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Westword writer Bree Davies has made no secret of her love for the weirdly fun Denver institution, Casa Bonita, which celebrated forty years of business this year. But what seems to be a secret is why she couldn’t get permission to shoot video inside the 50,000-square-foot Mexican “village” that dominates a strip mall on Colfax Avenue in Lakewood. So rather than wait around for a guided tour, Davies and videographer Andrew Bateman took the plunge on their own — using dinner as a ticket to Casa Bonita’s real attractions.
See also: Denver’s Brunch Crowd on Why They’ll Wait Two Hours for a Table
From Black Bart’s Cave to the suburban teen cliff divers, Davies gives a glimpse into why every Denver native has a soft spot in their hearts for the goofy charm of this often mocked but never equaled shrine to kitsch. Hint: It’s not the enchiladas.