Buena Park, CA- You can't talk about dining institutions in California without talking about Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant.  Established in 1934, Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant formed the basis of America's first theme park, Knott's Berry Farm and turned a roadside berry stand into one of the nation's most popular family eateries. The restaurant is also recognized as one of Orange County's most beloved historic landmarks.

            The history of Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant really dates back to the 1920's when Walter and Cordelia Knott began farming 10 acres of leased land in the farm community of Buena Park.  To make ends meet, Cordelia began serving hot biscuits and homemade preserves to customers of the family's roadside produce stand.  Word spread, and by 1934 it became necessary for Cordelia to expand her menu to include her country-fried chicken. 

On her opening day in June 1934, Cordelia served eight 65-cent dinners on her own wedding china.  By 1940, visitors were standing in line for hours to enjoy Walter's boysenberries (developed at the Farm with the help of friend Rudolph Boysen) and Cordelia's chicken.  The challenge of entertaining the crowds led Walter to create an authentic Ghost Town on the property.  America's first “themed” amusement park had been born.

            Today, Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant serves an average of 1,000 chickens daily, making it one of the largest, full service, single location chicken restaurant in the world with seating for 1,000 in eight separate dining rooms.  Mrs. Knott's Traditional Chicken Dinner hasn't changed much since 1934 either with its family-style dining that includes country-fried chicken; choice of cherry rhubarb appetizer or chicken noodle soup; tossed green salad; mashed potatoes and gravy; choice of kernel corn or cabbage with ham; all-you-can-eat buttermilk biscuits with butter and Knott's preserves; and choice of Mrs. Knott's famous boysenberry pie, apple pie or boysenberry sherbet.

For more information on all the exciting activities at Knott's Berry Farm, visit www.knotts.com.