Knott’s Berry Farm: Food, Fun, and Rides Without Getting Stuck (This Time!)

It’s time for another Knott’s Berry Farm food run! This time, Selene and Austin joined us—we were on a mission: maximum food, minimum regret. With our stomachs prepped and we aimed for a chill day at the park. We were determined to get every penny’s worth of our dining plan.

Double Cheese Burger with Onion Rings

Chili Cheese Dog with French Fries

First stop: Coasters Diner, where we indulged in double cheeseburgers and a chili dog. Were these gourmet creations? Maybe not, but hey, they hit the spot and paired perfectly with the theme park vibe. Then, like the dedicated foodies we are, we ventured to Boardwalk BBQ for their smoked tri-tip, which was so tender and flavorful, especially with the spicy BBQ sauce.

 

Smoked Tri-Tip with Mashed Potatoes and Corn Bread

But hold on—this wasn’t just a food crawl disguised as a theme park visit! This time, we actually hit the rides. That’s right: we rode stuff. And guess what? None of us got stuck, which feels like a solid win in the theme park achievement book.

Now, I’ll admit, I’m all about the thrill rides—bring on the drops, loops, and adrenaline rushes. But for Sal? Let’s just say his idea of “thrill” leans more toward finding the perfect churro than riding a roller coaster. We stuck to some of the slower rides, just for him.

First up was Jaguar, a smooth and surprisingly long coaster that gave us a mini tour of the park—bonus points for being a crowd-pleaser with zero whiplash. 

Jaguar!

Next, we went full old-school with the Calico Mine Ride, which is like stepping into a Wild West fever dream complete with animatronic miners and explosions (because why not?). Finally, we wrapped things up with a spin on Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster, which is every bit as adorable as it sounds. Think tiny drops, gentle turns, and a solid 10/10 on the “fun for all ages” scale.

Calico Mine Ride

Snoppy's Tenderpaw Twister Coaster

Last but not least, Sal wouldn't be Sal without a little bit of shenanigans. Yeah, he tried to break into the Drug Store, and then tried to take the train all for himself. Well, at least he keeps things interesting.

Wilderness Broiler Botched My Dogs! Here’s the Juicy (and Cheesy) Truth About This Theme Park Pitstop

Wildreness Dogs and Drinks

Oh, Wilderness Broiler, you really did me dirty this time! If there’s one thing I love about a theme park, it’s the guilty pleasure of indulging in some over-the-top, “everything-but-the-kitchen-sink” food, and Wilderness Broiler has a menu that promises just that… in theory.

So, here’s what went down: I ordered not one, but two of their big-ticket hot dogs—The Sasquatch and The Old Mill Dog. The Sasquatch is supposed to be an all-beef grilled dog piled high with Calico Chili, shredded cheddar, and crispy onions. It practically screams “Go big or go home,” right? Then there’s The Old Mill Dog, topped with french fries (yes, on the dog), cheese sauce, chipotle mayo, and bacon bits. These are no basic hot dogs; these are supposed to be legendary.

But did they arrive fully loaded and ready for glory? Nope! The Sasquatch showed up without the shredded cheese or the crispy onions, and The Old Mill Dog was missing its chipotle mayo and bacon bits. It’s like ordering a roller coaster ride and getting a merry-go-round instead! Cue the disappointed sigh.

The Sasquatch

The Old Mill Dog

Of course, I flagged it down to the staff, who, thankfully, handled it like pros. They fixed the toppings—no fuss, no attitude—and finally, I got the dogs as advertised. I’ll give them credit for that!

Now, don’t get me wrong, the hot dogs were fine, tasty enough, but if you’re hoping for a truly crave-worthy bite, Wilderness Broiler might not be your top choice. Let’s just say there are other treats in the park that might deliver the magic a little better.

On the bright side, they really do grill the burgers and dogs for you, so you get that nice smokey flavor in the meat.

At least they actually grill your food. 

Unlocking Secrets at Knott's Berry Farm (Literally): A Day of Fun, Curiosity, and Closed Doors

Left to Right: Grace, Amanda, Chris, Susan

Ever wondered what’s behind those mysterious "Private Room" signs at theme parks? Well, after a day at Knott’s Berry Farm with my not-so-mischievous crew—Sal, Amanda, Susan, and my CPA (because accountants need fun too)—we’re here to give you the scoop. Spoiler: It’s not as thrilling as you might hope, but the journey to get there was priceless!

Calico Saloon

Our day started with a leisurely stroll through the park, hitting our step goals and making a beeline for the Calico Saloon for drinks and some vintage vibes. The usual Knott’s stuff, right? Wrong. You see, Amanda and Sal share a unique superpower: they’re both helplessly drawn to closed doors and forbidden zones. If there’s a door with a “Do Not Enter” sign, they’re basically moths to a flame. Usually, this ends up with Sal getting an eye-roll from security, but today, I figured I’d let him and Amanda indulge their curiosity.

The two of them spent the morning testing out every door they could find, hoping one might lead to a secret passage, hidden treasure, or maybe a wild backstage tour. And guess what? Their persistence paid off. Up on the second floor of the saloon, they found the door—a sturdy-looking thing labeled “Private Room.” With a quick look around to make sure no one was watching, they pulled it open and… drumroll...

Behind that mysterious door was another wall. That’s right. All that curiosity, all that sneaking around, and all they discovered was a blank wall staring back at them.

So, if you’re ever tempted to peek behind a “Private Room” sign at Knott’s, save yourself the trouble. Let our misadventure be your warning—it’s just more wall, folks. But hey, at least we can say we “unlocked” one of Knott’s great mysteries, and we walked away with a story. And isn’t that what theme parks are all about?

Anyway, here are some extra pictures from today. 

Just ridin' on the choo choo train.

Sal loves the ladies

I hope they let you have beer in the afterlife.

The Secret Breakfast Burrito at Knott’s Berry Farm: A Morning Mission You Won’t Want to Miss

If you're one of those rare creatures who actually enjoys waking up before noon (I know, it's hard to fathom), here's a tip that’ll make your early mornings worth every second. Imagine this: Knott’s Berry Farm—no crowds, just the peaceful hum of the park waking up. And then, a breakfast burrito that’s basically a hidden gem. I'm talking about the breakfast burrito at Ghost Town Bakery.

Ghost Town Bakery

Now, here's the catch: this burrito isn't exactly on the menu. It's a “while supplies last” kind of deal, which usually lasts about 30 minutes after the gates open. So, if you want in, you’ve gotta be quick. Good news for meal plan holders—this burrito is an eligible item!

I arrived just 15 minutes after opening and was told they had two options left: potato and bacon. That's when I started wondering—what else might they offer if I’d gotten there a bit earlier? Maybe a sausage option? Next time, I’ll find out.

The elusive breakfast Burritos

For the record, I ordered one of each (because I wasn’t about to let fate decide). And let me tell you, when it came to telling them apart, I had to really focus. The bacon one could’ve been a little more bacon-y, if you catch my drift. On its own, it was a bit on the bland side. That’s when the real hero of this burrito stepped in: the fire-roasted salsa. Slightly spicy, full of flavor, and the perfect sidekick to elevate the whole dish. Without it? Meh. With it? Yum.

One is the "potato" one is the "bacon". Can you guess which one is which?

And just a heads-up—while the website said the park opens at 10 a.m., I arrived at 9:45 a.m., and the gates were already wide open. If you want that burrito before it disappears, aim to get there even earlier. Like, way earlier. Set your alarm, roll out of bed, and embark on your very own "Burrito Mission." Your stomach (and your Instagram followers) will thank you.

Knott’s Berry Farm Veteran's Day: Fireworks, Food, and Fun

Is there anything better than fireworks, good food, and great company? Throw in some carbs and a few cocktails, and now we’re talking. So, in honor of Veterans Day, we headed to Knott’s Berry Farm for a night of carbs, camaraderie, and colorful explosions. Here’s the inside scoop on our little patriotic party in the park.

Miner’s Mac & Spuds

Miner's Mac & Spuds

Let’s just say it: everything tastes better when it’s served in a bread bowl. Don’t fight it, we all know it’s true. We kicked things off in Ghost Town at Miner’s Mac & Spuds, and I was all about that chicken pot pie... in a bread bowl. Yes, you read that right. Carbs on carbs—what could go wrong? This savory delight came with a golden puff pastry wedge on top, adding an extra crisp to an already mouth-watering dish.

Chicken Pot Pie in a bread Bowl

Pro tip: don’t eat the whole bread bowl or else you’ll end up in a food coma before the fireworks even start. Pace yourself, folks. There's more fun to be had.

Mrs. Murphy’s Kitchen

Mrs. Murphy's Kitchen

After our carb-fueled feast, we made our way to Mrs. Murphy’s Kitchen for a round of drinks. The espresso martinis are a must—smooth, energizing, and a real steal.

Inside Mrs. Murphy's Kitchen

Pro tip: If you want to maximize that martini, here’s a little insider hack: ask for it without ice! More drink for your dollar? Yes, please.

Veterans Day Fireworks: A Star-Spangled Finale

After all that deliciousness, we made our way to the Boardwalk to stake out a prime spot for the Veterans Day fireworks show. You know those people who arrive an hour early just to claim the perfect view? Yep, that’s me. But honestly, it’s worth it.

Celebrating those who served, surrounded by friends, food, and fireworks—what better way to honor Veterans Day?

Calico

On our way home from Vegas we decided to make a pit stop at Calico, an old silver mining ghost town. We've driven by it over a hundred times, often saying we should stop, but never do. This is one of the few times we weren't rushing to get somewhere.


It's actually pretty neat and there is more to do and see than I expected. Randy and only stayed for an hour and we barely got to walk to the end of the town and back taking a few snap shots along the way.


We could easily stay an entire day. There was even a plaque dedicated to the Knotts here. Maybe the old west town at Knott's Berry Farm is modeled after calico.

The next time I'm here I'm going to take more time taking pictures, stop by the beer garden, take a tour of the mystey shack, make my own candle, pan for gold, ride the train, take a stab at the shooting gallery, and eat at the Calico house Restraunt.

Did I mention there were camp grounds up here?? Camping anyone?

Anyhoo, the following pix are by randy, not me. I think taking that photo class from Michael LaNoue at Cypress College really helped.