Casa Bonita’s sopapillas aren’t the only doughy treasures in Denver deserving of praise.
The classic dessert — which originated in New Mexico — is simply fried dough drizzled with honey and dusted with sugar. Casa Bonita’s version were beloved partly because many customers said they were the best thing on the menu. Of course, that was before “South Park” creators and new Casa Bonita owners Trey Parker and Matt Stone hired award-winning local Chef Dana Rodriguez to shake things up. (But don’t fret: The sopapillas are still on the menu.)
So while you wait for the reopening of Casa Bonita, check out these six spots in and around Denver to get your sopapilla fix:
Rosita’s Mexican Restaurant
Rosita’s has moved and changed several times since it began dishing up authentic New Mexican eats in 1963. Now located in Westminster, its puffy sopapillas are classic, deep-fried and served with powdered sugar and honey, to deliver the taste in the way this city knows them best.
8050 Federal Blvd., Westminster; rositas.biz
La Loma
Though this iconic, family-owned Denver mainstay and gathering place is hailed for its fajitas, chile rellenos, green chile and barrel-aged tequila margaritas, La Loma’s menu also features sopapillas — a warm, homey finish in its upscale atmosphere. The Mexican restaurant also has a location in Castle Rock and will soon open two more in Parker and the Denver Tech Center.
1801 Broadway, Denver; 6361 Promenade Pkwy, Castle Rock; lalomamexican.com
My Neighbor Felix
This Denver-area chain puts a new American spin on classic Mexican dishes, and its sopapillas are no exception. Stop by the LoHi, Centennial, Boulder or the soon-to-open Colorado Springs locations to try sopapilla cheesecake skillet; served in a cast iron pan, the pastries are filled with cheesecake, dusted with cinnamon and drenched with caramel and house-made horchata.
1801 Central St., Denver; 901 Pearl St., Boulder; 7209 S. Clinton St., Centennial; myneighborfelix.com
Little Anita’s
This New Mexican-based chain with one Denver location takes pride in its sopapilla roots. Little Anita’s elevates the fried pastry to the next level, serving green or red chile-stuffed sopapillas as a side or vegetarian sopapillas stuffed with sauteed zucchini, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes as an entree. And of course, it has the classic sweet New Mexican rendition for dessert.
1550 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver; littleanitasrestaurants.com
Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria
Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria is the spot for south Denverites to get their sopapilla fix, with mezcal margaritas to pair them with. Palenque serves its fried dough pastries with powdered sugar on top and a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with honey, perfect for dipping. Vegan sopapillas are also available per request.
2609 Main St., Littleton; palenquecya.com
Tamale Kitchen
This local chain with eight locations has been serving steaming corn-wrapped tamales since 1981. But don’t forget to finish your meal with a basket of mini sopapillas and a side of honey to dip them in. Or make it savory and get the stuffed sopapillas with beans and your choice of steak, chicken or pork picadillo.
Multiple locations; thetamalekitchen.com