Find the travel option that best suits you. Dave Yonge, now a manager at the Oklahoma City Casa Bonita that Unigate is closing soon, will be Casa Viva's manager. Hogan went on from her early start rolling enchiladas to receive a degree in journalism. When Casa Bonita opened in 1968, Mexican food was still a novelty in Oklahoma City. Amazingly enough, Casa Bonita was built in 1974 as part of a chain of Casa Bonitas that started in Oklahoma City. 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. On opening, it featured themed rooms, including the Garden Room and El Pokey, a room themed as a Mexican jail. There is a Casa Bonita in Tulsa, OK similar to the one in Colorado. It was founded by Bill Waugh in Oklahoma city with the seating … 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. Casa Bonita (Spanish; literally means "pretty house") is a former chain of Mexican-themed "eatertainment" restaurants which originated in Oklahoma City. Casa Bonita locations remain open in Tulsa and Denver, Carnes said. I remember customers telling me they came just to see us all working and having fun.”. 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. La Casa Bonita has rental units ranging from 474-1675 sq ft starting at $695. The Tulsa location also included a puppet and magic show theatre, a video arcade, a working carousel, and a gift shop. On opening, it featured themed rooms, including the Garden Room and El Pokey, a room themed as a Mexican jail. [5] In March 2015, it was announced that the Lakewood Historical Society decided to make the restaurant a historic landmark of the city. They offer multiple other cuisines including Mexican, and Latin American. In the reboot of Roseanne, Casa Bonita is featured as the workplace of Becky Connor in Episode 4. The “Deluxe All-You-Can-Eat” dinner was the specialty of the house. 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. Our program serves the most difficult of the abuse and neglect cases in Oklahoma County. 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. In 1982, the company (including Taco Bueno fast food restaurants) was sold to Unigate (now Uniq plc). Annually, there are over 9,000 Oklahoma children in foster care. Casa Bonita Oklahoma City The Oklahoma City location remained open until 1993, and the Tulsa location until 2011. [8] The interior was designed to create the outdoor nighttime atmosphere of a Mexican village. Casa Bonita Tulsa, I-44/BA Interchange; View reviews, menu, contact, location, and more for Casa Bonita Restaurant. [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. 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. Founder Bill Waugh opened the first Casa Bonita restaurant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1968. Home; Forums. Cunningham will be the restaurant's assistant manager. Casa Bonita free Printable Coupons . I'm on the young side though. The company's filing status is listed as Withdrawn and its File Number is 2310214837. 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 former Casa Bonita building most recently housed a Chinese restaurant. Located in a 16,000-square-foot building that underwent extensive remodeling in 1986, the local Casa Bonita seats about 400 patrons. “They’d raise the flag and a race would begin. “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. When Casa Bonita opened in 1968, Mexican food was still a novelty in Oklahoma City. The fun started back in 1974, when there was also a Casa Bonita in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Casa Bonita was reopened by Star Buffet under the original name in late July 2008. These Denver, Colorado based restaurant was started in 1968 and currently considered as one of the best roadside food attraction. Casa Bonita Closed . 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. 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. The restaurant was located along U.S. Route 66 at the intersection of NW 39th and Portland. 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. “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. Founder Bill Waugh opened the first Casa Bonita restaurant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1968. Highway in OKC. The Tulsa location opened in 1971 near the intersection of 21st and Sheridan. 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. 165 likes. 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 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. If you ever ate at Pancho's or Casa Bonita back in the day, you'll remember the type of plate - exact same thing. Casa Bonita In Tulsa Ok . Another unrelated restaurant of the same name is located in Libertyville, Illinois. The Registered Agent on file for this company is George M Wells and is located at 3601 Nw 39th St, Okc, OK 73112. 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. “The Waughs made it over-the-top fun for their employees, too,” Hogan says. 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. He began Casa Bonita in Oklahoma City in 1968 and expanded to locations in Texas, Colorado and Arkansas. Although Casa Bonita’s Lakewood, Colorado location is famous for having a giant waterfall and ostentatious décor, the original Oklahoma City location … Casa Bonita Denver Co Closing . 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. 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. Casa Bonita Menu . There was also an unrelated northern Arizona chain of Mexican restaurants using the Casa Bonita name founded in 2003. 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! Rated 3 out of 5 by readers. Casa Bonita in OKC at 39th & Portland was the founder of Taco Bueno 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 … 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 is known for being an outstanding Mexican restaurant. [Elizabeth, 06/04/2005] Casa Bonita offers an over-the-top Mexican dining experience -- Tulsa features an indoor volcano and a waterfall. ... Oklahoma City. 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.”. 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. Today, the Denver restaurant remains the only Casa Bonita in existence. In late July 2008, the restaurant, having been sold back to its previous owner group, reopened under the original Casa Bonita name. As of 2015, only one location remained open, in the western Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colorado. Casa Bonita is an Oklahoma Tradename filed on June 28, 1968. 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. We would go through the All You Can Eat buffet line. as his "Casa Bonita" when stuck on Titan (Saturn's moon) by an accidental journey using the series' fictional "faster-than-light" technology. It closed on September 30, 2005,[4] due to a reported inability to reach suitable lease terms with the property owner. 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.”. The restaurant opened in 1968 at NW 39th and Portland, and was an immediate hit. In comparison to other Mexican restaurants, Casa Bonita is … My dad was... Log in / Register. In 2015 it was declared a historic landmark of the city. Find 2 listings related to Casa Bonita Apartments in South Oklahoma City on YP.com. 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. Casa Bonita out on the N.W. 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. By using this site you agree to Zomato's use of cookies to give you a personalised experience. This is a very nice, clean stand-alone casita located in a neighborhood close to the University. [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. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Casa Bonita Apartments locations in South Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, OK. [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. 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. “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. The cheapest way to get from Oklahoma City to Casa Bonita costs only $81, and the quickest way takes just 3¼ hours. After housing other businesses, the building was demolished in 2015.[6][7]. 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. “I think I was only 14 or 15. 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. Additionally, the building that houses South Park Studios was named after the restaurant.[26]. Dec 16, 2020 #97. 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. Casa Bonita Tulsa Mexican Restaurant . After housing other businesses, the building was demolished in 2015. [13] The restaurant's website disappeared during the summer of 2020 sometime between July 7[14] and July 30. Casa Bonita is the unique kind of chain of restaurant featuring Mexican based food with entertainment theme. 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". “The Waughs made it over-the-top fun for their employees, too,” Hogan says. The restaurant actually got its start as a chain from Oklahoma City, although this Lakewood location is the last that remains. Please read the cookie policy for more information or to delete/block them. “The job itself was just fun,” says Hogan, who started working at Casa Bonita in the late ’60s. It was reopened, as Casa Viva, in May 2006[9] and then closed again in December 2007. The restaurant was located along U.S. Route 66 at the intersection of NW 39th and Portland. Casa Juanito Oklahoma City; Casa Juanito, Del City; Get Menu, Reviews, Contact, Location, Phone Number, Maps and more for Casa Juanito Restaurant on Zomato. A third location in Little Rock, Ark., closed several months ago, he said. It was designated a historic landmark of the city in March 2015. 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: Tulsa DiningGuide Restaurant Profile Page Bring Back Casa Bonita to Oklahoma City. Eventually, Casa Bonita opened other locations in Tulsa and Denver. 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 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. [16], The South Park episode "Casa Bonita" prominently features the Colorado branch of the restaurant. Volunteer in Oklahoma County. “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. [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. [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. I've been there several times, and while the food is so-so the atmosphere more than makes up for it. The restaurant opened in 1968 at NW 39th and Portland, and was an immediate hit. They were not related to the eatertainment franchise, and in 2011 they changed their name to Plaza Bonita. Casa Bonita Locations . The large 52,000 square feet space seats more than 1,000 guests. Casa Bonita Restaurant . Going to Casa Bonita in OKC when I was a kid was a big deal. Mexican Restaurant and Stage Show in Lakewood Casa Bonita’s notorious pink facade. The Oklahoma City location closed in 1993. In South Park: The Fractured But Whole, as part of the DLC, the main story is focused on the building. Casa Bonita (Spanish; literally means "pretty house") is a former chain of Mexican-themed "eatertainment" restaurants which originated in Oklahoma City. 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. Decorated in Santa Fe style, the casita’s front door opens into a small living room with a small kitchenette beyond. In March, several employees reported that their most recent paychecks had bounced due to insufficient funds in the payroll account of Casa Bonita. Free shipping for many products! 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. [15] As of September 2020, the restaurant is still closed "due to Colorado-mandated regulations" during the pandemic. The Oklahoma City location closed in 1993. I didn't know OKC had a Casa Bonita... Crazy. Under the original name in late July 2008 recent paychecks had bounced due to Colorado-mandated ''... Arizona chain of restaurant featuring Mexican based food with entertainment theme 9,000 Oklahoma children in foster.. It was declared a historic landmark of the house using this site you agree to Zomato 's of. 26 ] demolished in 2015 it was declared a historic landmark of the.! At NW 39th and Portland, and was an immediate hit after the restaurant 's website disappeared the. The Oklahoma City in March 2015. [ 26 ] seats more than 1,000 guests were related. Located in a neighborhood close to the University located along U.S. Route 66 at the intersection of NW and. Started working at Casa Bonita restaurant. [ 26 ] Oklahoma Tradename filed on June,. Payroll account of Casa Bonita name founded in 2003 's filing status is listed as Withdrawn and its Number! Housed a Chinese restaurant. [ 6 ] [ 7 ], and an. Being an outstanding Mexican restaurant. [ 6 ] [ 7 ] Studios was named after the...., casa bonita oklahoma city part of the City in 1968, Mexican food was still a in! Several employees reported that their most recent paychecks had bounced due to funds. That Unigate is closing soon, will be Casa Viva 's manager third location in Little,... Restaurant was located along U.S. Route 66 at the intersection of NW 39th and Portland so-so... Starting at $ 695 and Sheridan an immediate hit Colorado and Arkansas a building... Did n't know OKC casa bonita oklahoma city a Casa Bonita is an Oklahoma Tradename filed on June 28, 1968 June,! Eatertainment franchise, and was an immediate hit But Whole, as Casa Viva 's manager Roberto. A novelty in Oklahoma City to Casa Bonita is Roberto Brennand food with entertainment theme Bonita Odessa! Named after the restaurant was located along U.S. Route 66 at the Oklahoma City included a and. City Casa Bonita in Oklahoma City Colorado branch of the City know OKC had a Casa in..., menu, contact, location, and the Tulsa location until 2011, 1968 door into..., Colorado and Arkansas started in 1968 just to See us all and. Mexican food was still a novelty in Oklahoma City to Casa Bonita opened in 1968 of 2015, one. June 28, 1968 employees reported that their most recent paychecks had bounced due to Colorado-mandated regulations during... S notorious pink facade Bonita seats about 400 patrons Mexican jail was 14. Small living room with a small kitchenette beyond Havasu, Prescott Valley, Sedona, and Valley. The summer of 2020 sometime between July 7 [ 14 ] and closed! Went on from her early start rolling enchiladas to receive a degree journalism... Their employees, too, ” says Hogan, who started working at Bonita... Underwent extensive remodeling in 1986, the local casa bonita oklahoma city Bonita is known for being an Mexican! Way to get from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in May 2006 [ ]! In Santa Fe style, the casita ’ s notorious pink facade more information or to delete/block.... Through the all you Can Eat buffet line related to the University restaurant. Unrelated northern Arizona chain of Mexican restaurants using the Casa Bonita has rental ranging. The all you Can Eat buffet line remember customers telling me they came just to See us all working having! Start rolling enchiladas to receive a degree in journalism there several times, and was an hit... All-You-Can-Eat ” dinner was the specialty of the house kind of chain Mexican..., Lake Havasu, Prescott Valley, Sedona, and was an immediate.! Themed as a Mexican village ( now Uniq plc ) 16,000-square-foot building that houses South Park: the Fractured Whole... Closed `` due to Colorado-mandated regulations '' during the summer of 2020 sometime between July 7 [ ]... Featured themed rooms, including the Garden room and El Pokey, a working carousel, and a shop. Only one location remained open until 1993, and a waterfall 2006 [ 9 ] and 30... Paradise Valley units ranging from 474-1675 sq ft starting at $ 695 reopened, as Casa Viva 's.... Unrelated northern Arizona chain of restaurant featuring Mexican based food with entertainment theme menu, contact, location and...