Bob Evans Restaurants are a ubiquitous part of Midwest culinary culture – but it hasn’t always been that way. In the 1940s, Ohioan Bob Evans began processing and packaging sausage for his small, 12-seat diner in Gallipolis. In the 75-plus years since, Bob Evans has become a household name synonymous with good, old-fashioned country comfort food. What many don’t realize, though, is that you can visit the Bob Evans Farm in Ohio. (The original Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, Ohio, is now in Bidwell). If you have a hankering for classic country cooking, head to the historic Bob Evans Farm Restaurant Museum in Bidwell, Ohio.

The world has certainly changed since the 1940s, when Bob Evans opened his first diner and began selling delicious sausage and country-style cooking.
Bob Evans
At this time, Ohio was mainly farmland, though, after two World Wars and the growing popularity of the automobile, things were starting to change.
Bob Evans
Mr. Evans lived on the Bob Evans Farm in southeastern Ohio for nearly 20 years. He and his wife, Jewell, raised their six children in the large brick farmhouse.
Jordan Baer / Google Reviews
In the 1960s, the first Bob Evans Restaurant opened its doors in Rio Grande, Ohio, eventually becoming the first in a chain of restaurants that made up the Bob Evans Farms.
Bob Evans
Starting from humble beginnings as a four-stool, six-table diner in Ohio, Bob Evans took a beloved sausage recipe and grew it into the beloved Midwestern icon it is today.
Bob Evans

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Bob Evans Restaurant, located on the original Evans farmstead in Ohio, is open all year round.
Jordan Baer / Google Reviews
Both a museum and restaurant, this historic homestead is the place to go for classic country cooking in Ohio.
Bob Evans / Facebook
Breakfast has always been an event at Bob Evans, and the biscuits and sausage gravy are a must-try when visiting Bob Evans. It's what made him famous, after all!
Bob Evans / Facebook
You can't go wrong with a delicious loaded omelet, too.
Of course, if your love language is a big, ole plate of Thanksgiving fare, you'll be delighted by the dinner menu, which includes turkey, mashed potatoes, and tons of delicious gravy!
Valeria Hanson / Google Reviews
Today, The Bob Evans Farm remains as true as ever to its founder's vision. From the idyllic grounds and immaculately maintained buildings to the annual Farm Fest and robust menu of country classics, a visit to this Ohio restaurant is always a delightful experience.
Bob Evans / Facebook

Did you know about the Bob Evans Farm Restaurant Museum in Bidwell, Ohio? This restaurant is country cooking at its finest, and we’re so proud to have the Bob Evans Farm in Ohio!

If you enjoy combining history with food tours, check out this tour of the historic Findlay Market – the oldest urban market in Ohio.

If you’re looking for another historic restaurant to visit in Ohio, head back to school at The Schoolhouse Restaurant in Camp Dennison.

One Of The Oldest Family-Owned Restaurants In Ohio Is Also Among The Most Delicious Places You’ll Ever Eat

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Farms And Homesteads In Ohio

Chris Muras | February 12, 2024

Where is the original Bob Evans farm located?
The original Bob Evans Farm was in Rio Grande, Ohio. Bob and Jewel Evans purchased the farm in 1951. Before that, they owned "The Steak House," a 12-stool diner that they had run since 1946. Bob started selling his famous sausage out of his truck in 1948 until he saved up enough to convert an old bread truck into a delivery van.

Where else can you experience agritourism in Ohio?
Agritourism, as you might guess, combines working farms, ranches, orchards, and other forms of live agricultural production with the tourism industry. Here are some of the places you can enjoy agritourism in Ohio:

  • Gorman Heritage Farm, Evendale, OH: This 122-acre working farm near Cincinnati was a family farm for many generations. It has changed hands a few times since then and is now owned by the city of Evandale. You can visit the farm year-round or come visit during one of its special events, like the Sunflower Festival in early October.
  • Stearns Homestead, Parma, OH: Come feed the animals at the Stearns Homestead in the spring, summer, and fall. They have horses, goats, sheep, potbelly pigs, cats, rabbits, chickens, sheep, and turkeys - around 75 animals in total. The homestead is on a beautiful area of land with a cute duck pond and rolling hills of green.
  • Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Kirtland, OH: This 235-acre farm is a working farm that you can visit to learn about farming in historic times and how modern technology has changed the industry. When you visit, you can take a look at historic farm equipment as well as the beautiful horses and dairy cows (and sheep, pigs, and chickens) on the farm. You can even try your hand at bread making or help out with the fall harvest. The farm is open year-round so you can see what a farm does during each season to provide food to all of us hungry humans all over the world.

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Bob Evans Farm Restaurant Museum, 791 Farmview Rd, Bidwell, OH 45614, USA