Then and now: How the Casa Bonita menu has changed throughout the years

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Casa Bonita has come a long way.

The landmark underwent many changes from a once-bankrupt Mexican restaurant to a nostalgic spot with a waitlist for reservations . One of the biggest updates is its menu, which has consistently changed since the iconic restaurant’s opening in the 1970s.

In the past, some FOX31 viewers reported the food tasting like “TV dinners” and even giving one viewer food poisoning, while other viewers argued the restaurant’s menu improved after the “South Park” creators bought the bankrupt restaurant.

Casa Bonita’s menu over the years

While the food is up for debate among some viewers, the menu at the popular restaurant wasn’t always what it is now.

The Denver Public Library kept records of previous, undated Casa Bonita menus, which include all-you-can-eat dinners for under $6 and the option for American food, like a fried chicken dinner or southern fried steak.

Here’s a look at some of the restaurant’s menus throughout the years.

In the past, Casa Bonita had different types of food that are no longer on the menu, notably the tamales, along with kids’ menu entrees like the pony plate, drumstick plate and taco burger.

After the buy-out and remodel, Casa Bonita now serves Mexican classics like enchiladas, tacos, chicken mole and chile relleno, while the kid’s menu offers entrees like burritos, chicken tenders and hamburgers.

The food was also much cheaper and individually priced, as the menu is now a fixed price of around $40 for an adult. However, almost everything was cheaper back in the day.

Even with the ever-changing menu, other FOX31 viewers said the food is still not great after the remodel, although many people said they don’t visit the restaurant for the food, but for the memories and the atmosphere .

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