My dad was... Log in / Register. A third location in Little Rock, Ark., closed several months ago, he said. Highway in OKC. [13] The restaurant's website disappeared during the summer of 2020 sometime between July 7[14] and July 30. After housing other businesses, the building was demolished in 2015. Casa Bonita was reopened by Star Buffet under the original name in late July 2008. Casa Bonita in OKC at 39th & Portland was the founder of Taco Bueno The Oklahoma City location remained open until 1993, and the Tulsa location until 2011. In comparison to other Mexican restaurants, Casa Bonita is … Other episodes that mention it briefly are: "Quest for Ratings" (where a clock is labeled as showing the time at Casa Bonita), "You Have 0 Friends", "201" (where the restaurant is reportedly destroyed), and "Let Go, Let Gov". When I was a student at Oklahoma City University during the ’60’s, a bunch of us, on Sunday evening, would go to Casa Bonita to eat. Casa Bonita Menu . It also has a small puppet theater, a "haunted tunnel" called Black Bart's Cave, an arcade with a large skee-ball room, and a magic theater. Located in a 16,000-square-foot building that underwent extensive remodeling in 1986, the local Casa Bonita seats about 400 patrons. I've been there several times, and while the food is so-so the atmosphere more than makes up for it. By using this site you agree to Zomato's use of cookies to give you a personalised experience. Owners Bill and Francis Waugh decorated Casa Bonita in a fun, tropical Mexican style that was over-the-top compared to anything else in Oklahoma City at that time. The first Casa Bonita was opened in the summer of 1968 in Oklahoma City, at a time when Mexican food was considered a novelty in the area. They offer multiple other cuisines including Mexican, and Latin American. The fun started back in 1974, when there was also a Casa Bonita in Tulsa, Oklahoma. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Casa Bonita Apartments locations in South Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, OK. Casa Bonita is known for being an outstanding Mexican restaurant. “They’d raise the flag and a race would begin. Find 2 listings related to Casa Bonita Apartments in South Oklahoma City on YP.com. The last restaurant in the former chain, which is located in Lakewood, Colorado, has yet to reopen after the State of Colorado ordered all restaurants in the state to close in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The cheapest way to get from Oklahoma City to Casa Bonita costs only $81, and the quickest way takes just 3¼ hours. The music video for Collapsing Scenery's "Resort Beyond the Last Resort", directed by Kansas Bowling and starring Boyd Rice, was partially filmed at Casa Bonita. The restaurant actually got its start as a chain from Oklahoma City, although this Lakewood location is the last that remains. Founder Bill Waugh opened the first Casa Bonita restaurant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1968. The South Park connection comes about as the creators of the show and several staff of South Park recalled having fond memories frequenting the establishment as children in the Denver suburbs. The concept was so successful, founder Bill Waugh eventually opened Casa Bonita restaurants just outside of Denver, Little Rock, Ark., Fort Worth, Texas, and in Lakewood, Colo., a Denver suburb. Later in the day when the doors swung open, it was typical to see lines of hungry people waiting to make their way inside, eager for the unending supply of enchiladas, tacos and guacamole. I’m told that a person’s first job often sets the stage for the rest of their career; I feel lucky to have had Casa Bonita as my first.”. We would go through the All You Can Eat buffet line. This page has been set up by one Nostalgic lady who knows there are many more Nostalgic people who would love to see Casa Bonita come back to OKC. “Each year, they had an end-of-school party for all of us, and they’d give graduation presents to those who were finishing high school. By the mid-1970s, the chain had expanded to locations in adjacent states and was known for its "all you can eat" beef or chicken plates and offering sopapillas —small squares of … [12], In March 2020, the Lakewood location closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Colorado Governor Jared Polis stopped in-person dining for a two-month span from March 17 to May 26. The Registered Agent on file for this company is George M Wells and is located at 3601 Nw 39th St, Okc, OK 73112. In 1982, the company (including Taco Bueno fast food restaurants) was sold to Unigate (now Uniq plc). In the reboot of Roseanne, Casa Bonita is featured as the workplace of Becky Connor in Episode 4. There was also an unrelated northern Arizona chain of Mexican restaurants using the Casa Bonita name founded in 2003. Diners would go through a buffet line to get their food, and once they were at their table, their server was on the spot with a basket of chips and salsa. I'm on the young side though. Casa Bonita Locations . Unrelated to the Florida fast-food chain of the same name, it operated in the former Casa Bonita locations in Little Rock, This page was last edited on 2 January 2021, at 16:50. Our program serves the most difficult of the abuse and neglect cases in Oklahoma County. Eventually, Casa Bonita opened other locations in Tulsa and Denver. The Tulsa location opened in 1971 near the intersection of 21st and Sheridan. It was reopened, as Casa Viva, in May 2006[9] and then closed again in December 2007. When Casa Bonita opened in 1968, Mexican food was still a novelty in Oklahoma City. I didn't know OKC had a Casa Bonita... Crazy. On opening, it featured themed rooms, including the Garden Room and El Pokey, a room themed as a Mexican jail. Casa Bonita Tulsa, I-44/BA Interchange; View reviews, menu, contact, location, and more for Casa Bonita Restaurant. “The Waughs made it over-the-top fun for their employees, too,” Hogan says. Bring Back Casa Bonita to Oklahoma City. It was founded by Bill Waugh in Oklahoma city with the seating … As of 2015, only one location remained open, in the western Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colorado. The first Casa Bonita was opened in the summer of 1968 in Oklahoma City, at a time when Mexican food was considered a novelty in the area. In Eureka, a reference to "Casa Bonita" is made, where an "artificial intelligent" love-struck Andy, who is the deputy of the town Sheriff in the new alternate timeline, regards the sheriff's "artificial intelligent" house S.A.R.A.H. Casa Bonita (Spanish; literally means "pretty house") is a former chain of Mexican-themed "eatertainment" restaurants which originated in Oklahoma City. Casa Bonita In Tulsa Ok . Casa Bonita: Tulsa DiningGuide Restaurant Profile Page Other former employees are rejoining the staff of Casa Viva -- people such as Rick Cunningham, who started at the Little Rock Casa Bonita in 1969 at age 16. When Casa Bonita opened in 1968, Mexican food was still a novelty in Oklahoma City. Another unrelated restaurant of the same name is located in Libertyville, Illinois. Today, the Denver restaurant remains the only Casa Bonita in existence. Its various themed dining areas, with seating for over 500, included a village square with fountain, a 2-level lantern-lit cave, a tropical garden with 20-ft waterfall and stream, and a room resembling an aristocratic dining hall with a porch along with strolling mariachis. The Tulsa location also included a puppet and magic show theatre, a video arcade, a working carousel, and a gift shop. Casa Bonita (Spanish; literally means "pretty house") is a former chain of Mexican-themed "eatertainment" restaurants which originated in Oklahoma City. 165 likes. By the mid-1970s, the chain had expanded to locations in adjacent states and was known for its "all you can eat" beef or chicken plates and offering sopapillas—small squares of fried bread served with honey—with every meal. Casa Bonita Closed . The Oklahoma City location closed in 1993. The company's filing status is listed as Withdrawn and its File Number is 2310214837. The restaurant opened in 1968 at NW 39th and Portland, and was an immediate hit. as his "Casa Bonita" when stuck on Titan (Saturn's moon) by an accidental journey using the series' fictional "faster-than-light" technology. Please read the cookie policy for more information or to delete/block them. The restaurant was located along U.S. Route 66 at the intersection of NW 39th and Portland. In late July 2008, the restaurant, having been sold back to its previous owner group, reopened under the original Casa Bonita name. On opening, it featured themed rooms, including the Garden Room and El Pokey, a room themed as a Mexican jail. Casa Bonita Tulsa Mexican Restaurant . See all available apartments for rent at La Casa Bonita in Odessa, TX. Locations included Flagstaff, Cottonwood, Lake Havasu, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona, and Paradise Valley. Decorated in Santa Fe style, the casita’s front door opens into a small living room with a small kitchenette beyond. [5] In March 2015, it was announced that the Lakewood Historical Society decided to make the restaurant a historic landmark of the city. The Oklahoma City location closed in 1993. The restaurant opened in 1968 at NW 39th and Portland, and was an immediate hit. The former Casa Bonita building most recently housed a Chinese restaurant. The fact 405 Magazine is doing this story all these years later tells me it wasn’t just [me] who got more from Casa Bonita than a part-time paycheck.”, Black-Owned Businesses to Support in the 405, Photos courtesy of Oklahoma Historical Society, The Astounding Adventures of the Abernathy Boys. [16], The South Park episode "Casa Bonita" prominently features the Colorado branch of the restaurant. Casa Bonita locations remain open in Tulsa and Denver, Carnes said. La Casa Bonita has rental units ranging from 474-1675 sq ft starting at $695. “The job itself was just fun,” says Hogan, who started working at Casa Bonita in the late ’60s. For the South Park episode, see, The front façade of the Lakewood, Colorado Casa Bonita, "Star Buffet inks deal with 4B's Restaurants", "Fun-filled Casa Bonita to reopen: The original owners of the restaurant have returned", "City Casa Bonita To Close Doors After 26 Years", "Casa Bonita restaurant says adios to Tulsa: Its owner, Star Buffet Inc., is apparently in financial straits", "Casa Bonita named Lakewood Historical Society Landmark", "Casa Bonita workers say their checks have bounced, pay is missing", "After 34 years, Casa Bonita says farewell; Landmark restaurant in Tulsa closes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Casa_Bonita&oldid=997866774, Tourist attractions in Jefferson County, Colorado, Defunct restaurant chains in the United States, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Little Rock, Arkansas (1969–1993) (1995–2005), Casa Bonita founder Bill Waugh founded a similar restaurant concept, Casa Viva. Volunteer in Oklahoma County. Founder Bill Waugh opened the first Casa Bonita restaurant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1968. They were not related to the eatertainment franchise, and in 2011 they changed their name to Plaza Bonita. I remember customers telling me they came just to see us all working and having fun.”. True to founder Bill Waugh’s original concept — which opened under the Casa Bonita name in Oklahoma City in 1968 — the restaurant takes its moniker literally. CASA BONITA EQUIPMENT COMPANY: OKLAHOMA FOREIGN FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS CORPORATION: WRITE REVIEW: Address: 115 Sw 89th St Oklahoma City, OK 73139: Registered Agent: Manager of the Oklahoma City Casa Bonita is Roberto Brennand. The restaurant was located along U.S. Route 66 at the intersection of NW 39th and Portland. This is a very nice, clean stand-alone casita located in a neighborhood close to the University. [11] Similar in architecture to the Tulsa location (both were previously large retail store locations), the Lakewood restaurant seats over 1000 people at a time, and features strolling mariachis, flame jugglers (No longer allowed in 2019 for violating fire code), and a 30-foot (9.1 m) waterfall with cliff divers. “I think I was only 14 or 15. The “Deluxe All-You-Can-Eat” dinner was the specialty of the house. Casa Bonita is an Oklahoma Tradename filed on June 28, 1968. It closed on September 30, 2005,[4] due to a reported inability to reach suitable lease terms with the property owner. Free shipping for many products! [5] In February 2011, the restaurant failed to reopen after lengthy snowstorms hit Tulsa, and a sign on the door said it was closed for business. Although Casa Bonita’s Lakewood, Colorado location is famous for having a giant waterfall and ostentatious décor, the original Oklahoma City location … Home; Forums. Casa Juanito Oklahoma City; Casa Juanito, Del City; Get Menu, Reviews, Contact, Location, Phone Number, Maps and more for Casa Juanito Restaurant on Zomato. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}39°44′31″N 105°04′15″W / 39.741927°N 105.070828°W / 39.741927; -105.070828, This article is about the restaurant. She has enjoyed a long career as a reporter and editor for various newspapers and magazines, but said she will always fondly remember her days at Casa Bonita. In 1992, Unigate sold the restaurants to CKE Restaurants, owners of Carl's Jr.[2] In 1997, the two remaining Casa Bonita restaurants were spun off by CKE as part of Star Buffet. A visit to Casa Bonita, which had five locations — in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lakewood, Colorado; Fort Worth, Texas; and Little Rock, Arkansas — always promised a good time. He began Casa Bonita in Oklahoma City in 1968 and expanded to locations in Texas, Colorado and Arkansas. They worked right alongside us, treating us all as family, making it incredibly fun to work really hard and to feel like we were a part of making that restaurant a success.”. Hogan went on from her early start rolling enchiladas to receive a degree in journalism. In March, several employees reported that their most recent paychecks had bounced due to insufficient funds in the payroll account of Casa Bonita. Casa Bonita is the unique kind of chain of restaurant featuring Mexican based food with entertainment theme. “When they were seated, we would explain that all they had to do was raise this little flag on the table to get more of anything,” Hogan recalls. In 2015 it was declared a historic landmark of the city. [10], The Lakewood location was built in 1973 and opened in early 1974 on Colfax Avenue west of Denver, along U.S. Route 40/I-70 Business. Dave Yonge, now a manager at the Oklahoma City Casa Bonita that Unigate is closing soon, will be Casa Viva's manager. “I would hope someone has done a management study of places like Casa Bonita to try and capture how to make such a wonderful work environment,” she says. [8] The interior was designed to create the outdoor nighttime atmosphere of a Mexican village. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Matchbook - Casa Bonita Mexican Restaurant Oklahoma City OK FULL at the best online prices at eBay! ... Oklahoma City. Jun 12, 2016 - Bill Waugh opened the first Casa Bonita in Oklahoma City in 1968, and over the years a handful of ad... - Wikimedia Commons/ magnus manske Additionally, the building that houses South Park Studios was named after the restaurant.[26]. It was designated a historic landmark of the city in March 2015. Find the travel option that best suits you. Casa Bonita Restaurant . With its all-you-can eat Tex-Mex fare and family-friendly atmosphere, Casa Bonita was an Oklahoma City institution for 25 years until slumping sales forced it to close in 1993. Oklahoma Restaurants Business Info Name: CASA BONITA Type: Food Services -With Bar Address: 2120 S Sheridan Blvd, Tulsa , OK 74129 Phone: (480) 425-0397 License #: 69864 Owner: SUMMIT FAMILY RESTAURANT, INC Total inspections: 12 Last inspection: 11/08/10 Issued: 07/25/10 Expiration date: 07/25/11 Restaurant policy: Non Smoking [15] As of September 2020, the restaurant is still closed "due to Colorado-mandated regulations" during the pandemic. Dec 16, 2020 #97. [Elizabeth, 06/04/2005] Casa Bonita offers an over-the-top Mexican dining experience -- Tulsa features an indoor volcano and a waterfall. Going to Casa Bonita in OKC when I was a kid was a big deal. Casa Bonita Denver Co Closing . The large 52,000 square feet space seats more than 1,000 guests. After housing other businesses, the building was demolished in 2015.[6][7]. [3] The Tulsa location closed in September 2005,[4] then reopened for a 2-year run under the name Casa Viva, and went out of business in December 2007. In South Park: The Fractured But Whole, as part of the DLC, the main story is focused on the building. Annually, there are over 9,000 Oklahoma children in foster care. There is a Casa Bonita in Tulsa, OK similar to the one in Colorado. Amazingly enough, Casa Bonita was built in 1974 as part of a chain of Casa Bonitas that started in Oklahoma City. Casa Bonita out on the N.W. “I have to think it was a key to the chain’s eventual success, and I’m grateful for what a great work experience it was for so many of us. Cunningham will be the restaurant's assistant manager. Casa Bonita free Printable Coupons . Mexican Restaurant and Stage Show in Lakewood Casa Bonita’s notorious pink facade. Casa Bonita Oklahoma City As “the eyes and ears” of the judge, the CASA volunteer offers a neutral, third-party opinion to the court, one that is unbiased and child-focused. Owners Bill and Francis Waugh decorated Casa Bonita in a fun, tropical Mexican style that was over-the-top compared to anything else in Oklahoma City at that time. Rated 3 out of 5 by readers. These Denver, Colorado based restaurant was started in 1968 and currently considered as one of the best roadside food attraction. If you ever ate at Pancho's or Casa Bonita back in the day, you'll remember the type of plate - exact same thing. “The Waughs made it over-the-top fun for their employees, too,” Hogan says. But Whole, as part of the City in March, several employees reported that their most paychecks! Entertainment theme quickest way takes just 3¼ hours for more information or to delete/block them including Garden... 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