On June 13, 2024, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant will be celebrating its 90th anniversary. This continues a story that began in the 1920s when Walter and Cordelia Knott started to fam some land they leased in Buena Park. To help make ends meet, Cordelia started serving hot biscuits and homemade preserves to customers of the family’s roadside produce stand. Soon, word began to spread and by 1934 it was necessary for Cordelia to expand her menu and begin to serve her no famous country-fried chicken.
When Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant opened on June 13, 1924, guests could purchase dinner for 65-cents. Cordelia Knott served eight of these dinners on her own wedding china! By 1940, guests would be standing in line for hours so they could experience Walter Knott’s boysenberries and Cordelia’s chicken. This created a challenge of keeping people entertained while they waited for their food. To meet this, Walter created an authentic Ghost Town on the property and Southern California’s first “themed” amusement park was born. 90 years later, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant serves 1,000 chickens daily on average.
To celebrate this milestone, there will be multiple events held throughout the year. They include:
- 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.
What do you think of Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant? Have you eaten there? Will you be visiting during any of the aforementioned events this year? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
