Fans of 11 Chicks Yummy Creations, the small restaurant serving Venezuelan cuisine at 199 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North in downtown St. Petersburg, don’t fret: The eatery’s recent closure is only temporary as it expands into an adjacent vacant space.

The larger footprint gives 11 Chicks an additional 550 square feet, for a total of 1,030 square feet. According to a sign posted on the restaurant’s front door, it plans to reopen on Tuesday, January 17th.

“Here at 11 Chicks, our journey never ends! We are temporarily closing for transformational proposes,” a January 4 post reads. “We are expanding our business next door and we can’t wait to unveil our new addition. Please stay tuned. We are excited to share our new adventure with our loyal and new customers. See you soon! Thank you for your support.”

The 11 Chicks menu features traditional, handmade Venezuelan favorites such as arepas, which consist of a corn cake made from a special pre-cooked corn flour. There are 11 varieties of arepas, denoted as “Chicks” on the menu. Chick #1 is a plain arepa with carne asada, bacon, avocado, cilantro aioli, and a special combination of Venezuelan cheeses.

Customers can also choose from empanadas, cachapas, and tequeños, as well as tacos and bowls.

The Venezuelan Bowl, for example, is made with Jasmin rice cooked with coconut oil, fried plantains, black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cheese, avocado, Venezuelan sauce, and choice of meat: shredded chicken, jerk chicken, grilled chicken, shredded beef, or pork. A vegetarian option is also available.

To quench your thirst, 11 Chicks offers fresh juices, coffees, and sodas. If you want to try something special, order a can of Frescolita, a Venezuelan red cream soda, or the 11 Chicks Coffee made with cinnamon, coconut oil, and honey.

According to its website, 11 Chicks Yummy Creations got its start in less than 200 square feet of space in a St. Pete gas station. As word of its arepas and empanadas spread, the restaurant developed a loyal following and long lines stretched beyond its doors.

“The cuisine delivers comfort and peace,” the website reads, “not only to those in our community who hail from Latin origins that with every bite feel more at home, but also to those who seek adventures of new worlds yet to be visited.”

The restaurant’s normal operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s closed on Mondays.