Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation	$ 297	$ 723
2010 Plan \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted (in shares)	11
2010 Plan \| PSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted (in shares)	19	142
2010 Plan \| PSUs \| Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
2010 Plan \| RSAs and RSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted (in shares)		74
2010 Plan \| RSAs and RSUs \| Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
2010 Plan \| RSAs and RSUs \| Non-employee directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year

BOB EVANS FARMS INC 10-Q