However, when Gene offends mourners at a nearby crematorium, he drops burgers on the street, picking them up and continuing to offer them to people.

The visiting health inspector Hugo and his assistant Ron immediately notice this, and investigate a rumor that their burgers are made from human flesh at the crematorium.

Despite Bob claiming the rumor is false, the situation becomes worse when a body from the funeral home ends up inside the restaurant.

[1] In its original American broadcast, "Human Flesh" was viewed by an estimated 9.41 million viewers and received a 4.5 rating/11% share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49 making it the highest-rated new series premiere of the season.

Krakow also noted the episode "laid some solid groundwork with the introduction of the awful Belcher children", enjoying Louise's characterization.

Club gave the episode a positive review, enjoying the writing and crediting Bouchard, Benjamin, and Schaal for improving the quality of Bob's Burgers.

She ultimately commented that "Bob’s Burgers isn’t there just yet, but it's trying enough interesting stuff to be worth a look, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if it gelled and became the best show in the animated lineup fairly quickly.