Bob Evans, Good Country Cookin'!
Written: Jul 09 '05 (Updated Jul 11 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good country cookin'
Cons: The portions though good don't seem quite as large as the Cracker Barrel's
The Bottom Line: When on the road and looking for some country cookin' this is one of the places I look for. I like that you can get breakfast at any time.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Bob Evans |
I always wondered why Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans Restaurants don't have any eateries in the NYC/Long Island area. The closest ones are 75 miles away from where I live. It seems to me that they would do very well with the foods they served. It is very possible however that they would not be able to get the same very friendly and attentive help we have always received at both chains.
A Bit of History and More
Bob Evans was started by a fellow by the name of Bob Evans. He started a small diner and extended that into a sausage business when he couldn't buy the quality sausage he wanted to serve to the truckers that came through his small place in Ohio.
In time he opened more eateries and now there are nearly 600 Bob Evans Restaurants. Each of these restaurants hold onto the founders rural beginning with an outside look of a cross between a ranch house and barn that are painted red and white. The ones I have been to have a country setting within the buildings. Booths trimmed in oak with mica like table-tops and the waitstaff in their white shirts and aprons are always neat and clean. That's both the tables and the staff.
There's plenty of parking just outside the doors of these restaurants that I have only seen as independent buildings on their own large piece of property.
Service
One of the reasons I like this place is because of the service. I have been to these places when on the road and looking for good all American meals whether breakfast lunch or dinner. Part of the warmth and satisfaction I receive from the restaurant starts at the door when I first walk in and I'm greeted with a warm hello.
Though these places are popular the wait has never been too long for me and in fact, due to often entering these places at off hours due to business or traveling schedules, I rarely wait at all.
Once seated I have ALWAYS had excellent service where the waitstaff is quick to the table with coffee or taking an order. They are always polite and eager to help. I have only been to Bob Evans eatery in the Pennsylvania Dutch area near Lancaster. Those folks that work the restaurant are a pleasure to have around. It's my feeling that the culture and attitude of the restaurant comes out in the way they meet, greet, and serve their guests. I would expect the same service in any of their hundreds of restaurants.
Food, Glorious Food
I do like food and I do like to have that stick to your ribs fare that I don't get quite as often as I would like at home. My wife does her best to give me healthy foods but yogurt, salads and wraps get old after a while. OK, she's really a pretty good cook that makes some really good dinners, but we do tend to try and eat a bit more healthy when in our home.
Now having said that, it doesn't mean that Bob Evans serves food that's unhealthy. You know the bit, "everything in moderation". Now if I could stick to that when I'm on the road, without my wife trying to steer me right, then I would be a hundred pounds lighter.
As it is the Bob Evans breakfasts, available any time of day, with different meats (excellent sausage) and hardy dinners are exactly what I like. They offer just about everything and anything in meat, potatoes and veggies that makes for a happy traveler. I do seem to want to take a nap every time I leave this place though.
The steak and egg breakfast is something I never have when out with my wife but when this "fat cat's away he tends to play", food wise that is. My wife, who I don't believe has ever been to one of these places with me, would love their assortment of pancakes. They look light and fluffy on the many plates I see going to other tables, but me, I always prefer the meat and eggs.
Beef, chicken and pork are the main items to add your accompaniments too. The veggies have always been cooked right. Not overdone, but with just the right amount of crispness still in them.
They also have a kids menu but I've never paid attention to it.
You know, I just love country cookin' and Bob Evan's restaurant does it right. You can still get your chicken salad plates and that sort of thing but I can have that anywhere. I travel 75 miles from home for what I like and that's country cookin'!
The food is fresh, prepared well and presented in fine fashion, but nothing fancy here. The portions are good but not as large as what The Cracker Barrel seems to give. The thing is though, when I'm away without my wife I just order something else and the prices aren't such to empty my wallet.
I also note that many families stop at Bob Evans so it is popular and affordable. Bob Evans also has a good dessert menu that I've tried on occasion. If you happen to like the Cracker Barrel Restaurant, this is much like it only they don't have a country store. Even if you miss the shopping, you won't miss good country cookin' at Bob Evans restaurant.
Other sit down chain restaurants
Applebee's / Romano's MACARONI GRILL / OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE / Cozymel's / Cheesecake Factory / Red Lobster / TGI Friday's / Charlie Browns / Boulder Creek Steakhouse / Waffle House / Friendly's / Ruth's Chris Steak House /Don Juan's / Cracker Barrel / The Olive Garden
Recommended:
Yes
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