The Farmer Restaurant is located in Pleasanton, a northern California community halfway between Oakland and San Jose. The building was originally constructed in 1864 as a hotel and in the early 21st century is considered a historical landmark. The restaurant serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Its entrees include classic American fare such as steak, seafood and fried chicken. As of 2011, The Farmer Restaurant holds a murder mystery dinner on Friday nights at 7 p.m.; tickets are $64 apiece. The mysteries are performed by the Gibson House Mystery Performers. Shows have included "The Ghostly Curse of Alcatraz" and menus have featured dishes such as English pea and shrimp salad with Irish meatloaf and sweet mashed potatoes.
Bissell Mansion Restaurant is set in the former home of Captain Lewis Bissell, which was built in the mid-1820s and is the oldest home in St. Louis, Missouri. It features the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre every weekend. Shows scheduled for 2011 include "Nursery Crimes," "Stairway to Heaven," and "It's a Wonderful Death." The restaurant can accommodate 120 guests for its murder mysteries, which begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $52.95, and the four-course menu features appetizers such as crab Rangoon, toasted ravioli and fresh vegetables with dip. Entrees include New York strip steak, chicken parmesan and baked white fish. Two glasses of white wine are included with dinner.
In Silver Springs, Maryland, the Blair Mansion Inn serves lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Saturday. It hosts a mystery dinner theater every Friday and Saturday night. Hors d'oeuvres are served at 6 p.m., and a buffet dinner opens at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. As of 2011, ticket prices are $52.99 for adults on Fridays and $54.99 on Saturdays. Tickets for children under 11 are $29.99. Shows for 2011 include, "The Mystery Krewe," "Murphy's Law," and "Death and Taxes." The menu features classic American cuisine and Italian specialties.
Dave and Busters is a chain of family restaurants that began in 1971. The venues are noted for their bright, energetic atmosphere and feature game arcades. The menu consists of burgers, sandwiches, seafood, steak and barbecued chicken. The Dave and Busters in Arlington, Texas, just outside Dallas, offers a murder mystery dinner on Saturday nights at 8 p.m. It features a three-course gourmet meal and prizes. As of 2011, tickets are $36.95.