[MarkusQ]

I think fried eggs were pretty similar in the 1830s Maine to what we have today; I suspect transportation was most of the issue, as eggs would be significantly less efficient to transport than, say, a side of beef.

Hamburger steak was steak, chopped seasoned and reformed, which added a labor step though it allowed for the use of trimmings. 10¢ in 1837 would be roughly $4 today, so that doesn't seem too out of line.

The big difference is that fish and seafood is cheap.