Casa Bonita, a restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado, was on the brink of closure until it was saved by the creators of the TV show “South Park.” The restaurant recently reopened its reservation system after being flooded with bookings in its initial months of operation. Reservations for December were made available on October 7 and were fully booked by October 10. Additionally, Casa Bonita made changes to its menu, including adding dips for its complimentary chips.
The revitalization of Casa Bonita can be attributed to Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the minds behind “South Park.” The restaurant, which was designated a landmark in Lakewood in 2015, faced challenges in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic. However, Parker and Stone, who featured Casa Bonita in a 2003 episode of “South Park,” purchased the restaurant in 2021. Their childhood memories of Casa Bonita inspired them to save the establishment.
Extensive renovations totaling $40 million were carried out on Casa Bonita, with the process documented in the 2024 film “¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!” The restaurant had a soft opening in May 2023, exclusively for members of the Founders Club, Casa Bonita’s earliest supporters. The reopening drew huge interest, with thousands of people queuing online for reservations, and slots for October and November were quickly filled.
Casa Bonita, with its unique entertainment offerings like cliff divers, puppet shows, and Mariachi music, stands out as a dining destination. Unlike traditional restaurants, Casa Bonita charges a fixed price for meals, which include a choice of nine entrées served with rice, beans, and cabbage salad. Every meal also comes with chips, salsa, sodas, and the famous sopaipillas, specially crafted for the Colorado altitude.
The restaurant’s history dates back to 1972 when construction began, and it opened its doors in 1974. Casa Bonita’s only remaining location is in Colorado, with its original restaurant opening in Oklahoma City in 1968. Other locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Little Rock, Arkansas, have since closed. The unique dining experience provided by Casa Bonita has made it a beloved establishment in the region.
For more lifestyle articles, you can visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle. Fox News Digital reached out to Casa Bonita for further comments on their latest developments.
Christine Rousselle, a lifestyle reporter at Fox News Digital, covers stories like the resurgence of Casa Bonita and the efforts of its new owners, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, to restore the iconic restaurant.