Reporting Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 23, 2015	Jan. 24, 2014	Jan. 23, 2015 segment	Jan. 24, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reporting segments			2
Net Sales	$ 357,177	$ 340,132	$ 1,016,796	$ 1,002,181
Operating income (loss):	7,673	7,954	16,749	28,848
BEF Foods
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	106,788	99,626	285,105	276,624
Operating Segments | Bob Evans Restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	250,389	240,506	731,691	725,557
Operating income (loss):	(1,985)	6,578	6,442	24,972
Operating Segments | BEF Foods
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	112,060	103,485	300,618	287,523
Operating income (loss):	9,658	1,376	10,307	3,876
Intersegment Eliminations | BEF Foods
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ (5,272)	$ (3,859)	$ (15,513)	$ (10,899)