Author Topic: Bob Evans (Read 7102 times)

Keith · « **Reply #35 on:** October 16, 2008, 08:02:21 AM »

I haven't been to a Bob Evans in a few years. The last time I went was a bunch of friends in Kent, and as I walked in I was staring across the street at Mike's Place and wishing I could have convinced everyone to just go there. After I got my order, I really really wished I had gone across the street, friends or not.

David · « **Reply #36 on:** October 16, 2008, 08:23:38 AM »

Quote from: MyTwoSense on October 16, 2008, 08:00:43 AM

Quote from: McCleveland on October 16, 2008, 07:06:38 AM
I'm not going to lie... I have kind of a soft spot for the Bob Evans country fried steak breakfast with grits.

I don't normally eat a chains, but the boys in my department went to Ruby Tuesday, and I had an amazing burger and the little grape cocktails were scrumptious.

Ruby Tuesdays is the bomb. I love that place and I don't normally like chains. Rock Bottom too.

MayDay · « **Reply #37 on:** October 16, 2008, 08:28:14 AM »

"How many miles on the eliptical would that require, Mayday?"

Too many - just go with bulimia.

C-Dawg · « **Reply #38 on:** October 16, 2008, 08:48:56 AM »

C-Dawg, why do you got to hate on Chipolte? I know there are better burritos out there. But still...

Actually, I have no qualms about the food per se (it gets the job done, even if the most basic way). It's the suburban atmosphere and sheet metal decor that bothers me. And they don't have ice cream. If I'm going suburban American, I want ice cream, dammit.

Jeffrey · « **Reply #39 on:** October 16, 2008, 02:06:58 PM »

Quote

- What do you think about Bob Evans restaurants? Do you think it's just a place where old people eat? Or just for breakfast?

I don't have any age perception of the place, and I do see it as a breakfast place, mostly.

Quote

- If you don't eat there, why? Is the atmosphere just too uncool? Dislike the food? Dislike chains?

I dont eat out for breakfast...its pretty rare. The atmosphere is actually pretty nice compared to Perkins, which is the breakfast place i usually go to. Food is OK for me.

I have to say I did have a bad (food) experience at a Bob Evans in KY years ago...just didnt like the place... and I didnt go back. Recently I did revisit and changed my mind. I usually choose Bob Evans if im on a road trip..one of the best was in New Philadelphia...goood service and food.

Quote

- How often do you go out to eat?

Oh, maybe 2 or 3 times a month, dinner.

Quote

And if you have any other comments or opinions about Bob Evans please share those as well.

Though I dont eat out for bkfst I find my self buying Bob Evans bacon and sausage at the supermarket. I like their bacon..country pepper, and the maple cured.

jmecklenborg · « **Reply #40 on:** October 16, 2008, 02:53:48 PM »

I was a host and bussed tables at Frisch's Big Boy for 18 months in high school. My polyester uniform looked as good the day I turned it in as the day I took it home. By the end my time there I was the 3rd most senior employee out of 50+. At one point we ran out of maternity uniforms, and even the mildly retarded girl who ran the cash register was pregnant. Everyone except me smoked, pregnant or otherwise.

The Wednesday night church crowds were the most annoying, since they felt like they were entitled to the very finest service, despite never giving more than $5 in tips and never numbering less than 12. Also, the bussers didn't get any tips, except once a guy gave me $1. I got a quarter raise after a year from I think $4/hr to $4.25. This was when the minimum was $3.75.

In contrast to the church groups, the smoking section attracted a seedier crowd. Several times I had to seat a 6'4" transvestite who would sit at the same 2-top with his wife(?). Forks would drop and gasps could be heard as he(?) made his way back to the smoking section, resplendent in shoulder-length wig and black pantyhose. Oddly, his(?) favorite table also attracted a guy who would come in by himself and after 10 minutes of staring at other customers pull a harmonica from his vest pocket and treat the smoking section to to some avant garde riffing. Also, early in the week after dinner, the smoking section attracted a significant gay clientele who had the tacky habit of unbuttoning their shirts one button too much.

I'd imagine something similar at Bob Evans.

AJ93 · « **Reply #41 on:** October 17, 2008, 05:47:31 AM »

Quote from: jmecklenborg on October 16, 2008, 02:53:48 PM

In contrast to the church groups, the smoking section attracted a seedier crowd. Several times I had to seat a 6'4" transvestite who would sit at the same 2-top with his wife(?). Forks would drop and gasps could be heard as he(?) made his way back to the smoking section, resplendent in shoulder-length wig and black pantyhose. Oddly, his(?) favorite table also attracted a guy who would come in by himself and after 10 minutes of staring at other customers pull a harmonica from his vest pocket and treat the smoking section to to some avant garde riffing.

I'd imagine something similar at Bob Evans.

That's EXACTLY what it's like at the Bob Evans I go to...except once in a while Savion Glover stops by and does some improvisational tap.

Sometimes I think you live in a David Lynch movie, Jmeck.

doctabroccoli · « **Reply #42 on:** October 17, 2008, 06:09:59 AM »

I always felt out of place when I worked at Bob Evans because they would all sit in the employee lounge and smoke and talk about the good deal they got on window A/C units for their trailers..... I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but that is the lifestyle of most Bob Evans "veterans" that I described upthread.

cortlandgirl79 · « **Reply #43 on:** October 17, 2008, 10:43:26 AM »

I love Bob Evans! The food is good and the cost is pretty cheap. My friends and i (around age 29) usually go there for lunch. I usually order a grilled cheese or club sandwich, so it's not like they can mess those up! It also seems like their prices are cheaper than Perkins/other chains. Oh yeah, and their buscuits and rolls are the best!

Am i saying Bob Evans or other chains are my favorite?? No way!!! Thankfully, here in the Mahoning Valley, we have plenty of locally owned restaurants (mostly italian, some greek, some all-american). My friends and i prefer local places to chains, but when we need a quick sandwich we go to Bob Evans.

Oh yeah, when we are visiting our friends in the Toledo area we usually go to the Bob Evans in Perrysburg. I've yet to have any good lunch food anywhere else up there!

peabody99 · « **Reply #44 on:** October 17, 2008, 10:50:06 AM »

as a weird side note my spouse called me last night. He was on the road to Cincinnati with a colleague. The spouse was hoping to eat at some indie joint downtown that I had researched for him, but instead his colleague (and he our friend too) INSISTED on stopping at yes, Bob Evans. My spouse actually opened the call with you will NEVER believe where we stopped to eat...

Our friend is not would I would guess to be the typical Bob E customer. Highly educated, progressive, European, under 45. But apparently he loves it. Go figure. He does love chains though.

Robert Pence · « **Reply #45 on:** October 17, 2008, 11:28:49 AM »

Quote from: peabody99 on October 17, 2008, 10:50:06 AM

... Our friend is not would I would guess to be the typical Bob E customer. Highly educated, progressive, European, under 45. But apparently he loves it. Go figure. He does love chains though.

See? It just takes a level of sophistication that is beyond most midwesterners' comprehension!

Rob Jaques · « **Reply #46 on:** October 17, 2008, 11:37:56 AM »

Quote from: cortlandgirl79 on October 17, 2008, 10:43:26 AM

Am i saying Bob Evans or other chains are my favorite?? No way!!! Thankfully, here in the Mahoning Valley, we have plenty of locally owned restaurants (mostly italian, some greek, some all-american). My friends and i prefer local places to chains, but when we need a quick sandwich we go to Bob Evans.

Like Sunrise, Hot Dog Shoppe, or Abruzzi's. I love Leo's in Howland

Not generally a big fan of Bob Evans... usually just for breakfast... they have good biscuits and sausage gravy.

cortlandgirl79 · « **Reply #47 on:** October 17, 2008, 12:06:50 PM »

Quote from: Neville on October 17, 2008, 11:37:56 AM

Quote from: cortlandgirl79 on October 17, 2008, 10:43:26 AM
Am i saying Bob Evans or other chains are my favorite?? No way!!! Thankfully, here in the Mahoning Valley, we have plenty of locally owned restaurants (mostly italian, some greek, some all-american). My friends and i prefer local places to chains, but when we need a quick sandwich we go to Bob Evans.

Like Sunrise, Hot Dog Shoppe, or Abruzzi's. I love Leo's in Howland

Not generally a big fan of Bob Evans... usually just for breakfast... they have good biscuits and sausage gravy.

Yes, i love all those places!

Don't forget: Salvatore's, The Chophouse
http://www.alberinis.com/
http://buenavistacafe.biz/index.html
http://www.mochahouse.com/
http://www.enzosofwarren.com/

Jeffrey · « **Reply #48 on:** October 17, 2008, 08:47:34 PM »

Quote

Several times I had to seat a 6'4" transvestite who would sit at the same 2-top with his wife(?). Forks would drop and gasps could be heard as he(?) made his way back to the smoking section, resplendent in shoulder-length wig and black pantyhose. Oddly, his(?) favorite table also attracted a guy who would come in by himself and after 10 minutes of staring at other customers pull a harmonica from his vest pocket and treat the smoking section to to some avant garde riffing. Also, early in the week after dinner, the smoking section attracted a significant gay clientele who had the tacky habit of unbuttoning their shirts one button too much.

This sounds like the old Gay Denny's in Dayton. It's still Denny's, just not so gay anymore.

MyTwoSense · « **Reply #49 on:** October 18, 2008, 01:09:10 AM »

Quote from: Jeffrey on October 17, 2008, 08:47:34 PM

Quote
Several times I had to seat a 6'4" transvestite who would sit at the same 2-top with his wife(?). Forks would drop and gasps could be heard as he(?) made his way back to the smoking section, resplendent in shoulder-length wig and black pantyhose. Oddly, his(?) favorite table also attracted a guy who would come in by himself and after 10 minutes of staring at other customers pull a harmonica from his vest pocket and treat the smoking section to to some avant garde riffing. Also, early in the week after dinner, the smoking section attracted a significant gay clientele who had the tacky habit of unbuttoning their shirts one button too much.

This sounds like the old Gay Denny's in Dayton. It's still Denny's, just not so gay anymore.

And the old Howard Johnson in Cleveland!

327 · « **Reply #50 on:** October 18, 2008, 03:56:31 AM »

Quote from: Neville on October 17, 2008, 11:37:56 AM

Quote from: cortlandgirl79 on October 17, 2008, 10:43:26 AM
Am i saying Bob Evans or other chains are my favorite?? No way!!! Thankfully, here in the Mahoning Valley, we have plenty of locally owned restaurants (mostly italian, some greek, some all-american). My friends and i prefer local places to chains, but when we need a quick sandwich we go to Bob Evans.

Like Sunrise, Hot Dog Shoppe, or Abruzzi's. I love Leo's in Howland

Not generally a big fan of Bob Evans... usually just for breakfast... they have good biscuits and sausage gravy.

Best biscuits & gravy in the area is the truck stop on Rt 5 (Center of the World) just before the turnpike. At least it used to be. And if it's still there, Combine Bros on 18 in Hermitage. Not for biscuits. Giant portion of pasta with steak on top.

I once went to the original Bob Evans near Chilicothe (?) as a little kid on the way to see the Tecumseh play. We got to see one of the wait staff get fired. It was a nice opening act to the drama of Ohio's early settlement wars. I've never had bad food at Bob Evans, it's just really basic. Using more fresh local ingredients could be a nice modern hook for them. Come out strong in support of small family farms. Double down on their brand.

David · « **Reply #51 on:** October 18, 2008, 05:54:52 AM »

I buy Bob Evans' mashed potatoes at Kroger when I'm too lazy to buy fresh ones and mash 'em.

jmecklenborg · « **Reply #52 on:** October 18, 2008, 04:20:09 PM »

>I always felt out of place when I worked at Bob Evans because they would all sit in the employee lounge and smoke and talk about the good deal they got on window A/C units for their trailers..... I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but that is the lifestyle of most Bob Evans "veterans" that I described upthread.

The other thing about these kinds of jobs is that typically there's somebody besides the manager who's bossing you around from the moment you set foot on the premises your first day, then a bit later you find out they'd only started 2 weeks before you.

David · « **Reply #53 on:** October 18, 2008, 04:49:56 PM »

Quote from: jmecklenborg on October 18, 2008, 04:20:09 PM

The other thing about these kinds of jobs is that typically there's somebody besides the manager who's bossing you around from the moment you set foot on the premises your first day, then a bit later you find out they'd only started 2 weeks before you.

Ugh. I hate that. There's always the 45 year old male server that acts like he runs sh!t. When I worked at a certain d/t restaurant this guy would take a week off and claim he needed to take off for a modeling gig in san francisco or some other bs. He was also in the military and talked about living in other countries as if he was there a long time and knew so much about different cultures. First day I started he goes "how old are you?" I said "21", he said "hmm where was I at 21.. oh yeah, BEIRUT". I should have said "where are you at 45? Oh yeah, Serving..stfu". The older male servers tend to be narcissistic a-holes.

MyTwoSense · « **Reply #54 on:** October 18, 2008, 08:43:29 PM »

Quote from: David on October 18, 2008, 04:49:56 PM

The older male servers tend to be narcissistic a-holes.

It comes with age. When you're 40, you'll see.

peabody99 · « **Reply #55 on:** October 19, 2008, 12:37:20 PM »

Quote from: MyTwoSense on October 18, 2008, 08:43:29 PM

Quote from: David on October 18, 2008, 04:49:56 PM
The older male servers tend to be narcissistic a-holes.

It comes with age. When you're 40, you'll see.

so before 40, you were neither?

mrnyc · « **Reply #56 on:** October 21, 2008, 01:19:15 AM »

bob evans. oh god. my first real, official, non-bootleg job. the summer i graduated from hs. what a funny place:

lines wrapped around the building on busy mornings, especially weekend mornings. the managers out in front waving around and competing with kuntry kitchen managers for busses. bussing tables and washing dishes. getting to the 'arbiter' of tips, as bussers get to the tables first. the managers always saying, "hey buddy, can i get a push-push on that carpet?" the cooks smashing cups and plates at night to let off steam after we closed. the waitress who thought the old foreigner pop song 'urgent' was 'virgin' and would sing, "virgin, e-mer-gen-cy! virgin! virgin!" and most of all the things they would put in the mush...don't ever order the mush!

MyTwoSense · « **Reply #57 on:** October 21, 2008, 02:41:50 AM »

Quote from: peabody99 on October 19, 2008, 12:37:20 PM

Quote from: MyTwoSense on October 18, 2008, 08:43:29 PM
Quote from: David on October 18, 2008, 04:49:56 PM
The older male servers tend to be narcissistic a-holes.

It comes with age. When you're 40, you'll see.

so before 40, you were neither?

Sherman Cahal · « **Reply #58 on:** October 23, 2008, 01:20:32 PM »

Quote from: MayDay on October 15, 2008, 08:05:10 AM

For what it's worth, I also avoid places like Perkins, IHOP, for that reason alone. Back to Bob Evans - the atmosphere was bumpkin-ish - the gingham patterns, craftsy decor, is pretty much the opposite of what I care for.

I beg to differ:

David · « **Reply #59 on:** October 23, 2008, 01:43:24 PM »

Hey, if MayDay's partner drags him out to the boonies to pick pumpkins, everyone knows he's going to dress accordingly and rock a flannel like no other.

MyTwoSense · « **Reply #60 on:** October 23, 2008, 02:07:57 PM »

Yes, Ms. Honey is appropriately dressed. I'm curious to know what you flipflop lovin' whippersnappers would wear?

MayDay · « **Reply #61 on:** October 23, 2008, 02:12:20 PM »

Quote from: David on October 23, 2008, 01:43:24 PM

Hey, if MayDay's partner drags him out to the boonies to pick pumpkins, everyone knows he's going to dress accordingly and rock a flannel like no other.

Just to clarify it's a Banana Republic plaid shirt and a vest from Nordstrom - but yes, if I'm going out to the country I'm butching it up a little.

David · « **Reply #62 on:** October 23, 2008, 02:41:05 PM »

I wasn't saying anything negative MayDay, I was just saying if you're gonna go "butch" as you call it, you're at least gonna do it right.

MyTwoSense · « **Reply #63 on:** October 24, 2008, 04:53:02 AM »

Quote from: MayDay on October 23, 2008, 02:12:20 PM

Just to clarify it's a Banana Republic plaid shirt and a vest from Nordstrom - but yes, if I'm going out to the country I'm butching it up a little.

Thanks! My luck it's probably not from this season.