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    Rusty Can

    4.4 (626 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    Rusty Can Photos

    RUSTY CAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Rusty Can

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    Janet D.

    This place is worth the drive as it has the best barbecue in the area. We've only gone during the week and it is always busy but so worth the wait. It is a no frills place but you come for the food. Servers are always friendly and welcoming so you can say that you also come for the great service. Bathrooms are clean and there's plenty of noise from people chatting and enjoying their meal. I usually get the ribs and they are fall of the bones delicious. Their barbecue sauce is also great. For sides I usually get macaroni and cheese and fries. I asked a server about the white bread served with my meal and she told me that some people like to make sandwiches with them. I haven't made one yet but hey it's a thing for some I imagine. Their corn bread is consistently perfect for me - sweet and moist.

    Chris T.

    Definitely a nice spot about 30 min from the beach we were at for the day. Pulled up and parked next to other cars that made a row in the parking lot "plaza." Walking into the restaurant you initially enter in from the bar/lounge side and greeted by a hostess that'll bring you into the next room which is the dining area. Our server was great! She explained the different meat options and how to order. We opted for the fried chicken wings to start with Cajun dry rub. I thought these were good, juicy, and well seasoned with rub! Nice and crispy. Wings were a good size not dinky wing dings that other places would call wings. We did the platter of beef brisket so good! Rack of ribs (fall off the bone) Mac and cheese was thick and creamy! They have condiments, napkins, hot sauce etc all in the table for you! Thought it was overall a great BBQ spot

    Lizzie Y.

    The Rusty Can has great BBQ! I first found out about this place when I was looking for food options last week when at Crane Beach but didn't end up going due to dinner plans. We did decide to go this week after our beach trip & it was sooo worth it! It's located in Byfield, which is a very small town/village that's apart of Newbury, MA, near Governor's Academy boarding school. When we arrived, it was pretty busy but luckily we did not have trouble getting a table for 3! Prices were very fair & we decided to go with the 2 meat combo: rack of pork ribs & brisket + comes with corn bread & butter, pickles, Mac and cheese, and some white bread. We also got some root beer & orange soda, which came in glass bottles. Everything was delicious! Brisket was tender, not dry at all, & tasty. This, dipped with some of their BBQ sauce, AMAZING. The corn bread was a little dry, though it was perfect with the butter! Now, the ribs were fall off the bone tender! For an app, we did order the Cajun chicken wings w/ ranch dip & I love me a good dry rub wings! These were very yummy. It's honestly so hard to find any BBQ spots in Boston, & I know they do exist in MA... they are just farther out. Rusty Can is about an 1hr-1hr15min drive north of Boston. Highly recommend if you're looking for a pretty good BBQ spot in MA. It's def closer to NH area. Service was quick and staff was very helpful! They suggested 2 meat combo for 3 and at first we didn't know if it'd be enough... we ended up having two ribs leftover and some of the sides!

    Smoked Vidalia Onion dip and homemade chips
    Bill D.

    I couldn't count how many times we've driven past the sign for the Rusty Can on I-95 in Byfield, Mass. Wish we would have stopped sooner! This is fantastic barbecue! The restaurant isn't fancy, but it's perfect as a BBQ joint. Expect to wait if you come at dinner or lunchtime. The staff helped us choose what was an amazing meal! We shared a rack of 10 ribs (I think they gave us 11), plus the sides you'd wish for. I was really impressed by the BBQ black beans. They really know how to smoke meat, the ribs were amazingly tender and flavorful! The sauce on the table was smoky and a little sweet, too. I'm looking forward to another visit!

    From the moment I walked in to the restaurant I knew it was good. Plus, I heard it was real good simplicity, authentic no frills the real deal first time there I ordered takeout and I got the brisket sandwich. Oh my God it was absolutely perfect mouthwatering juicy delicious and a good amount of brisket. I most certainly will go back and recommend delicious.

    Pulled pork sandwich on a brioche bun Side of mac n cheese
    Michael M.

    This is my favorite restaurant in the whole wide world. I order the same thing every time (pulled pork sandwich on a brioche bun w a side of mac n cheese), and it's perfect. every. time. The drinks are strong and awesome, and the staff is super friendly. On my best and worst days I want Rusty Can--you have to go.

    Timothy G.

    One our way to the Cape from Maine & needed a place for a quick snack and a drink to break up the ride. Boy am I glad we picked the Rusty Can. My wife started off with a Bloody Mary and I went with a PBR draft and some peanuts....nice touch on the bar peanuts! We then ordered the chopped chicken salad which was delicious and easily enough for 4 people. The bartenders were polite & prompt. Luv the atmosphere & the BBQ menu items all seem like winners. The food orders we saw go by to other people looked great. Oh yeah, how many BBQ joints have pre-made Manhattans in wooden house barrels...I wanted one so bad but the wife said next time. We will be back!

    Combo platter
    Melissa M.

    After hearing amazing things about this place and having a craving for BBQ, we had to give it a try! We got there a little before 6 on Saturday and it was busy! We were quoted about 45 minutes, but were told the bar was first come, first serve so we stalked for seats and were able to get two pretty quickly. The bartenders/servers were very friendly and funny! We enjoyed chatting with them and could tell they enjoy working with people too. We both got the combo platters with Cole slaw and Mac and cheese. I got the brisket and pulled pork and my husband got the brisket and ribs. Brisket was AMAZING. And they give you so much! Pulled pork was pretty good, didn't even need BBQ sauce with it! Ribs were good too! The Cole slaw is vinegar based and it was refreshing. The Mac and cheese was out of this world amazing! The corn bread....to die for. We will definitely be back!

    Half chicken  Wings Brisket sandwhich

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    1 year ago

    Just personally didn't like the food. Some do. I'm not one of them. Tough to find good bbq. Just my opinion.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Outstanding BBQ! Best I've had in Mass. The brisket nachos on Thursdays are incredible.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    As someone who has lived in Texas this is some of the best BBQ that I have had on this side of the country. The brisket was amazing.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Great BBQ joint. Easily one of the best. Check their facebook page for their daily specials!

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    2 years ago

    Had brisket, ribs, pulled pork with mac n cheese, fries, and slaw. All very good and portions were worth price

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    2 years ago

    Great service, cold beer, authentic BBQ served in a place that looks like a BBQ joint. If you like true BBQ, this place is for you!

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    Ask the Community - Rusty Can

    I asked if you deliver to Newburyport ? No answer?

    What exactly would a camp ground be delivering?

    Can you eat outside with a dog there?

    No no longer provide outdoor seating

    Do they take reservations?

    I don't think so. It's never been so crowded when I tried to go there that I couldn't get right in. (outside seating too) If you have a large party maybe that's something to call them about. I'd say generally they don't take reservations.

    Do they have call ahead seating?

    Yes

    I have seen pictures of the smoked prime rib, but don't see it on the menu. Is it a special only available at certain times?

    Yes. It's sometimes on the special board. It's delicious!!

    View All 7 Questions

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    We stopped by for dinner on Friday night and it was busy! It gets a little noisy as the night goes…read moreon and more people are coming in. I was pleasantly surprised by the sushi here. The sushi menu was larger than I expected and the two rolls we ordered were delicious. The sizing of the sushi wasn't very consistent, but it had good flavor. The steak tips were cooked well. The garlic mashed potatoes didn't taste very garlicky to me, but it was okay.

    Great food but definitely not "the spot" to go to. It's more like a 2.5 for me…read more I forgot my ID and couldn't be served (no big deal) and then I tried to tell the bartender about how we were new in town and looking for a new bar to hang out at but she cut me off in the middle of my sentence to tell me I couldn't be served still. I was just trying to make conversation/introduce myself but the same thing happened it previous visit with the waitress. Really soured the whole experience especially since she went on to talk to everyone else in the bar. I'm still trying to adjust to small town life and felt really bad not getting the nice conversation I am used to at other bars. All the food was incredible but also super expensive. When we'd been here before we got the sushi which was amazing. An appetizer, a burger, and a single beer plus 20% tip cost us $50+ If you want great food go to the spot, if you want friendly conversation and good prices this isn't the spot.

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    Pub 97 - Blue cheese and bacon burger with the best onion rings I've ever had!

    Pub 97

    2.8(122 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    Really outstanding hamburger and fries. I would rate this one of the best ever. Great place.read more

    I don't ordinarily travel three quarters of an hour for a cheeseburger. My buddy said it was worth…read morethe drive. So we drove 45 minutes to hit this pub that serves 100 different kinds of hamburgers. Our waitress was extremely patient and attentive, returning to the table several times to see if we were ready to order, and laughing each time we said " I'm still reading this thing." I had a blue cheese and bacon burger ($16). He had a Hawaiian ($16). We both ordered medium-rare and upgraded from the included fries to the onion rings ($4) And really, perfection was delivered. The food was fresh and hot. Obviously not held under a heat lamp. The burger bun was soft and fresh, sturdy enough to stand up to the juiciness of the patty. The burger was perfectly formed. Thick and fitting the bun all around... no slop. The toppings were delicious. On the side of the dish, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Both burgers were perfectly medium-rare. Pink from edge to edge. (I suspect sous-vide in use, otherwise, magic.) What can I say about the onion rings? I usually don't get onion rings because they are usually a soggy, greasy, slimy disappointment. I don't know why I upgraded but I'm glad I did because they were the best onion rings I've ever had. Hot. Crispy. No grease. No murdered onion falling out of breading falling apart. The dessert sundae looked sooo good. But that burger and rings had filled all available space. We drank only ice water, and with tax and tip the whole thing came out to $51. There's no reason for this place to have 2.5 stars. Either there are bad reviews for a previous owner or there is some kind of vendetta or sabotage.)

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    Menu

    Rusty Can - bbq - Updated May 2026

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