Casa Bonita: Go for the thrills, not the food

While Casa Bonita remains accessible only via a closely guarded ticket lottery , it is consistently packed, even on a Wednesday night.

The big picture: I scored one such ticket to the "greatest restaurant in the world" with a group that included native Coloradans who hadn't yet revisited the reopened version — and newbies who had never been (nor seen the infamous "South Park" episode ).

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Verdict from a native: "It is exactly how I remember."

Verdict from a newbie: "I am so stimulated I don't know where to look."

Zoom in: One can easily spend hours inside the revamped ( tipping-free ) restaurant. The every-20-minutes cliff diving, arcade, puppet show, Black Bart's cave experience and Sorsoro's magic show are engaging for all ages.

• Yes, but: Beware the financial toll of the tempting "El Mercado" gift shop. (You can also visit that online .)

As for the food? "I wouldn't go because of the food ... but I wouldn't not go because of the food," said one member of my group.

• "Good, not great," said another. "You pay for the attractions."

What we're watching: Casa Bonita's owners and "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone told the Denver Post last month they hoped to open reservations broadly in "late summer."

💭 My thought bubble: I've truly never been to a restaurant like this one. The randomized lottery system is frustrating and unpredictable, but based on the crowds, it seems to be working.

• And I'll neither confirm nor deny that my dog now wears a Casa Bonita collar .

The El Mercado gift shop may take a hit on your wallet. Photo: Emma Hurt/Axios While Casa Bonita remains accessible only via a closely guarded ticket lottery, it is consistently packed. Photo: Emma Hurt/Axios