History of Casa Bonita in Timeline

"Casa Bonita" is a renowned Mexican restaurant situated in Lakewood, Colorado. Established in 1974, it initially belonged to a chain of entertainment-themed Mexican restaurants originating in Oklahoma City. Since its inception, the restaurant has garnered a devoted following among Colorado residents and is widely regarded as a beloved landmark in both Lakewood and the broader Denver metropolitan region.

1968: First Casa Bonita Opens in Oklahoma City

The very first Casa Bonita restaurant opened its doors in Oklahoma City in the summer of 1968, at a time when Mexican food was not as widespread in the area.

1968: Bill Waugh Opens the First Casa Bonita

The very first Casa Bonita restaurant was opened in 1968 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, by founder Bill Waugh, introducing the concept of a Mexican entertainment restaurant.

1969: Casa Bonita Opens in Little Rock

Expanding its reach, Casa Bonita opened a location in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1969, bringing its unique dining experience to a new city.

1971: Tulsa Welcomes Casa Bonita

The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, welcomed its own Casa Bonita restaurant in 1971, adding to the growing popularity of the chain.

1973: Construction of the Lakewood Casa Bonita

The construction of the Casa Bonita restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado, began in 1973, a year before it opened its doors to the public.

1974: Casa Bonita Opens its Doors

In 1974, the first Casa Bonita restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado, opened its doors to the public.

1982: Casa Bonita's Parent Company Sold

In 1982, Casa Bonita's parent company was acquired by Unigate, later known as Uniq plc, marking a change in ownership for the restaurant chain.

1992: CKE Restaurants Acquires Casa Bonita

Casa Bonita, along with other restaurant brands, was sold to CKE Restaurants, the owner of Carl's Jr., in 1992.

August 2, 1993: Little Rock Casa Bonita Rebrands as Casa Viva

On August 2, 1993, the Casa Bonita restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas, underwent a rebranding and became known as Casa Viva, under the ownership of the Waugh family.

1993: Oklahoma City Casa Bonita Closes

After serving customers for several years, the original Casa Bonita restaurant in Oklahoma City closed its doors in 1993.

1995: Casa Bonita Returns to Little Rock

After operating as Casa Viva for a period, the Little Rock restaurant reverted to its original Casa Bonita branding in 1995, signifying a return to its roots.

1997: Casa Bonita Joins Star Buffet

As part of a spin-off by CKE Restaurants, the remaining two Casa Bonita locations in Tulsa and Lakewood became part of Star Buffet in 1997.

September 2005: Tulsa Casa Bonita Closes its Doors

The Casa Bonita location in Tulsa, Oklahoma, closed in September 2005, reportedly due to unsuccessful lease negotiations.

September 30, 2005: Tulsa Casa Bonita Closes its Doors

On September 30, 2005, the Casa Bonita location in Tulsa, Oklahoma, shut its doors, marking the end of an era for the restaurant in that location.

2005: Little Rock Casa Bonita Closes Permanently

The Casa Bonita restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas, closed its doors permanently in 2005, marking the end of its run in the city.

May 2006: Casa Viva Opens in Tulsa

In May 2006, a new restaurant named Casa Viva opened its doors in the former location of Casa Bonita in Tulsa, attempting to capitalize on its legacy.

December 2007: Casa Viva Closes in Tulsa

After a brief attempt to rebrand as Casa Viva, the Tulsa Casa Bonita location closed its doors again in December 2007.

July 2008: Casa Bonita Returns to Tulsa

The Casa Bonita name made a comeback in Tulsa in late July 2008 when the restaurant reopened under its original branding after being sold back to a previous owner group.

2009: The Fray Album Release Party

The rock band The Fray chose Casa Bonita as the venue to celebrate the release of their self-titled second album in 2009.

February 2011: Tulsa's Casa Bonita Closes Again

Despite efforts to revive the Casa Bonita brand in Tulsa, the restaurant faced challenges and ultimately closed its doors once again in February 2011.

2011: Tulsa's Casa Bonita Closes Permanently

After experiencing difficulties following snowstorms, the Tulsa Casa Bonita location permanently closed its doors in February 2011, leaving the Lakewood restaurant as the last one standing.

March 2015: Casa Bonita: A Historic Landmark

Casa Bonita was officially designated as a historic landmark of the city of Lakewood, Colorado in March 2015.

March 2015: Lakewood Historical Society Recognizes Casa Bonita

Recognizing its cultural significance, the Lakewood Historical Society designated the Lakewood Casa Bonita as a city landmark in March 2015.

2015: Demolition of the Original Casa Bonita Building

The building that housed the first-ever Casa Bonita restaurant in Oklahoma City was demolished in 2015, marking the end of an era.

2018: Denver Broncos Announce Draft Picks

In 2018, the Denver Broncos made their NFL draft picks announcement from Casa Bonita, with the restaurant's magician adding to the entertainment.

2019: The Denver Post Features Casa Bonita's Unique Decor

In 2019, The Denver Post published an article about Casa Bonita highlighting its iconic decor, including the 30-foot indoor waterfall and the various themed rooms.

2019: Flame Juggling Extinguished at Casa Bonita

In 2019, flame juggling, a popular entertainment feature at Casa Bonita, was discontinued due to violations of the fire code.

March 2020: Casa Bonita Closes Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Casa Bonita temporarily closed its doors in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with state mandates that restricted in-person dining.

April 6, 2021: Summit Family Restaurants Files for Bankruptcy

Summit Family Restaurants, the owner of Casa Bonita, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Arizona on April 6, 2021.

April 2021: Casa Bonita Files for Bankruptcy

In April 2021, Summit Family Restaurants, the then-owner of Casa Bonita, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

August 2021: South Park Creators Purchase Casa Bonita

In August 2021, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of the animated sitcom South Park, announced their purchase of the iconic Colorado restaurant Casa Bonita.

September 23, 2021: South Park Creators to Purchase Casa Bonita

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone reached an agreement to purchase Casa Bonita on September 23, 2021, for $3.1 million, generating excitement among fans.

May 26, 2023: Casa Bonita's Soft Opening Under New Ownership

Casa Bonita hosted a soft opening on May 26, 2023, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the restaurant under the ownership of Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

June 23, 2023: Casa Bonita's Grand Reopening

After extensive renovations, Casa Bonita celebrated its grand reopening on June 23, 2023, under the new ownership of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

2023: South Park References Added to Casa Bonita

After the acquisition by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Casa Bonita incorporated references to their show, South Park, into the restaurant's decor in 2023.