A Taste of History, Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant | Expedition Knott’s Berry Farm
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ส.ค. 2024
- Before the Corkscrew, before Ghost Town, before they owned the land in Buena Park, the Knott family took a bet on Cordelia’s southern fried chicken.
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Special thanks to the Orange County Archives for assistance with footage and images.
Stories and images have been drawn from:
Knott’s Preserved by Christopher Merritt (available for purchase from Angel City Press)
Cordelia Knott: Pioneering Business Woman by Christiane Salts
Knott’s Berry Farm: The Early Years by Jay Jennings
Video Credits (in order of appearance)
Thanh Tom Ho
• Pomona, California
Lynne Page
• train to Pomona Califo...
Educational Video Library
• Video
guy jones
• Video
Andy Parks
• Wild Mojave
WLRN Public Radio and Television
• Video
emari white
• farming during the gre...
Movieclips Classic Trailers / Columbia Pictures
• It Happened One Night ...
California Pioneers of Santa Clara County
• Roundup and BBQ in Dan...
Orange County Register
• Marion Knott recalls r...
• Mrs. Knott's Chicken D...
• 51 years of chicken di...
Cast Iron Chaos
• Fried Chicken in the L...
Soothing Sunscapes
• Sunrise over a small f...
Wayne Sitkei
• 1960 LA County Fair, K...
PismoBeach
• California Alligator Farm
TurdLok / Huell Howser Productions
• Video
AP Archive
• Harvest time for Bulga...
Attractions Magazine
• Celebrating National F...
Destinations Chronicles
• WOW~That Mrs Knott's C...
thebvhunter
• Kingdom Of The Dinosau...
This episode was written and produced by Greg Tulloss
![Trying Knott's Berry Farm’s Famous Fried Chicken [First Time!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DFO-QmTC0-I/mqdefault.jpg)
![ว้าว!ลุงบีมแบกทองมารับขวัญหลานกันยกบ้าน [cc] แดนแพทตี้ SS2 | EP.49 |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Osihq1OAs-4/mqdefault.jpg)
Cordelia Knott sounds like an amazing businesswoman. To take a 5 table restaurant and turn it into a 700 person service one in a few years is incredible. And to keep the quality of the food and service is astounding. I would love to go there some day.
I worked at the restaurant in the late 00's. The lady shown at 15:05 Pam, I was fortunate enough to work with her. She was an amazing lady who worked at the restaurant for 51 years before retiring. Her real name though was actually Linda, however when Mrs. Knott hired her they already had a Linda so Mrs. Knott renamed her Pam. She passed away a few years ago but dedicated her life to Mrs. Knott and that restaurant and will is missed by the thousands of workers she worked with over the years.
Awww. More Huell Howser interviews. He really was the face of Los Angeles at one time.
Andrea Joki every weeknight on KCET, 7pm and 7:30pm. Did you ever see the one where he goes to celebrate Armenian Christmas with his dry cleaner? He was amazed by the hummus!!!
Huell was and is a legend in South LA, and will always be greatly missed!
I still watch his reruns here YT.
In the seventies, my parents would take me for the great chicken meals and afterwards would work it off across the street in the park with the liberty and train that used to run around the lake. Great memories!
I remember riding on the train, steamboat, and the little cars. In the little amusement area outside the park when I was a kid. Started working at the Chicken Dinner Restaurant when I was 16 good times.
Same story but for me it was in the 60’s. As we kids got a little older we’d go to the Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Once we went to the steak house because my Dad wanted MEAT! But only one time did that happen.
I’ve moved from SoCal to NoCal but my last move to Washington has kept me from Californian but the last time I was there we went for chicken on Mothers Day. What a procedure that was. We got a number, in order to get a number, to get in line for dinner. Actually we spent less time standing in line that way. We could walk around or go to Virginias Gift Shop while listening for our number to be called. It took a long time and was worth it. My MIL always loved the garden room. There was always a line, no matter what day it was.
We are ready for the LOG RIDE history now! The mine ride history and Chicken dinner history were FANTASTIC!
You don't need to wait long :P
I'm a fried chicken junkie. And boy, it was a great joy to see Knott's bringing this to an empire, a very homey empire.
Boy it was quite emotional to see Huell Howser in there.
I cried like a baby when he passed. I felt like I knew him personally.
He's amazing!
*California Gold was a great series*
Your Knott's coverage is exceptional! Thank you for covering Knott's when most people are busy over covering it's nextdoor neighbor. I look forward to more excellent Knott's documentaries!
Yes! Huell Howser! One of the best interviewers! Kudos!
What a "sweet" story. Especially dinner @ 5PM. I personally have had the chicken dinner after a day at the "farm" I was heading back to Houston, TX. I ate the chicken there and had the biscuits in the airport prior to my flight. It was DELICIOUS!!!!! Also If you've never tasted Boysenberry (You ain't lived) LOL
Another great look at the farm! It's funny how well loved fried chicken is at our SoCal theme parks, the defunct Doc Brown's at Universal, and Plaza Inn at Disneyland. Truth be told, I didn't like either, but Mrs. Knott's famous chicken is delicious!
1:20 - 1:37 Summarizes life for a lot of inland Californians.
Thanks for another engaging video!
Nermac1 where you at?
I loved their boysenberry punch, funnel cakes, and of course the chicken dinner. I grew up in Anaheim, CA. so going to the restaurant and theme park was a huge part of my childhood. Thanks, Expedition Theme Park...you guys rock! :)
Glad to know that my home park is finally getting a lot of attention.
Same
This is the most intense coasters you've ever made a video on
I grew up going to Knott's, but I never went to this restaurant. I knew it existed, but just stuck to what was in the park when it came to meals. As I wanted this, I had wait for it constantly going in my mind. I was waiting for the automation of the meal making process. I knew nothing about how this restaurant operated prior to watching this. But, I couldn't imagine the powers that be allowing meals to continue to be made, as if on an assembly line made up of people, in this day and age.
I love Knott’s Berry Farm! I always love getting Mrs. Knott’s fried chicken! I’m currently in the process of growing boysenberries in my backyard and watching this is making me more and more excited! I can’t wait to harvest them after they bloom!
Love the Knott's Berry Farm videos. Keep up the great work.
Love the video. Also cool that you used a segment from Californias gold. I loved that show. R.I.P. Huell Howser you helped me discover so much of my home state.
Right? Loved Huell Howser.
Give me that Chicken or Boysenberry anything, and I am one happy camper.
I’m so excited! We’ll be going to Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant in June. Thanks for this video. It’s a wonderful history of one of my favorite childhood places to eat. And we still eat there every time we visit Orange County.And we will be vlogging the experience for our channel.
Do you live far from Knott's?
Jonnymlndz23 We live about 350 miles from Knott’s, but we try to visit Southern California at least twice a year. Every time we visit that area, we go to Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. We will be there in about 3 weeks. We will try to live stream and vlog while we are there.
@@PepperTreeVilla cool, I will subscribe and turn on notifications
Jonnymlndz23 Thanks
Here is a tip. . . If you can eat at the Banquet Hall for the All-You-Can-Eat Brunch Buffet. It shares the same kitchen as Mrs. Knott's Chicken, so you will get an unlimited fill the chicken, and much much more (meat carving stations, customi'sed omelet stations, Belgian Waffle stations, all the usual fixings, desserts, etc. . .)
The line for Mrs. KNOTT'S is long, so if the Brunch Banquet Hall is open, take advantage of it.
Also you can get the exact same chicken at the Mexican Restaurant next door, they also share the same kitchen.
Please visit their website to learn more!!!
This is my home park
This is my favorite place to eat!! I love the biscuits and chicken gravy that they give you and also how it feels like I'm eating at a relative's house and not a restaurant
It’s so sad I’ve lived in Orange County for 26 years and I’ve never been to knott’s chicken kitchen. I’m going today.. Because of you. Thank you!
How chicken created an amazing amusement park in California. Just amazing
Glad you did a special episode dedicated to Mrs Knott’s! This is great💗
Fantastic video I love this type of video, I like the theme park stuff too but I love love love love this type of historical introspective please keep up with this line of videos !!!!
How did you get that icon next to your username??
I loved this episode! I remember going there as a little kid. The Knott's story deserves to be told.
Really the best chicken dinner I’ve ever had
Everytime I have been to this park, I always have a reservation for this!!
I miss Knott's Berry Farm and these videos are like a walk down memory lane. I hope that ending was suggesting you're doing a video of their dinosaur dark ride, which was one of my favorites!
So happy that your keeping it going ☺
You deserve millions of subscribers!!!! These videos are so wonderful.
Oh how I so miss the old Knott’s Berry Farm days in the ‘60s when I grew up in the neighborhood across the street from it. The days when there was no fence around it and no charge to get in. Knott’s had Jungle Island back then and my younger brother and I and a couple of friends who lived on our street would walk the 8 minutes to Knott’s where we spent many hours of many blissful summer days exploring and playing hide-n-go-seek under the thick green canopy of the many trees on the Island. The atmosphere of Knott’s Berry Farm back then was enchanting and magical for a young boy. It’s not the same anymore - not even close.
Growing up in Southern California, Knotts Boysenberry jam was one of my favorites, and we would go to Knotts for the chicken dinner whenever we were up in the Buena Park area.
My home park (other than Disney) ❤️ Truly one of my favorite places. The food is always delicious and the people are always so kind and make you feel like family!
I the 60’s we just went into the park, there was no entrance fee. As we kids got a little older we’d go to the Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Once we went to the steak house because my Dad wanted MEAT! But only one time did that happen.
I’ve moved from SoCal to NoCal but my last move to Washington has kept me from Californian but the last time I was there we went for chicken on Mothers Day. What a procedure that was. We got a number, in order to get a color, to get in line for dinner. Actually we spent less time standing in line that way. We could walk around or go to Virginias Gift Shop while listening for our number to be called. It took a long time and was worth it. My MIL always loved the garden room. There was always a line, no matter what day it was.
Now I really want some of that chicken.
Everything about Knott's makes me so happy and remind me of being a kid. Great video!
I can taste the history, it tastes like chicken
I’m crying🤣
Avery the Cuban-American 😂😂😂😂
Albertsons has better fried chicken than Knotts Berry Farm and Roscoes.
Fond memories going to the Knott's Restaurant with my sister, cousins, mother, aunt and grandmother to enjoy a good chicken dinner. Good times.
I grew up one mile from Knott's Berry farm in the 60's, 70's and the 80's. Knott's was my backyard!
I rode my motorcycle to Knott's from San Diego during the Halloween event, having bought a season pass online. I arrived to find I had just 2 hours in the park, and had to pay $22 for parking. Then, when I got my member card and took it to the gate, the woman said "This isn't good until January 1.............but go ahead and go in." I got on 2 rides. Then I went to the chicken restaurant, and found nowhere to sit. Alone. I ate what I could STANDING at the bar, then took the other half home. Best dinner around.
Great video once again!!! I love Knott's and their chicken dinner restaurant!!! I subscribed 👏🏼😍❤️
Gosh dang. This history trip just made me really hungry.
Never knew the whole story, thank you! I haven't been to Knott's in years, need to go back sometime!
Mrs knotts is a bad ass and an inspiration.
Ps love all your video's!!
Watching this as I’m about to visit knotts for the first time!!
Love these videos on Knotts. Please do more! Halloween haunt will make some great videos around Halloween time just fyi. As for the chicken it's still the best I think. And I ate my fair share working at knott's for 2 years as a young teen so I'd know lol
My friend and I just ate here a few weeks ago. Still great. Love the Knott's Berry Farm coverage.
The best fried chicken every made by human hand. I sorely miss that chicken.
thank you soo much for this! my career is based in foodservice, and I love hearing about the evolution of this trade!!!
I hope that was a sign that you will be doing berrytales and kingdom of the dinosaurs very soon
Don't forget Jungle Island! And the Woodimals, or is it Woodniks?
I second this!!!! I really miss Kingdom of the Dinosaurs. The Soapbox car racers were awesome too!
Hey it was super cool metting you at epcot parking as you were making your way out. Thanks for the button!
Also, nice video as always!
Good to meet you! Thanks.
Great job!! Just amazing research on your part! 👍I’m delightfully impressed
I remember when I was young anytime we went to knott's berry farm we always ate at the Chicken Dinner Restaurant before we went home... Ahhh, I miss when I was a kid.
we always go here for my wife's birthday; thank you for sharing!
Great stuff man.. More please
On the way
I wonder why they never made it into a franchise? They could have been KFC before KFC!
It's a destination place. As soon as you franchise it you kill the feeling of it.
not the chicken, but knott's berry farm have their own brand of cookies and jelly you can find at the markets locally - and it's quite good! but the main attraction is the exclusive and creative food and drinks you find at the Knott's park.
It's the homey cozy feel that comes from it. Nothing tastes better when you feel at home. Even when you're away from it.
They did market their one of a kind Boysenberry Syrup and other jellies and jams
I had the chicken about a decade ago and it sucked. There was no difference I could tell between regular supermarket fried chicken. If they couldn't keep standards up at homebase what hope did they have elsewhere. I had the takeout so maybe sitdown was better.
Though I've travelled to the area many times, I've never been to Knott's Berry Farm. Having seen this episode, I'm now dying to go...if only to try that chicken dinner. It sounds and looks delicious. Thanks so much for another entertaining and informative video.
Excellent series so far. Please keep em coming. Thanks 😀
No joke: I've been craving homestyle fried chicken for the last three days solid. I had a momentary freakout when this showed up in my feed as a result. Something like, "OMG, DUDE, WHY ARE YOU IN MY HEAD???"
Even so, great video. I love this stuff. 😊
Now I'm craving fried chicken! BTW, I'd like to suggest doing a video about the former Boblo Island amusement park that was in the river between Detroit and Canada.
What a lovely story , well done Mrs knott.
This is really well done - great history and storytelling
Really interesting video sam. Would love to visit knotts one day and try the chicken dinner
Amazing how it still looks like that. Almost. Except for the huge park behind it now. But my gosh, is that chicken dinner delicious. So good!
I definitely had fried chicken for the first time here as a lil one! Boysenberry was my favorite pie flavor, too, and I was so frustrated that they were so hard to find apart from Knott’s 😂
Outstanding video. Thumbs up!
What a wonderful video! Thank you so much.
i loved old fashion pics
As usual, so informative, thank you for sharing and researching
I just had Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner for dinner. Still delicious as ever!
Aw if you're gonna talk about Kingdom of the Dinosaurs I dunno how I'm gonna handle the nostalgia. I used to ride that thing a bunch as a kid. I miss it and how as a kid I'd call the dinosaurs by their Land Before Time names. So stuff like Spiked Tail. Three Horn. Long Neck. Sharp Tooth.
I'm admittedly not a fan of the current management of the park itself ... but ... that chicken dinner's legitimately still worth driving 30 min or more in order to get there every time I'm in town.
You mean Cedar Fair?
@@SirBlackReeds yup. I know there's cedar fair die hard fans, but there's enough about operations management that I don't like ... to where TH-cam comment threads aren't appropriate in scale for it.
Very cool video. Thanks for posting and have a nice day too.
I highly recommend you visit this place. So delicious!
Wow! This is one of your best!
Well done I had no idea about any of this!
I came here to learn about a chicken restaurant. I left learning that Boysenberry is a hybrid fruit and not just a flavor of jam
Mrs. Knott sounds like she was a nice lady.
Great episode!
My grand parents were friends with the knotts
My family loves it! Do a boysenberry video!
Sam You should be the new Huell Howser(RIP) you can do awkward interviews and get really excited about the smallest of things. But in all Honesty i love Huell and I Love California’s Gold.
I worked there in 82-83. The woman in the photo at 15:05 was still there and was about 100 years old. The Knott's successfully fought off unionization at that time. It was an ugly situation as the Knott's pulled every trick and told every lie to keep fair wages and benefits out.
I lived in OC for 21 years and I still never had their chicken dinner. This makes me wish I did. Might need to take a trip out there.
My great grandmother 👵 use to take me there once a month knotts berry chicken is top 10 in USA
For a time, the chicken dining room was the largest in the United States by capacity.
Walter’s steakhouse was excellent.
I can taste the chicken. Winner winner chicken dinner
Grew up close by watching the farm grow . . . ....DAMN ! I'M HUNGRY !
I was employed in the theme park in the late '60s/early '70s and was a part of the early , pre , "Knotts Scarey Farm" , Knotts Halloween Haunt !
Can anyone remember the defunked "Gypsy Camp"?
Mark Sommers little bit of Gypsy Camp footage in the Roaring 20’s episode.
GTMGUNN
Oh ! Thank you for that !
I used to ride my bike from Huntington beach well before the park was enclosed . My buddy thought it great fun to wake up the beatnik/hippies sleeping overnight in the round-up wagons ! One of the first attractions I remember was at the drive-in style parking lot.....the U-DRIVE JALOPY'S under the trees at Beach boulevard (hwy 39).
My son went to grammer school at Walter Knott school just west of the park fence . While at a Parent / Teacher meeting , the school room windows were tilted open to a lovely breeze....and the sounds of park patrons , replete with the steam engine whistle . No WONDER my son had a hard time focusing !
Thanks again !
Knott's is my favorite park in CA and the dinner is a staple must have. Always get treated nice and the food is always great at the restaurant. Awesome job with the video!!!
Hi I'm Huell Howser.......On California's Gold!
So awesome, thank you
Awesome vid. Thanks!
loved old fashion pic in 20s, 30s, 40s,
Good to see Huel Howser, RIP Huel.
I haven't been to Knotts in so long...that chicken is so good! It's the first time I've ever had rhubarb--very tasty!
Very interesting!
When i was a kid early 70s I remember watching the ladies make candy
Great video