Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
    • The Best of Reason Magazine
    • Why We Can't Have Nice Things
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Donate Crypto
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

Policy

Culinary Countereconomics

Jesse Walker | 9.23.2010 11:25 AM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Marketplace seems to have taken a special interest in black market foods recently, with stories on the underground trades in mooncakes and grilled cheese sandwiches plus a bonus online item about illicit lobster rolls. Here's an excerpt from the latter:

 

He used to run a secret lobster shack out of his basement apartment in Greepoint, Brooklyn, N.Y. But over time, neighbors began to get suspicious about the people coming in and out of his apartment with brown paper bags and notified local authorities. So, the doc decided to make deliveries via his black SUV. Potential clients would friend him on Facebook and after passing a security check (using what method -- who knows?), he would deliver the goods in agreed-upon locations by driving up in his black SUV.

So Dr. Claw had to take precautionary measures. He donned a beard, wore sunglasses and concealed his identity from customers. He watched his Facebook page to weed out potential inspectors.

But, he still got caught. The Department of Health notified him to cease and desist his lobster operations.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Just How Stupid Does Elizabeth Warren (& Barack Obama) Think You Are?

Jesse Walker is books editor at Reason and the author of Rebels on the Air and The United States of Paranoia.

PolicyEconomicsNanny StateFood FreedomRegulationBlack MarketsLobster Girl
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (49)

Latest

Brickbat: Do This, Don't Do That

Charles Oliver | 8.26.2025 4:00 AM

Trump Directs DOJ To Penalize States and Cities That Use Cashless Bail

Tosin Akintola | 8.25.2025 5:21 PM

An Appeals Court Says the $464 Million Fine in Trump's Civil Fraud Case Violated the Eighth Amendment

Jacob Sullum | 8.25.2025 3:35 PM

Trump's Executive Order Prohibiting Flag Burning Is Unconstitutional

Robby Soave | 8.25.2025 2:24 PM

Trump Says He 'Paid Zero' for the Government's $11 Billion Stake in Intel. Here's the Downside.

Joe Lancaster | 8.25.2025 1:15 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS

© 2025 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Take Reason's short survey for a chance to win $300
Take Reason's short survey for a chance to win $300
Take Reason's short survey for a chance to win $300