Knott’s Berry Farm is celebrating a delicious legacy as a Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, a Southern California institution, turns 90! The iconic fried chicken from Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant in Buena Park, California, has been what’s for dinner for almost a century.
Today, the restaurant outside of Knott’s Berry Farm serves 1,000 daily chicken dinners to hungry diners on average. The restaurant, known to insiders as CDR, has been serving up memories for families like mine for generations.
History of Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant
Beginning in the 1920s, Walter Knott and his beloved wife Cordelia began farming leased land in what was then a farming community. The entrepreneurial Cordelia Knott began offering hot biscuits and homemade preserves to the customers of the produce stand.
It must have been the recipe for success. As word spread, Cordelia’s menu expanded. By 1934, Cordelia’s menu included her famous country-fried chicken.
The restaurant officially opened on June 13, 1934 with eight dinner options on the menu, each served on Cordelia’s own wedding china. It’s humble beginnings led to a culinary landmark. As popularity increased, and by 1940, guests were lining up for hours to enjoy boysenberries and Cordelia’s chicken.
To keep guests entertained during their wait, Walter created an authentic Ghost Town on the property, bringing life to the first Southern California “themed” amusement park. We honor the “berry that started it all” during the Boysenberry Festival, but it’s critical to include the impact Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant has had on the creation and expansion of Knott’s Berry Farm.
Yearlong Celebrations at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant
As this year marks its 90th anniversary, Knott’s Berry Farm is celebrating the legacy of the beloved establishment through a wide range of offerings all year long.
Save the Date for these Golden Fried Memories
- May 25 – September 2 – Start your day in a berry special way at the Berry Family Breakfast event, featuring delicious dishes and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. Available on select weekends from 8 am to 11 am, starting from May 22 through September 2.
- June 13 – Party like it’s 1934 and celebrate with us as we receive a Resolution of Recognition from the Office of Senator Janet Nguyen, commemorating our 90 years of excellence in the community. Those in attendance will be the first to grab exclusive anniversary merch.
- Select Dates in June and July – Seniors 65+ can treat themselves to a delightful Early Bird Senior Buffet Dinner every Tuesday from 3 pm to 5 pm, starting from June 18, June 25, July 2, and July 9.
- July 6 – Join us as we celebrate National Fried Chicken Day! Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant has served over ninety million pounds of fresh chicken over the past 90 years! Enjoy special fried chicken dishes and celebrate this delicious occasion with photo ops and a discount only available on this day.
- August – Experience a blast from the past with our new Throwback Happy Hour Flights. These flights will feature popular drinks from the past 9 decades and are only available at the bar from 11-3PM.
- Select nights of Knott’s Scary Farm in September and October: Experience a spooky Midnight Breakfast Buffet every Friday to Sunday from 12 am to 3 am, featuring a variety of breakfast favorites and packaged with a commemorative Scary Farm T-shirt.
- November: Join us for Cordelia’s Tea Party – A 90th Anniversary Celebration. Enjoy a traditional tea party experience, featuring unique tea blends, delicious treats, and a commemorative teaspoon.
- December: Join us on select weekends from 8 am to 11 am for Santa’s Breakfast. Meet Santa Claus, enjoy a delicious breakfast and receive a commemorative plush.
Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant Reservations
- You can secure your seat for the farmhouse eatery on Open Table.
- For parties of 9 or more, call 714-220-5319 to book a reservation.
Walk-in’s are also available.
Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant Parking
The restaurant is located in the California Marketplace outside of the Knott’s Berry Farm theme park. It’s steps away from the newly renovated Knott’s Hotel.
There is a metered parking lot which offers 1 complimentary hour of parking, plus an additional 2 hours of free parking with a validated ticket and receipt showing a $30 or more minimum purchase from any California Marketplace restaurant or shop.
Celebrate golden fried memories, new and old, by joining in the anniversary celebrations of the Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant happening all year long.
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