In her native Venezuela, Teresa Malave took culinary classes, operated a home-based catering business and was known for her cakes.

“Ever since I moved to the States, everybody who knows my cooking and baking asked, ‘Why don’t you have a restaurant?’ ” said Malave, who moved to the United States in 1996 with her husband, Armando.

In April, the Willow Springs residents opened Chevere Latin Cafe in downtown Joliet where Venezuelan Bowl once stood, across from the Rialto Square Theatre.

“People have been very receptive,” said Malave, who greets customers with a warm smile and the offering of an espresso, latte, cafe con leche or cappuccino with caramel, chocolate, cinnamon or Nutella.

Specialties: Arepas and jibaritos are the go-to authentic items.

The Trumparepa, an orange corn cake with cheddar and chicken, and the Obamarepa with black eye round beef, black beans and ripe plantain are among the 10 varieties of arepas, stuffed corn cakes that are served with rice and beans or salad ($8 and up).

“Arepa is our bread and used as a complement with food or stuffed,” she said. “You could call it a Venezuelan sandwich. You eat it with your hands.”

Jibaritos ($10) employ fried green plantains as the “bread” of the sandwich, with carne, pork roast, roasted red peppers, mushrooms and chimichurri among the options.

“We are also known for red snapper and Caribbean soup,” she said.

Red snapper is available on weekends along with fried alligator ($20).

The holidays mean plenty of catering orders for Venezuelan family parties and other events.

Also on the menu: Empanadas with beef, chicken or bacon and cheese ($9.99 for two); Cuban and other sandwiches ($9.99); salads with shrimp, salmon or chicken ($12.50 and up); and entrees ($12 to $16.50) including carne asada, garlic shrimp or a burger with Chevere sauce, a creamy blend of garlic, lime and cilantro.

Appetizers ($7 and up) include tequenones (Venezuelan cheese sticks), tostones (twice-fried plantain slices), shrimp cocktail and fried calamari.

The daily selection of desserts might include Nutella flan, chocolate and coconut flan-cake or guava cheesecake.

Their Venezuelan Christmas bread (available by special order) is soft, slightly sweetened and filled with green pimento-stuffed olives, ham, raisins and, optionally, bacon.

Decor: The cafe is casual, clean and calming with a chalkboard back wall.

Customers might notice “zero stress” written in chalk on the wall and printed on the menus. The word “chevere” translates to “cool” and the Malaves aim for “zero stress” philosophy in their lives and at the cafe.

Logistics: Located at 81 N. Chicago St. in downtown Joliet, Chevere Latin Cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; parking lot and on street; catering available; 815-582-4353; www.cheverelatincafe.com.

Vickie Snow Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.