Vegan
American
Bakery
Breakfast
Jewish

All-vegan deli offers fresh bagels, bagel sandwiches, and various prepared foods. Has vegan corned beef, chik'n, and lox. Third location. Open Mon-Thu 7:00am-3:00pm, Fri-Sat 7:00am-7:00pm, Sun 7:00am-3:00pm.


Venue map for Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli
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71 Reviews

First Review by SarahDugan

Dunori

Points +293

Vegan
01 Dec 2024

So nice, went twice

Went for breakfast one day and enjoyed so much that I went again for lunch a few days later while visiting San Diego for a week.

ATJ

Points +36

Vegan
29 Oct 2024

5 stars

Would give more stars if I could. The RZA is the greatest breakfast sandwich of all time.

Dunori

30 Nov 2024

That’s what I got also and yeah thumbs up on it.

Forakora

Points +574

Vegan
04 Sep 2024

Adore this place

Everything is delicious. Everything. The bagels, the fillings, the pastries, and especially the homemade pickles. I'm such a sucker for pickles!

Pros: Best Homemade Pickles, Reasonable Prices, All Vegan!

Cons: Don't have one in LA

seal

Points +880

Vegan
21 Aug 2024

mixed feelings

We are a house divided when it comes to Ben & Esther's. My partner loves most of their food and wants to go all the time, while I have not found anything I like there. I don't care for their bagels or their basic smear, let alone the more flavorful choices. Something about their flavors and the bagel consistency doesn't suit me. It's a bummer because in theory I should love this place.

bfigs04

Points +198

Vegan
13 Jul 2024

All amazing

Everything I’ve tried there is awesome

NicoleParks

Points +2242

Vegan
09 Jul 2024

great vegan lox

i got the vegan lox bagel sandwich and it was really good!! the lox was made with carrots and it was smoky and savory. bagel and cream cheese were really good and the veggies were fresh and crisp

muffy

Points +70

Vegan
05 Jul 2024

A must-try if you’re visiting San Diego

I’ve been here every time I visit family, sometimes twice! This was the first time I got a breakfast item; it has egg salad, cucumbers, red onion, and capers in a bagel. The “egg” was tofu scramble, and it was sooooo goooooood💗I see why many vegan restaurants opt for egg imitations like Just Egg, and eating something less super processed, like tofu, made it so good. Like, lighter, more refreshing with the cucs and onion (I’m actually just assuming it’s tofu from its texture and taste).

All their other sandwiches (at least the ones I’ve tried) are tenouttaten. Their pickles 👌👌 so good.

The staff was friendly too! Placed my order online saying not to hate me because the tip was gonna be in cash, and they wrote me a lovely note on my bag

Pros: Refreshing, Rare treats, Deli food by the lb

Cons: Not enough dining room

jodisouza

Points +218

Vegan
26 Jun 2024

Hidden Gem

You can't go wrong with anything on this fully vegan menu. The food was amazing and delicious! Wish we had one of these deli's in every city.

Pros: Delicious food, Total vegan menu, Friendly helpful staff

Cons: No indoor dining , Pricey, Small counter can be a long wait

Cyclingbro

Points +35

Mostly Veg
12 Jun 2024

Blown Away!

Grabbed the “Steak and Egg on an Everything Bagel” and a “Cali Cheese”! Bagels are fresh/delicious and so are the ingredients.

Pros: Fast Service, Delicious, On Point Meat Like Qualities

chocokitty

Points +22

Vegan
13 Apr 2024

Favorite Breakfast Bagel Sandwich ^_^

I💗the Egg Cheese Sausage sandwich bagel! it’s a 5stars for me because it’s so yummy and never disappoints. The cinnamon roll is also very tasty! Staff is very friendly.

5150_68

Points +178

Vegan
22 Mar 2024

Delicious bagel

I have finally found my go-to vegan bagel shop. I tried their ëgg & chëëse sando on a plain bagel and it was very tasty.

Pros: Variety , Fresh

Ella_Solo

Points +20

Vegetarian
17 Mar 2024

Great Breakfast and easy to go corn free

With a beef, dairy, and corn allergy it's often very difficult to for me to find food on the go but this deli makes it so easy. I had "egg, cheese, and sausage" on a jalapeño bagel and just loved it! I can't wait to go back and try the "brisket" and Mac salad!

Pros: Excellent food, good value, friendly staff

RachaelG

Points +20

Vegan
10 Feb 2024

Best meal ever!

As a vegan Jew, I was so excited to come across this place. I got the latke, breakfast bagel, and veggie bagel- each one was phenomenal! The lemon dill cream cheese was a hit on the veggie bagel. I shared the meal with a non-vegan friend and she was blown away. Do not pass up on this place!!

VeganBoatBum

Points +143

Vegan
07 Feb 2024

One star

I love the food.
The last visit to San Diego they gave me these containers of chicken salad and egg salad….and they were almost empty…See attached pictures.
I was so disappointed……..THIS IS WHAT I PAID FOR……... WOW!!!
This is it!!!

Yes, they confirmed this is what we should expect going forward. When I tried contacting them they said this is what I can expect.

I’m so disappointed. No one ever bothered to contact me to resolve anything.

I guess I will not be returning….probably just as well. I don’t want to support businesses that rip off their customers.

silas1912

Points +1163

Vegan
24 Dec 2023

If there is a better bagel, let me know! I still won’t believe you lol

 what a great sandwich ! THE GRAND PUBA
Mushrooms, Horseradish Aioli
Corned Beet, Steak, Turkey, Bacon, Swiss. Lettuce. Tomato. Onion
Mayo, Dell Mustard

Pros: Very delicious, Very authentic, Very nice people

jcartz

Points +423

Vegan
09 Dec 2023

Vegan Jewish Deli brought me back!

This all vegan place had so many options it was overwhelming. The traditional deli options, matzo ball soup, lox, all the pastries. We had the Reuben and the brisket sandwich. It was amazing! We were the last customers of the night so instead of throwing out and wasting bagels they let us take some home. Which just shows this place’s mission is the ethical one. You HAVE to come here if you’re nearby.

Pros: Options, Quality , Friendliness

Cons: None

justgivemeaccess

Points +28

Vegan
08 Dec 2023

Big Lunch

The sandwiches are large and full of deliciousness. A variety of sides was available. They had challah bread!!!

Pros: Parking is easy, Menu has a variety of plant based Sandwiches

Cons: Only outdoor seating, Few drinks options

AnnaLissaR

Points +40

Vegetarian
08 Dec 2023

Consistently good

I tried the steak and eggs on an everything bagel. I added cucumbers and red onions. I enjoyed it a lot. They had a special, off the menu, of a hot ham sandwich. It had arugula and other yummy stuff I can’t remember. I saved it for later and savored it too!

Pros: Food consistently good

Cons: No inside dining; 2 tables & 4 chairs outside

Rikkaa

Points +145

Vegan
22 Nov 2023

So much variety!

I got macaroni salad, a Thanksgiving turkey cranwich, and a brownie. Everything was delicious but I wish they would've filled the macaroni salad a bit more

Updated from previous review on 2023-11-22

CherylLuft

Points +37

Vegetarian
07 Oct 2023

So good!

Stumbled on this chain last year, and returned again while visiting the area. The food is fantastic.

Pros: All the food!, Friendly workers, Many options

Cons: There aren't enough locations!

Dafna-bar-el

Points +130

Vegan
30 Sep 2023

Get the egg & bacon bagel!

Everything we had from this place was amazing so far,
Especially the egg & bacon bagel!
Even my skeptical parents were shocked by how good it was (they’re not vegan).
My only con is that when we came around 1pm a bunch of stuff was not available (there was only 2 bagel options) so maybe it’s better to come earlier I guess?
Anyway we’ll keep going no matter what because it’s so good

Pros: Delicious

Cons: Missing options

ollie33

Points +805

Vegan
14 Sep 2023

So Authentic

Delicious and very authentic Jewish deli vegan offerings! I have never encountered a place like this and I can see why the reviews are so fabulous. I had the bakn egg chz bagel, it was perfect the bagel great. I also ordered the new Yorker sandwich and it reminded me of the old days when I used to love eating Jewish deli sandwiches, right down to the butcher paper wrapper and the pickle in the little baggie. Will be back

Updated from previous review on 2023-09-14

Pros: Delicious authentic style options

Cons: Expensive delivery! Next time will go there

veganalways

Points +269

Vegan
09 Jul 2023

Vegan Jewish Deli Done Right!

I grew up going to Jewish delis and bagel shops. I felt so at home here. All my favorite foods available as vegan. They did not disappoint. I’ve tried bagels, sandwiches, etc. Everything was great. What stood out the most to me is their vegan cream cheese that they make fresh in house. Worth buying by the tub in my opinion. The staff members were so friendly and even remembered me!

mongoose10

Points +728

Vegan
21 Jun 2023

Reuben, yes :)

It’s so great to not have to ask what is vegan! Reuben was greasy and good as well as the potato latkes. Can’t wait to try more.

Pros: Deli options , Sandwiches, Quick service

Uruguayanvegan

Points +102

Vegan
14 Apr 2023

So freaking delicious!!!

I’ve had the Turkey bacon sandwich twice! 10/10

ElissaBVegan

Points +3008

Vegan
03 Apr 2023

OMG!!! Amazing!

A full all-vegan Jewish Deli! Need I say more? Everything we had was fantastic!

Pros: 100% vegan , Delicious , Inside neon sign reads “For the Animals”

Adlaurem

Points +17

Vegetarian
27 Mar 2023

Very poor selection

I was so very disappointed after reading all the glowing reviews on every site. I thought that the place was far out of the way from the CBD of San Diego, but I just had to go because of the fantastic reviews.
When we walked inside, I felt like I was in a poor cousin’s kitchen and they had run out of food, or were trying to keep the dregs of an older batch of food fresh with plastic wrap— keeping just enough for a serving or two. There was no sense of freshness, no sense of abundance, nothing to show that what I would be eating was worth the drive there- and unfortunately I was right. My husband was with me, and he agreed- never again. The food was skimpy at best, tasted meh, was devoid of fresh veggies, or colorful accompaniments- and the price was way up there. Sorry, cannot recommend.

Pros: That I didn’t have to worry that they used animal , They had outdoor tables

Cons: Food was skimpy and not great tasting, Food was expensive, There was nothing to bring me back for more




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