Beef and Reef (Reef and Beef)

“Beef and Reef” (or “Reef and Beef”) is a restaurant dish featuring both meat and seafood. The term appeared in the 1960s, along with similar terms such as “Surf and Turf,” “Land and Sea” and “Fin and Feather” (for seafood and chicken).
   
Dock’s Oyster House in Atlantic City (NJ) claims to have served “Beef and Reef” since the restaurant opened in 1897, but it is not clear if this exact name was always used. “Reef ‘n’ Beef” is the popular name for this food term in Australia.
 
   
Dock’s Oyster House (Atlantic City, NJ)
DOCK’S CLASSICS
ON THE MENU SINCE OUR DOORS OPENED IN 1897
(...)
BEEF AND REEF 63.00
grilled 6 ounce filet mignon side by side with a broiled cold water lobster tail
   
7 April 1967, Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard, “Nights and Lights in Central New York” by Roy Hawks, pg. 18, col. 1:
A specialty of the house are the Surf and Turf platter of broiled tender lobster tail an fillet (sic) mignon with broiled tomato and drawn butter. Another specialty is the Beef and Reef platter of broiled Alaska king crab and filet mignon with drawn butter.
(Fadden’s Fireside Inn, west of Baldwinsville on Route 370—ed.)
 
16 May 1969, Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard, pg. 46, col. 2 ad:
Beef and Reef…$5.50
(The Buccaneer in Cazenovia—ed.)
 
17 November 1972, Valley News (Van Nuys, CA), “Cafe Ramblings” with Larry Lipson, pg. 44, col. 7:
The reef and beef dinner comprised of lobster tail and petite filet mignon ($8.95) from the regular menu was served with Mouton Cadet 1867 wine.
(Valley Hilton Hotel—ed.)
 
Google Books
Great Escapes from NYC Without Wheels
By Lisa Marie Rovito
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons
2006
Pg. 68 (Atlantic City, NJ):
Dock’s Oyster House Seafood fanatics and steak lovers alike should look no further than Dock’s for their most memorable meal in Atlantic City. It may not have an ocean view or a boardwalk location, but the original home of beef and reef since 1897 is a dining experience you shouldn’t pass up.