Similar to being hip to cool/obscure bands or movies, there’s cultural clout in knowing small, off-the-beaten-path local eateries. The so-called hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

The kind of joints that aren’t located in a city’s hotspots or easy for visitors and recent transplants to find. Because, as I’ve said before, sometimes food tastes better if it’s not easy.

Below are five Huntsville hole-in-the-wall restaurants we love. The city’s home to many more than that, but this isn’t the phone book, and these are a solid starting five.

ISLAND JERK RESTAURANT

2230 Sparkman Drive N.W.