Casa Bonita Restaurant Named Lakewood Historical Society Landmark

Have you ever been to Casa Bonita in Denver?

The popular Mexican restaurant on Colfax has been a destination for Cheyennites over the years and now has been designated as a Lakewood Historical Society Landmark.

Casa Bonita remains virtually unchanged since it opened in 1974. Inside the unique pink structure you'll find a waterfall, realistic palm trees, volcanic rocks, mining caves and plaster walls adorned with bullfighting posters.

In March, the restaurant's general manager was presented with a bronze marker honoring their new status as a Lakewood Historical Society Landmark. Casa Bonita was recognized not only for it's architecture, but for it's contribution to the community.

The restaurant employs about 200 people year-round and during the peak of the summer season that number grows to around 300 employees. Along with the usual food preparation workers and waitstaff, Casa Bonita also hires entertainers such as magicians, gunfighters, puppeteers and cliff divers.

While you eat, you can watch teenage divers plunge from the waterfall into the pool below, see girls being chased by a gorilla and enjoy a strolling Mariachi band. And if you're thirsty or just want more of their sopaipillas to stuff with honey, raise the flag on your table and a waiter will appear shortly to take your order.

There's also the spooky Black Bart's Cave to get lost in and an arcade with Skee-Ball and many other games where you can earn tickets for prizes. Even if the food's not great, Casa Bonita more than makes up for it with their atmosphere.