Season Review: Bob’s Burgers Season 15

After a season or two of adventures that sometimes felt a little too far from the burger restaurant itself, Season 15 of Bob’s Burgers feels like a delightful course correction. It’s a season that’s not just about the wacky misadventures, but about the very heart of the show: the Belcher family and their enduring love for each other, and for that little burger joint. The writers seem to have heard the fans who wanted more Bob-and-the-business storylines, and they’ve delivered in a big way.

The season kicked off strong with the premiere, “The Tina Table: The Tables Have Tina-ed,” which was a perfect blend of a kids’ plot and a B-story for the parents. Tina’s struggle to save her school news show by interviewing Mr. Frond about his new, randomized personality game was classic, self-conscious Tina. Meanwhile, the Bob and Linda plot of making up horror movie plots for Teddy was a masterclass in their quirky, supportive relationship.

As the season progressed, we got some interesting episodes. “The Shell Game” was a bizarre, hilarious highlight that saw Bob competing in a “Bachelor”-style competition to inherit one of Mr. Fischoeder’s 100-year-old giant tortoises. The sheer absurdity of the premise, combined with Bob’s desperate need for a new family pet, was a silly concept that never really lands. You’ve also got “The Dead Bo-ats Society,” which was a fun kids’ adventure that felt more classic in its structure, exploring a marine scrapyard in search of adventure. 

But the most polarizing episodes of the season, in my opinion, has to be the finale, “InsomniBob.” This episode truly brought the series back to its darker roots that explored Bob’s culinary passion, an aspect of his character that often gets overshadowed by the daily grind. Watching Bob battle insomnia and cook up wacky creations late at night felt both familiar and fresh. The way the episode wrapped up—with Bob realizing that his greatest legacy isn’t some perfect burger but his family—was a genuinely touching, full-circle moment that echoed the themes of the pilot. It was a perfect ending to a season that was all about the family dynamic.

While not every episode was a home run (we’re looking at you, “Mr. Safebody,” which felt a little too formulaic), the season as a whole was a strong reminder of why we fell in love with this family in the first place. The show’s ability to find heart and humor in the smallest, most relatable struggles continues to be its greatest strength.

Season 15 isn’t just a collection of new episodes; it’s a reaffirmation of the show’s identity. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and it puts the Belchers right where they belong—together. The writers’ willingness to lean back into the restaurant’s central role and Bob’s love for his craft, while still giving the kids their wild adventures, shows that after all this time, the show knows exactly what it is. It’s the best season we’ve had in a while.