Since Casa Bonita reopened post-pandemic in 2023, it’s technically been in a soft opening phase – or “beta-testing,” as owners Matt Stone and Trey Parker of “South Park” fame call it. That’s why the only way to get a table there for the last year and a half has been to sign up for the restaurant’s newsletter list and hope to be selected via a random lottery to book a reservation.
It’s been a waiting game for fans in Denver and beyond, but no more. On Sept. 16, the venerable Lakewood landmark begins accepting reservations for October, marking its official grand reopening to the general public.
On that date, anyone with an internet connection can book a table. And yes, you need a reservation. The Pink Palace won’t accept walk-ins and there won’t be an entry line for hopeful diners without a ressy like there was in its previous life.
Stone and Parker previously told The Denver Post they didn’t expect access to be limited for so long, but that it was necessary to host thousands of guests to work out the logistics of such a unique venue. Casa Bonta has served 500,000-plus diners to date, Stone said, and it currently welcomes 11,000 to 12,000 people per week.
Even though the restaurant is opening to the general public, reservations will still likely be in high demand. Here’s what you need to know to book yours.
Casa Bonita reservations start Oct. 1
On Sept. 16 at 3 p.m., dining reservations open at casabonitadenver.com. The first available date to book a table will be Oct. 1 and the calendar will extend through November.
Anyone who signed up for Casa Bonita’s newsletter list in the past year has been invited to join a Founders Club, which offers priority access to reservations. That’s true on Sept. 16, as those people will be able to book reservations starting at 9 a.m. You must have activated your Founders Club membership to do so.
It’s unclear when new reservation dates will open, but it’s likely they will do so recurringly.
Guests no longer need to pre-pay for reservation booking
When Casa Bonita ran its lottery system, guests were required to pay for a ticket in advance when they booked a table. Stone and Parker nixed the prepaid ticketing system – which included entry to Casa Bonita plus a meal – so now diners just need to enter their party’s details to claim a spot.
Every person is required to buy a meal
Even though guests no longer need to buy an advance ticket, they are still required to buy a meal. The seven entrees on the menu all cost the same price ($29.99 during lunch and $39.99 during dinner), as do kids’ meals ($19.99 during lunch and $24.99 during dinner). That price includes the first round of sopapillas for the table, plus an appetizer of chips and salsa, and soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks, desserts and additional sopapillas cost extra.
At the end of the meal, diners pay their checks just like at a traditional restaurant. Then they’re welcome to enjoy all of the attractions that make Casa Bonita a destination, from cliff diving and Black Bart’s Cave to the arcade, puppet show and live mariachi music.
Need recommendations on what to eat? Our staff ranked their favorite dishes, with top accolades for the beef suadero. Or take it from Stone and Parker, whose go-to meals are the taco salad and Christmas enchiladas, respectively.
Consider booking with a small group
While it’s tempting to invite every Casa Bonita fan you know to dinner, those who book in small groups will have more reservation dates and times to choose from. That’s because of the way the restaurant is built – most tables are static and can’t be rearranged to accommodate large groups.
“I think we have two 10-tops in the entire restaurant,” Parker said in a recent interview. “There’s tons of two-tops and four-tops that will be empty a lot, and it’s not a matter of let’s put these two tables together. No, because there’s a giant piece of rock right here you can’t.”
Casa Bonita date night, anyone?
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