Exhibit 31.1

I, William L. Bridgford, certify that:

|1. |  | I
      have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Bridgford Foods
      Corporation;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
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|2. |  | Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any
      untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
      necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
      which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
      covered by this annual report; and        
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|3. |  | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
      financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in
      all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
      cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
      annual report.                               
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|4. |  | The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for
      establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
      defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal
      control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
      13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
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|   |  | d.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
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|5. |  | The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed,
      based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
      reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the
      registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
      functions):                                     
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|   |  | b.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

|Dated: January
      28, 2009 |                                     
|----------------------------- | ------------------------------------
|                             
|                              | /s/ WILLIAM L. BRIDGFORD            
|                              | William L.
      Bridgford, Chairman
|                              | (Principal
      Executive Officer) 

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