Is Casa Bonita in Denver Worth the Money and Trip?

There are some incredible places to eat in Colorado, but there are some places that everyone knows and wants to experience. No matter what your favorite food is, there are certain places that everyone talks about. There are Mexican restaurants that people rave about, there are legendary hamburger places, and there are BBQ places that everyone knows. One restaurant in Colorado that everyone seems to know is Casa Bonita, but have you ever been, and have you experienced this legendary place? Casa Bonita is one of the most popular restaurants in Colorado, but is it worth the money and the drive to go there?

Casa Bonita in Colorado

Casa Bonita is located at 6715 W Colfax Avenue in Lakewood. The popular restaurant thrived back in the 70s and 80s, but over time, it began to decline. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of the popular show 'South Park,' bought the Lakewood location back in 2021 and invested around $50 million to renovate it, upgrade the food, and redo the infrastructure. It was a place they enjoyed as kids, and they wanted to upgrade it and bring back the glory days. Since reopening a couple of years ago, Casa Bonita has become a big deal, where you can only get in with a reservation, likely being on a waiting list for a few weeks or months. Once you arrive, you have to go through security before entering, and then the experience begins. 

Is Casa Bonita Worth It in Colorado?

Casa Bonita is more than a meal; it is an experience. There are cliff divers, a waterfall, a puppet show, a magic show, balloon art, face painting, caves to explore, games, a root beer bar, a shooting gallery, a museum, and much more. There are different sections, each with its own theme, and where you sit will dictate your experience. You will need to carve out about 3 hours to take everything in and get the full experience. The food is good, but not great. It is a meal that you likely will enjoy, but not rave about as the best. Casa Bonita is more about the experience and the memories. It is fun to walk around, have a drink, and see what the place has to offer. The size of your party will dictate how much you pay, but it is worth going to for special events like birthdays, when family or friends visit, and celebrations. 

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Due to cost, Casa Bonita isn't a place you will visit often throughout the year, but two or three visits might be worth it. It is worth going to and worth the money and drive, as you won't regret your visit. Expect to spend some money, but also to have fun and a day or night you won't forget. For more on Casa Bonita, make sure to click one of the links above.