Did You Know? Lobster Was Once “Prison Food.”

Hard to believe… but lobster used to be considered so undesirable that feeding it to prisoners too often was once ruled cruel and unusual punishment.

In colonial New England, lobsters were everywhere — washing up on shore, clogging fishing nets, even used as fertilizer on farms. People called them “sea bugs” and avoided them whenever possible.

Fast forward a few centuries…

Railroads made fresh lobster possible inland. Chefs learned how to cook it properly. Restaurants added white tablecloths, butter, and a little flair. Suddenly, lobster wasn’t survival food — it was a celebration.

Today it’s the star of special occasions and seafood feasts. Same lobster. New story.

And at Cooper’s… we’re pretty glad someone rewrote that story.