Phil Murray
Audio By Carbonatix
Is Casa Bonita better than Meow Wolf? That’s what a new bumper sticker showing up around Denver suggests, comparing the 44-year-old eatertainment complex in Lakewood with the Santa Fe-based DIY art project turned entertainment giant slated to open a massive venue in Denver in 2020. The stickers are being produced and distributed for free by two of Denver’s more radical artist-led outposts: Georgia Art Space, run by Sommer Browning; and Peralta Projects, run by Esteban Peralta.
Responses to the bumper sticker came in fast and sometimes furious. Some readers are very protective of Casa Bonita, some excited about Meow Wolf coming to town…and others completely clueless about Meow Wolf, which has created a sensation in the immersive-art world.
Says Chandra:
I’m having such an internal conflict right now! I have strong feelings about both, and I refuse to have to choose one over the other.
Replies Tessa:
I love Casa Bonita. I’ve been going all my life. That having been said, CB is not even in the same universe as Meow Wolf!! Not even sure how this is a logical comparison!
Comments Joe:
I think I’m more of a Meow Wolf in the streets and a Casa Bonita in the sheets kinda guy.
Asks Jen:
Why are they even comparing the two? Meow Wolf isn’t in competition with places like Casa Bonita. It’s actually trying to help support places like it, to keep them existing. It should be more like Meow Wolf is better than Amazon.
Responds Scott:
Comparing Casa Bonita to Meow Wolf is like comparing Colorado Springs to Denver. Yes, I said it.
Says Aaron:
Yeah, and James Buchanan was a better president than Lincoln.
Comments Matthew:
When Meow Wolf enters into cultural legend status with South Park and a South Park video game, then we can talk. Actually, Meow Wolf is cool; looking forward to Denver branch opening up.
Adds Dustin:
I bet Meow Wolf’s floors aren’t covered in three day old dried up shredded cheese
And Cory wonders:
What if there’s been an entrance to Meow Wolf hidden in Black Bart’s Cave all along?
Keep reading for more on the Meow Wolf/Casa Bonita bumper sticker…as well as a response from Meow Wolf.
Kate Levy
“Happy 40th Birthday, Casa Bonita: We Love You So Much We Could Puke”
South Park
“How to Survive Casa Bonita, the World’s Weirdest Mexican Restaurant”
Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects
“Meow Wolf Will Create a New World in the Arty Heart of Denver”
Courtesy Estaban Peralta
“Bumper Sticker Burn: CASA BONITA IS BETTER THAN MEOW WOLF”
Even as the bumper sticker was getting slapped on cars around town, thirty people who’d just attended the first Denver Immersive Summit were enjoying Sunday brunch at, yes, Casa Bonita…which suggests that the two can certainly co-exist.
Learning of the new bumper sticker, one reader noted: “Yeah, I miss my old neighborhood and a lot of shit, but there’s no going back. Might as well embrace Meow Wolf. At least it’s not another brewery, crossfit gym, ‘Argentina parkour cafe,’ etc. etc. etc.”
To which Meow Wolf posted this response: “You didn’t hear about our additions? We are offering a craft crossfit empanada cat cafe. See you in 2020!”
We can’t wait.
What do you think of Casa Bonita? Meow Wolf? What about that secret Black Bart portal? Post a comment or email editorial@westword.com.