LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A new era at Casa Bonita began on Monday.
Casa Bonita opened reservations to the public after more than a year of hosting dinners on an invite-only basis. The Lakewood restaurant — known for cliff divers, a pirate cave and sopapillas — opened reservations to the public beginning at 3 p.m. Monday at casabonitadenver.com.
Earlier this month, Casa Bonita launched a Founders Club for people who signed up for its email list. Founders Club members had early access to reservations at 9 a.m. Monday, as well as other deals and discounts.
9News producers Britney Reader and Jack Linnehan were two of the thousands of people who attempted to get a reservation on Monday morning.
"It’s just like a Denver thing," Reader said. "It’s like the ultimate childhood place, and no one judges you, and you have fun."
"The nice thing about this long line is it gives me time to think," Linnehan added.
Once they are out of the queue, customers have about 12 minutes to complete their reservation. As reservations open to the public, guests will no longer be required to pay for their meal before they arrive and will receive table service. Customers also must enter a credit card in order to book a reservation.
Everyone over the age of 3 will still be required to order an entrée, Casa Bonita said.
Reservations on Monday were for dining dates beginning Oct. 1 and going through November. Those who previously received an invitation link to purchase tickets can still book a table for dates through Sept. 30.
While thousands attempted to get a reservation Monday morning, not everyone succeeded. Kris Brady told 9NEWS he got into the pre-queue at 7 a.m. He made it to the reservation page but was told his table was taken before he could pay for it and was booted to the back of the line.
"Immediately was met with their website telling me I was 9,000 and something in line," he said. "I was mortified. My mom was in tears because she was looking forward to doing this with the kids, and it was more than a little heartwrenching."
A number of people reached out to 9NEWS and said around 11:20 a.m., the queue for Founders Club members closed, so anyone who still in line at that point likely didn't get a reservation.
9NEWS reached out to Casa Bonita about the issues people were having and they did not want to comment at this time.
The Denver-area Mexican restaurant filed for bankruptcy in 2021, after the pandemic hit. "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone bought the restaurant, gave it a reported $40 million worth of renovations, and partnered with James Beard award nominee Dana Rodriguez to update the menu.
Casa Bonita reopened in June 2023. Since then, reservations have been available only to people who received an invite through an email signup list. Walk-ins were not accepted.
A documentary on the restaurant and renovation, "¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!" premiered this month at the Telluride Film Festival.
