one of these stories is true or not, they reflect just how differently lobster was viewed in the past.
A Shifting Perception
Lobster’s reputation began to change during the 19th century as railroads and advances in seafood preservation made it possible to transport seafood farther inland.
Canned lobster became an affordable way to introduce the food to people who lived far from the coast. For many inland diners, lobster was a new and exotic food rather than the everyday meal it had been for coastal communities.
Chefs also discovered that different cooking methods could bring out the lobster’s natural flavor and sweetness, making it worthy of a place on restaurant menus.
During World War II, food rationing also helped increase lobster’s appeal. Lobster was not subject to the same rationing restrictions as many other meats; it provided Americans with another source of protein during a time of scarcity.
Over time, growing demand—and lobster’s conversion into a luxury food—helped create the reputation it has today.
The New Hampshire-Maine Lobster “War”
If lobster was once so plentiful and inexpensive, why is it considered a luxury today?
The simple answer is supply and demand.
As lobster became more popular across the country, demand increased. At the same time, fishing pressure and regulations changed how much lobster could be harvested. Today, strong demand, harvesting costs, regulations, and the market contribute to lobster’s higher price.
And yes, the relationship between New Hampshire and Maine has occasionally gotten a little…competitive.
Over the years, disputes have arisen over fishing territories, jurisdictions, trap limits, and other regulations. These disagreements may not look like an actual “war,” tensions between fishermen and regulators over lobster-fishing boundaries have certainly made for some interesting New England history.
Bottoms Up to the Bottom-Feeder Seafood!
Lobster may have begun as an inexpensive coastal staple, but today, its sweet and savory flavor has made it one of New England’s most iconic foods.
At Makris Lobster & Steakhouse, we serve fresh seafood with lobster cooked to order and paired with classic favorites like butter and lemon. We’ll remove the shell for you, so sit back, relax, enjoy live music, and spend time with your loved ones.
Ready to experience lobster for yourself? Explore our menu to discover all the creative ways we prepare this New England favorite and get inspired for your next visit!
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