Whatever potential drawbacks the original location has -- a small kitchen, no street visibility, no signage -- the new South Lake Union location is the complete opposite. It’s located under a brand-new apartment complex and surrounded by large windows on two sides.

For Salmerón, the decision to open another location was a no-brainer. The unexpected growth of the original -- and recent popularity -- has propelled the cramped restaurant into the spotlight. But transferring the unique vibe of the Capitol Hill location to the new space was a major concern.

“I was definitely worried about that [the vibe] aspect,” he said. “But this new spot is going to let me do what I sought from the beginning. It’s definitely not going to be the same, but I think we can put out something that works.”