How to get a reservation at Casa Bonita near Denver (2024)

Since Casa Bonita reopens post-pandemic in 2023, it's technically been in a soft opening phase — or “beta testing” as owners Matt Stone and “South Park” star Trey Parker call it. So the only way to get a table there for the past year and a half has been to sign up for the restaurant's newsletter and hope to be randomly selected to make a reservation.

It's been a wait-and-see for fans in Denver and elsewhere, but now it's over. On September 16, the venerable Lakewood landmark will begin accepting reservations for October, marking its official reopening to the public.

On that day, anyone with an internet connection can book a table. And yes, you do need a reservation. The Pink Palace does not accept walk-ins and there will be no queue for hopeful guests without reservations, as there was in its previous life.

Stone and Parker previously told The Denver Post they didn't expect access to remain restricted for so long, but hosting thousands of guests was necessary to manage the logistics of such a unique venue. Casa Bonta has served over 500,000 guests to date, Stone said, and currently welcomes 11,000 to 12,000 people per week.

Even though the restaurant is open to the public, reservations will likely remain in high demand. Here's what you need to know to reserve your table.

Reservations for Casa Bonita begin October 1

Table reservations will open at 3 p.m. on September 16 at casabonitadenver.com. The first available date for table reservations is October 1, and the calendar runs through November.

Anyone who signed up for Casa Bonita's newsletter over the past year has been invited to join the Founders Club, which offers priority access to reservations. This will be effective September 16, as these individuals will be able to make reservations starting at 9 a.m. To do this, you must have activated your Founders Club membership.

It is unclear when new reservation dates will be released, but it is likely that this will be on a regular basis.

Guests no longer have to pay in advance for reservations

When Casa Bonita used a lottery system, guests had to buy a ticket in advance when reserving a table. Stone and Parker have done away with the prepaid ticket system—which included admission to Casa Bonita and a meal—so now guests only need to enter their party's details to get a seat.

Every citizen is obliged to buy a meal

Even though guests no longer have to purchase an advance ticket, they still have to purchase a meal. The seven entrees on the menu all cost the same price ($29.99 for lunch and $39.99 for dinner), as do the kids' meals ($19.99 for lunch and $24.99 for dinner). This price includes the first round of sopapillas for the table, as well as an appetizer of chips and salsa and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages, desserts and additional sopapillas cost extra.

At the end of the meal, guests pay their bill as they would at a traditional restaurant, then enjoy all the attractions that make Casa Bonita a destination, from cliff diving and Black Bart's Cave to the arcade, puppet theater and live mariachi music.

Need recommendations on what to eat? Our staff has ranked their favorite dishes, with the Beef Suadero taking top honors. Or take it from Stone and Parker, whose favorite dishes are the taco salad and the Christmas enchiladas, respectively.

Consider booking with a small group