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?

Books Editor Jesse Walker is 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

David Souter Shaped the Supreme Court Through the Backlash He Inspired

Damon Root | 5.12.2025 10:50 AM

Newark Mayor Arrested for ICE 'Trespassing'

Liz Wolfe | 5.12.2025 9:30 AM

German Censorship Highlights Europe's Eroding Free Speech Protections

J.D. Tuccille | 5.12.2025 7:00 AM

How Joe Biden and Donald Trump's Perverse Pardons Undermined the Rule of Law

Jacob Sullum | From the June 2025 issue

Brickbat: 940 Days in the Hole

Charles Oliver | 5.12.2025 4:00 AM

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

© 2024 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

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

r

Do you care about free minds and free markets? Sign up to get the biggest stories from Reason in your inbox every afternoon.

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

This modal will close in 10

Reason Plus

Special Offer!

  • Full digital edition access
  • No ads
  • Commenting privileges

Just $25 per year

Join Today!