BOB EVANS - Life in America

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#recollectionroad #nostalgia #bobevans

[@neolithicnobody8184]

He was a great man in real life. He became friends with my Dad in the 60s after my Dad fixed one of his tractors on the Farm. I remember him visiting us quite often on our small farm when I was young and my Dad would give him lots of fresh butter and fresh veggies to take with him when he left. They would sit under a big Maple tree in our backyard for hours, just talking about anything and everything while sipping fresh brewed tea made by my Mom. He would bring a big bag of goodies made by his Wife to pass around all of my many siblings. He and my Dad were about the same age and both served during WWII. Once a year my Dad would spend a week at Bob's farm, servicing all kinds of farming equipment for him and in return would bring home enough sausage and bacon to last us quite a while. As I look back on all of it, I don't recall any money ever changing hands from either one of them. They were just old-fashioned friends helping each other out when they could.

[@vickimiller5496]

What a lovely memory. Thank you for sharing. Oh for such times again.

[@charles-y2z6c]

Excellent anecdote. Do you know why It is pronounced Rye-O Grand even though it was named after the Rio Grande river in Texas/Mexico border?

[@karenh2890]

@@charles-y2z6c No, I was wondering about that. Why is it pronounced that way?

[@1208bug]

@@charles-y2z6c Wisconsin has a town called Rio and I was told by a former that it is also pronounced Rye-O

[@bjs301]

An older friend I considered a mentor, a farmer in Fairfield County, was also a friend of Bob Evans. My friend was another great man, a WWII veteran. He never had a bad thing to say about Bob Evans, and talked about how he enjoyed the long conversations they used to have.

[@paulring4267]

I was born and raised within 7-8 miles from the Rio Grande Farm/Restaurant. I was honored to have meet Mr. Bob Evan numerous times at this very restaurant. When he was in the restaurant his hat would be hanging on the wall at the cash register. He did a lot of good for Gallia County Ohio. He was known as Uncle Bob. Bob and wife Jewel were honorable county folks that did right for their community. God bless their memory. 🙏

[@wayneg2535]

I’m a manager for Bob Evans Restaurants. I’ve worked for “Bob” 10 years. Unfortunately, we close restaurants every year. As mentioned we had close to 600. As of today we have 443 and since the split of the company, the restaurant employees receive very little recognition from the company. People often complain of bad service at our restaurants but it’s because corporate changed the way we run our labor. We are expected to run with very minimal crew. 1 server and 1 host. No back of the house crew from 1-5. So that leaves the manager to cook, Kitchen Prep, and do dishes. We also schedule our employees 4 hours shifts and it’s mandatory they take a 30 unpaid break. It’s definitely not the same company it was when Bob was still alive. Kinda sad. I also help work at the Farm festival every year! I’m sure Bob has rolled in his grave more then once…

[@raallen1468]

Nothing good happens when a corporation takes over a formerly family-owned business. (Except for Walmart, where the kids have destroyed their dad's values.)

[@joeheid4757]

Sounds like the restaurant I used to work at, Ponderosa. I worked there 15 years starting as a dishwasher to mgt. They changed concepts so often it made your head spin. All in the name of a few bucks. I quit and got a job with PNC Bank. It was great getting weekends off!

[@theresalacey6126]

I think that's ridiculous. How does corporate expect to stay open if they treat their customers and employees like crap? I'm sure they don't care. They might when they're out of a job too because of stupid operating practices. I think after the founders of a lot of companies pass on that's when the service and quality go down. Look at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Can't even call it that anymore. They've definitely gone downhill. It's not just restaurants. I worked at Farm and Fleet for 15 years and when the 2 original brothers, the founders died the kids took it over. It's not the same at all anymore. I don't understand it. Yes you have to keep up with the times but it shouldn't be at the cost of your loyal employees.

[@Barbarra63297]

That's sad, I believe in my hometown of Toledo, Ohio we still have 6 Bob Evans restaurants, all busy, all the time.

[@DidntSay]

Unfortunately it’s the same sad story… after watching many of these recollection road stories, I’ve confirmed what I already kind of knew… many entrepreneurs build up wonderful service businesses starting in the 40’s, 50’s, & 60’s, then they get older and retire or pass away and by the 2000’s, essentially every one is taken over by a soulless corporation or ‘investment group’, and then everyone suffers, especially the people working for them that used to have it good. I’m really sorry you have to deal with the diminished conditions, but please know that some of us on the consumer side realize you are, in fact, overworked and under appreciated !!

[@extramile150]

enjoy all your videos...I'm 73 now and they all hit home!

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

At 45, it does it for me too, maybe not too much but just getting there

[@rickcalderan6476]

Corporations seem to always mess things up. Most classic restaurant fail miserably after corporate takeovers. Sadly Evans restaurants are not nearly what they were back in the 70s/80s

[@thedevilandhertrumpets4268]

Corporations have no soul.

[@mistergrandpasbakery9941]

Correct!

[@kenuber4766]

Corporations are like the Government! Can't make money to save their lives!!

[@MH-jt3lx]

They ruined the food at the restaurant and the store sausage got changed and lost quality. Yeah I loved Bob Evens steak house,I liked the restaurant but the corporation ruined it.

[@dremadumitrescu6546]

Born in !958 I've been an Ohioan all my life. Bob Evans is big here in Ohio and still going strong. My husband and I with our 2 sons visited the farm in the late 80's. I have lots of pictures from that day and fond memories as well. We frequently go to some of our area Bob Evans on a frequent basis. Bob Evans in Ashland was the first restaurant we went to after the pandemic lockdown was over. There service is still tops!

[@bonzie321]

Lol I almost forgot about the plandemic.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

As a born and raised 54 year old Ohioan, I can honestly say that Bob Evans products and restaurants USED to be good. These days though, not so much, ESPECIALLY the restaurants. The food they serve is "institutionalized" and the portions are nowhere near what they once were. I guess Bob Evans is no different than any other brand.

[@michaelholt3222]

Totally, totally agree!! Rarely eat there anymore, and when I do, it's usually just for breakfast, and even then I order the same, nothing else appeals to me, I have alot of fonder memories of the past for Bob Evans, it used be a fun place to eat with the family, now? Not so much

[@mikefannon6994]

Love Bob Evans! In fact I'm wearing a Bob Evans cap right now, sitting on the back porch! Thanks to all the employees who kept me fed for 20+ years while on the road selling in VA, WV. Their breakfast is the best! Also love the bean soup and potato soup.

[@kevinj8236]

I used to eat breakfast at the Florence, KY, location on my way to Riverfront Stadium for Reds baseball games in the 1970s. I loved their blueberry pancakes (the first I ever had) and pork sausage. I’ve never been to the farm, but the Bob Evans brand remains synonymous with a good breakfast to me.

[@jamesrichards5843]

I went to the farm on a school field trip back in the late 1970s. I grew up and still live within an hour of the original farm. My wife and I eat at Bob Evans about one Sunday a month still to this day.

[@enak413]

I had Bob Evan's potatoes as a side dish tonight with my supper. I've never seen a Bob Evans restaurant here in New England but I get his potatoes and mac n cheese at the super market.

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

There was a "Ham and Bean" festival at his farm in the '70s for years.. it was fantastic! Gigantic black kettles of ham and beans simmered for HOURS over open fire pits.. accompanied by trays and trays of cornbread.. was the all-time best down-home type of food ever, at that time!

[@DjSportsGirl86]

I love Bob Evans

[@aaronlopez492]

Strangely 10 minutes ago I was not that hungry but after watching the history of Bob Evans restaurants I think I'm beginning to smell the sausage on the video.

[@jipsees1908]

Haha me too!

[@mariamercy7317]

Hahaha 😂 I get cha. Lol

[@kat35lulu88]

I'd also like a side of pancakes with tons of syrup too......

[@RubenHernandez-lx1ej]

I just want the homestead breakfast already.

[@brodriguez11000]

Someone hurry up and invent smell-o-vision.

[@joebrown1382]

I've driven past the farm several times on my way to West Virginia. There is a restaurant 3 blocks from my home. Love the breakfast menu.

[@melissabibby7310]

What a great story! It’s a nice place to visit, I live in Ohio, thanks for sharing.👍

[@vanessapage8863]

My late fiance' was from Gallopolis Ferry, WV but part of his family lived in Ohio. We used to stay at a nearby motel and went to the farm a few times. We have a Bob Evans Restaurant here in Hickory, NC and my family and friends and I frequent it often. You can't beat their holiday take home meals.

[@charles-y2z6c]

Do you know why It is pronounced Rye-O Grand even though it was named after the Rio Grande river in Texas/Mexico border?

[@tonyx3768]

Legend is so it rhymes with Ohio. I kinda also think it’s an Appalachian thing (apple-ATchin). Like no one that doesn’t live there ever says Gallipolis right. I’ve never heard like this one 😄

[@charles-y2z6c]

@@tonyx3768 Ahh, thank you, makes sense.

[@robertjaent6087]

@@charles-y2z6c He pronounces all the cities in Ohio different from how we pronounce them here in Ohio, Lived in SW Ohio all my life and still go to Bob Evans restaurants, last time was 3 days ago. Still good food but service is not what it use to be. This is first time in my life, over 70 years, I have heard it NOT pronounced "Reo" "Grand" . Guess how you pronounce things depend on whether you are from that area or not.

[@charles-y2z6c]

@@robertjaent6087 Thank you, I did do some further research on this and there are references it is pronounced Rye-O Grand. Wikipedia (which I always question) if you search Rio Grande, Ohio I get it that locals pronounce things different, by me in Rochester NY we have Chili NY spelled like the county and pronounce Chi (long I) li. A few years some scammers came through and said they lived in Chili, everyone knew they were scammers

[@BELCAN57]

I'm from the Northeast, but whenever I traveled for business I knew that I'd be able to get a good, solid meal when I saw a Bob Evans.

[@PunkRockPundit]

I always have to eat at Bob Evans at least once every time I visit my American family down in Ohio. Always have great food when I go there.

[@klekaelly]

Had one in Concord, NC where I grew up. Born in 2000, grandparents use to take me there all the time.

[@paulausherman727]

I've ate at Bob Evans Restaurants lots of times always had really good meals there love their breakfast hope they stay around for a long time to come

[@joelrankin]

Now I want Bob Evans.

[@iswc27]

I've been hoping you would do a story on Bob Evans! I live on the North Shore of Massachusetts, and while we don't have Bob Evans in my area (we used to have one in Westborough years ago), I have occasionally eaten there during my travels. I've really enjoyed the food there. Everything tastes farm fresh!

[@coureyfeerer5314]

Great job with this retrospective. I lived in Rio Grande, Ohio for 5 years while at school at the University of Rio Grande in the 90s.. Bob was a legend! He would sometimes dine in the Rio Grande Restaurant after retirement. Rio Grande is just a village, but a beautiful place in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Many of the shots in this piece are of the origianal homesead area in Rio. Bob Evans sausage is outstanding as well.

[@janicewalker9719]

My family and I lived in Ohio in the 90's and discovered Bob Evans while there. Their food was delicious. After Bob Evans passed and everything was sold, I noticed a difference in the taste of the food at the restaurant and especially the sausage. It had been changed and to this day it does not taste as wonderful as it did before. The sausage is good but not like it used to be. While in Ohio I wanted to visit the farm but never got to go. Wish I had made the time to go.

[@paulring4267]

You need to try Steve Evan’s sausage…. It’s as close to the original Bob Evan’s sausage as you can find. 😊😎👍

[@debrakweddington8127]

I always enjoyed going to Bob Evans restaurant in Rio Grande. The food and the customer service were good back then.

[@rexsexson5349]

I was born in Columbus, Ohio and love this place. We would go eat there on Saturday mornings for breakfast. Best breakfast ever.

[@annmarie1569]

I still love Bob Evans to this day

[@marcellamcduffie8218]

Me and my 👪 👨‍👧‍👧 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ate at Bob Evans they have good 👍 food thanks 😊 😋 ☺ for the memories.

[@vickiem.6096]

This is the only restaurant my husband loves to go to. Seriously! ❤

[@michaellehmbeck8671]

Thank you so much Recollection Road for uploading this great video, I appreciate it!

[@mark2.0]

I grew up going to Bob Evans in Grand Rapids Michigan. I would always go for breakfast and it was great food.

[@joeheid4757]

Always loved Bob Evans. My dad wasn't a huge fan but my mom was. Ate a ton of lunches there! 😉

[@karenhackney9920]

My parents have been going to Bob Evans for years. It's one of the three restaurants they'll eat at. I had no idea Bob Evans was started in Ohio.

[@chrissakal532]

My parents are from Ohio and my grandparents and family still live up there so I have gotten to go to Bob Evans many times and love it. Trying to describe it to people who have never been there, the best I can say is it's like IHOP but so much better.

[@joemartinez333]

Whenever I went to Ohio for vacation, my cousin and I would eat at Bob Evans Restaurant. The food was really good.

[@OGHiddenpaw]

I love Bob Evans I wish we had one in California I have to go all the way to Ohio to go to one. I Remember why i’m sick of taco shops every time I come back to California.

[@cjsansoo7]

I love these videos. Please keep them coming!!! I ate at Bob Evans several times when I lived in Columbus, Ohio.

[@Barbarra63297]

Bob Evan's Sausage Gravy you can buy in the grocery store is top notch! Actually tastes homemade.

[@DEEDEEGARRETT1]

Never even heard of Bob Evans but I bet his food was as good as the pictures shown. I loved this story.

[@TruckersLife1]

I worked for Bob for 13 years, starting out managing the restaurants in Tennessee, then Kentucky. I moved over to the production side of the business until my career ended with them. I have nothing but good things to say about Bob Evans. They took very good care of myself and my family. The fella I worked for on the production side, (Lowell) had the most seniority of anyone at Bob Evans and he was a great fella to work for! I witnessed the changes of leadership from Bob, to his Nephew Dan, to Stewart Owens, to a fella from the restaurant side, to a fella they hired from Yum Brands, to the selling off of everything. I felt Bob would not have agreed with a lot of the changes, as they were not always for the better, (in my opinion). Most of the great “Family” business don’t survive 3 generations, and this one is no exception. I have great memories of meeting Bob, Dan and Stewart, and attending the fall festivals every year. I wish they were still family owned and thriving.

[@marciam6224]

We have one a mile away from us and also one 6 miles away near the mall. I love their food!! We even call in our order and hubby goes and picks it up.

[@DiamondGirl333]

I've been going to Bob Evans my entire life. I like the little store they have by the checkout. Peace and love to all.

[@melodywood1983]

Bob Evans in Breezewood, Pa. One of the few gift shops also. Reminds you of a Cracker Barrel, but has been there for about 31 yrs.

[@treysiebel7096]

I went to school in Rio grande and have met Bob evens which we called uncle Bob a great man and a great place

[@charles-y2z6c]

Do you know why It is pronounced Rye-O Grand even though it was named after the Rio Grande river in Texas/Mexico border?

[@treysiebel7096]

When I went there they said rye-o as in Ohio and grande as in dollars, that how I told people that told me

[@loveisall5520]

To me, it's always sad when a great business like this gets sold to some 'capital group'. Never a good thing in my opinion. Sad he apparently had no descendants willing to continue on.

[@kathybragg5150]

He has a Son, Steve, who has a sausage business. I believe he still lives in Rio Grande.

[@xr6lad]

Or family more interested in cashing in than continuing to nurture a business. Sometimes you need to understand that to be a great business you don’t need to be massive or run with the big boys.

[@jchapman8248]

@@xr6lad So very sad. I've noticed that happening alot these days. Our favorite specialty pizza place (a super popular eatery, mind you) closed its doors for good because the kids weren't interested in continuing on in the family business and the husband and wife team wanted to retire from the business. Tradition means nothing anymore, imo!

[@brodriguez11000]

@@jchapman8248 We all choose our own path. Tradition should be something one chooses to follow, not seen as an obligation one must meet.

[@jeffb.3174]

Bob had family members still involved in company but left because they had little influence once they went public

[@elizalam5253]

Nostalgic

[@rlundquest]

I grew up eating at Bob Evans in Marion, Ohio. I have been to the original farm as well. In the late 1990's I worked at the Bob Evans in my town, Marion for a few years right out of High School. There are a lot of memories with my family spent in that location, since we probably ate there at least once a week.

[@Just1Guy1000]

Having graduated from The University of Rio Grande I worked many of Farms Festivals parking cars and cooking food as fundraisers for the various organizations I was in during college. Moving to TX years later trying to explain where I went to college was always an experience as well as trying to tell people there actually was a Bob Evans farms because at the time you could get Bob Evans sausage in the stores here. Had the opportunity to hear Mr. Evans speak on a few occasions through several of the business courses I took while in college. Always enjoyed those.

[@extramile150]

Thanks!

[@5150-for-music]

I have eaten at many different Bob Evans locations in my life. I remember eating at the St. Peter's, Missouri location a lot. It is now closed. I also have eaten at the Morrow, Georgia location a lot, also closed. I remember eating at the Frederick, Maryland location, Ocala, Florida, Greenfield, Indiana, Nashville, Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky and countless other locations I can't remember. It was a staple, back in the 80's and early 90's on family trips. I LOVED their fried Mush and Sausage and Gravy with biscuits!! I was so disappointed, back in the 90's, when I ate at the Frederick, Maryland location and was informed they got rid of the fried mush. Great video full of lots of great memories!

[@DJIcenhower]

Grew up with Bob Evans in Columbus. My favorite breakfast back in the day was corn meal mush and syrup. Sure mis that out here in Arizona.

[@Barbarra63297]

The only downfall to the Bob Evan's restaurants was the waiting, the lines were long any day of the week and any time of the day but other than that, the food was delicious, service was stellar and the atmosphere relaxed and inviting.

[@bp39047]

Like all great beginning businesses they start out great but later when the founder retires, forced out, etc. end up going downhill. No question Bob Evans was a great person in every respect.

[@wramsey2656]

We had one in Bowling Green, Ky it was always loaded with customers, but they closed in the last 24 months (Covid i guess). They had a very good selection and priced good as well. Miss it indeed.

[@adamr4198]

My father used to visit the original two restaurants when he would travel from Columbus, OH to Charleston, WV. Fast forward to 1999 and his son (me) started attending school at The University of Rio Grande. 😊 I spent two years there before transferring to another school. I went to the restaurant many times and enjoyed the surrounding property. Evans’ name is all over the school. If you have the chance to attend the farm festival I recommend it.

[@GeeEm1313]

Man. I can't remember the last time I've been to a Bob Evans.

[@Tomatohater64]

Although I haven't been to a Bob Evans restaurant in years, what I remember most was the superb quality of their food - super delicious. And their frozen food and sausage offerings at my local grocery store are exceptional as well. Sad to see how they're running things now.

[@moledaddy]

My Grandpa used to do the lumberjack show at the Bob Evans Farm festival. It was always a blast going there

[@VeRTiGo9191]

Loved the restaurant, the atmosphere, the food....AND it abruptly closed. No notice. Sad.

[@janhammer4852]

The farm is a great place to visit

[@michael9052]

Had 3 of them near me. One was routinely excellent, another pretty good and the third I ate at once, and while the food was pretty good, the service was terrible. Was sorry to see Bob Evan's close but with the events of the past 2 years the company probably saved a ton of money.

[@jchapman8248]

When I moved to central Ohio (2002), my brother took me down to Bob Evans. He ranted about the Sunrise Breakfast and how I should try it. Well, I did and from then on, until 2006 when moved away, Bob Evans was the place for me! Sad to hear what's become of such a great place! Thanks for sharing!

[@j.landismartin5397]

Lived in Ohio from '65 to '77 and Bob Evans was a go-to breakfast spot for my family. I've lived in Fla since then, but there is a location about 20 minutes from me and I try to go at least once or twice a year. Food doesn't seem as good as it did back in the day, but I could say that about most chain places that I are still around from when I was a kid. Or perhaps I've changed. Who knows...

[@benjaminblackmon9130]

my grandparents owned a ranch across the road from the Evans original farm in Bidwell, outside of Gallipolis

[@DS-ky9dl]

There is a Bob Evans restaurant near me and it is always busy, I have been there many times for their wonderful omelets.

[@billiejeanbaccus159]

Best breakfast. I lived in Ohio most of my life. My mom is a retired chef from Bob evans. In Vandalia Ohio.

[@musclecarfan74]

I have never eaten a the restaurant, but I remember seeing the same one many times near Des Plaines IL many times as a kid.

[@Dave-hc6pp]

The restaurant in Florence, KY was one of the first and we used it as our morning meeting place.

[@Genninap]

Waterford, Michigan location was busy as hell. Then one day, gone.

[@tonyx3768]

When I was 5 or 6 at best, went with my grandparents to an event similar to if not the farm festival. The usual stop for dinner on the way home was Bob Evans. I miss the way the place smelled in the early 80’s. It was long day and half way through dinner I wasn’t feeling well at all, sitting in the corner spot I couldn’t get out fast enough and threw up all over the table and myself. I was mortified and don’t remember what happened after. I still love the place, if nothing else than for the nostalgia of all those day trips with the grandparents (except that one 😄)

[@miltoncallan1471]

I'm from Pittsburgh and we had to dress up to go to Bob Evans back in the day. If we had Jeans on, my Mom would say, we're not going to Denny's you know, Get cleaned up! Oh, and nice try on pronouncing Chillicothe. lol

[@brandyrodgers4329]

True

[@gjd424]

I liked the individual packets of a variety jams for your toast…as a little kid it might seem strange but they had the best toast with butter and your choice of jams! 🍞❤

[@MH-jt3lx]

Everyone knew Bob and loved his food,farm,and fun.

[@tanyalarose8907]

Being from New England, I didn't know about the farm or restaurants but I have seen the products in my local grocery store.

[@joannamcpeak7531]

We ate there several times when we went on road trips.

[@MCW1955]

Never got to try it. Looks like great food in the beginning. Please do a video about the Sizzler. They were very good when they started also.

[@veronicaandrews4758]

The restaurant is still flourishing and has that down home feel, with an emphasis on “country”. My choice in foods is changed today, but I appreciate the restaurant because of the variety of foods offered. Enjoyed the video and all that I have seen from Recollection Road. Thank you!🎉

[@anthonyhawkins3576]

The first time I ate Bob Evans sausage, a lady at work brought some back from Michigan. Apparently, Michigan had some really restrictive requirements on processed meat products, and I was told that sausage from Michigan was much more pure and did not contain additives.

[@darrylh1971]

I remember eating at the Bob Evans restaurants in Ohio (Elyria, Youngstown, Toledo), Indiana (South Bend), Florida (Palm Coast), and Illinois.

[@mh53j]

My parents used to stop at Bob Evans in Gallipolis when they traveled between Charleston, WVa (where dad was stationed) and our hometown of Ft Wayne, Indiana. I was told I met Bob Evans when he came out and sat at our table and chatted for a while...told my parents what well behaved children they had! I was only 2 or 3 at the most so I don't remember! If I come across a Bob Evans, I'll stop and eat; the all day breakfast is absolutely a great idea. First time I ordered the pancakes, figured I'd better get 3 cause they're usually small...they were almost as big as the plate!

[@lindaduncan5541]

I love the Bob Evans restaurant and have eaten at the original location in Gallipolis, Ohio. I’ve been to many of the Farm Festivals on the farm. I hope this business doesn’t go under. Their menu is so good and it’s my favorite for breakfast.

[@mothman-jz8ug]

I have been to the farm more times than I could possibly count. However, the original restaurant, along with the general store, was razed and a new restaurant was erected. The look and feel of the new one can best be summed up with one word: COLD. Gone is any and all of the warmth and charm the original was known for. Moreover, long before that, many of the long time favorites on the menu were dropped in favor of "healthier" or otherwise aimed at the Yuppie market. The restaurant on the farm did allow diners to order the original foods off menu for some time, but eventually that stopped as well. What is left is mostly the same thing seem in tens of thousands of other "Xerox" restaurants across the country, where everything on the menu, as well as the decor, seems plastic. When the old restaurant at Rio Grande was torn down, countless people said they would never eat there again. From what I have seen, they kept their word. I have been there twice since the change, and will never return. One big difference, though, is good for anyone who does dine there: The wait for a table that was the norm in the past is just that - PAST. The 2 times I was there at least 2/3 of the seats in the cold, unwelcoming place were empty. Going by, I only see the parking lot full around the time of the Farm Festival.

[@jrussellcase]

They bought Owens Sausage some years ago but I think they sold it off. I've never been to one of their restaurants, we didn't have them near me. But their packaged "sides" are sold in grocery stores around here, I've heard they're pretty decent.

[@gregsells8549]

There also was an Owens restaurant chain at the time Bob Evans bought the company, but it's gone. The architecture was similar.

[@sclm046]

@@gregsells8549 I remember the Owens Restaurants. As I recall, there was one between Dallas and Ft. Worth on I-20, one at Waxahachie and another in or near Austin. I think that while these restaurants resembled their Bob Evans counterparts, they were slightly smaller than a Bob Evans. Very good food, though.

[@andyoppermann3188]

The Owens restaurants were just like Bob Evans. Same store front, just a different logo. We used to go to Owen's every Sunday until they closed down! I was thrilled when I went to Florida and saw that Bob Evan's sign. Good GOOD biscuits and sausage gravy. Mmm.

[@neilschipper3741]

Most of the Bob Evans restaurants around here in Florida have closed. I stopped going to Bob Evans when the food changed to pre-made commercial heat and serve.

[@ClarkieandJoseph]

Dang, I feel really dumb..I didn’t know that there was a real Bob Evans! Well like they say we learn something new every day!😊

[@wakeup6910]

There's a real Col. Sanders, a real Wendy, a real Tim Horton,

[@lvbfan]

Wait until you hear about Chef Boyardee!

[@riverraisin1]

However, Betty Crocker is a crock of sh....

[@riverraisin1]

Ate there last week after having fond memories of past meals there. Boy, were my wife and I disappointed. I got the turkey dinner. The (stove top?) stuffing was probably good when they made it 3 days prior, the turkey must have been preserved in salt. Carrots and mashed potatoes were ok. Service: marginal. A far cry from a homestyle meal. Bob would have been saddened at what is dream has become.

[@zieglla]

I worked there in high school and it was a great place to work. I was sad to hear that it was sold and the quality of the food was not the same after the sale.

[@carolineconnor2156]

Pretty sure we stopped at a Bob Evans Restaurant in Florida on the way to Disney. The kids and husband liked it, but I was not impressed. Not bad , just not memorable. This was about 15 years ago. Still buy the mashed potatoes in the grocery store. Really pretty good 😊

[@Sobeknjord]

We have a Bob Evans here, been here since 94 at least and one of our oldest restaurants (I say oldest because here, businesses go out of business every 5 years at least) and it's sadly gone downhill. My mom used to work at Bob Evans as did I and it's sadly gone downhill as a company ever since it was sold.

[@cdfreester]

We had several Bob Evans restaurants in the Kansas City area from the 1990s into the early 2010's but I think they are all gone now. Only ate at Bob Evans once - it was okay. Their frozen breakfast sandwiches are big but without any flavor.

[@charles-y2z6c]

The pronunciation of Rio Grande Ohio in the narration is correct. It is pronounced Rye-O Grand even though it was named after the Rio Grande river in Texas/Mexico border. Does anyone know the reason?

[@karenh2890]

Okay, I just read it is pronounced that way to rhyme with Ohio. Is that true?

[@kathybragg5150]

"Hillbonics" maybe?

[@dianakoontz3518]

I have been to the farm festival, and loved it. I go to Bob Evans restaurant in Bowling Green, OH usually, but have been to others. I have had a friend and granddaughter who worked at Bob Evans.

[@captain7265]

I worked as a wholesale packaged meat salesman in the ‘80s. I used to run into their drivers/salesmen all the time. They were always dressed just like Bob, tie and hat included.

[@CJLinOHIO]

Quality restaurants serving quality food is a thing of the past. Miss the good old days when you could go out and get a really good meal. Even the quality of Bob Evans isn't what it was originally this is why they have closed so many of their restaurants.

[@trish5556]

Now I know why the quality and variety of foods changed in the 2000's. I miss the way it was.

[@omw78]

We have a Bob Evans here in Columbus, Indiana its packed all the time. Its right off the I 65 interstate.

[@tbirdracefan]

Enjoyed the mac and cheese from the supermarkets here. Was out of state a few years ago and had an opportunity to stop at a restaurant. The dinner I ordered was not bad but the portion size was a little disappointing. Had no idea they were known for the sausage. I'll keep that in mind in case an opportunity presents itself again.

[@notrightmeow3357]

If only I had a time machine…

[@jeffreyrigged]

craving turkey and dressing now