Xnatedawgx/Wikimedia Commons
Xnatedawgx/Wikimedia Commons
A combination of Mexican food, cliff diving over an indoor waterfall, and an arcade that seemingly couldn’t exist in one establishment, especially in a building so strikingly pink that it can be seen from space. Picture all these elements combined, along with an intricate network of winding nooks and crannies, and add to that the fact that it’s owned by the creators of the immensely popular adult cartoon South Park. It truly seems like an impossible feat. But that very impossibility, which has now finally opened its doors to the public after years of being closed and having “soft openings,” is none other than Casa Bonita. Known as the “Disneyland of Mexican restaurants,” Casa Bonita has long been largely inaccessible to the general public, with a waiting list of over 600,000 people. During the restaurant’s soft opening in June 2023, getting a pre-paid ticket for a meal required a wish, a dream (and a lottery-based invitation). However, starting from September 16, online reservations will be available to the public on the restaurant’s website.
The creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, purchased the iconic pink landmark in Lakewood, Colorado, for $3.1 million in 2021 after the previous owners filed for bankruptcy. The restaurant itself, which has been featured in the television show, has amassed a cult following over the past five decades since it opened, and Stone and Parker spent a whopping $40 million to bring its former glory back.
Although the newest iteration of Casa Bonita has ditched their beloved (though perhaps questionable in quality) buffet, the prices remain the same, with adult entrees starting at $29.99 and kid’s meals starting at $19.99. Head to the restaurant’s website at 3 pm on September 16 to make a reservation for as early as October 1.
