Casa Bonita is now open for reservations to everyone

Casa Bonita, the Lakewood restaurant, purchased by the creators of “South Park” in 2021, and renovated for reopening was photographed in Lakewood on Thursday, May 25, 2023

Securing a spot at the renowned Casa Bonita can be an adventure in itself. Famous for its unique dining experience and vibrant atmosphere, knowing how to make proper reservations can ensure a seamless visit to this iconic establishment.

Why Make a Reservation?

Casa Bonita is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike, and its popularity means it can get quite crowded, especially during peak times. By making a reservation, you can bypass long wait times and guarantee your table, making for a more enjoyable dining experience.

Steps to Reserve Your Table

Booking a table at Casa Bonita is straightforward but requires a bit of planning. Here are the simple steps to follow:

1. Visit the Official Website: Head to Casa Bonita's official website where you can find a reservations section. This is the most reliable source for making a reservation.

2. Call Ahead: If you prefer speaking to someone directly, you can call their reservation line. Be prepared with the details of your visit, including the date, time, and number of guests.

3. Consider Third-Party Platforms: Some third-party reservation services also list Casa Bonita. While convenient, these might not always have the latest availability, so cross-check with the official site if needed.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Experience

To make the most of your visit, try the following tips:

1. Plan Ahead: Make your reservations well in advance, particularly if you plan to visit during weekends or holidays.

2. Be Early: Even with a reservation, arriving a bit early can help you settle in and explore the venue.

3. Confirm Your Reservation: A day before your scheduled visit, confirm your reservation to avoid any last-minute surprises.

It’s time to practice your best Eric Cartman impression because you’ll be able to book a reservation soon at Casa Bonita — no lottery luck needed.

The famed Lakewood restaurant officially opens to the general public on Oct. 1, owners Matt Stone and Trey Parker told The Denver Post in an exclusive interview. That’s the first day reservations will be available to anyone craving food, fun, and a festive atmosphere. Bookings open on Sept. 16 at casabonitadenver.com.

Since Casa Bonita made its post-pandemic debut in June 2023, it’s been one of the most exclusive dining establishments in Colorado. Up until now, the only way to get a table has been to enter a lottery and hope to receive an invitation to purchase tickets, which buy entry, a meal, and access to all the attractions like Black Bart’s Cave and the waterfall with its famous cliff divers.

Stone and Parker said they didn’t intend for access to be limited for so long, but it was necessary to work out the operational kinks of such a unique venue. They’ve made some big changes over the year-plus of the soft opening phase, too.

Starting Oct. 1, Casa Bonita will no longer require guests to buy a pre-paid ticket. Instead, they’ll be able to make reservations like they do at any other restaurant. Stone and Parker also recently decided to nix the buffet line, so patrons will be sat and served food in a more traditional dining format. At the end of the meal, guests will receive their check and pay.

Pricing, however, won’t change. Adult entrees cost $29.99 to $39.99 depending on if you visit during lunch or dinner, and kids’ meals run $19.99 to $24.99. While Casa Bonita servers still receive a flat hourly wage, checks will include a tip line should guests want to throw in a little extra.

Stone and Parker admit the food buffet line was part of the nostalgia of Casa Bonita, but it wasn’t necessarily good for the customer experience.

It was causing so many problems,” Parker said. “It was the reason people ended up sitting down and their food was cold. Also, we didn’t love watching people experience Casa Bonita (while) they’ve got a giant tray of food in their hands.

“It was keeping us from making food as good as possible,” Stone added.

Lighting work continues at the Bridge

That’s also why the ticketing system had to go. The duo consulted with experts who advised treating entry to Casa Bonita like an amusement park or zoo, which sounded fitting in theory but was always confusing to explain to the public, they said. Once Stone and Parker began leaning into Casa Bonita’s identity as a restaurant and shaping logistics to fit those familiar standards, things ran more smoothly.

The broader opening has been a long time coming for both the owners and local fans. Stone and Parker — also the creative minds behind the popular TV show “South Park” — bought Casa Bonita out of bankruptcy in 2021 and spent a cool $40 million to refurbish it.

Coincidentally, they reopened the Pink Palace two decades after featuring it on an episode of “South Park” and catapulting it to international acclaim. Stone and Parker also channeled some of their experiences into a recent episode in which Cartman reopens a hot dog stand, based not-so-subtly on the sausage-and-bun-shaped Coney Island Boardwalk in Bailey.

Since last summer, the owners tinkered with everything from small elements like the timing of magic and puppet shows to large logistics like paying for and picking up food, adjusting as more people came through the doors. Stone said Casa Bonita currently serves 11,000 to 12,000 diners per week.