The Rusty Crab, not your typical takeout eatery
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MARS HILL — The Rusty Crab offers a scrumptious selection for varied dining tastes, featuring everything from whole and tenderloin clams to pasta, burgers, chicken and salads — with an emphasis on seafood.
THE RUSTY CRAB 
is a one-of-a-kind takeout diner located on Benjamin Street in Mars Hill, featuring everything from seafood to burgers and chicken.
Owners Rusty Johnston and Malissa Boynton, along with their children, Mersaydez, Destiny and Zaylan, welcome regulars and new customers to come enjoy a bite to eat.
The idea of opening an eatery has been a longtime dream for the couple.
“Our family has always enjoyed eating at the many seafood takeouts along the coast of Maine. We would often find ourselves on the weekend driving to the coast, getting a bite to eat and visiting fish markets to bring back fresh seafood for ourselves,” said Boynton. “It was always so delicious we wished we could share it with others.”
It was on one of these trips that the idea for their own dining facility began to form.
“On one of our trips we saw a concession trailer like ours for sale. Rusty’s passion for cooking reignited, then a business plan and a search for the Rusty Crab began,” Boynton said.
Cooking has been a longtime love of Johnston’s.
“I started in high school taking food classes, excelling in them. After school I began working for the Millards at Al’s Diner in Mars Hill. There I learned from and was inspired by both Steve and Wendall. After Al’s was sold, I worked at a couple of other restaurants, but with a family on the way and needing a better-paying job with benefits to support them, I chose a new career path,” said Johnston.
Johnston was able to find work that kept him in the food industry, albeit in processing.
“I stayed in the food industry working for Naturally Potatoes in various positions, ranging from sanitation supervisor to training within as industry coordinator to production coordinator,” he said.
Johnston, who resides in Mars Hill, said the location for The Rusty Crab — 84 Benjamin Street, U.S. Route 1 — is central to the rest of Aroostook County and easily accessible to all traveling along the main thoroughfare.
“It’s within the influence of Routes 1 and 1A and the snowmobile and ATV trails. We’re at the hub of the County,” he said.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty 
RUSTY JOHNSTON, co-owner of The Rusty Crab, cuts homemade French fries to be served with some of the house specialties, including burgers and seafood. The Mars Hill eatery opened on Benjamin Street next to Bradley’s carwash last fall.
Unlike similar businesses that focus on spring openings, Johnston said the decision to open last fall had a personal reason behind it.
“Malissa’s father, Rock Anthony Boynton I, passed away this past May. He was always there to encourage us to follow our dreams no matter how crazy they may be. His passing taught us life is too short. If you have a dream, you need to live it now, not later,” said Johnston.
“The Rusty Crab was not ready to become operational until the fall of 2011, when most takeouts are closing for the season. But The Rusty Crab is not your typical takeout, and on Sept. 28, on what would have been Rock’s 51st birthday, The Rusty Crab celebrated its ‘birthday’ (opening day) in his honor,” continued Johnston.
Boynton said the public’s response has been overwhelming.
“We have had a great reception. The locals have been extremely supportive. We have regulars that come from all across the County and into Canada. Many reminisce about all the old carhops and takeouts from years past. Our girls heard these stories and have started to do carhop service after school and on the weekends when they are here. The customers seem to enjoy it,” said Boynton.
Business has slowed a bit with the colder weather but the couple are working to change that.
“Business has slowed since the cold weather has come, since most takeouts are seasonal. We expected this but are trying to change that perception,” said Johnston.
“We specialize in all fresh seafood, whole and tenderloin clams, scallops, lobster, haddock and shrimp, as well as fresh chicken, burgers, steak and cheese sandwiches, homemade fries and much more,” he said.
The menu also varies, depending on the season. A posting on The Rusty Crab Facebook account recently indicated that, due to the time of year, lobster for the lobster rolls was currently unavailable, but in its place the business is now carrying crab meat. Lobster will be available later in the spring.
Johnston said expanding could be an option for the future but the goal would remain the same — offering a simple dining experience, providing flavorful meals at affordable prices.
“If we were to expand and eventually have seats, we would like to keep the takeout theme, keep it simple and focus on the food. We definitely want to stay in Mars Hill,” said Johnston.
The business is easy to find, located next to Bradley’s Carwash.
“You can call ahead to order at 540-4343 or just stop in,” said Johnston. “Like us on Facebook at TheRustyCrab to check out our specials and updates.”
Winter hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hours will expand in the spring and will be posted on Facebook when they go into effect.
