Bob Evans Restaurant

Let me start off by saying that I love the Bob Evans franchise.  I usually visit the Bob Evans restaurant closest to our house at least 2-3 times per week. The price is right; the quality of the food is delicious, and since my wife and I have been on weight watchers; it's easy to calculate/watch our points.

Unfortunately, 3 of my last 5 visits have had problems.  Not with the food, but with the service.  Three visits ago, my son and I ordered our dinner; only to be kept waiting for an extended period of time.  This visit had nothing to do with our waitress; as we heard her asking the cooks several times to get our order out.  It wasn't until 40 minutes had passed that the cooks told our waitress that they didn't have any chicken (my order) and it would be another 40 minutes (at least) before it was done.  Unacceptable.  The manager offered to give me another meal at no charge, but I was so frustrated, that I declined the free meal.

A couple of visits later my wife, son and I visited the same restaurant and ordered our meals.  The service was extremely slow.  After 30-40 minutes, we made a comment to the manager about the slow service.  She offered to give us a free desert; but as mentioned earlier, we're watching our weight, so declined the ice cream.

Tonight, the three of us visited again.  There wasn't a large crowd, but the waitresses all seemed to be stressed; and running back and forth.  The hostess offered to get our drinks and take our orders since the waitresses were busy.  Great initiative on her part.  The problem this created was that she had to go back to her job of seating customers and checking out those that were leaving.  After 30 minutes of not having anyone come by our table, I called the manager over to inform her that we felt as though we were abandoned.  The couple at a table next to us overheard us and made the same comment.  The manager assured us that our server would be right over.  When the food finally came out, my wife's order was COLD!  I told the manager that I saw it sitting in the window for an extended period of time.  My wife was so upset that she didn't want to wait for another order and left.  The manager was very apologetic and said that she felt the food and verified that it was cold.  She comp't our entire meal.  This time I accepted the gratuity.  

I love Bob Evans; but unless this particular franchise location gets a handle on its service issues, they will lose business; eventually mine.

We had breakfast here this morning.  We ended up sitting at the counter because the wait was fairly long.  And it was fun! I was so impressed with the good-natured teamwork that we witnessed.  And it just wasn't a few, it was everyone.  

I ordered the strawberry-banana crepes and they were very good, as always.  I got a side of bacon and it was cooked perfectly.  My husband got the homestead breakfast and enjoyed it quite well.

While we weren't seated in a comfortable booth, sitting at the counter was a good experience.  We were served promptly, the food fresh and good.  A very good experience!

Been going here for a long time.  The service is great and friendly.  The food is always good.