Robert's Italian, the longtime Littleton deli and pizzeria, is knocking through the wall into the empty storefront next door and bringing back a full deli counter stocked with meats, cheeses, fresh bread, and made-to-order sandwiches. The expansion will shift the main restaurant into the former Wu's Garden unit, while the current dining room is converted into an expanded bar called Sportzzeria that will lean into game-day programming. Owners say the remodel is already underway and that they expect to finish the relocation around mid-March, with service running through most of the construction and only a short closure once the new space is ready to open.
Expansion Returns Deli Service and Market
According to Westword, Robert's is taking over both the former Wu's Garden and the neighboring goldsmith space to house the restaurant alongside a revived deli counter and Italian market that will offer pantry staples and prepared dinners. The current dining room is slated to become Sportzzeria, a louder, TV-heavy bar with its own entrance, while the new dining room and deli will sit behind a separate door and share the same kitchen. The outlet notes that the team is targeting mid-March to wrap renovations and expects only a brief shutdown when the move into the new footprint is finalized.
A Little History
Bob and Jean Bruso opened Robert's Italian in 1999 as a tiny deli counter and slowly built it into the full-service neighborhood fixture it is today, according to Robert's Italian Deli. The restaurant's website lists the Littleton address and current hours and teases "new and upcoming changes" over the next couple of months, a nod to the construction in progress. Management says the plan keeps a quieter dining room separate from the new sports bar, while a shared kitchen is intended to keep both sides running smoothly.
What Happened to Wu's Garden
CBS News Colorado reported that Wu's Garden closed in August 2025 after the strip mall's new owner declined to renew the lease. Earlier coverage from Westword adds that the property was sold in 2023 to Lafayette South Pierce Retail and that Robert's was given the right of first refusal to take over the neighboring space.
Why the Expansion Matters
The move lands at a time when many independent restaurants across the Denver metro are feeling the squeeze. An analysis by The Colorado Sun points to a decline in certain measures of active restaurant operations since the pandemic, which makes the return of Robert's deli service a small but meaningful win for local shoppers. For Littleton regulars who have missed a true neighborhood deli, the change means more than another spot for pizza; it brings back a place to grab prepared meals, pantry items, and sandwiches made to order.
Robert's says it plans to stay open for most of the remodel and will share updates on its website, and the team still expects to complete the move and unveil the deli counter by mid-March. Diners can check Robert's Italian Deli for the latest hours and any notices about short closures tied to the relocation.
