The Creators of 'South Park' Spent $40 Million Returning This Denver Landmark to Its Former Glory

Jun 04, 2023

Casa Bonita, the famed Mexican-themed restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado known for its cliff divers, questionable cuisine, and appearance in a 2003 South Park episode, is about to reopen its doors for the first time since 2020. The building was purchased by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone in 2021 after the owners filed for bankruptcy, and they spent no small amount of money renovating the cavernous, 52,000-square-foot restaurant. $40 million, to be exact.

In addition to being unable to weather the challenges of the pandemic, Casa Bonita, which first opened in 1974, was in disrepair when Parker and Stone acquired the property. In a New York Times profile, the pair joked about the "infinity dollars" they dumped into the renovation, and then some.

"It doesn't stink like chlorine anymore," Stone told the publication in late May, in the final stretch before reopening. "We could have rebuilt this twice as big, for half as much money, but we spent so much restoring it, like a piece of art."

In addition to meticulously refurbishing the interior, sculptures, fake trees, and artwork—including going through 27 different shades of pink paint to get the building's exterior just right—Casa Bonita was given some major upgrades. For instance, the cliff-diving pool, which divers jumped into every 20 minutes while diners ate, is no longer a safety hazard. Previously, divers had to exit through a 30-inch-wide underwater tunnel into an electrical room.

That was just one surprise that awaited Stone and Parker, including assorted electrical hazards, gas leaks, and plumbing issues. Another surprise came in the kitchen, which didn't actually have ovens or range tops. As it turns out, the previous owners steamed all of the food—which explains its reputation for being barely edible.

Not only will Casa Bonita will reopen with a state-of-the-art, stainless-steel kitchen, but a new executive chef: six-time James Beard Award nominee Dana Rodriguez. She will oversee a kitchen staff of 110, who will cook all the food from scratch, including nearly 200 gallons of mole sauce every night, enchiladas with red and green sauce, green chile-braised brisket, Chile relleno, and sopaipillas with honey. There will also be vegetarian and vegan options available.

"It would be way cheaper if we just went hang gliding over volcanoes," Parker joked at once point in the interview, as their business advisers advised them to abandon the project after it began nearing $20 million.

Casa Bonita was famously featured in a 2003 episode of South Park of the same name, as Parker and Stone both had fond memories of visiting the restaurant as children. In the episode, Cartman devises an elaborate plot to have Butters go missing after Kyle decides to bring Butters to his birthday party at Casa Bonita instead of Cartman. In the end, Kyle reluctantly brings Cartman in Butters' place, just as everyone learns what happened—resulting in the character going through a mad dash to experience everything in the restaurant before inevitably being punished.

The restaurant is currently going through a soft launch, with guests invited exclusively through an email list. A firm reopening date has yet to be announced.