Prawn cocktail, steak and Black Forest gateau

Back in the 1980s, if you walked into a British restaurant, chances were high you'd encounter prawn cocktail, steak garni with chips, and Black Forest gâteau on the menu. According to a survey by Caterer and Hotelkeeper, this trio ranked as the most popular dinner choice at the time. This iconic combination was closely associated with the Berni Inn chain, which played a pivotal role in making dining out more mainstream in post-World War II Britain. Indeed, the book "The Prawn Cocktail Years" dubbed it the "Great British Meal Out."

In the mid-20th century, eating out in Britain did not enjoy the best reputation. Issues such as poor service, limited food choices, and food rationing—which lasted until 1954—contributed to this poor perception. The "Great British Meal Out" was designed to appeal to those who were new to the restaurant scene, featuring a standardized menu with dishes that sounded somewhat exotic, like prawn cocktail and Black Forest gâteau.

However, as British palates grew more sophisticated in the 1980s and beyond, the popularity of this meal began to decline. The Berni Inn chain, known for its consistent menu and "Olde Worlde" themed restaurants, was a significant force behind the meal's initial popularity.

Over time, prawn cocktail, steak and chips, and Black Forest gâteau became cultural touchstones, evoking memories of a specific era in British dining. The Berni Inn chain eventually evolved into the Beefeater chain after being sold to Whitbread in 1990.

This meal's legacy lives on in various forms of literature, including John Mortimer's novel "Titmuss Regained." Its nostalgic and cultural significance has been highlighted in numerous obituaries and articles that explore the shifts in dining preferences and the evolution of restaurant chains in Britain.