Celebrate Father’s Day this year with the weird American habit of gendering food!
(source)
Let us not forget that steak = manfood. Like catfood and dogfood, manfood must be carefully produced so as to cater to man’s natural diet. His ancestors hunted the wild baked potato, the shy ale, and the feisty tenderloin. Today, Manfood Inc. scientifically calibrates each and every Father’s Day dinner to man’s instinctual stomach, so you can treat your man to the best. We call it a MENu.
For more, see this vintage Campbell’s ad marketing meat for men, the gendered menu at Brick House, this ad campaign warning of sissified dogs, and this extensive collection of gendered and sexualized food. See also this counter-example: a vintage ad arguing that vegetables make you tough and strong.
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 39
Willow — June 19, 2011
You know, without identifying the specific meat pictured in the ad...
Aoirthoir An Broc — June 19, 2011
Yum!
Christina — June 19, 2011
AHAHAHA. MENu. *eyeroll*
Candice — June 19, 2011
http://www.amazon.ca/Sexual-Politics-Meat-Feminist-Vegetarian-Critical/dp/0826411843
Renee — June 19, 2011
Actually it's called menu because it's a french adjective for detailed and small and that came from the word minuere.
Wonder how many guys would want to be associated with a French word for small.
Anonymous — June 19, 2011
Hey! At least we're not like those crazy Romance Languages in which every single noun, [animate or inanimate] has a gender.
Greta — June 19, 2011
Reminded of the old joke - Mental breakdown, mental anxiety, menstraul cramps, menopause, ever noticed how all our problems start with "Men".
Jamie — June 19, 2011
If this was for any occasion other than Father's Day, and if Morton's sold any food other than steak, I'd see your point.
ikkyg — June 19, 2011
In my house, me (a girl), my mum and my sister all love steak more than my father. Maybe in our house, steak should be on the WOmenu... :P
Paul Jonker-Hoffrén — June 20, 2011
And let's also note that the meat in the picture is SQUARE (almost) and RED-BLOODED.
Michael — June 20, 2011
not just an American habit. A steakhouse in Germany had, a while back, a "man's steak" and a "woman's steak" on the menu. naturally, the woman's steak was smaller, the man's steak was huge. It's a wise marketing move: it certainly keeps a lot of men from just eating the smaller one. Can't order a woman's steak, after all...
Lillian — June 20, 2011
A hotel in a nearby town was offering (presumably as a way to widen the audience for Father's Day, or to defeminize the concept) a "Man Brunch." A Man Brunch! (I couldn't help but wonder if someone involved with it noticed the unintentionally campy nature of the event's name, because the ad I saw in the paper later mentioned their "fabulous entrees.")
Bon Mots and Silly… « Gucci Little Piggy — June 21, 2011
[...] a link session with this paragraph: Father’s Day was yesterday! Did you celebrate it with meat? Meat is very manly. Or perhaps you just purchased your father a very manly card, praising his manly [...]
Patti — June 18, 2012
I am vegan, and over the three years we have been together my partner has been more and more understanding of my point of view, and eats less and less meat. He has moaned that whenever he is out with some of his male friends he gets teased and grilled when he orders vegetarian food because, apparently, it's not manly enough. You know, as if they all went out like men and hunted the animal and killed it with their bare, manly hands and thus they are proving their strength by eating it. It's so bizarre, but it really is a strong influence in the decisions people make.
Joy White — November 23, 2025
Thanks for the details. Enjoy bold flavors from the Chick-fil-A Little Blue Menu with our Crispy Blue Chicken Sandwich layered with tangy sauce and pickles.
Lisa — March 14, 2026
The phrase “We Call It a Menu For a Reason” really emphasizes how a menu is designed to guide customers through their choices, making it easier to explore different dishes without feeling overwhelmed. Each section, from appetizers to mains and desserts, helps people quickly find what they want. In a similar way, the Cookout food menu is organized so that diners can instantly see all the options, from burgers and BBQ to chicken, fries, and milkshakes, making it simple to create a complete, satisfying meal while enjoying the variety Cookout offers.
Visit Here 👉 https://cookoutmenu.net/cook-out-milkshake-menu/
Lisa — March 14, 2026
The phrase “We Call It a Menu For a Reason” really emphasizes how a menu is designed to guide customers through their choices, making it easier to explore different dishes without feeling overwhelmed. Each section, from appetizers to mains and desserts, helps people quickly find what they want. In a similar way, the Cookout food menu is organized so that diners can instantly see all the options—from burgers and BBQ to chicken, fries, and milkshakes—making it simple to create a complete, satisfying meal while enjoying the variety Cookout offers.
Chick-fil-A — May 15, 2026
Really interesting discussion about how food and menus are often connected with gender stereotypes in advertising. Restaurants and fast-food brands like Chick-fil-A also use menu design and marketing to attract different audiences through signature meals, combo deals, and seasonal items.
The Chick-fil-A menu is known for popular items like the Original Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Deluxe Sandwich, Nuggets, Waffle Potato Fries, Mac & Cheese, and refreshing milkshakes. Their Chick-fil-A Breakfast Menu, including Chicken Biscuits and Hash Brown Scramble Bowls, has also become a favorite for many customers looking for quick and flavorful meals.
Food marketing continues to shape how people view meals, portions, and dining culture, making menu presentation an important part of the restaurant experience.
Cooksout Menu — June 27, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this article about the menu at cookout because it provides useful and updated information in a simple format. The menu sections are organized clearly, which makes it easy for readers to compare meal options and pricing details without difficulty. I also appreciated how the article covered burgers, chicken sandwiches, BBQ trays, sides, drinks, and milkshakes in detail. The updated pricing information is especially helpful because many restaurant menu websites often contain outdated details. Another positive thing about this article is the smooth writing style that keeps the information easy to understand for all readers. The explanations about combo meals and tray options are also very useful for customers planning affordable meals. Overall, this is a well-written and informative guide for anyone searching for the latest Cook Out menu prices online. Thank you for sharing such accurate and organized restaurant menu information for readers.
portillosmenus — June 27, 2026
Thank you for sharing this detailed guide about the portillos menu. I really liked the way the content is written because it is simple, informative, and easy to understand for all visitors. The article provides updated information about sandwiches, burgers, salads, hot dogs, desserts, and drinks available at Portillo’s. It also helps customers compare meal prices before placing an order. Many websites have confusing layouts, but this page is organized very well and easy to navigate. I appreciate the effort put into creating such useful restaurant content. This website is definitely a helpful source for anyone looking for the latest Portillo’s menu updates online.
wendysmenuwithprices — June 28, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this detailed overview of wendy's hours. The structure makes it easy to navigate, and the information is presented in a very user-friendly way. It’s great to see a guide that focuses on both affordability and variety. This kind of content is perfect for people who want quick insights before ordering. The effort put into organizing everything clearly is noticeable. It saves time and helps readers make better decisions. Overall, a very informative and practical piece that delivers exactly what users are looking for.
McAlister's Menu — June 28, 2026
I recently checked the mcalister's near me and found it very helpful. The menu is easy to understand, and the prices are clearly mentioned for every item. It saves time when deciding what to order before visiting the restaurant. I especially liked how the drinks, sandwiches, salads, and desserts were organized in separate sections. Keeping the menu updated is a great idea because many people look for current prices online. This guide is useful for families, students, and anyone planning a meal. Overall, it provides accurate information in a simple format and makes ordering from McAlister’s much easier for customers.
chipotlsmenu — June 30, 2026
A very informative post about the chipotle prices. I appreciate how you included different categories and made it easy to understand what each item offers. The price breakdown is especially helpful for people who want to plan their meals ahead of time. Maybe you could also include calorie information or portion sizes to make it even more valuable. Still, this is a solid resource that gives a clear overview of what to expect. Nicely written and well structured.
chipotlsmenu — June 30, 2026
A very informative post about the chipotle prices. I appreciate how you included different categories and made it easy to understand what each item offers. The price breakdown is especially helpful for people who want to plan their meals ahead of time. Maybe you could also include calorie information or portion sizes to make it even more valuable. Still, this is a solid resource that gives a clear overview of what to expect. Nicely written and well structured.
Panera Menu — June 30, 2026
I recently visited panera hours and wanted to check the Panera Menu before ordering. This guide made it very easy to explore the available options, prices, and meal categories. I especially liked how everything was organized in a simple format. It helped me compare breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, and bakery products without any confusion. Having updated information in one place saves time and helps customers make better choices. Thank you for sharing such a detailed and useful Panera Menu resource. I will definitely use it again before my next visit.
tacobellmenu — July 11, 2026
This taco bell restaurant menu is a great resource for anyone who wants to explore food options before visiting a restaurant. The content is detailed, informative, and easy to navigate. I like how it highlights different menu categories and helps customers understand what is available. From classic tacos to filling burritos and combo meals, there are plenty of choices to consider. Having access to menu information online makes the ordering process much easier and more convenient. It also helps customers make informed decisions based on their preferences and budget. Overall, this Taco Bell Menu page provides valuable information and serves as a helpful reference for anyone looking to enjoy their next Taco Bell meal.
Thepg Sharp — July 20, 2026
This guide on pgsharp pokemon go is very informative and helpful. I like how the article covers the important details in a simple and easy-to-read format. It is obvious that you spent time creating useful content for your audience. I learned a few new things that I did not know before reading this post. Thank you for sharing such valuable information. I will be checking your website regularly for more articles related to PGSharp and other useful topics. Keep up the great work.
Jennymod App — July 26, 2026
Minecraft’s modding community is one of the most active gaming communities in the world, and jenny mod download has become a frequently discussed part of it. Players often talk about how mods can change the overall experience and introduce something different from the standard game. What makes Jenny Mod interesting is the amount of attention it receives across various platforms. From gameplay videos to online discussions, there is always something new to learn about it. The creativity within the Minecraft community continues to amaze me, and mods like Jenny Mod demonstrate how passionate players are about expanding their gaming experiences.
Wendy's Menu — July 27, 2026
"“We Call It a Menu For a Reason” highlights the importance of having clear food choices and a variety of options for customers. Understanding menu details helps people make better decisions based on their preferences and dietary needs. Exploring Wendy's Nutrition information provides helpful details about calories, ingredients, protein, and other nutritional values, making it easier to choose meals that fit different lifestyles."