There really was a berry farm. For that matter, there really were farmers whose surname was Knott. Unlike most theme parks, which rely on fictional backstories to drive their narratives, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif. is rooted in reality.
Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, which sits at its front gate, is an integral part of the park and its fascinating and compelling history. The eatery remains hugely popular despite (or perhaps, in part, because of) its longevity and adherence to tradition. It is a tasty throwback to another era.