Knott's Berry Farm to open Crafty's Kitchen restaurant Aug. 7

A roller coaster rising above a theme park

Knott’s Berry Farm will open Crafty’s Kitchen on Aug. 7, replacing the former Johnny Rockets in Charleston Circle. The new coyote-themed, self-service restaurant features Mrs. Knott’s classic fried chicken, boysenberry desserts, pie-blended milkshakes, and specialty cocktails.

Knott’s Berry Farm is expanding its park dining lineup on Friday, Aug. 7, with the official opening of Crafty’s Kitchen. Located in the park’s Charleston Circle section, the new self-service eatery occupies the space previously held by Johnny Rockets, which closed its doors in April to make way for construction.

The restaurant's design centers on the storyline of Crafty Coyote, the pie-stealing character from the nearby Knott’s Bear-y Tales dark ride. According to park lore, the reformed outlaw has abandoned his life of crime to become a chef and proprietor, taking over the former Knott’s Beary Factory cafeteria space. The dining room features immersive thematic decor, including wanted posters, police mug shots of Crafty, and blueprints outlining his unusual fryer inventions.

Inspired by popular dining concepts such as Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and Portillo’s Cake Shakes, the venue offers updated versions of classic theme park meals. Entrees, priced from $19.99 to $20.79, feature hot wings, fried chicken sandwiches served on a biscuit or brioche bun, and chicken tenders prepared using the original Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinner recipe. The hot wings come with a choice of four signature sauces: boysenberry barbecue, garlic and parmesan, buffalo, and sweet chili. Guests can pair their main dishes with sides such as french fries, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

The dessert selection includes single-serve boysenberry pies for $6.49 and strawberry shortcake for $6.99. Milkshakes cost between $9.99 and $10.99 and are offered in vanilla, chocolate, or a specialty boysenberry pie flavor that blends in pie slices baked daily at the park’s bakery. Crafty’s Kitchen also serves alcoholic beverages, including specialty cocktails like a bourbon cream soda and a mudslide for $21.99, alongside a variety of beer, wine, and cider ranging from $13.99 to $16.49.

Reported for The Park · The Orange County Register · August 6, 2026 · Read the full story on The Park