On Colfax in Lakewood on the west side of town.
It is the most outrageous Mexican restaurant you will ever see. It calls itself the greatest restaurant in the world -- and it may be just that.
The place has been there for 50 years but declined steadily over time and went BK a few years ago. There are recordings of Ricardo Mantalban (of corinthian leather fame) hawking the place 50 years ago
The Creators of South Park bought it and put in $40 million of improvements. The place reopened 9 months ago and has been packed solid the whole time. Reservations months in advance are needed. It may actually be too late for this ski season.
What's there? How about cliff divers, and puppet shows (ever see Mexican food talk?), strolling Mexican bands, a magic show in a 150 seat theater, arcade games, a museum, wandering gorillas, and gun fights in Black Bart's cave. To be honest the food is MEH, but the entertainment is spectacular.
If you can get reservations and can fir it in, you have to try it. I did it last Thursday.
To be honest, the food ain't all that great, but you aren't paying for the food - you are paying for the entertainment.
I am a Taco Salad aficionado, so that's what I ordered.. I got a Taco SALAD - no meat. First Taco Salad that I've had in my life that was sans meat. Others with me had standard burritos and enchiladas, and they seemed better.
Entry fee is something $40 (don't know exactly, I didn''t pay) - food isn't extra. You can pick anything off the menu.Comes with drink and dessert.
Casa Bonita! I last went there.. um.. decades ago, when I was a child living in Colorado.
I have family that lives in Denver now, who have recently been to the "new" Casa Bonita and are going back again soon. I just asked them for their official review for DCSki readers. One family member said:
"We LOVE the new Casa Bonita! Food is SO much better than before! I concur that you don't go for the food. It is an experience, and one like no other! They have perfectly blended the past with the present to make it a destination to be enjoyed by all generations!"
The other family member concurred, and added:
"I don't think anyone in history has ever gone there for the food. Ever. It's just better than before. Which almost anything would be."
It's always good to spend a night in Denver anyway adjusting to the mile-high altitude, so experiencing Casa Bonita is not the worst suggestion I've heard. :)
Here are some photos my family members sent me from their last visit:
Well, I guess I'll add two of my Casa Bonita pics. You know you not at a typical Mexican Restaurant as soon as you drive up to the place.
Don;t know why the pics posted sideways.
