Casa Bonita-Fun Experience for the Whole Family

Denver, Colorado, Mexican Restaurant Offers Much More Than Food

Aug 17, 2009

Tourists to the Denver, Colorado, area will likely enjoy Casa Bonita. It's a lot more than food; it's entertainment for the entire family for an entire day.

Casa Bonita Mexican Restaurant, located in the Denver, Colorado, suburb of Lakewood, has been around since the 1970s. Tourists are encouraged to visit the restaurant-not for its food but for its atmosphere. Casa Bonita is much like an amusement park in that it can offer a family a full day's entertainment.

A Fun, Inviting, Family-Friendly Atmosphere

Casa Bonita's facade stands above the rest of the skyscape in Lakewood. The pink mission-like tower stands tall above other buildings nearby. As guests approach the restaurant, they will notice a fountain outside the doors.

Once inside, visitors are surrounded by an atmosphere unlike any other. Inside the actual dining area, most tables face the large 30-foot waterfall. Cliff divers and shows take place every few minutes, keeping diners entertained throughout their meal.

When guests are done eating, they can explore caves designed to look like the real thing and other unique eating areas.

Never a Dull Moment: Mariachis, Black Bart's Cave, and More

In addition to fun and entertainment around the waterfall, Casa Bonita boasts singing mariachis who wander around the restaurant. There are also several attractions for children, including the famous Black Bart's Cave (even adults can make it through if they duck); puppet shows; and pinata games. An arcade with games where players win tickets that can be exchanged for prizes will amuse both adults and children.

A gift shop contains both restaurant-themed souvenirs as well as other items. There are also several machines around the restaurant that offer some entertainment. One such machine will impress a restaurant symbol onto a penny for fifty cents.

The waterfall entertainment, however, is likely the most unique and enjoyable. It is often difficult to hear the actors because of the roar of the waterfall, but diners can watch gunfights and an "angry" gorilla. The cliffdivers are truly spectacular; after diving, they will often scale the volcanic-like walls and sometimes dive again immediately after!

Sopaipillas Best Thing on the Menu

Guests should not expect authentic Mexican fare, but every person entering the restaurant must buy a meal. In fact, Casa Bonita's menu tells diners that, due to the uniqueness of the restaurant, they "must require every person over two years of age to purchase a dinner before entering."

Again, the food is not the best Mexican food one will eat, but it is edible. The best value is a deluxe dinner which offers all-you-can-eat platters with free refills on everything. Vegetarians will note that there are no options for them, but the taco salad is served with the beef or chicken on the side.

Drinks, chips and salsa, and sopaipillas offer unlimited refills no matter what meal one purchases.

Value for the Entire Family

If a family intends to spend the day at Casa Bonita, it is a decent value for the money. If a family plans to watch several shows, explore every nook and cranny of the restaurant, and take some time in the arcade and gift shop, they can enjoy an entire afternoon in the restaurant for the same amount they would spend at an amusement park.

Nearby Places to Visit:

The copyright of the article Casa Bonita-Fun Experience for the Whole Family in Colorado Travel is owned by Cynthia Jones-Shoeman. Permission to republish Casa Bonita-Fun Experience for the Whole Family in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.