Area residents will have a new option for barbecue when a Gambrills man opens his new food trailer alongside Maryland Route 3.

Russell “Rusty” Clark quietly started serving ribs, brisket, chicken and other barbecue options last weekend and will be open Wednesday for customers. He'll be open sporadically over the next week and hopes to have a grand opening and ribbon cutting on June 2.

Clark, 55, said he decided to open Rusty’s Ribs 'n BBQ after holding countless successful cookouts with friends and family.

“Everyone said ‘you should go into business,’” he said. “I’d been doing it for 17 years but never considered it. But then my wife and I talked and said ‘let’s go for it.’”

Rusty’s will operate out of a mobile trailer equipped with a smoker, deep fryer and other heavy barbecuing equipment. The trailer will be nestled next to the office of the Maryland Vehicle Administration, in an open area on Route 3 just south of the intersection to Maryland Route 175.

Clark said the trailer will be there from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Tuesday. But, he said he may move out early on some days if he runs out of food, because he likes to ensure food is fresh and made to order.

“When it’s gone, it’s gone,” he said.

Clark said uses all of his own recipes, and offers a dry rub and Carolina-style barbecue sauce that’s sweet and vinegar based.

Rusty’s Ribs and BBQ will be holding “soft opening” events over the next week and will hold a grand opening from noon to 2 p.m. on June 2. Councilman Jerry Walker has been invited to attend.