New Bacon-ings Burger
S1 E1: Human Flesh
The inaugural episode of Bob's Burgers, introduces us to the scrappy Belcher family with a premise as wild as it is unforgettable: rumors swirl that Bob’s burgers may contain, well, people.
The episode opens with Bob optimistically planning to celebrate the restaurant’s re-re-re-re-opening, despite the family’s constant financial struggles and an unannounced inspection by a health inspector, who also happens to be Linda's jealous ex. Chaos ensues when Louise, the youngest Belcher, tells her school classmates—and by extension, the entire town—that their burgers are made of human flesh. While this ultimately earns Bob’s Burgers a macabre wave of new customers, it's a sudden notoriety the family could definitely do without.
Central to this episode is the evolving Burger of the Day. Bob’s original special, the "New Bacon-ings" burger, is a perfectly respectable entry into his pun-filled menu. However, Louise takes it upon herself to replace it with something far darker: "The Child Molester," served with candy. This joke is so bleak it practically defines the show’s early identity: edgy, absurd, and unapologetically strange. It also foreshadows the more playful burger puns that would become a signature part of Bob’s Burgers lore in future episodes.
The writing of "Human Flesh" bears the distinctive DNA of Bob's Burgers creator Loren Bouchard, who had previously brought us Home Movies and Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. Co-written by Jim Dauterive, a veteran of King of the Hill, the pilot episode marries Bouchard’s taste for idiosyncratic characters with Dauterive’s knack for finding humor in the struggles of the working class. Their combined talents shine in the dialogue, as every member of the Belcher family comes fully formed, from Tina’s monotone awkwardness to Linda’s sing-song optimism.
As for production trivia, the original concept of Bob's Burgers was even darker—the family were going to be full-fledged cannibals. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the writers decided that rumors of human flesh would suffice, leaving the Belchers lovable underdogs rather than outright villains. Another fun fact: Louise’s iconic pink bunny ears were inspired by Bouchard’s admiration for eccentric headgear, a love that dates back to his earlier projects.
"Human Flesh" may not be the most polished entry in the Bob's Burgers canon, but it established the series as a unique voice in animation, unafraid to blend heartfelt family dynamics with the kind of humor that leaves you questioning your own moral compass. Over a decade later, it remains a standout example of how to kick off a show: weird, wonderful, and just a little bit wrong.