Fans itching to get into Casa Bonita can soon peek inside without leaving the comfort of their couch.
A documentary about its reopening, entitled “¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!,” will be available for streaming on Paramount+ starting Oct. 2.
The film follows “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, who famously purchased the Lakewood landmark out of bankruptcy in 2021, as they bring it back to life for Coloradans to enjoy.
“¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!” screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival before opening at theaters across the nation in September. This week will be the first time fans can stream the movie.
The documentary is a must-see for Denver-area fans because it’s hard to fathom how poorly the building had been maintained over the decades until you see it. Because they bought Casa Bonita out of bankruptcy, Stone and Parker did not conduct an inspection prior to purchase. That makes for some humbling moments as they seek to restore the venue to its former glory.
It’s easy to understand why Casa Bonita’s renovation took nearly two years once viewers see the dirt clogging the air vents and tumbling out of air ducts, metal posts rotting to become structurally unsound, and the layers of grime and fire damage throughout the kitchen. That’s even before you consider construction woes teams on the ground encountered, such as a 5,000-gallon-per-day leak in the new pool and having to redo a shoddy job on the kitchen floor.
“¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!” aptly captures this slice of Colorado culture by spotlighting the restaurant’s history, local events and personalities, including Gov. Jared Polis and chef Dana “Loca” Rodriguez, who was tapped to lead the kitchen. Viewers also get deep insight into how Parker reinvented entertainment within the venue, from the acclaimed cliff diving show to Black Bart’s cave and more.
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Our takeaway: Casa Bonita probably never would have reopened without the “South Park” and their $40 million budget. Read more about the movie here.
Casa Bonita is now open to the general public, though getting a reservation is still tricky due to overwhelming demand. All the more reason to visit vicariously through the film.