It has finally come to pass: pound for pound, lobster is cheaper than steak, and out-of-towners know it. Everyone is aware that food prices have gone up across the board — from asparagus to chicken breasts. But with a strong catch this summer (or, so reports my Harpswell-based father) and lower demand, prices have dropped and dropped.

Nowhere is this more obvious than right-off-the-boat spots in Maine. I used to revel in seeing pricing signs at pounds all over Brunswick, Cundy’s and Bailey and Orr’s Islands. But knowing how much the lobstermen and women must be hurting — with gas prices so high and everyone’s budgets tightening — the more I wish that either restaurants outside of New England would drop their prices to drive UP demand, or that the Maine Turnpike would be overrun with people headed for the coast to attend lobster college and load up live wells in their SUVs’ trunks with 2-pounders. Of course, I only want this to happen when I’m not in town, so if we can have a mini-break in mid-September, that would be best.

In the meantime, I will spread the word: buy lobster while you can get it for less than sirloin. Maine, it’s worth the trip — just don’t forget your cooler and bring some dry ice.

Jessica Strelitz is a contributing writer to Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.