14: The Happiest Place on Earth pt.2: The Pink Palace
Aug 16, 2023
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In this podcast, the hosts discuss their experiences as parents, funny habits of resting their legs and making comments, the impact of a TV show on their relationship, notable events of 1974, a beloved Mexican restaurant in Denver, the musical 'Book of Mormon', the renovation and controversy of Casa Benita, and labor issues at Amita restaurant.
Casa Bonita, a Mexican restaurant in Denver, Colorado, offers a unique dining experience with themed rooms and live entertainment.
Casa Bonita has faced controversies involving age discrimination and labor disputes, highlighting employee concerns about working conditions.
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone purchased Casa Bonita for $3 million and invested $40 million in restoration, aiming to preserve its nostalgic charm and cultural significance.
Deep dives
The Uniqueness of Casa Bonita
Casa Bonita, a Mexican restaurant in Denver, Colorado, is known for its unique and extravagant dining experience. The restaurant features multiple levels and themed dining rooms, including terraces, a cave, and cliffside seating overlooking a pool. Visitors can enjoy live music, character artists, mariachi bands, and even cliff divers. The restaurant's interior is designed to resemble a Puerto Vallarta festival, creating a vibrant and immersive atmosphere. Despite the fame and popularity of Casa Bonita, the food has never been considered great, with complaints about the quality and taste. However, with new ownership and the appointment of a new executive chef, Casa Bonita aims to improve the food and bring authenticity to its menu.
Controversies Surrounding Casa Bonita
Casa Bonita has faced several controversies throughout its history. One major controversy involved age discrimination, as the restaurant preferred to hire young high school and college divers for its cliff diving performances. A former Acapulco world cliff diving champion sued Casa Bonita, claiming age discrimination after he was denied a diving job due to his age. The restaurant's previous hiring manager was reported to have told the champion that he was too old and questioned his desire to work at Casa Bonita. Additionally, current employees have expressed dissatisfaction with their working conditions, including insufficient hours and reduced pay. Some employees have reported being promised full-time employment, but are receiving only part-time hours. Unionization efforts have emerged as employees demand fair compensation and improved working conditions.
Struggles and Revitalization
Casa Bonita has recently undergone changes to revitalize its operations. With a new executive chef named La Loca, also known as Dana Rodriguez, the restaurant aims to improve the quality of its food by making fresh tortillas and salsa in-house. Despite its previous reputation for lackluster cuisine, Casa Bonita is now focused on providing authentic Mexican flavors and embracing its cultural heritage. However, labor disputes have arisen, with employees expressing concerns about inadequate hours and pay. The restaurant's current owners emphasize that their intention is to open gradually and ensure a successful experience, while acknowledging the need to address employee concerns. As Casa Bonita continues to evolve, the iconic restaurant hopes to regain its status as a beloved and culturally significant dining destination.
Casa Benita: A Beloved and Unique Landmark
Casa Benita, a beloved and unique landmark in Colorado, is known for its quirky and absurd charm. The restaurant, often described as a shared fever dream, captivated visitors with its unusual attractions and entertainment. It gained widespread popularity, with notable events like the rock band The Frey hosting their album release party there. However, in 2020, the restaurant faced financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually filed for bankruptcy. But Casa Benita found a new lifeline when South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone purchased it in 2021 for a staggering $3 million. The famous duo embarked on a restoration journey, investing a whopping $40 million to bring the restaurant back to its former glory. Despite its uncertain financial prospects, Casa Benita continues to be a treasured and nostalgic icon in Colorado's history, evoking a sense of joy and absurdity.
The Renovation Challenges and Cultural Sensitivity
The restoration of Casa Benita presented numerous challenges and surprises for Parker and Stone. Renovators struggled to match the distinctive Pepto-Bismol pink color of the exterior, making 27 attempts before finding the right shade. They discovered the perilous nature of the cliff diving attraction, with divers leaping from heights of 13, 16, and 30 feet into a small pool only 13 feet deep. The interior required massive improvements, including fixing leaks, replacing outdated equipment, and addressing plumbing issues, such as preventing grease from dripping into the city's wastewater system. Despite the challenges, Parker and Stone remained committed to honoring the restaurant's original vision while striving for authenticity. They hired a Mexican immigrant as the head chef to ensure a more culturally sensitive approach. Although Casa Benita has faced criticism for its portrayal of Mexican culture, its revival under new ownership aims to preserve its nostalgic charm while striving for inclusivity and respect.
Grant tells Maia his nomination for the happiest place on earth. A confusing wonderland that has to be seen, and experienced, to believe. Life imitates art in this episode with some local flavor. Bring your appetite and dive in to Colorado's famous Pink Palace, Casa Bonita, featured frequently in the famous adult cartoon, South Park.
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