Sometimes the best culinary treasures are hiding in plain sight, and the Rusty Can in Byfield, Massachusetts is the smoking gun of evidence for this theory.
This no-frills BBQ haven might not win any beauty pageants with its humble exterior, but what happens inside those walls has meat lovers making pilgrimages from across New England.
Let’s be honest – in a region known more for clam chowder and lobster rolls than slow-smoked meats, finding authentic, soul-satisfying barbecue can feel like searching for a unicorn wearing a Red Sox cap.
But the barbecue gods have smiled upon the North Shore, and they’ve blessed us with a spot that would make even the most discerning Texan tip their hat in respect…