The Jelly Cafe outpost near the University of Denver is quietly changing its stripes. The longtime DU staple at 1700 East Evans Avenue now shows up online as Holi Jelli Masala Cafe and Bar, or simply "Jelli," and is blending its familiar brunch lineup with new Indo-American small plates and late-night hours. Regulars started clocking the switch this spring as the space kept its bright pink look but refreshed its menu hints and hours on new online pages. The result has been a wave of student and neighborhood speculation over whether the place is closed, sold, or just going through a glow-up.
According to Westword, owner Josh Epps sold the DU location’s assets to a new operator, Maha Laxmi Group LLC, which filed paperwork with the Colorado Secretary of State to do business as Holi Masala Cafe & Bar. Epps told the outlet he chose not to renew the lease so he could "direct my attention to one area" and work less, and said he allowed the incoming team to operate the spot while they planned a refreshed menu and décor. Westword reports the new operators began posting on Instagram as Holi Jelli on March 29 and have been serving dishes such as butter-chicken wings and tikka beef burgers, while still offering brunch service before 1 p.m.
From neighborhood staple to new concept
Jelly’s DU expansion dates back to late 2012, when the owners opened a second location two blocks from campus, an addition that helped cement Jelly as a go-to neighborhood brunch fixture. Eater Denver covered the opening and highlighted the chain’s signature items, including Corn Flake French toast and donut bites, that have kept regulars coming back. That history is a big part of why this partial transformation has sparked such quick interest from campus diners and longtime neighborhood patrons.
What is changing at the Evans spot
The new team is pitching the restaurant as an "Indo-American breakfast, lunch and dinner" concept, and the storefront’s operating hours now stretch well beyond classic brunch time. Per Westword, the Holi Jelli crew has kept much of the site’s look, even sticking with Jelly’s pink hue in the updated logo, while rolling out shareable, Indian-influenced plates. The restaurant’s website lists its hours and contact information for reservations and takeout at Holi Jelli.
What neighbors can expect
The shift is operational rather than a full reset: the DU dining room remains open, and staff appear to be running a hybrid menu that retains many brunch staples while testing new items for later crowds. The location is still listed at the familiar University-side address 1700 E. Evans Avenue, a detail that matters to students who count on early-morning options within walking distance of campus. For now, the corner spot holds onto its morning rhythm while also offering late-night plates for students and neighbors who want dinner after games, performances, or study sessions.
For the latest hours, menu details, and contact info, check Holi Jelli’s website or swing by the Evans Avenue location. The new team appears intent on blending the familiar with the fresh, and for the moment, Jelly’s pink presence is still very much part of the neighborhood’s landscape.
