Fine Dining - The Story of Casa Bonita feat. Ify Nwadiwe

Episode Date: November 6, 2024

As seen on South Park! Casa Bonita, an institution near Denver, Colorado blends the kitsch of a sprawling indoor theme park with Mexican food, and Ify Nwadiwe (Dropout TV, Um Actually, Maximum Film) is here to learn all about it with me The location that everyone knows and loves isn't the original Casa Bonita, which used to have locations in four different states The Secret Menu: Edible TV Shows I name the winner of the Septemburger $500 giveaway The South Park creators buy Casa Bonita and find themselves hemorrhaging money to the tune of $42 million to restore it A Yelper desperately tries to convince us that post-renovation Casa Bonita is clean now, and we don't know how good we have it "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (My October Patreon exclusive episode about Mr. Chow came out on Halloween! Go check out the episode about a place that is expensive for expensive's sake), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas   Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Send in your Cook Out stories at [e-mail].   Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Ify on Instagram @ifynwadiwe   Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one!   Next week on "Fine" Dining: Casa Bonita Review [Part Two]! Ify Nwadiwe is back to break down the Good, the Not Good, and everything that was Just There at this experience that is way more about the atmosphere than the food. Ever work at Casa Bonita? Send your stories to [e-mail].

Casa Bonita, the restaurant that's more theme park than dining experience. You've probably heard the legends, cliff divers, puppet shows, and questionable Mexican food. Today we're stepping into the world of Casa Bonita, a restaurant that's as famous for its entertainment as it is infamous for its cuisine. Casa Bonita opened its doors in Lakewood, Colorado in 1974 and quickly became a beloved, if not bizarre, landmark. Where else can you enjoy a plate of enchiladas before watching a magic show? It's like the Disneyland of dining if Disneyland served bottomless sopapillas and had a weird haunted cave for some reason.

But did you know that South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone loved Casa Bonita's Kitsch so much that they bought the place in 2021? Despite its charm, Casa Bonita has been the butt of many a joke. The question is, can the immersive environment make up for the infamous food quality, or is Casa Bonita simply coasting off of its quirky reputation. Today, I do a dive of my own into the history of Casa Bonita to answer that question. This is the Fine Dining Podcast. Your table is ready, take a seat. The flavor of the day is mediocrity. Wouldn't you like to try a five?

Guarantee it'll be the perfect five. Fine dining, better than you thought, worse than you hoped. Fine dining, we don't treat media per ad as a joke. Ranking every single place we've been, looking for the perfect five out of ten. This week to cover the history, the man who made the trek with me all the way to Denver, Colorado, Ify Wadiwe, the host of Um, Actually, the host of multiple podcasts, our relationship pod, TV chef fantasy league. So you're in the food realm. the host of multiple podcasts, our relationship pod, TV Chef Fantasy League. So you're in the food realm. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And then, you know, Maximum Film and now Bicherton. I truly was hyped to do this because I love a... The way that me and Em kind of approach going to restaurants is, you know, as much as we love going to, like like a fine dining, like, you know, Michelin star winning cam four in the arts district in L.A., we also love a yard house. You know, we love a diner. And I think that's part of the food experience. Everyone approaches dining from a different place. Yeah.

everyone approaches dining from a different place. Yeah. So this is a part one episode. We're going to cover the history and Yelp reviews of Casa Bonita. And then we'll get all into our thoughts on their food and food in general and just the restaurant experience next week. Do you have any history with Casa Bonita other than us going? Not, no, really, like know, like I told you there, and now you can see. I was like, oh, I really don't,

I remember the rumblings during the pandemic when Trey and Matt bought it. Like I remember that discussion happening, but I didn't see the episode, but you know, Em is like really tapped into like food stuff. So she knew all about it and she was like, yo, no, this is. We gotta go. Yeah, we gotta go.

Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm glad you joined me. We're going to jump into the history. We're going to jump into this week's Eat Deets. Ooh. Eat Deets. Eatery Details.

Eatery details. Colorado is not the original home of Casa Bonita. Founder Bill, oh God, I don't know how to say it. It looks like laugh, but with a W. Would you say wah? Would you say wah? Yeah, Bill wah. Bill wah. I'll say wah.

Opened the first Casa Bonita restaurant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1968. They later expanded to Tulsa, Little Rock, Arkansas, Fort Worth, Texas, and Lakewood, Colorado. So in a show that covers chain restaurants, I technically still am, even though there is one remaining. The inside of the building has different themes representing regional Mexican architecture. Some things depict Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara.

I feel like I just slipped into having kind of a proper Mexican pronunciation. It's in your blood. But it was literally, I stumbled over my own tongue. Look, you know, you killed it. That was your ancestors taking over. It's like, nah? I got your back. The statue on top of the golden dome is of Quahadimac, the last Aztec emperor.

Did you notice that there was like a golden? Yeah, no, I didn't even notice that. I started like looking at the pictures of the. Yeah, that's wild. Yeah. Yeah. By the mid 1970s the chain had expanded to adjacent states and was known for its all-you-can-eat beef or chicken plates and offering sopapias small squares of fried bread served

with honey with every meal so sopapias are very interesting to me because I grew up in LA so I was like had you ever ever had them? No, that's why it's so surprising me. I've never even really heard of them because I grew up in the part of Compton that was like smushed up against like the black and Mexican community were just kind of like neck, just a melting pot there. So, and I went to Catholic school,

which like predominantly mostly, you know, Mexican folks in that neighborhood would go to, which like predominantly, mostly, you know, Mexican folks in that neighborhood would go to. But there was it was a mix. Same thing. It was a melting pot. I don't know why I keep using melting pot, especially since I'm talking about. Yes. You're just trying to be on brand. Yeah, I'm just being on brand. Yeah. Yeah. I, you know, I had Champurrado growing up. You know, the the abas, kind of hot cocoa.

They would have these like flat, like cinnamon sugar tortilla dishes. But so I've considered myself mostly well versed in Mexican food. What I find interesting is I didn't grow up in, I kind of grew up in Texas. Like I was born in Chicago, but like from fifth grade through college, I was in Austin.

Oh yeah. And then I've been out here 12 years or so. And the Mexican food cultures are just, it's not even that they're like different quality. They are, you know, they're just like different types of offerings, but like you can tell that the regions south of Texas have inspired the Texan version of Mexican cuisine while the region south of California have inspired

the California Mexican cuisine. So they're kind of like, you know, like within the U S itself, the food in the south versus like the food in the Midwest, you know, it's just differently regional. And I think we have this catch all expectation that all Mexican food in the Midwest, you know, it's, it's just differently regional. And I think we have this catch all expectation that all Mexican food be the same, which is wild because that's a whole country, you know, even with like Indian food and Italian food, there's like variation. So it's like there's Neapolitan pizza.

Like there is a style of pizza, despite, you know, but yeah, you know, we just put a stamp on it and then it's your your whatever version of that that you've had. Yeah. Which is always so interesting. And it's something I didn't really notice until we just talked about it right now. Where it's like, oh yeah, we do that. So that being said, have you had sopapillas before this?

Yes, I had them in Texas before. So Texas has sopapillas. But I wouldn't say they're like a big thing there, but they're enough of a thing that like you can find them on a menu. OK. Yeah. And we'll talk about the specific sopapillas we had next week. But they're a delight. Oh, yeah. I was a fan.

In 1982, Casa Bonita's parent company, which also owned Taco Bueno fast food restaurants, was sold to Unigate, later Unique PLC. In 1992, Unigate sold the restaurant to CKE Restaurants, owner of Carl's Jr. Wow. I love knowing like what's under the umbrella and when you find out Carl's Jr. and Casa Bonita.

Yeah. Or like Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby's have the same parent company. Really? Wow. They're all, like all those things where it Or like Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby's have the same parent company. Really, wow. They're all, like all those things where it's like you buy a gift card to Chili's and it has like seven other things on there. Or like the Darden Group, Olive Garden,

you know, stuff like that. Well, for me, it's always wild that they don't just do more collaborations. Like I'd love to see what an Arby, Buffalo Wild Wings collab with a lot. Oh yeah. I think we're getting to the age where stuff like that might be happening just

because the, you know, the trendy X between two big names being this big cultural statement these days. Yeah, we love a cinematic universe. So now we're getting into the dynomatic universe. The Darden, the Darden, DC, dynomatic diningematic Universe. Yes. Yeah. In 1997, the two remaining Casa Bonita restaurants in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Lakewood, Colorado, were spun off by CKE as part of Star Buffet. The Tulsa location closed in September 2005, reopened for two years as Casa Viva and closed again in 2007. Damn. Star Buffet reopened the Tulsa location under the original name in late 2008,

but it closed again in 2011, leaving the Lakewood location as the last Casa Bonita. So they've struggled. So, but what I'm curious about, and I don't know if you're going to get into this later or was all of the locations like the Lakewood location? I did not find one way or another, Was all of the locations like the Lakewood location? I did not find one way or another, but I'm just going to assume that like, this is the thing about the place.

Yeah, because you know, there's part of me that was like, oh man, I don't get why, but then I think of like things like DZ Discovery Zone, not existing longer. Oh my gosh. So this is the second time in podcast history that DZ has come up. And my friend Kelly, who guessed it on the episode where she mentioned DZ to me, she just sent me like the other day, a commercial from the 90s for DZ. And like all these things came flooding back.

I had a Discovery Zone. I think I had two or three birthday. Like, I loved a DZ. And something I had two or three birthday. Like, yeah, loved a DZ. And something about that rolling slide just seems so rad. I know. And I think that's one of the reasons that, cause there was a lot of injuries with that rolling slide. It's literally the thing that excites me about getting a massage roller.

I'm like, Oh, I'm at DZ again. I get like four of them and just like make a line. Yeah. Just rolling around in your living room. All right. In 2003, Colorado-based animated juggernaut South Park did an episode about Casa Bonita in which one of the boys, Kyle, was able to take three friends with him to the establishment.

He snubs Eric Cartman in favor of Timmy, with Kyle telling Cartman that he can go- Um, actually. Um, actually. Um, actually. Oh! It was butters. The alarm's going off. Oh, there's going to be cool VFX. Oh, your house is shaking. You're- Oh, there's water filling up. Are you okay?

Yeah, yes. Yes. You just said the secret word that unlocks the secret menu. And just in honor of you, it was um, actually. Oh wow. I put a false fact in there. Okay.

It was butters that he took to Casa Bonita, not Timmy, but you and I get to play a game now. Okay. So the secret menu is a game where we get a category that pertains to this week's specific restaurant and we sling jokes about it back and forth for a minute. We put a minute on the clock and listeners at home play along, say who won between Ify and I,

comment your own submission to this week's category and you can win a fine dining t-shirt. This week's category is edible TV shows. Yummy yummy yummy right? So examples of this are South Pork or Party of Five Guys. So I'm gonna put one minute on the clock. You can start and we'll just slingshot back and forth. Three, two, one, go.

Family platters. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Dairy Queen's Gambit. Ooh, okay, okay. This doesn't rhyme, but I don't care. Stranger shrimps.

That doesn't rhyme. Sometimes you just gotta go for it. Sometimes you gotta go for the reach. You don't just let it go. The fall of the house of pancakes. Ooh, that's good. That's a good one. Okay.

Shrimpsons. Ah, okay. See, that's shrimp used in a good way. Yeah. Euphoria. Oh my God, you got some bangers. Game of bone marrow. Oh, you took me on a walk.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Future ramen. Oh, damn. That's okay. All right. It's another ramen one, but that's so ramen. Ah, okay. I like that one.

Bob's big boy bang theory. Charmed. This one is better. You have to read it. There's a dash between the C-H-R. Charmed. That's our minute. Who won? Comment below.

We're going to get back to Eat Deeds. But here is the winner from last time. YouTube user Ahchoo1112 for their entry for delicious hassles, egg washing your car and then it rains. Amazing. Thanks for your submission. Go ahead, DM me on Instagram or TikTok at FindDiningPodcast or send me an email, finddiningpodcast

at gmail.com and I'll get your shirt sent your way. Everyone else, thanks for playing and better luck this time. Okay, so it was Eric Cartman who got snubbed in favor of Butters with Kyle telling Cartman that he can go if a spot opens up. This leads to Cartman kidnapping Butters for an extended period of time, hiding him in a bomb shelter while gaslighting him into believing he's saving his life. As the town rallies around finding the lost boy, Cartman feels the pressure mounting as the fabled visit to Casa Bonita is within his grasp. Of course, Butters is discovered as Cartman is en route to Casa Bonita, causing him to burst inside and speed run the restaurant's offerings from Black

Bart's Cave and watching the cliff divers to raising the sopopea flag. He's eventually apprehended while asked if it was all worth it. His one word response? Totally. I don't do the best carbon. That was pretty good though. The entire scene was only 85 seconds long, but the cultural impact was significant. You only see Casa Bonita for 85 seconds of that episode. Wow. Yeah. But it's regarded as the Casa Bonita episode. And it's, it's one of my favorite South Park episodes. Like it's super fun. Yeah.

And I like, I love the South Park episodes where it's like, let the boys be the most heightened version of the things you think about when you're a kid. Yes. And like, you know, who didn't think about kidnapping their friend. Yeah. Yeah. I just need you to be gone for this. I am on a list somewhere.

Yeah. I cannot fly. The Lakewood Historical Society designated the restaurant as a city landmark in March 2015. Before the whole shift in ownership. In 2018, the Denver Broncos announced their draft picks at Casa Bonita with the help of the resident magician. Wow. Yeah. I don't know if of the resident magician. Wow. Yeah.

I don't know if it was Sorcero still. Yeah. Or if it was just. Sorcero was great. Swipe them out. Yeah. In March, 2020, Casa Bonita closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Colorado governor Jared Polis banned in-person dining from March 17th to May 26th.

In March, several employees reported that their most recent paychecks had bounced due to insufficient funds in the Casa Bonita payroll account. You know, what's so interesting about this is, you know, this, you know, lockdown was hard for everyone. And, you know, because especially a lot of like, if you weren't like an essential worker, you just weren't working, especially like, you know, because especially a lot of like, if you weren't like an essential worker, you just weren't working, especially like, you know,

in the industry, it was so hard. But the time that that happened was so quick, you know, like, you know, most people started feeling the heat around summer, like financially. And it seems like Casa Bonita, like lockdown happened and they were closed for a week and they're like, we have no more money. Dude, my favorite diner in Burbank gave up a week into the pandemic.

Well, that's what I was going to say is like, is wild how many businesses kind of living like day to day? They're just like throwing the towel at the first sign of distress. Yeah. Well, it's like, they're like, hey, we only had money to keep the lights on if we made today's money. Yeah, it's like day to day. Like they're like, yeah, we don't have the money

for your paychecks because that money was the money we were making. Right. Like that is, you know, I think that, you know, if you're having a hard time in life as a person and you know, the job market is so trash right now, and you feel bad trying to survive, just know whole ass businesses

going through the same thing. And they're people too. Corporations are people too. They're not. They should be doing way better, but they're out here. Yeah, no, it is crazy. And like I did Houston's,

have you been to Houston's in Pasadena? Oh, no, I haven't. So I mean, they're, Hillstone is the name of the parent company. They have like 15 names that they operate under, but they're the same restaurant nationwide. Oh, wow. It's weird. And they make like quite a bit of revenue in a single night.

And it's just like, you need that cashflow. they make like quite a bit of revenue in a single night. And it's just like, you need that cashflow. Like one day is like the difference of six figures. Oh yeah. And when you really think about that too, yeah. And it's, well, I'm just thinking, especially like a business, like that diner, it's like, all right, it seems like y'all were kind of tough.

And they had already cut back from being a 24 seven diner to like's like, all right, it seems like y'all were kind of tough. And like- They had already cut back from being a 24 seven diner to like, now we close at midnight. Like writing was on the wall. But I feel like a place like Casa Bonita, it seems after being there, it seems like something that is so expensive to run. Yeah.

Like I can see why they're like, we didn't make money today. Yeah. We're done. Well, let's talk about money in Casa Bonita because on September 23rd, 2021, South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone reached an agreement to purchase the restaurant for $3.1 million. A group named save Casa Bonita filed an objection to Parker and Stone's purchase,

pointing out that they had in fact made an offer first. So there were some people who didn't enjoy that. But they didn't enjoy it because they made an offer first. Right. They were competing and I, I wonder if it was like a competitive offer, but they felt like due to the celebrity, they went with. Probably because there was something similar that, that happened, but I'm like, as annoying as that is, I think that the, like, like, like the infrastructure of these rich people who are successful in the entertainment industry,

who run their entertainment businesses, versus a group of people who really like the place who like pull together money, I think I kind of want it in their hands, not to say- Sure. No, because I'm like, I think about earlier in the story when you were saying how many times the one in Tulsa tried to reopen and close.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was like, that seems like the journey for that because these group of people, it's like, I would need to look into more of the people. So this is just me assuming that this is just a group of people. And I'm assuming because it was called Save Casa Bonita. So just a group of people who, like, love the kitch. It almost sounds like it was a crowdfunded effort or something.

Exactly. Versus, like, I think that isn't just celebrity at that point. It's just the business being like... I'd rather have two owners than like 17 or you know. That was gonna be my next thing. The old office lottery ticket debacle, which have you ever worked in an office that was doing that? Mm-mm. Or like if you buy one and it wins

and you all pooled it who like. Yeah, exactly. Because I remember I used to work for the county and they would do that. And they're like, yeah, we just go in and then we can buy more and there's more chances to win. And I was like, yeah, but I don't trust y'all to actually hold true to your word.

I smell like based on, I work with y'all every day. Whoever, I don't know who's in charge. No one said who's in charge of holding the ticket. And then in that case, if there's a winner who, you know, yeah, no, you need it in writing, like in advance to be like, this is our process. And then it gets like, you're making contracts with friends, which feels weird. Yeah. Oh, we work together.

We weren't friends. And I do not make friends at work. Yeah, I do not. I am standoffish. I mean, I have friends at work, but it wasn't them. The objection was later withdrawn, and the sale was completed by November 19. Parker and Stone spent $40 million

renovating the restaurant and hired chef Dana Rodriguez to update the menu. That next sentence, I feel, proved everything I just said. That next sentence proved everything. In 2022, when the exterior of the building got a makeover, it took over 300 gallons of custom blended pink paint to redo the restaurant. Wow. Is there like a before and after or is it just-

I'm sure there is one. I don't have one, but- I can just Google it. I have a sneaking suspicion that it looks just exactly the same, just freshly painted. Yeah. I'm adding just a little bit more about Casa Bonita since some new information became available since I recorded the episode with Ify.

On September 6th, 2024, a documentary titled Casa Bonita, Mi Amor, had a short theatrical run covering what a colossal undertaking Trey Parker and Matt Stone had on their hands in renovating and updating Casa Bonita. They had to essentially gut everything from the HVAC units to the entire kitchen. While I don't want to give too much away, it is like watching HGTV on crack. And on top of all of that, when everything was said and done,

Parker tragically felt that he can't even hang around Casa Bonita anymore because the focus should be on the magical experience it has to offer and not their celebrity status. And that documentary is now streaming so you can go check it out. Oh hey there bud! We heard you like Dungeons and Dragons. Fancy that? We're your Canadian neighbors eh?

Dungeons and Dragons! And we just started season 3 which means it's the perfect place to start with us. Let me give you a little taste of the show. How much is a donkey cost? Russ, how much is a donkey cost? The question everyone wants to know. Is he ever going to give you up? Never going to give you up, never going to let you down.

Orcas is going to rule all in and he won't desert you. Find out why Dumgeons and Dragons has been downloaded more than a million times. Start listening to season three today anywhere fine podcasts are found or at dumbdragons.com. Hey, here at the Nerdy Reads podcast, we read nerdy stuff such as sci-fi, fantasy, horror books, manga, comics, and all other things.

We are a weekly podcast. So whether you listen to five books or 10 or 100 books a year, there is something for you on the Nerdy Reads podcast. You can find us on YouTube or wherever you prefer to listen. Join us in the New Stuff Cafe where we review a new food or beverage item each week. You can also expect some of the latest and greatest

news from across the nerd verse and a siding of the week. And the best part of the show always happens at the end when we get some advice from our very own sweet baby Dylan. Listen. Before we continue, I made a promise during September that I would announce the winner of the 2024

bracket contest during this episode. To recap, anyone who filled out a fully correct September bracket would be put into a drawing for $500. I've got to be the bearer of bad news, though, and announced that nobody submitted a bracket with all seven matchups picked correctly. Rallies making it to the finals before losing to In-N-Out spoiled so many people's brackets.

But I'm going to do what I did last year. I'm donating half of the prize money to the Los Angeles Food Bank. That's $250. And I'm going to give the remaining $250 to one of the seven people who got six of the seven matches correct. Spin the wheel. And the winner of the September GER 2024 Bracket Contest giveaway is Brian Serrano. Congratulations Brian. Go ahead and email me at fine dining podcast at gmail.com and we'll get the process started of getting you your prize.

Everyone who played, thanks so much. I had a lot of fun with it. Best of luck with the 2025 bracket. The restaurant had a soft opening on May 26th to 2023. In early June, Casa Bonita began taking reservations for weekends starting June 23rd. So we got to eat there. This episode's coming out in November.

We went in July. Yeah. Because I had, I had been on the wait list for a while. I'll get into it more next week, but basically we basically got to go about a year into their opening, which is still relatively new, I would say. I would say that's quick, given how long the backlog of waitlist is.

My secondary kind of question is, do they do like some walk-ups or? It doesn't sound like it. Because to me, there were still a lot of families there. And I don't know, when you put in for the wait list, did you put where you lived? I don't think so. Yeah, because the reason I'm asking this,

and we'll go more into the next episode, is there was a good amount of families. It felt like the target demo pre-purchase was in there. But it's also very possible that they prioritize families It felt like the target demo pre purchase was in there. But it's also very possible that they prioritize families because you do buy adult and children's tickets differently. So they may be speed. So did you already like pick adult tickets before? Oh, you know what?

No, honestly, it was a year ago. I don't remember what the signup process included. Yeah, it's all good. We'll look it up before the next episode. We won't. What's interesting is though, I signed up on like four different email addresses and still only one got picked.

Wow. Which means we, three more trips. Three more trips? Three more. We'll talk, because after that one, I was like, oh, I do want to take Naomi here and see what her child experience is. Yeah. She likes her.

No, that's an that's an interesting lens, because like even as an adult who does appreciate like a hyper kitschy themed experience. Yeah, I was into it. And I'm like, I mean, kid me would have been all about it. One of the big changes that infused a flavor of South Park into the Casa Bonita experience was replacing Chiquita the gorilla, a costumed ape that roamed the restaurant for photo ops with Man Bear Pig Rilla, who plays a similar role

but incorporates the South Park classic character, Man Bear Pig, into the Chiquita mascot. Chiquita was also a featured character the kids could fight in the From Dusk Till Casa Bonita DLC of the South Park video game, The Fractured Butthole. Wow. Did you play The Fractured Butthole? I bought it. I played the one that came before it,

like just the South Park RPG, and I like 100% of that game. And then I started Fractured Butthole, and I just, I don't have video game stamina. No. And so like, if I play three hours of of a game and I'm just not like obsessed, I often don't come back to it. Or at least it goes on the backlog and I get to it way later. Yeah, that makes sense just because there's so many video games too.

And I'm I play maybe one to two video games a year because I have to 100% everything I play. Really? So like Elden Ring, I refuse to buy the DLC because I'm like, I'm done. Yeah. I'm like, I didn't do like every drop. Like I didn't chase like the stuff where it's like, you have a 0.003% drop chance of the, but like every story beat every quest, all that.

Yeah. But like final fantasy games, Zelda games, like those are my, like I've a hundred percent at every Zelda game. Have you done the Sp-Man game yet? I just did Spider-Man 2. Yeah, cause I was gonna tell you. Took me two days. Yeah. It was super quick.

It's a very easy, 100%able game. It's a blast. Oh yeah. Web-slinging is just like the most fun mechanic that they've just figured out how to be like, this is a joy. My hot take is more games should be that. If you're not like-

I don't even think that's a hot take. Yeah, yeah. Like more game, well, I mean like that easy to a hundred percent. No, that's what I'm saying. Don't, don't make me have to get a, because like once you get to skill basis, like no, if to a hundred percent, somebody should not need to be the best at the-

I shouldn't have to make this my full-time gig. Yeah. To a hundred percent your game. Yes. And like, yeah, Tears of the Kingdom was just like, by the end of it, like, I loved that game. Yeah. But by the end of it, you're just feeling that grind. Like, 1100 or 1000 Korok seeds or whatever it is.

It's just, it's a lot. And are you going raw? You don't look up guides to find? Oh, I absolutely look stuff up. I don't care. Yeah, good. Good, I was going to say you're a mad man if you did. In July, 2023, a group of 50 Casa Bonita employees

gave Stone and Parker a list of demands naming their collective hashtag WeAreTeamCasa. The demands included clarity on the restaurant's hours of operation and health benefits for employees, as well as transparency from ownership and a voice in the workplace. The group has also asked for the ability to review employment documents before signing

and the reinstatement of former employees who left over contract disputes. So it wasn't necessarily a smooth transition, but there were logistical reasons to where I don't think anyone was necessarily the bad guy in this situation. The demands don't necessarily seem absurd. You know, it seems like, oh, they're just like, you know, yeah, they should get health benefits.

Like, you should, like, if you're making the food better, should make the livelihoods of the people making it better, too. And while I agree with that 100%, percent, the issues they were having is, uh, just policy is like, you have to work X number of hours a week to be considered full time to qualify for health benefits, which that's not a restaurant policy. That's just the law. And because they were doing like a limited opening and slow rolling out there, they had issues.

They're like, we can't give you 32 hours a week because we're not open 32 hours a week. So they were running into that issue with their employees. Yeah. But Stone and Parker amended the employee compensation system at Casa Bonita, removing the need for waitstaff to earn tips and instead paying every employee 30 bucks an hour, much higher than the Colorado minimum wage of 1365. Hell yeah.

This change followed a nationwide campaign to eliminate tipping and food service, addressing tipping fatigue amongst customers. And that and just like, you know, this is a hill that, you know, I've died on many times because being a performer in the entertainment industry, most of my colleagues coming up have all worked service and all this stuff. And it really, from the beginning of the time,

I've always been like, oh, this tipping system seems poor. Because I think you are putting too much faith in the customers. Well, I mean, I'm very much like that in terms of like government regulations where like, there are people who are like, oh, I don't want oversight. And I'm like, but I don't trust people as a whole to not cut corners. Yeah.

And it's, and it's very much that too, right? Where, and then you have the other things too, where like, you know, you have black people getting shitty service just off-rip because of the stereotype that they tip poorly, but then we still wanna tip well because we're trying to break that stereotype, which just feels like an abusive relationship because it's like, oh, we're gonna tip the thing.

And then I think people not understanding that growing up in different financial worlds, right? Where it's like, I just would see so many rants being like, people coming out to Eden don't know you need a tip 20. I was like, no, they don't. They literally don't. They don't know because I learned through being friends

with service workers that that's how you made your money. So if people don't know that's how you make your money. So if people don't know, that's how you make your money. And especially there are states like, you know, a very state to state, but like California, you can't account for tips to dock hourly wage like in Texas, at least when I was in like middle school, high school, college, I had friends that would go work at like a Chili's and they're making two bucks an hour. Yeah. Because they're legally allowed to pay

them that little because they're like, but you get tips. And it's like, really with the tips, I'm making eight bucks an hour, maybe. Maybe. And that's still a terrible way. It is a terrible wage too, because it's like, then your whole, because the reason that, you know, service industry jobs are desirable for the industry is because it's more

flexibility, but then it puts you at odds where you lose that flexibility. Cause you're like, well, I have to make a grind. Yeah. Yeah. because it's more flexibility. But then it puts you at odds where you lose that flexibility because you're like, well, I have to make a store. I have to grind. Yeah. So I am very pro people making a base minimum and still being allowed to tip them.

And now we're tipping based on just wanting to throw a little extra in or completely removing tips, which is red. That's what I want, which is right. That's what I want is the removal. I don't like putting the onus on us. And the only situations where I'm not tipping 20% or well even is just if they're like actively rude to me.

Not even accidentally rude. I'll tip well on accidentally. But if they like, if they're like mean or, and it's not like part of the gimmick, like a Dick slash resort or a wiener circle. I'm gonna give you a bad tip. Yeah. But like, you know, it really takes a lot for me to like, Yeah, same.

And also like, I have noticed that service in general, I feel, especially at the chain restaurant level, has gotten worse since the pandemic, mostly because people are just sick of it. Yeah. Like the workers, they're just like, I'm busting my butt and like this job sucks in a lot of ways, people treat me poorly. And so they're just not showing up in the way that they used to that fake smile. And I get it.

So I'm like, I'm not going to knock you for that. And it's always some old fuck near you that tries to, right? But no, you're totally right. And something I think about, because I just had one outside of my high school all the time, is like In-N-Out, which is always like traditionally overpaid, paid well over the minimum, paid well.

Everyone seems stoked to work at an In-N-Out. Yeah. Everyone seems jazzed. That said, oh my God, does it seem like a grind. I don't know any In-N-Out that isn't always nonstop packed. I try and wrap my head around this. Any time of day, any location. I'm like, what is happening?

And is it just the freshness? But I'm like, I've been to street burger stands where I know they're throwing that meat on there, like on the grill, right? When we order and it still feels like what is happening? I do think that there is an element like our city just does have a lot of tourism year round. So I do think that it is like a box that you check when you're in town in California. You're like, I'm going to go check out in and out. Plus, there's the locals who love it.

Yeah, I got to go to in and out so I can tweet Plus, there's the locals who love it. Yeah, I gotta go to In-N-Out so I can tweet and say it wasn't as good as they say. I gotta. At this point, leave it alone. Like, leave it alone. We don't want you in the line. If you know you have a burger stand that you are faithful to, don't go to In-N-Out. I don't want to hear your mouth. I don't want to see your tweet. And I don't want you in the line

because I need to get my three by three animal style whole grilled onions peppers get fries Well done animal style. Yes, I need that. Yeah. Yeah, I'm probably gonna I had in and out last night But I might give it again because I made myself hungry. You want it? I might go to the one in Burbank right after this if you want us. Let's rock. Let's do it, dude All right So they were unable like I said they were unable to offer health benefits due to the restaurant's hours not meeting the prerequisite number of hours to qualify for benefits.

They have since slowly rolled out more days open per week. They're now only closed on Mondays and a lunch option has been added from Thursday to Sunday. So Monday's listed as coming soon on the website as our lunch offerings the whole rest of the week. So basically they started as like dinners. Now they're lunch and dinners.

Now they're adding days. So like they are trying to get there and I imagine they are at a place now where like they can offer employees that 32 hours. So, uh, it seems like it's very clearly in their mindset because especially like knowing how loose, uh, Parker and stone are with money. Yeah. I heard a story that they frequented a strip club. And there was a day where they went in for lunch

and they took all the girls across the street to a car dealership and bought them all cars. Well, look, they are at the point where they kind of print money now. And I love the people out there like that, right? Like it is always like, you know, finance responsibility is good. And all the, and like, you know, I, yeah, sure.

I'm just always just a little like, I'll let down when you know someone who's like loaded and they're just like, yeah, I get this money because I'm just so cheap and I'm this. I'm like, okay. But then when you have somebody who, yeah, I get this money because I'm just so cheap and I'm this like, okay. But then when you have somebody who's like, I get this money. You're like, look, it is a waterfall for me. So let's let it flow.

Yeah, because that is like ideally and the only time I'm gonna give the, well, I'm not even giving props for it, but just in their theory, that is what is supposed to happen is through the immense cash flow from the rich, it puts the money back in the market. Right, and you need to be willing to spend it

and go do stuff and be generous and stuff. Yeah, so as goofy as that sound, those, them giving those money, those strippers cars, and then all of them all It's the dream Ronald Reagan. Yeah, all of those dudes getting commissioned because I'm in my headcanon of this story now. They went to one separate dealer for each dancer. And by the way, they did the opposite.

They took every car dealer over to the strip club. You're like, you all get one lap dance. It's just like an ecosystem now. On us, yes. And then the last fact, Casa Bonita's famous sopapias You're like, you won't get one lap dance. It's just like an ecosystem now. On us. And then the last fact, Casa Bonita's famous sopapillas are made with a special recipe designed for the altitude of Colorado. Hell yeah. So anyways, that'll do it for this week's Eat Deets.

Okay, Iffy, we have a review to give, but that'll be next week. Yes. To finish off this week, we have to review to give, but that'll be next week. To finish off this week, we have to go to Yelp and see what other people are saying about Casa Bonita in this week's Yelp from Strangers. We need a little Yelp, a little Yelp, a little Yelp from Strangers. A one star, two star, three star, four or five-eye. So get a little Yelp, a little Yelp,

a little Yelp from Strangers. A little Yelp, a little Yelp. Give us those complaints while you literally whine and die. Yelp! All right, this is Yelp from Strangers, our segment where we turn to Yelp and read out our favorite one, two, three, four, and five-star Yelp reviews of the very restaurant at which we dined.

Ify, you will notice, beneath that blanket there, there are some Yelp reviews for you. That's so funny. Well placed. You got little tips and tricks. Yeah, yeah, you are my personal sorcerer. Five-star review. So I'm going to start us off with a five-star review. This is from Lori S. from Denver, Colorado, Five star review. So I'm going to start us off with a five star review.

This is from Lori S from Denver, Colorado, September 19th, 2023. All right. Pretty good. I got to say, I read some of the reviews and someone said it looks just like it did before. And they are kind of right, except for now, everything works, is clean, and doesn't smell like this. Oh, man. I love what people are willing to put on the elf. Yeah.

There are no leaks anywhere. And the caves where you eat also don't smell like mold. This is a five star, like gleaming endorsement. So, yes, it looks like it used to, except everything is brand new and clean. The staff is super friendly, from entering the door to walking around. Captain Isabella was engaging and fun, friendly and entertaining, and the kids loved her.

The food was good, not the best, but certainly palatable. A far, far cry from what it was. In fact, the whole place is a far cry from what it was. They have made it so much better. Way better. I don't know, caps. I know, I love to see the way people try and inflict for caps, and that was a good job.

I knew those were caps. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. I got the email. I could make reservations, and you pay for all the food then and there, including tip. So when you show up, you give them a card to run all your drinks and whatever else

you want at the table, easy peasy. I have no idea why someone would complain about this, especially since most people will be drinking and most places require a card to start a tab moving on. She's just discounting anyone who doesn't like the added stuff. I love, uh, do you leave Yelp reviews often? I don't leave them often, but I read them every week. Yeah. I see the tendencies. Yeah.

I, I, well, cause I like leave them from time to time because I feel like in general, like the, the, the Yelper, like the top, like people who love leaving Yelp reviews are just shitheads. Like it is like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like the Yelper, like the top people who love leaving Yelp reviews are just shitheads. Like it is like, it is, and not even like, you know, I think- They're very self-important. Yes, and because I'm not even talking about like,

your like poster, you know, child Yelper who like only goes there to complain. Right, right, right. You know, I'm talking about like the general person who thinks they're actually like giving a review. Is there self-important and like, not to be an elitist shithead, I'll like go through, sorry, not to be an elitist.

Let it flow, man. Not to be an elitist jerk, but you know, I will go through and look at the places they eat. And it's like, you don't eat fancy, but you're like complaining about- You're treating it like this didn't match the quality. Yes, exactly. I will go through and look at the places they eat. And it's like, you don't eat fancy, but you're like complaining about- You're complaining about,

this didn't match the quality of- Yes, exactly. Yes, like, you know, I like, and I look, depending on when you watch it, depending on how the economics go, this might seem wild, just know I can afford it and I support good causes too. But like, I eat at restaurants that cost rent sometimes.

And I would never bring the energy that some of these people bring. To that review, to like Denny's. Yeah, well, just that energy ever, because like these people sometimes are doing it as if like, I'm someone who's classy and I eat good. You know, like you said, the self-importance, like I think I'm just a guy and I think it is nuts

that I spend that type of money on food. I don't think I'm better for it. Yet you have somebody who goes to like a Taco Bell cantina and think that they're fucking, gosh. You can curse, it's fine. Yeah, they go to a Taco Bell cantina and they think they're the next, you know, Jonathan Gold or Anthony Bourdain.

And it's like so I grating because I think I am kind of nerdy about that stuff. Yeah. And I'm like, you're not who you're pretending to be. Right. Sorry. We have a lot more to read. No, no, no, we're good. We're good.

Uh, the place smells that she's going on about the clean London. The place smells clean. The place is clean. Black Barts cave the cleanliness. The place smells clean. The place is clean. Black Bart's cave is clean. The bathrooms are immaculate. Now they have your food out in plain view when getting it ready so you can see how clean it is. Do you think she worked there and felt attacked?

She's like, guys, we're clean. I freaking swear. Well, what's so funny is that me and you both, if I remember correctly, we've only been this time that we've been. Yeah. So there's just a whole level of energy of anyone who's been before it was bought that are that are like they're like they've been through the trenches and they're like anyone complaining. You don't know how good you are. Yeah, exactly.

Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. There are multiple bars throughout and easily accessible. The arcade has all new games and a new tabletop Atari Pong game that is just about the coolest thing ever. I like the card system for tracking tickets and reloading money to play.

I love the root beer bar. Very sweet. We will get into that next week. But man, all I gotta say is that root beer bar though. I also very much love that there is security and metal detectors. I like that I feel like there aren't any shenanigans and I feel like that's one less thing I have to worry about. Some shit heads staring, starting something in a place full of families.

This is, we're going to get into it. But one of the first things I think I said to you where it's like, do they think like a weird South Park fan is gonna like shoot this place up? But now based on this review, once again, referencing the old one, I was like, was it getting buck in there? I read, I read probably 200 reviews to pick these five. Oh my God.

And there were so many reviews about like how unsafe the area is. Ah. And there was one guy who was like mad that he couldn't bring his gun in because of like open carry. That is, that makes me so happy. That makes me so happy that he couldn't do that.

Yeah. Because look- You don't need your gun. Yes, and I'm gonna say this. I like guns. I think they're fun. I like to shoot them. I think it's cool to own them. I think they should be regulated.

And I think you don't need them in a theme park restaurant with kids. I just simply- Hot take. Simply don't think that that's necessary. And I'm gonna be honest with you. I don't feel safe with you with it. I don't look at you and go,

oh, there's a good guy with a gun. I don't. There's someone who can take out the shooter. No, I'd rather be like, oh, there was security outside. There's another potential shooter. That's what I like. I was like, oh, your sopopeia wasn't cooked the right way. And in a place where they're serving alcohol.

Yes. Yeah. Get out of here, bro. Before I kind of hated going here, it was so freaking dirty and now I'd go all the time. Yes. Yeah. Get out of here, bro. Before I kind of hated going here, it was so freaking dirty and now I'd go all the time. It's great. I think they've done a huge improvement. Sorry.

I think they've done a huge improvement and I would encourage anyone to visit. Good fun, five stars. Wow. What a good five star review. Yeah. And I already saw the three star on this one, so I know I'm be talking some real smack about this person.

Yeah. Three star review. Because this is Megan M. from Frederick, Colorado. Three stars, April 24th, 2024. My group was part of the dining service, which already red flag, the moment you're calling the dining service, I know you're about to bring some BS,

on 423, towards the final grouping at 815. Our experience was good up until closing at 1030, when we were ushered out, wild, it closed and they didn't want you there anymore. Okay, sorry, I'm interrupting myself. I can be here as long as I want. Well yeah, when we were ushered out of Casa Bonita, totally understandable,

as I've also worked in the dining industry. So I get it in all caps. But as my group was leaving, I heard the fortune teller lady say, please fucking leave under her breath to another coworker next to her. I love that she overheard it. I think like, it's not even that it happened that I'm happy.

It's that she caught it. Honestly, okay, this is a fair three star. I'm not on Megan Sides when I am in the middle of death. That was very rude. And the fact that my group left the establishment before 1030 was absolutely absurd for her behavior. Our experience returning to Casa Bonita was good up until the greeter at the no fortune teller said that cruel remark, I doubt you'll even care,

but we've never been disrespected so bluntly anywhere else. I love the victim role of I doubt you'll even care. Yeah. Yeah. There's such a tell. Yeah. Casabonita, you were great to brag about with the friends

we brought, all eight of us, but you've lost our respect. I've never experienced such upfront disrespect to myself or my family. I do expect a reply from management as this was unacceptable behavior. I do love a like angry bad review that's three stars. Like that is a very clear, God, that is such a,

that is a Yelp language I understand where it's like, this is supposed to be a good review, but I'm making it bad. So maybe you would pick it. I've seen five star reviews that are just only negative, but about people who feel negative about like there. I've seen four star reviews that are just about every other review. I see that's two stars is outdated. Like, like they think they're trying to help. They're not about the restaurant.

People pick a number and then they just say stuff. Some people are practicing their type five. Yeah. I do want to say with that review, though, I find it very funny that four people found it helpful because it's an unrelatable experience. Very few people are going to overhear the fortune teller go, please fucking leave under their breath. So it's not like a helpful heads up of like,

hey, keep your eye out, this will happen. It's like such a one in a million thing that it's not helpful, it's just an anomaly. Well, it's so funny. And then now we're going to branch off into philosophy a little bit because it is like, you know, there's something you said that I was like, oh, that's like a very sweet thing You do where you talk about like I can't blame this like you need to be like

Directly rude to me for no reason for me to be like that because I think we both understand like we don't know what's going on like that police fucking leave could have had nothing to do with you it could have been like I Hurt myself on the job, but I can't afford to like leave. Or I'm not gonna say that because they probably have benefits and stuff now. But I'm saying- We don't know what's going on in her life. Yeah, like it is clear that like Megan took that as like,

oh, you're mad about me, but I can see like being like, oh, please fucking leave, I gotta go take a shit or something, you know? I have been there. Oh yeah, whereas like, it's not to do with you and the, the please fucking leave is not at you. It's like, it's not you personally. It's you just the presence of a customer. This is not personal at all. Yeah. So this is funny, but I, but yeah.

But also just anytime you're at a restaurant at close, try and be cognizant of like, you know, there are a lot of social cues of like, oh, they're stacking chairs on tables or whatever. Just like notice that. Yeah, it's always weird to be when people don't. Like I was at the Shake Shack, speaking of which at the one in Glendale. And I don't know if you've been there

while this guy's working, they have the buffest security guard. He's like a GI Joe. It just is the buffest black man. And he's like stacking chairs. So I go and I was like, we're gonna get it to go. We're gonna go see a movie. And there's just a couple just eating full,

like I'm looking and I got my food and I'm looking at them and they're still like, enough food. They're like adjusting the napkin on their. Yeah, yeah, like enough food to where it was like what, but like every table around them stacked, the chair stacked, the door is locked and they're still just like talking and I'm like, come on, yeah.

In my Papadou episode, there was a guy and a girl who walked in at 9.52 and they close at 10 nine 52. And Papa Do is not like, it's like a, you go and you have like courses to your meal. It is not like a McDonald's or you're like in and out. It is a sit down experience. I don't even know if they serve food. And the guy, the girl is like, she looked helpless. She was just like, Oh God, he's being so pushy about this. And the guy's like, what do you mean?

You guys, like it says you close at 10. What do you mean you can't seat us? And eventually the host just caved and did seat them and I felt so bad. Yeah, that sucks so much. I would never do that for a sit down restaurant, but I am of the firm belief if you're a window, like a naturally to go spot. If you're a window, like a naturally to-go spot.

If you're a place where usually the turnaround is three or four minutes, then... Yeah, this is my one vice, my one tiny, teeny vice, because I mostly, I'm like, hey, look, I get it, this sucks, like, if I'm walking into a place and the guy's like, I'm like, I'm good, you know? But if it is like something I know I can get real quick, it shouldn't be a problem, and you close 15, 20 minutes early.

But when, I'm mad about it. I cover my tracks because I left a bad review at a, it was called like Yaki Dog or whatever. And I went up to order and he's like, we're closed and I was like, okay. And I went- Your hours say you have 20 more minutes. Yeah, like 20 minutes is wild.

If it was five minutes, I'd be like, all right, it was fine, but 20 minutes is wild. If it was five minutes, I'd be like, all right, it was five, but 20 minutes is wild. And for something that would definitely have taken five. Oh God, now I wanna do like an offshoot of this show. Like I wanna Yelp Detective You. I wanna go through your Yelp reviews and see if like people agree. I have a wild, I'll send you one that you can just have

for maybe a DLC or something. I left. This is such a iffy ass statement. Yeah. I left a terrible left Yelp review at a gym I was going to. Yeah. And they, uh, upgraded since there and I updated it and I, it's like, I know it's probably not true, but in the back of my head I'm like,

it was cause me, it was cause this bad Yelp review. I made change. Cause they added all the things that I complained about because there just wasn't enough stuff. Gotcha. But like, it's just like, it was so bad. Like I left a Yelp review, I never do. So it was so bad that like,

I think Yelp review or not, it was coming. Yeah. Did you like those reviews? You can get three more over on my Patreon. That's patreon.com slash fine dining podcast for the full Yelp from Strangers segment and an exclusive fine dining episode every single month. Okay, Ify, we've covered the history,

we've covered the Yelp reviews. We went to Casa Bonita and we get to talk about that next week. So thank you so much for joining me this week. Is there anything you wanna plug, tell people to go check out, where they can follow you on socials? Yes, so you can check me out next week.

I'll be in St. Louis for Flyover Comedy Fest. So if you're near the area, come on down. If you can drive, it'd be like a road trip, but not like an intense one, do that. You know, make a weekend out of it. Go hang out in the Arch. It's real creepy going up there, but it's a fun time. Yeah.

Socials? Yes, my social medias, if you witty way on everything, and that's where you'll be tapped in everything I'm doing. And you can follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Fine Dining Podcast. Send me an email of any thoughts you have about Casa Bonita, fine dining podcast at gmail.com. Comment your favorite South Park episode below. I want to hear that.

And I got a Patreon if you want that full Yelp from Stranger segment, otherwise you just get to hear two. And we had a good time with them, so you're going to want to hear all five. We're just going to be sitting here waiting on our table. And in the meantime, have a fine day. Waiting on our table, waiting on our table The step is done and we had some fun Now we're waiting on our table, waiting on our table Join us next time, we're stuck in line Waiting on our table, waiting on our table

We're so hungry, tummy's grumbling Waiting on our table, waiting on our table We gotta continue our search for mediocrity Yeah Waiting on our table, waiting on our table We'll be waiting and dissipating Waiting on our table, waiting on our table We're swimming in this week, we're digging in

Waiting on our table, waiting on our table We've got an appetite for just sit tight Cause we're waiting on our table, waiting on our table Search will continue when we see you next week But until then we're just waiting on our table Waiting on our table, waiting on our table Waiting on our table Waiting on our table Waiting on our table Waiting on our table

Waiting on our table