There are enough theories about the Reuben sandwich’s origin to do a Netflix docuseries. Theory one involves a weekly poker game at a 1920s Omaha, Nebraska, hotel and a grocer named Reuben Kulakofsky. Theory two: New York restaurateur Arnold Reuben’s created the “Reuben special” sandwich for his Reuben’s Delicatessen circa 1914. Theory three: The sandwich started at Reuben’s Delicatessen but was made up on the spot from scrounged-up ingredients for an actress dining there. Theory four also centers on Reuben’s Delicatessen, this time created by chef Alfred Scheuing for Arnold Reuben’s son, Arnold Jr.

Whatever the real story is, what’s undisputable is the Reuben’s a classic American sandwich. Below, in my opinion, are five Huntsville restaurants with must-do Reubens. All local, no chains. Let’s do it.

Thirsty Turtle

The Village on Whitesburg, 4800 Whitesburg Drive, thirstyturtlehuntsville.com

For tasty, satisfying and unfancy bar food, longtime Huntsvillians know Thirsty Turtle’s the jam. This classic local dive and service industry hang does solid burgers and chili, and their Reuben’s right too. Outfitted traditional with corned beef piled high on rye, with sauerkraut and Swiss. They have the Thousand Island dressing on the side instead of on the bread though, and this subtle tweak is clever and effective. Lets you be as saucy as you wanna be. The Turtle also does a turkey Reuben.

Kar’s Char

Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, karschar.com

Applying the transitive property, if corned beef is beef and brisket is beef, then brisket will work on a Reuben. Don’t know if that’s how Kar’s Char arrived at their Texas Reuben, but for me, the math checks out. A big, bold and hearty eat. Kar’s is known for Texas-style barbecue, and their brisket is rustic, tender, peppery. How you want it to be. Kar’s other twist for their Reuben is using Texas toast instead of rye. If you want to set this Reuben off though, add some of Kar’s house barbecue sauce to the sandwich. It connects the disparate dots here.

The Revivalist

106 Jefferson St S., revivalisthuntsville.com

The penthouse of local Reubens. Fitting, since The Revivalist is located inside Huntsville’s poshest hotel, 106 Jefferson. The Revivalist serves what they call a Stacked Reuben, with house-corned beef, gruyere cheese, “two-minute” cabbage and Russian dressing on rad rye that holds together the whole way. Toasty, textural, melty and meaty. Structural integrity never tasted so good.

Catch 25 Seafood & Brewery

220 Holmes Ave. N.E., catch25-hsv.com

This one’s a total beach. Downtown seafood spot Catch 25’s “Catch 25 Reuben” flips the script by subbing in mahi for corned beef. Fish mingles surprisingly well with Reuben fixings, with succulent results. If the weather’s nice, try to get a table on Catch 25’s shady patio, an underrated Huntsville al fresco.

Dallas Mill Deli

500 Pratt Ave. N.W., dallasmilldeli.net

The dean of Huntsville delis does a Reuben that’s very Alabama. Dallas Mill Deli’s Fried Bologna Reuben, aka Southern Reuben, features thick-cut bologna that tastes like a maw-maw just cooked it up in a farmhouse kitchen. That’s a good thing. It’s a localized Reuben that’ll have you whistlin’ “Dixie.”