Casa Bonita is turning 50

Casa Bonita , one of Colorado's most iconic destinations, is celebrating a half-century of sopapillas, cliff diving and mariachi music this week.

Yes, but: The exact date that Lakewood's legendary restaurant and entertainment venue turns 50 remains somewhat of a mystery.

• Its website lists March 27, 1974 as the day it debuted. However, Denver Post archives show the newspaper reported its opening date as March 25 that year.

Reality check: Whenever its birthday bash is, it will be nearly impossible to score a seat at the restaurant this week — or anytime soon.

• Since "South Park" creators bought, restored and reopened the pink palace nearly a year ago , the lottery waitlist to get in hovers between a whopping 400,000 to 600,000 people, Denver7 reported this month.

The intrigue: It remains unclear when the restaurant will be open to general seating and do away with its exclusive, ticket-only system.