No, we don’t know when Casa Bonita will open. However we do know what it’ll appear like — largely.

You guys, you guys! We now have superior information: Casa Bonita goes to reopen quickly.

Oh, you knew that? Effectively, after greater than 100 journalists have been allowed in Friday, Could 26 — not coincidentally the fictional birthday of Kyle Broflovski, the “South Park” character who famously celebrated a birthday with buddies on the iconic Denver eatertainment idea in Season 7 — for a “particular press preview” of a small portion of the constructing, we nonetheless don’t know when that much-anticipated day might be. However we do know that the greater than $12 million poured into the place caused a number of adjustments.

Owned since 2021 by “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and providing a brand new menu courtesy of Dana Rodriguez (chef/proprietor of Work & Class, Tremendous Mega Bien and Cantina Loca), Casa Bonita hosted a sneak-peek operation that was as tightly managed as a presidential go to: Armed safety guards shepherded the teams into the constructing, and the checklist of guidelines included in a roundabout way quoting tour guides, asking questions or peeking into the numerous off-limits areas. We have been instructed that the restaurant desires some surprises left for the general public on opening day, every time it comes.

Right here’s crucial factor we did glean: The sopaipillas, from the identical recipe created to resist the challenges of deep frying at altitude, are nonetheless rectangular, crispy, flaky and drizzled with honey (in any other case, there may need been riots). And so they nonetheless come free with a meal, together with chips and salsa fresca.

The remainder of the menu is brief and candy, though costs have but to be revealed for the place whose motto as soon as was “Plenty of Meals. Peso Little.” Gone are the deluxe platters and combos that every one got here with an enchilada. As an alternative, the main focus is on brisker Mex and slightly fancier strategy: shrimp sautéed in adobo sauce, roasted hen mole negro, picadillo. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices can be found. Enchiladas are nonetheless an possibility, however they arrive with inexperienced and/or crimson chile (assuredly not the watery tomato paste recipe of yore). 

In the meantime, the super-fit cliff divers are again atop the waterfall, sporting snazzy red-and-white bathing fits, with extra feminine divers than there have been beforehand and a reconfigured pool (similar measurement, similar setup, simply safer). They nonetheless do the synchronized flips and spins.

Three newly constructed parts inside have expanded the area to 56,000 sq. toes from 54,000; a part of that could be a reworked entrance, which now not seems like an amusement park queue. As an alternative, friends are herded into a comfortable ready room made to appear like a Oaxacan city sq.. Additionally new: an elevator that brings the place into the ADA-compliant modern-day.

On the best way to the meals line — arrange as an exposition area, in order that friends can see all the things being ready from scratch — the revamped tortilleria now has a window for an up-close peek on the scorching masa-flattening motion. The large, gleaming kitchen can be new; the rework took it to the studs, digging down 2 toes and reinstalling the complete kitchen, which Rodriguez reportedly redesigned for effectivity. 

In the primary eating space, areas that have been candy-striped crimson and white have been repainted to look extra just like the room did when it opened in 1974 (that’s a giant theme right here, bringing again the unique look). Gone are the sticky partitions and the overwhelming odor of pool chemical substances that threatened to singe off your nostril hairs. Additionally they added extra loos, a much-needed repair for a spot that teems with toddlers. The outside sports activities a recent coat of paint from 300 gallons of what should by now be formally generally known as Pepto-Bismol pink. 

Phrase is {that a} comfortable opening is imminent and might be provided to randomly chosen individuals who have signed up for emails at casabonitadenver.com/e mail. So that you may not must kidnap Butters to get in, like Cartman did on the present, however with greater than 13,000 individuals on the unofficial Fb ready checklist, it might be time to begin trying round for that little dude.