We might never see another dining experience quite like Casa Bonita, but could we attract something like this?
Perhaps somewhat predictably, the story of Rainforest Cafe began as a fever dream. Steven Schussler, an ad man turned entrepreneur whose schemes often bordered on the Wonka-esque, told me he pitched the restaurant in the early '90s by using his life savings to turn his house into the faux biome of his dreams. Yes, this included piped-in thunderstorms, 3,700 extension cords, and even live tortoises and baboons.
Every weekend, he gave tours of his home to potential investors hoping to find backing for his dream project.
He garnered a viral amount of attention from annoyed neighbors, local media, and even the DEA, who raided his property on suspicions of growing marijuana after racking up what Schussler told me was "the highest electric bill in the state." Still, it took four years for the restaurant to finally find funding, with the first restaurant opening in 1994 in Minnesota's Mall of America.
https://slate.com/technology/2024/11/rainforest-cafe-restaurant-gen-z-pop-up-social-media-viral.html
There's one in Tempe that I've been to 3 or 4 times but haven't been in close to 20 years.
The food is pretty good and it is a cool atmosphere but it's on the pricey side for what you get.
https://www.rainforestcafe.com/location/rainforest-cafe-arizona-mills-az/#main-zarm (https://www.rainforestcafe.com/location/rainforest-cafe-arizona-mills-az/#main-zarm)