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

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001297003</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Mohseni Saed</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BOB EVANS FARMS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>8111 SMITH'S MILL ROAD</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>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Kevin C. O'Neil For: Saed Mohseni</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
