Surf and turf

Etymology

While the term's origins remain unclear, the earliest known use of the phrase in print dates to 1961 in the Los Angeles Times.

History

In late 19th-century America, combining large portions of lobster and steak was popular at "show restaurants known as lobster palaces", favored by nouveau riche "arrivistes". This became unfashionable by the 1920s and only regained popularity in the early 1960s.

Surf 'n' turf was featured in 1962 at the Eye of the Needle, a revolving restaurant atop the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington.

Surf and turf is often considered to symbolize the middle-class "Continental cuisine" of the 1960s and 1970s, with (frozen) lobster and steak as replacements for the middle class.

In Australia, the dish was first served in 1965 at the Lithgow Hotel in Lithgow, New South Wales. It is now common throughout Australia.

Surf and turf is also nicknamed "the deployment meal" in the United States Army, although a battle deployment does not necessarily follow being served the meal.

Sandwich

A sandwich variation known as the surf and turf burger is prepared with ground beef and various types of seafood, such as lobster, shrimp, or crab.

Reputation

Surf and turf is often considered as an example of conspicuous consumption and kitsch, as it combines two expensive foods which are not normally considered to be complementary:

Surf 'n' turf is an example of the voracious rapture that defines much classic kitsch: adding two swanky things together in hopes of doubling their value and winding up with a flatulent faux pas. ...the point of surf 'n' turf is to maximize hedonistic extravagance... |Jane & Michael Stern, 1990}}

This meal is stunt food. It exists because it's a way for restaurants to package the two most expensive items on the menu—tenderloin and lobster—into one ostentatious price tag. Otherwise, these two items don't even go together. It's the most conspicuous of conspicuous consumption and maybe even a little cliché. |Jared Stone, 2015}}

References

References

1. ''McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs'', 2003, ''s.v.''
2. (2014). "The Maine Lobster Industry: A History of Culture, Conservation and Commerce". History Press.
3. (January 24, 2011). "Obama's Can't-Miss Banquet Menu".
4. Bastow, Ciara. (2022-02-24). "The 7 Valleys' knocks expectations out of the park with popular opening". Lithgow Mercury.
5. (2025-06-18). "US soldiers being served "deployment meal" sparks speculation".
6. (2003-03-22). "Opening Scenes: Soldiers Dine On Surf-and-Turf and Wait". Wall Street Journal.
7. (2015). "Burger Bar: Build Your Own Ultimate Burgers". Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
8. Pilz, D.. (2013). "Grilling, Grilling & More Grilling". Charlesbridge Publishing.
9. (May 11, 2017). "Surf and turf burger at Morton's in Hackensack".
10. Ruhlman, Michael. (2001). "The Soul of a Chef". Penguin.
11. (2003). "The Harry Caray's Restaurant Cookbook: The Official Home Plate of the Chicago Cubs". Thomas Nelson.
12. Jackson, Kate Morgan. (May 20, 2015). "A burger surf and turf".
13. Jared Stone, ''Year of the Cow How 420 Pounds of Beef Built a Better Life for One American Family'', 2015, {{isbn. 125005379X, p. 153
14. "Surf 'n' Turf," in Jane Stern, Michael Stern, ''The Encyclopedia of Bad Taste'', 1990, {{isbn. 0060164700, p. 279-280
15. {{Cite OED. surf and turf. 6547615708