<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-03-09</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000033769</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOB EVANS FARMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BOBE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001486980</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fisher John Joseph</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6721 BROMWICH LN APT 14204</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RALEIGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27607-5279</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP &amp; CHIEF CONCEPT OFFICER</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock $.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5402</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock $.01 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>84.48</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">5,402 shares of Restricted stock granted under the Company's 2010 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan. 2,691 shares vesting over three years starting December 17, 2015 and 2,033 shares vesting over three years starting March 6, 2016. 678 shares of Restricted stock represents a contingent right to receive one share of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. common stock. The restricted stock units vest in three equal annual installments beginning March 6, 2016. Vested shares will be delivered to the reporting person at the time specified in the plan after the reporting person terminates service with the company.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Phantom Stock refers to restricted stock units granted under the 2010 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan that is deferred by the participant. Converts to common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Phantom stock in the Company Deferral Plan is payable in Company stock in a lump sum or in installments upon termination of service.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The shares of phantom stock become payable in Company stock in a lump sum or in installments upon termination of service.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Colin Daly For: John J. Fisher</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-03-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
