“What a minute. Casa Bonita is a real place?”
This was probably the most common question I was asked by my out of state friends when the news broke that South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone bought the Colorado restaurant in 2021.
Most people not from the Centennial State were only aware of it from the season seven “Casa Bonita” episode from 2003. While the restaurant was thought to be fictional to many outside the region, for locals it’s just as connected to Colorado as the Rocky Mountains, Red Rocks, John Elway, and legalized marijuana.
When Casa Bonita opened in 1974 it became an instant tourist destination thanks to its unique atmosphere. Everything about the South Park version of Casa Bonita is something you can experience in real life. The 52,000-square-foot establishment that can seat 1,000 people truly does have a pink facade with a fountain out front. Inside, the restaurant really does offer puppet shows, Black Bart’s Cave, a 30-foot waterfall with Acapulco-style cliff divers, and small flags at your table that you raise to order sopaipillas.
Casa Bonita has always been known for its ambiance, which is why it’s been a popular destination for generations of families. I went there as a kid and took my own children there when they were little. What the restaurant has never been known for, however, was its food. Which is probably why few were surprised when Casa Bonita closed and its owners filed for bankruptcy, for the second time, in 2020.
Now, 20 years after the South Park “Casa Bonita” episode aired and two years after Parker and Stone purchased the restaurant for $3.1 million and put $40 million of renovations into it, Casa Bonita has reopened. To find out if this Colorado institution has reached its former glory, I recently dined at the restaurant with a group that’s visited it for decades: my family.
What You’ll Like
The food has vastly improved: One of the running jokes about Casa Bonita from locals was to eat dinner before you go and just have sopaipillas for dessert. That’s no longer necessary. Denver chef Dana Rodriguez, a multiple James Beard nominee, has completely revamped the menu. While the options are limited (only seven menu items for adults, four for children) everything is well cooked and tastefully presented.
Our group ordered five different entrees so we could get a feel for the menu and the difference between old Casa Bonita cuisine and new was obvious just by looking at the plate. Our one gripe? Even though our food was well prepared it lacked seasoning, leaving most of our meals tasting a bit bland. Liberally use any sauces that come with your meal, or ask for some. You’ll need it. The sopaipillas, however, remain the star. I’m pretty sure my dad ate around 12 of them.
The Casa Bonita atmosphere remains intact: In South Park Kyle calls Casa Bonita “the Disneyland of Mexican restaurants.” Trey Parker and Matt Stone didn’t have to recreate Disneyland in Casa Bonita, just update and modernize it to give it a Disney vibe. While sitting in the dining room close to the waterfall, I was reminded of a recent trip to Disney World. Clean, modern yet with a unique aesthetic, well-staffed, and with a variety of styles of entertainment that appeal to a wide age-range, it felt like I was sitting inside a restaurant in a Disney resort.
Casa Bonita hasn’t lost its unique touches, however. For those who’ve visited over the years, it looks and feels like the original, just a lot cleaner and nicer. The upper level still looks like a tropical paradise, the lower level still looks like a gold mine, and there’s plenty of hidden nooks and crannies to explore.
The puppet show, a long running tradition, is hilarious. Black Bart’s Cave has been updated with new effects to make it more fun and spooky than ever, and the arcade has some of the newest and best videogames I’ve ever seen. And I say that after visiting the largest arcade in the country, FunSpot in Laconia, New Hampshire, last summer. The cliff diving show, which runs every 20 minutes, is also top notch with skilled divers, jaunty music, and plenty of humor. There’s even a museum that shows the history of the restaurant for those feeling nostalgic.
The service is first rate: Despite opening their doors in June, Casa Bonita remains in beta testing as they work out the kinks. That works to the benefit of diners as the staff is numerous and attentive.
Our waiter, Mark, was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave us all the inside info on changes to the restaurant we’d want to check out. He wasn’t the only one to visit our table either. There were four different employees that came by during our meal. Our needs were met quickly, making for an excellent dining experience.
Most things are included with your meal: With the purchase of a meal ticket diners get an entree of their choice, a soda, and sopaipillas for dessert. Tarot card readings, hand drawn caricatures, and tips are already included. The absence of tipping isn’t without controversy, however.
Nods to South Park: A life-size Eric Cartman is sitting at his own table, which is a great photo op. You’re also sure to spot ManBearPig skulking around. Most of the South Park references are subtle, so if you’re not a fan of the show it won’t impact your experience but for fans like myself you’re sure to laugh when you notice it.
What You Won’t Like
A Disney vibe comes with Disney prices: Meals for dinner and weekends cost $39.99 per person for adults, $24.99 for kids 12 and under. Throw in a 15% service charge, a Lakewood Public Improvement fee, and sales tax and my family of five paid $260, or $52 per person, for lunch on a Saturday. A more affordable Monday through Friday lunch menu ($29.99/$19.99) is listed as “coming soon” on the Casa Bonita website.
Once you buy your tickets online you can’t make many changes. While you can adjust the date and time of your visit for a $10 upfront fee, you’re not allowed to change the number in your party. If you have a group of five and someone drops out, get ready to eat extra meals.
If you want to enjoy the updated video arcade, an alcoholic beverage, a dessert that’s not a sopaipilla, indulge in the root beer bar, or take a themed picture in the local “jail,” you’ll have to pay extra. If you want more than one tray of sopaipillas, that’ll cost you extra as well.
The ticketing system currently limits guests: To go to Casa Bonita you have to get on their mailing list. Don’t bother calling for a reservation and don’t go to the front door. If you want to visit, you need an email invite to do so. The soft reopen, which started in late June, has kept a cap on the number of guests and continues to do so several months later.
The Verdict
One of the most important talking points Matt Parker and Trey Stone discussed in interviews prior to Casa Bonita’s relaunch was how they wanted to take a place they loved as children and make it better, not change it completely. Or as Parker told 5280 Magazine, “We’re hoping we’ve taken it from gross and charming to just charming.” The duo have certainly succeeded.
When my family was leaving I asked everyone to share their thoughts. My sister Andrea said, “It was like the old Casa Bonita but with better food.” Considering how beloved the original was and the goals Parker and Stone set for the restaurant, that’s about as good a compliment as you can get.
Terry Terrones is a Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association member, licensed drone pilot, and aspiring hand model. When he’s not avoiding having his organs harvested, you can find him hiking in the mountains of Colorado. You can follow him on Twitter @terryterrones.
