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

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-09-04</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001275331</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BENHAM DOUGLAS N</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8111 SMITH'S MILL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW ALBANY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43054</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Director</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock $.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-09-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21000.0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>45.11</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>29057</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Vested shares will be delivered to the reporting person at the time specified in the deferral plan after they terminate employment with the Company.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Each restricted stock unit (RSU) represents a contingent right to receive one share of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. common stock. The RSUs vest (a) 45% on August 24, 2016, being at least 9,450 shares as may be increased by dividends reinvested in shares of the Company stock (&quot;2016 Tranche&quot;); (b) 55% on August 24, 2017, being at least 11,550 shares as may be increased by dividends reinvested in shares of the Company stock (&quot;2017 Tranche&quot;); subject, in each case, to Participant's/Executive's continued employment with the Company as Executive Chair through the applicable vesting date.  Additional terms contained in award.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Closing Price of stock on date of grant was $45.11.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Kevin O'Neil For: Douglas N. Benham</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-09-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
