If you didn’t get the chance to visit Denver’s legendary Casa Bonita restaurant before it shut its doors in 2020, rest assured. You will once again have the chance to dine at this epic eatery. Indulge in honey-covered sopapillas while taking in the exotic aesthetic that is Casa Bonita. Where else could you find cliff diving, a treasure hunt, and Mexican food? The answer: no where else. Here’s what you need to know about the “Disneyland of Mexican Restaurants”:
South Park Creators Stepped In
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of “South Park”, closed a deal to purchase the defunct Casa Bonita in 2021 and have been renovating it ever since. They’ve come across their fair share of hurdles, but the restaurant plans to open in May of this year. While the restaurant has been undergoing extensive renovations, Parker and Stone have been paying their (hundreds of) employees to volunteer for various local nonprofits, then return to Casa Bonita once it reopens.
The “Disneyland of Restaurants”
Casa Bonita was always quirky, weird, and totally exciting. The food was notoriously bad, save for the flakey, deep-fried sopapillas, and the entertainment was daring and delightful. What started as a chain of “dinner-theater” restaurants out of Oklahoma eventually dwindled down to the bright pink Lakewood establishment.
What’s New This Time Around?
Plans about the next iteration of this famed establishment haven’t been widely released to the public. Stone and Parker have hinted that they don’t want to change much at all, just make it better. One thing’s for certain, the food will be much tastier. They’ve hired James Beard-award winning chef Dana Rodriguez to revamp the menu and include scratch-made Mexican fare. The water-centric entertainment will stay, as will an arcade and live performances.
Stay Tuned
We’re guessing that Casa Bonita’s team will host some pretty epic launch events to get this revamped restaurant back on everyone’s hearts and minds. One thing’s for certain – dinner at Casa Bonita fosters a ton of laughter and totally unique memories you’ll have for years. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate the grand opening of this iconic restaurant.