For the past three years, life has been eerily quiet inside the pink building that overlooks West Colfax. But those days are coming to an end in the very near future.
Sopaipillas, cliff divers, and Mexican food are all returning as Casa Bonita prepares to reopen for the first time since before the pandemic.
The iconic restaurant, located at 6715 W. Colfax Ave., was purchased in 2021 by “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, and has since undergone some change — specifically to its menu.
Casa Bonita’s food earned notoriety and the cafeteria-style trays from the previous owners will stay. When people order their food, they will be able to see the food plated fresh, similar to how places like Chipotle serve their dishes.
To overhaul the menu, Stone and Parker teamed up with four-time James Beard-nominated Denver chef, Dana Rodriguez. The new menu consists of eight Mexican entrees while all ingredients, including green chile and tortillas, will be made in-house. Among the items on the updated Casa Bonita menu include enchiladas, a calabacitas dish, sauteed shrimp, taco salad, mole and more. All of the dishes comes with Mexican rice and beans, cabbage salad, and a soda.
For children, Casa Bonita offers macaroni and cheese with chicken tenders, a burrito, a Mexican hot dog, and a Mexican burger. Menu prices have yet to be released.
Fan favorites like complimentary sopaipillas will return with other dessert options like a Carlota de Limón cake, cake pops, strawberries and cream cake, vanilla flan, and even an ice cream sandwich.
For drinks, Casa Bonita will offer Margaritas, Palomas, old fashioned, Cosomos, and Manhattans.
Rodriguez’ tequila brand, Doña Loca, will also be offered in the restaurant’s signature cocktails. Craft beer will also be offered from local breweries like WestFax Brewing, a brewery that is located along the same strip mall as Casa Bonita.
The atmosphere of Casa Bonita historically outshined the food offered at the restaurant. And not much has changed inside.
The interior received an updated coat of paint, a deep cleaning, and new technology, including sound systems that play jungle and animal noises. Mexico City street signs hang above ramp walkways along with art pieces. Other features, like the underground cave, waterfalls, and cave divers, will all still be inside the restaurant.
Casa Bonita is launching a soft opening with limited dinner hours. To access the soft opening, customers must subscribe to the restaurant’s email list. Those who are interested in eating at Casa Bonita before its official opening can register for the email list at CasaBonitaDenver.com. It is still unknown exactly when the restaurant will open to the general public.
Casa Bonita first opened its doors in 1974, and in 2015, the Lakewood Historic Society named the restaurant an official landmark.
