Long live Casa Bonita
Casa Bonita, known more for its cliff jumping and kitschy décor rather than its cuisine, has been in business since 1974, but was made famous when it was featured on a “South Park” episode in 2003. In April, however, the owners of Casa Bonita filed for bankruptcy, casting its future into doubt.
So who else better to step in to save the iconic establishment than the “South Park” creators?
Parker and Stone, both Colorado natives, said they have reached an agreement to purchase the historic restaurant. While the duo is excited to make necessary improvements (ahem, the food), Parker didn’t hide the ulterior motive.
“Of course everyone wants to jump off the cliff into the pool,” Parker said. “We actually had a private party at Casa Bonita when we opened ‘Book of Mormon.’ I (asked) can you (dive off the cliff) and the answer was, ‘No, you’d have to own the place.’”
Well, now they do.
As for the food, which has become notorious for how bad it is, the “South Park” creators are well aware there’s room for improvement. One recent reviewer on TripAdvisor, for instance, wrote, “I came away emotionally drained… feeling physically lousy from the bad food and deflated by the whole, sad experience.” Yikes.
Well it seems one Boulder restaurant is up to the task to change Casa Bonita’s one-star fare. McDevitt Taco Supply, vying for the chance to provide food service, wrote in an open letter to Parker and Stone that “Since 1974, the Colorado landmark has left an imprint on our hearts, and, most likely, our intestines. Casa Bonita has sucked for a very long time… but couldn’t it possibly suck just a little less?”
-
- 09/16/2021
- Priced out
- By Jamie Wanzek
-
How the local housing crunch is impacting the workforce
- Read More
-
- 09/16/2021
- To the bat cave!
- By Kathleen O'Connor
-
‘Bat walks’ take to the night skies to better appreciate our nocturnal neighbors
- Read More
-
- 09/16/2021
- Whitewashing no more
- By Pablo Zialcita / Colorado Public Radio
-
Fort Lewis College removes historical panels that glossed over school’s dark past
- Read More
-
- 09/09/2021
- Something in the water
- By Jonathan Romeo
-
Trying to get a handle on E. coli issues in the San Juan, Animas rivers
- Read More
- Girl power
- 09/16/2021
-
When Afghanistan once again fell into Taliban hands last month, Animas High School junior Maddy Glotfelty did not take the news sitting down. Glotfelty, a junior who is active with DEVO as well as Durango youth hockey, set about organizing a GoFundMe site to raise money to help women and girls under the oppressive regime, known for barring girls from attending school.
- Zine-versary
- 09/16/2021
-
Over a decade ago, Luke Mehall drove The Freedom Mobile, a tattered and graffitied 1988 Mazda, to Durango with hopes of making a fresh start. His only “professional” contact were the editors of this fine newspaper, who offered a hundred bucks for a freelance story.
- Philanthropy by the pint
- 09/09/2021
-
In honor of its 25th year in business, Steamworks Brewing Co. said it’s going to donate $1,000 to 25 different local nonprofits.
Steamworks opened its doors Sept. 14, 1996, and remains one of Durango’s most popular brewpubs in a town that loves its beer. As a way to mark its milestone, the Steamworks brass asked its employees to submit the names of some nonprofits they valued and wanted to donate to.
- Long & winding road
- 09/09/2021
-
If you’re thinking of driving over Highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray in the next few weeks, you’re gonna want to find a new route. Between Sept. 13-24, Red Mountain Pass will experience lengthy closures to allow for San Miguel Power Association to clear trees and vegetation around its power lines to reduce the potential of wildfires.