# Why Does Lobster Mean Fancy And How Did It Get That Way? *By James Hills — Updated March 2016* There's something magical about lobster, just the mention if it brings visions of wealth, status, and a lifestyle of luxury. As someone who once lived in a lobster town in Massachusetts, lobster was always an affordable luxury - similar in cost to a great pork chop or a nice steak. Even though the cost was equivalent, the mention of lobster meant we were having a special dinner. Years later and on a different coast, that's pretty much how I feel each time I walk into Red Lobster today too. The concept of being Lobsterworthy is a relatively new notion but that doesn't mean that it is a bad one. When the Pilgrims first landed, New England lobsters were so plentiful that it was considered what the poor people ate. In fact the governor of Massachusetts actually complained in 1623 of only having lobster to serve his visitors. Frankly - it was plentiful and it's an ugly looking animal. ## So how did lobster become popular? A a food that was so cheap and plentiful, it attracted the attention of the canning industry and starting in the 1840s it began to be one of the most popular canned foods for those Americans not living on the coast. As a result, canneries continued to promote and romanticize this once despised food. Likewise, due to it's cheap nature railroads began to serve it to customers who (not knowing any better) loved it, leading to restaurants beginning to serve it as something much elevated from its previous regional connotation. Without this negative perspective of lobster being a "sea insect" and a food that was so plentiful that people would feed it to their servants and pets, it began to become popular. By 1885, the American lobster industry was producing 130 million pounds of lobster each year. ### 20 Must-Have Items That Guys Need For Summer Backyard Entertaining Men's approach to backyard entertaining: 20 professional-grade items that create premium outdoor command centers. Master precision cooking and smart entertainment systems. Perfect for men 35-55 seeking social leadership. ManTripping [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ZDeetzQXaLVu9hgATNOmuQ.2036) ### Weber Spirit EP-435 Review: Premium 4-Burner Gas Grill Weber Spirit EP-435 4-burner gas grill review: professional Sear Zone, digital thermometer, side burner versatility. Premium build quality and performance analysis for serious outdoor cooks. ManTripping [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ZDeetzQXaLVu9hgATNOmuQ.44) ### Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch The Weber 22-Inch Original Kettle Premium charcoal grill suits backyard cooks, with easy ash cleanup, hinged grate, and heat-retaining porcelain-enameled build. Amazon (affiliate)Weber [Check Price on Amazon](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ZDeetzQXaLVu9hgATNOmuQ.56) Promoted by FlowAds As you can imagine, that level of fishing wasn't sustainable and in 1918, only 33 million pounds were taken due to the population having declined so badly due to over fishing. This erosion of supply combined with an insatiable appetite lead to a rapid rise in price during the "Roaring '20s". During the Great Depression and World War II though, lobster fell out of favor again as a luxury item since people simply couldn't afford it as a luxury meal though it was one of the few items not rationed and in fact was canned and sent to soldiers over seas. After the war, with GI's coming back with a taste of lobster, Hollywood stars enjoying lobster, and generally a once again affluent country the lobster became cemented in the American culture as an icon of luxury, status, and generally something worth celebrating.  ## Man Gear Pick of the Month September's Pick Amazon (affiliate) ### Kenyon City Grill Portable Stainless Steel Electric Grill Why we picked it: a grill you can actually carry to the campsite, the tailgate or the cabin without borrowing a truck. Stainless, no propane tank to wrestle, and hot enough to cook for four guys rather than reheat for one. [Check The Price](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/JuSFAT7PNgbHsfKp3SdWyw.2144) [August's Pick LiberNovo Maxis Electric Big and Tall Ergonomic Office Chair, Graphite 52cm $1,466.00](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/JuSFAT7PNgbHsfKp3SdWyw.2350) [July's Pick Powerful Propane Torch Gun, Adjustable Flame Thrower Gun, Kitchen Torch with Detachable Design, Flamethrower Blow Torch for BBQ, Searing Steak, Welding, Camping Charcoal Lighter(Tank Not Included) $41.99](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/JuSFAT7PNgbHsfKp3SdWyw.2397) [June's Pick OYASUMI Funny BBQ Man Hot Dog Holders, 4 PCS Reusable Stainless Steel Sausage Stands, Portable Hot Dog Roasters, Barbecue Grill Accessories for Camping & Party Gifts $14.98](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/JuSFAT7PNgbHsfKp3SdWyw.2396) Promoted by FlowAds That continues today and frankly I can't think of any other food that enjoys this level of popularity. When you think about it, a Lobster isn't really that much more expensive than a good filet or a juicy Berkshire pork chop but it's certainly something special.  Just the act of it arriving at your table has that immediate, visceral sense of "heck yeah!" that tells you and your guests that something special is about to happen. In fact, there's really only one word that I can think of to describe that moment ... Lobsterworthy! What are your lobsterworthy moments in life that you'd want to celebrate with an awesome dinner at Red Lobster? Share them using the hashtag #Lobsterworthy and let's do something special together! Details Written by: James Hills Published: 14 March 2016 Last Updated: 14 March 2016 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. Click here to [**Book Your Next Vacation**](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html). #### Which Style Of Amazon Cruise Should You Pick To Explore World's Largest River? Aug 17, 2026 [Which Style Of Amazon Cruise Should You Pick To Explore World's Largest River?](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/amazon-river-cruise-planning-ship-options.html) [Plan Your Next Vacation Today!](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html) ### Products & Gift Ideas #### LiberNovo Maxis Chair Review - Finally A Seat That Lets Big Dudes Feel Comfortable At The Desk Sep 10, 2026 [LiberNovo Maxis Chair Review - Finally A Seat That Lets Big Dudes Feel Comfortable At The Desk](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/libernovo-maxis-big-and-tall-office-chair-review.html) #### FRESKO 4-in-1 Immersion Hand Blender Review Sep 09, 2026 [FRESKO 4-in-1 Immersion Hand Blender Review](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/fresko-4-in-1-immersion-hand-blender-review.html) #### UGREEN Air Review: Four Slim Chargers And Power Banks I Traveled With This Summer Aug 25, 2026 [UGREEN Air Review: Four Slim Chargers And Power Banks I Traveled With This Summer](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/ugreen-air-chargers-power-banks-review.html) ### Top Guys Trip Ideas: #### Beyond Daytona: Six Race Weekends That Make Better Guys Trips in 2026 Feb 24, 2026 [Beyond Daytona: Six Race Weekends That Make Better Guys Trips in 2026](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html) #### How to Have a Great Guys-Trip Cruise Completely Sober Jun 26, 2026 [How to Have a Great Guys-Trip Cruise Completely Sober](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/sober-cruise-guys-trip.html) #### How To Spend a Winter Weekend in Amsterdam Jan 30, 2017 [How To Spend a Winter Weekend in Amsterdam](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/how-to-spend-a-winter-weekend-in-amsterdam.html) ### Related Articles #### FRESKO New V8 Advanced Vacuum Sealer Review [FRESKO New V8 Advanced Vacuum Sealer Review](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/fresko-new-v8-advanced-vacuum-sealer-review.html) #### 10 Boston Food Tours Every Guy Needs to Take [10 Boston Food Tours Every Guy Needs to Take](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/food-tours-boston-guys-trip.html) #### '15 Olives' Oils & Balsamics: Four Pairings For My Chef's Garden We'll Be Making This Summer ['15 Olives' Oils & Balsamics: Four Pairings For My Chef's Garden We'll Be Making This Summer](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/15-olives-olive-oil-balsamic-pairings-review.html) #### What It Really Takes to Bring Fresh Produce From the Farm to Table [What It Really Takes to Bring Fresh Produce From the Farm to Table](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/fresh-produce-field-to-family-table.html) #### Summer Squash Sauce: The Light Alternative To Tomato And Cream Sauces [Summer Squash Sauce: The Light Alternative To Tomato And Cream Sauces](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/summer-squash-sauce-recipe.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/search.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/sitemap.html) - [** Polls](https://www.mantripping.com/polls.html) - [Community Login](https://www.mantripping.com/registration/login.html) - [Brand Engagement Newsletter](https://www.mantripping.com/pr-ops-newsletter.html) - [Links](https://www.mantripping.com/links.html) - [Pitch Portal](https://www.mantripping.com/pitch.html) - [Men's Travel Survey](https://www.mantripping.com/the-mantripping-guys-trip-report-spring-2026.html) --- *Source: [Why Does Lobster Mean Fancy And How Did It Get That Way?](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/why-does-lobster-mean-fancy-and-how-did-it-get-that-way.html)* **Tags:** Restaurant Review, Food