When you go to a theme park, it kind of goes with the
territory that the food you're going to encounter over the course of your day
is going to be … meh.
Well, that's not really an option at Knott's Berry Farm.
After all, this is a theme park that actually grew up and around Mrs. Knott's
Chicken Dinner Restaurant. So serving quality food to its Guests has always
been a top priority for the team at Knott's.
Image courtesy of Orange County
Historical Society
But when Russ Knibbs, the new vice president of Food &
Beverage arrived in Buena Park in March of this year, he thought that there was
room for improvement. That — by expanding this theme park's menu, bringing
some variety to the types of food that are typically found at a theme park —
Knott's Berry Farm could then be known for more than its killer coasters and
tasty chicken.
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
Which is why I found myself at the Fireman's Brigade BBQ
last month. I had been told by friends who were longtime Knott's Berry Farm
fans that I HAD TO try out the flank steak sandwich that Knibbs had just put on
the menu at this Ghost Town eatery.
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
Given that this sandwich was slathered with Knott's homemade
barbeque sauce, it was (I'll admit) a bit messy to eat. But that said, this flank steak sandwich was piled high with meat which had been
marinated for more than 24 hours then served up with fresh onion &
peppers atop a jalapeño & cheddar
roll, it was also incredibly tasty.
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
And while I was at Fireman's Brigade BBQ, I also thought
that I might try one of the other slow-cooked specialties that Knibbs
recently added to this restaurant's menu. Which was a rib that had been cooked
for 11 hours with meat so tender, it fell right off the bone.
Mind you, Russ haa added some exciting new items to the
menus of other Knott's Berry Farm eateries. Take — for example — the chicken
kabob sandwich that they're now serving at the Bigfoot Broiler (which is
located next to this theme park's Pony Express coaster). Or — better yet —
those cheeseburgers with crunchy jalapeno chips inside that Coasters (i.e. that
restaurant which is located right next to Xcelerator on the Boardwalk) just
began offering to park visitors.
But those would have to wait for another visit to Knott's.
During this visit to the theme park, I wanted to spend some time exploring
Ghost Town. Which is looking livelier that it has in years.
Whether you're getting ready to
run a marathon and/or take part in a gunfight, the most
important thing is to
stretch first. Photo by Jim Hill
This is due — in large part — to Knott's new general
manager Raffi Kaprelyan. Who actually started his career in themed
entertainment back in 1979 as a member of Knott's custodial crew. Which is how
Raffi knows how handsome Ghost Town used to look back in the day, and is why
Kaprelyan authorized Knott's horticultural team to begin placing wildflowers in
planters all over this part of the theme
park …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… which really did bring a splash of color to Knott's
formerly-grey-and-worn-looking Ghost Town area.
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
And to add some additional life to this formerly sedate side
of the theme park, Raffi had Knott's Entertainment Department create some new
walk-around characters for Ghost Town. These professionally trained actors (who
actually had to go through "Boot Hill Camp" before they were allowed to interact with Guests) …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… have been a huge hit with the public ever since they
first came into the park on June 16th. Though that said, some of these new
Ghost Town residents are a lot friendlier than others.
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
Kaprelyan also insisted that Calico Square receive some TLC. The exterior of this theme park's train station has been gussied up with a
fresh coat of paint as well as some decorative planters …
Photo by Jim Hill
… while this train station's peek-in scene (which dates
back to Knott's early, early days of operation as a theme park) has been lovingly
restored.
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
This — coupled with that brand-new marquee which was
recently erected in front of Knott's Calico Mine Ride …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… as well as the facelift that this theme park's Charleston
Square received back in February …
Photo by Jim Hill
… which means (thanks to Knott's horticultural crew, who
removed those overgrown trees that used to stand in the very center of this
park's Roaring 20's area) that you can actually see & enjoy the
"Hello, Dolly!
" fountain for the first time in ages.
Now — of course — there are those that might grumble
because these are mostly cosmetic changes. That Cedar Fair Parks hasn't
actually added a new ride to Knott's since the 301 foot-tall Windseeker tower
swing ride opened back in August of last year.
Photo by Jim Hill
But if rumors which have been making the rounds lately prove
to be true, there may be a new dark ride popping up at Knott's in the not-so-distant future. More to
the point, given that 2012 is the 60th anniversary of this theme park's scenic
line railroad …
Photo by Jim Hill
… as well as the 40th anniversary of Halloween Haunt (not
to mention all of the new food items and entertainment offerings that came
online at this theme park over the past six weeks), people already have plenty
of great reasons to head on over Buena Park this summer.
And speaking of Halloween Haunt … If you're a Southern
California local and are hoping to get hired to work as a scareactor at this
year's event, please be advised that the 2012 Halloween Haunt Open Hire is
being held on Monday, August 6th. However, in order to be considered for a
Haunt Talent, Blackout or Line Control position, you must first schedule an
interview online using Knott's reservation system.
Copyright Cedar Fair Park. All
rights reserved
For further information on how Knott's has changed its
hiring / interview policies for the 2012 Halloween Haunt, please click on this link.