Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin) is the family patriarch featured in Bob’s Burgers. The series follows Bob and his family’s various misadventures as he does his best to keep his burger restaurant afloat. The Belcher family, including Bob’s wife Linda (John Roberts) and their children Tina (Dan Mintz), Gene (Eugene Mirman), and Louise (Kristen Schaal), do their best to get by as they face the challenges that come with keeping a business afloat.
Throughout the series, Bob has consistently proven himself to be an exceptional father, despite his flaws. While he may often come across as a pessimist and someone stuck with a restaurant he never asked for, he always shows up for his family and goes above and beyond to care for his children. The best episodes of Bob’s Burgers that prove Bob is TV‘s best father highlight the fact that he not only focuses on providing for his family but also shows up for his kids emotionally.
10
“The Equestranauts”
Season 4, Episode 17
After Tina visits Equestra-con, a convention devoted to her favorite show, “The Equestranauts”, she gets her collectible figure stolen by adult male fans who call themselves “Equesticles”. Tina is tricked into giving up this collectible by a man who pretends to bond with her over their shared love of these characters. Bob ends up going undercover as an “Equesticle” to retrieve Tina’s prized possession and has to study the series extensively to earn their trust.
…This is a heartwarming opportunity for Bob to demonstrate his willingness to put his own needs second to those of his children.
This episode shows just how far Bob will go to ensure his children’s happiness. Although he’s clearly uncomfortable being put in the position of having to go undercover as an adult man who’s a fan of a children’s TV series, his desire to do right by Tina outweighs this temporary discomfort. In addition to being a truly hilarious episode of Bob’s Burgers that serves as a commentary on fandom culture, this is a heartwarming opportunity for Bob to demonstrate his willingness to put his own needs second to those of his children.
9
“Mother Daughter Laser Razor”
Season 3, Episode 10
While the Belchers prepare for a family game night, Linda finds out that her children mock her behind her back. Linda then makes it her mission to connect with Louise specifically by enlisting the help of a mommy blogger. Linda is hurt by the fact that she finds it difficult to connect with Louise and assumes that Louise only connects with her dad. When Linda takes Louise on a retreat led by the mommy blogger, Bob is left to look after Tina and Gene.
…Bob is able to put himself through this kind of pain to put Tina’s mind at ease…
While this episode primarily focuses on the relationship between Linda and Louise, it also shows Bob stepping up and helping his children face an uncomfortable situation. When Tina finds she can’t face getting her leg hair removed in this way, Bob immediately steps in and gets his own legs waxed. The fact that Bob is able to put himself through this kind of pain to put Tina’s mind at ease is further proof that he is willing to support his children even when it costs him.
8
“The Hurt Soccer”
Season 8, Episode 12
After Bob and Linda realize they signed Louise up for soccer without attending a single game or practice, they are guilted into attending a single game to make up for no-shows. Bob has to coach the team, and he immediately appoints Tina as his deputy. It’s a trial by fire as he realizes how tough it is to coach a youth soccer team. This is a unique opportunity for Bob to bond with both of his daughters and for the Belchers to have fun despite themselves.
Bob has to coach the team, and he immediately appoints Tina as his deputy.
This episode of Bob’s Burgers is an example of Bob proving himself to be a good father by recognizing his children’s talents and capitalizing on them. This is also another example of an episode that shows how willing Bob is to stretch himself to his limits to show how much he cares about his children. Bob’s ability to have fun with his children and let his own inner child out is another quality of his that makes him TV’s best father.
7
“Sexy Dance Fighting”
Season 1, Episode 4
With Tina facing puberty, Bob struggles to connect with her. He tries to force their father-daughter time by telling Tina she has to do her job as an assistant cook in the restaurant. Tina finds a capoeira class and develops a crush on the eccentric, long-haired instructor Jairo (Jon Glaser). When Jairo humiliates Bob in a duel, Bob forbids Tina from pursuing capoeira. Tina defies her father and continues attending with the goal of gaining her yellow cord.
When Jairo humiliates Bob in a duel, Bob forbids Tina from pursuing capoeira.
This is an early example where Bob Belcher showcases the fact that he is the best TV dad because he’s able to put his own feelings aside and do what’s best for Tina. He’s able to understand how important it is for Tina to develop her independence. Even if he doesn’t want Tina to pursue this particular sport, he’s able to put aside his own humiliation to show up for Tina when she needs him. This selflessness is a testament to Bob’s ability to be emotionally present for his kids despite what he might be going through himself.
6
“Vampire Disco Death Dance”
Season 11, Episode 22
Bob is excited to take Tina to a Rocky Horror Picture Show-like musical, and is disappointed when Tina’s classmates end up tagging along. Although he’s excited to share this father-daughter moment with Tina, Bob realizes how important it is for Tina to include people she sees as her friends. When it becomes clear that Tina’s classmates are simply using her, Bob immediately comforts her and assures her that she deserves better.
…Bob realizes how important it is for Tina to include people she sees as her friends.
This is another episode that centers around Bob and Tina’s relationship and highlights his unique approach to bonding with his children. In this episode, Bob proves that he’s one of the best TV fathers because he’s able to be there for his kids during the highs and lows of their growing up. It’s clear from this episode that Bob wants nothing more than to be part of his children’s lives and to be a dependable shoulder they can lean on in rough times.
5
“Spaghetti and Western Meatballs”
Season 1, Episode 9
This episode introduces Bob and Louise’s game, “Burn Unit”, where the two flip through TV channels and make sarcastic comments about what’s on the air. When Bob stumbles on a favorite TV spaghetti Western, he tries to get his kids to appreciate it too. Gene finds that he’s also a fan of this genre, which makes Louise jealous. Gene and Louise end up fighting and are sent to detention when their conflict spills over into school.
Gene finds that he’s also a fan of this genre, which makes Louise jealous.
Bob shows that he’s the best TV dad in this episode because he shows how well he’s able to recognize the fact that each of his kids have different needs. His apology to Louise, for making her feel left out, also shows how he’s willing to admit to his own mistakes. This humility makes him stand out as a father and makes his subsequent attempt to make things right with his kids all the more endearing.
4
“Carpe Museum”
Season 3, Episode 22
When Linda signs Bob up to chaperone a school trip to the museum, Bob gets a closer look at what makes each of his kids unique. Tina tries to give a speech about how everyone is a bit of a dork in their own way, and Gene and Zeke (Bobby Tisdale) are distracted by displays with breasts. Louise gets bored and sneaks into the museum’s Amazon-themed room. Bob finds her immediately and ends up having a heartfelt moment with her when he talks to her about the future of the family restaurant.
…Bob gets a closer look at what makes each of his kids unique.
This episode of Bob’s Burgers is unique in that it introduces the question of Bob’s legacy as a father. After initially denying wanting to take over her father’s restaurant, Louise is honest with Bob and admits that she would be honored. This not only solidifies the unique relationship Bob has with Louise but also highlights the fact that he wants to be a part of her life long after he’s gone. This is also a heartwarming way to show that he wants to set his kids up for the futures they want.
3
“Turkey in a Can”
Season 4, Episode 5
The holiday episodes of Bob’s Burgers have always been opportunities for the Belchers to get into wild shenanigans, and this episode is no exception. While Bob is focused on his excitement about a three-day turkey brine recipe, his family descends into holiday-related chaos with Tina insisting on joining the adults’ table and Linda’s sister Gayle (Megan Mullally) being part of the festivities. To top everything off, Bob has to solve the mystery of how his turkey keeps ending up in the toilet.
…It’s a heartwarming meditation on how anxious Bob is to see his children, especially Tina, grow up.
While this may initially seem like a typical Bob’s Burgers holiday story, beneath the surface, it’s a heartwarming meditation on how anxious Bob is to see his children, especially Tina, grow up. He realizes that, as a result of side effects caused by allergy medication, he’s the one who’s been taking the turkeys into the bathroom as his anxieties manifest in him reliving potty-training Tina. This is an episode that highlights the fact that Bob is such an amazing father because his top priority is making sure he raises his children right.
2
“Tina-rannosaurus Wrecks”
Season 3, Episode 7
When Bob tries to teach Tina to drive, and she accidentally runs into Jimmy Pesto’s (Jay Johnston) car, Bob and Tina find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy. The Belchers try to convince Chase (Bob Odenkirk), the insurance adjuster, that Bob was the one behind the wheel at the time of the crash. Chase immediately sees through their story and recruits the entire family into his scheme to commit insurance fraud.
The way Bob is also able to realize Tina’s distress and put an end to their charade also highlights how in-tune he is with what’s best for his children.
This episode is the perfect one to examine just how well Bob has raised his children. This is another example of Bob using his flaws to impart valuable lessons to his children. The way Bob is also able to realize Tina’s distress and put an end to their charade also highlights how in-tune he is with what’s best for his children. Ultimately, this is an example of an episode that shows how good of a father Bob is, since he is so fiercely protective of his children.
1
“Hawk & Chick”
Season 5, Episode 20
Bob and Louise meet the star of their favorite Japanese samurai series, “Hawk & Chick”. After finding out that the stars, a father and daughter, have been estranged for years, they conspire to reunite them under the guise of hosting a film festival. Bob and Louise end up finding that they have a lot in common with Yuki (Suzy Nakamura) and Kojima (Keisuke Hoashi). When Louise becomes increasingly upset by the fact that it looks like this reunion will never happen, Bob has to reassure her that they will always be in each other’s lives.
This vulnerability allows him to hear Louise’s concerns and connect with her on a deeper level.
This episode proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Bob Belcher is the best TV father because it shows how he’s able to be vulnerable with his kids when they need him most. This vulnerability allows him to hear Louise’s concerns and connect with her on a deeper level. Rather than invalidating Louise’s fear that she and her dad will grow apart, he’s able to reassure her by pointing out how strong their relationship is.
