Editors’ Choice (Tie)
Teresa’s Prime, North Reading
What’s Unique: It’s not often bacon turns up on menus as a standalone appetizer, but this ranks top billing—three slabs of bacon, slow-cooked and melty on the inside, seared with a sweet bourbon glaze on the outside.
Insider Tip: Teresa’s looks like a private club because that’s what it used to be. Now it’s open to anyone who loves great food.
20 Elm St. (Rte. 62), North Reading, 978-276-0044, teresaseatery.com
Rusty Can, Byfield
Standout Qualities: Owner James “Sully” Sullivan cures his own pork belly and then cooks it confit-style, low and slow in its own fat, before searing to order on the grill.
Insider Tip: The BLT is crave-worthy, stacked with thick bacon and full-sour pickles.
6 Fruit St., Byfield, 978-462-1204, rustycanbyfield.com
Readers’ Choice
Back Alley Bacon, Salem
What’s Unique: Find the secret password on Facebook each week and score pork-based takeout, including anything from pork meatloaf to the Pork Trifecta—pork belly, bacon, and ham with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and roasted garlic aioli—at this weekly pop-up.