Visitors entering the west side of Monse’s Pupuseria in Old Colorado City will notice something new: Monse’s Sweet Kitchen. The dessert and drink concept is filled with colorful drinks, freshly fried empanadas and an array of house made desserts. The addition expands the popular family-run restaurant’s offerings while staying true to one thing the business has become known for: a completely gluten-free kitchen.
Co-owners Tim and Monse Hines created the concept as a way to showcase more of Monse’s baking and dessert creations beyond what was already offered on the pupuseria menu. As the couple refreshed part of the space earlier this year, they decided to dedicate their west-side entrance to a grab-and-go sweets concept — but it still feels welcoming for those who want to linger.
“Monse has always wanted to expand the gluten-free baking menu beyond what we offer in the pupuseria,” Tim Hines says. “We wanted to create something fun that people could pop in for, whether they’re grabbing something quick or sitting down to enjoy it.”
Guests will find a menu that leans both sweet and savory. Freshly made empanadas include fillings of shredded chicken with potatoes, shredded beef with potatoes, and vegan jackfruit barbacoa.
Guests can also customize boba drinks in four steps. Start with a base flavor such as strawberry, horchata, hibiscus tea, taro, lemonade or mango-pineapple. Then add toppings like cold foam, whipped cream or coconut, followed by traditional boba or popping pearls in flavors such as strawberry and passion fruit. For an extra serving of adorable, top your drink with an edible bear napping on a fluffy cloud of cold foam.
The menu includes smoothies, specialty coffees, desserts and cakes in an assortment of flavors including pineapple upside down, carrot, chocolate, pistachio and mango-coconut. Cakes are baked in-house and can be ordered custom in both small and large sizes. Everything remains 100% gluten-free, with several vegan options as well — something that has helped the restaurant build a loyal following in both communities.
The addition of Monse’s Sweet Kitchen is also part of a broader wave of expansion for the Hines family. They opened The Best Coffee Lounge last year and are preparing additional projects, including a second Monse’s location in the former Saigon Cafe space downtown and the reopening of Mountain Shadows in Old Colorado City. Both are planned by summer 2026.
115 S. 25th St.
