Vegan
Take-out
Breakfast
Jewish
Est. Nov. 2021. All-vegan deli offering fresh bagels, bagel sandwiches, and various prepared foods. Has vegan corned beef, chik'n, and lox. Non-veg turned vegetarian in 2020 and in turn, turned all-vegan in 2021. Open Mon-Sun 8:00am-3:00pm.
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Last update on 09 Mar 2024 by JohnGardner
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Added by ElectricAntelope on 29 Nov 2021
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114 Reviews
First Review by phathousecat
pizzybot
Points +755
Excellent breakfast and lunch sandwiches - Edit
We loved the egg sausage sandwich and the steak and egg sandwich. We also tried the potato knish, which was good but probably wouldn't order again. We had already tried and loved many of their sandwich, salad, and dessert options at the Seattle location (now closed). This place is so delicious and special!
Read morePros: Excellent food
Cons: Can get busy and have a wait (but worth it)
Guest
littleseal
Points +204
My Dreams Came True - Edit
I was so happy I was able to visit this place! I have been wanting to go for at least a year, if not longer. I will say the hoagie my partner got was a bit more expensive than what it might be worth ($15.50) but we enjoyed everything we got.
Read moreGuest
burnsria
Points +1528
Overrated and Overpriced - Edit
The bagels were very good, but the cream cheese was bland and had a weird aftertaste. I had such high expectations as I've heard of this place for years, but the food was overpriced for its quality.
Read morePros: Location, Bagels
Cons: Cream Cheese
Guest
rxthompson
Points +92
amazing - Edit
amazing breakfast bagels and more. the service was nice and the food was delicious. i will for sure be back again ♥️
Read moreGuest
silas1912
Points +1493
My favorite West Coast bagel place! - Edit
A massive selection of different sandwiches and spreads incredibly delicious
Read morePros: Inspiring, Interesting, Incredibly delicious
Guest
tiggertail78
Points +118
Best vegan deli I’ve been to - Edit
Philly cheesesteak was scrumptious. Nice and piping hot when it came out. All the tastes were evenly balanced. We got mac salad also. It taste like it has a butter base, but maybe that is the way that Jewish deli’s do it.
Read moreCould get five stars if they asked us whether it was for here, or to go, therefore reducing the amount of paper that they used to wrap our food in.
Pros: Piping hot food, Flavorful, Quick Service
Cons: Did ask if it was for here or to-go, Overuse of paper
Guest
in2insight
Points +782
Nice concept - Edit
The idea is great. The actual food is just okay.
Read moreThe "lox" was underwhelming, the matzo ball soup was okay but the balls were too dense.
Service with no smile.
Pros: Great idea, Vegan
Cons: So so food, Service
Guest
grace_face
Points +333
Wowowow! So good - Edit
Seriously, you want some delicious all vegan deli meats, crème cheese and bagels? Come here and get anything on the menu. It’s so amazing, delicious and I cannot believe how good their bacon is. I got the egg cheese and bacon sandwich on a plain bagel and it’s 10/10. I’ll definitely be back soon.
Read moreGuest
GregWrotniak
Points +30
This place is awesome - Edit
So far I’ve had the bacon egg and cheese bagel, the reuben, and a knish. Knocked my socks off. I’m very impressed.
Read morePros: Food, Atmosphere , Service
Guest
sportsoul
Points +134
Great all vegan deli - Edit
Lady told me they had just started making their own mock meats. I thought the steak, eggs, and cheese in my sandwich was high quality. A nice treat was the swiss flavor cheese and deli mustard. I tried knish and hamentashen for the first time and enjoyed.
Read morePros: Hearty, meaty, yummy breakfast bagel sandwiches., Generous and friendly staff
Guest
mszmyt
Points +239
Hit the Spot! - Edit
My husband and I both had the turkey bacon club sandwiches and they truly hit the spot!
Read morePros: Large portions, Uniquely delicious deli meats
Guest
justification
Points +61
Best sandwich - Edit
If you come to Portland you HAVE to try Ben & Esther's. I took the turkey bacon club and my bf tried the ruben sandwich and we both loved it. We are definitely going back to try other things before leaving Portland. Get ready to order and walk around a little bit before coming back to get your food though! (We had a 40 minutes wait, but it was worth it!)
Read morePros: Staff was nice and helpful, Big menu, lots of choices
Cons: 40 minutes wait (but they tell you)
Guest
ginarprater
Points +31
Uh-mazing! - Edit
Used to live in NYC and loved a real Ruben then, but today’s veg Ruben was better that my memory of the original. The smash cookie was incredibly fresh too💕
Read morePros: Authenticity, Freshness, Friendly staff
Guest
Gageveggie119
Points +32
Amazing brisket sandwich - Edit
Unbelievably good. Also had the matzo ball soup. Terrific!
Read moreGuest
sryan95177
Points +239
So Yummy! - Edit
We apparently got here at the exact right time on a Monday for lunch. We had a ten minute wait. Quickly after we placed our order it went to a 40 minute wait. It gets busy fast around lunch times (apparently) so keep that in mind if you are coming in.
Read moreWe ordered a BLT and a Reuben (both as combos) both came with a slice of pickle and a side, so we chose dolmas and macaroni salad. We also ordered a full half sour pickle as well.
The sandwiches were excellent-bacon was the best I think I’ve had since going vegetarian when I was 9! The sides were “okay” and the pickle was great.
Definitely recommend, and it’s in a really cute area for shopping as well.
Guest
LoriBonenMoreland
Points +36
Surprised by Deliciousness - Edit
We’ve been searching for the perfect plant-based Reuben and we found it! The flavors blended nicely, the “corn beef” had the right bite. We also had the Lizzie - so satisfying. The blast-based meats hit the mark, the bagels were the right delivery system and the shmears were yummy! There were so many more sandwiches to try that we’re coming back
Read morePros: Plant-based meats were excellent, Friendly staff, Overall delicious
Guest
TheDiplomat
Points +1092
Order an extra for the road! - Edit
This small shop on Alberta is an perfect example of what a cruelty-free world could be. The food is amazing and brought me back to my days in NY. Seitan is one of my favorite substitutes to work with at home and I prefer it to most other processed alternatives. I was craving a bagel, but couldn’t miss the opportunity to order a Ruben as well. Ended up grabbing both and taking the leftovers home. Pickle on the side and a black and white cookie made this the perfect lunch stop. Now to plan my next visit and order…
Read morePros: Perfectly crafted, NY-style bagels and sandwiches, Deli staple salads, sides and desserts, Friendly staff and great location
Guest
Gopala108
Points +4915
amazingly flavorful authentic cuisine of a jewish deli gone vegan - Edit
I recently went to Ben & Esther’s aka an all vegan Jewish Delicatessen in Portland, OR. I am from NY and although I am a vegan now for 24 years I wasn’t always a vegan.
Read moreWhen I was a teenager aka a hip hop loving basketball playing 19 years old working security and construction in Manhattan I was an omnivore. I visited Katz’s Deli aka famous Jewish Deli for the experience. Lou Reed once said and I paraphrase that he would go to Katz’s Deli once a year for a pastrami on rye.
Fast forward decades later here I am in the Summertime in Portland where I used to live circa 2004 to 2005. I am dining at Ben & Esther’s. Alex and Rachel were working. They were very helpful, providing friendly service. I went with their suggestion of a Reuben with Potato Salad and Dolma. All were flavorful, tasty and amazing.
It is awesome that you can enjoy amazing authentic cuisine that is cruelty-free. The corned beef is made from seitan aka wheat protein. As Dr. Michael Greger, aka author of How Not to Die and How Not to Diet, says that unless you are celiac which is 1 percent of the population you can enjoy wheat. Although when possible enjoy whole wheat and feel seitan is just fine sometimes. I even prefer seitan to the Impossible Meat and Beyond Burger yet glad some folks enjoy these alternatives.
The drill here is order and they call your name. You can enjoy at a table or in the nice weather outside on various tables.
Being from NY I love the NY art aka Yankees subway sign although I am a Mets fan yet the truth is I'm a Warriors basketball fan now residing in San Francisco.
Happy Ben & Esther’s are doing very good business with amazing food and friendly staff. They also have locations in Seattle and San Diego.
Check them out! You won’t be disappointed.
Pros: super flavorful cuisine, loved it all, friendly staff, loved the ambience aka NY art etc throughout
Guest
Tarabell150
Points +1129
Just the absolute BEST! - Edit
Every time I come to Portland, I make this a must stop. Today I decided all my meals today would be supplied by this lovely establishment. I ordered some new to me things starting with The Lizzo (girl has good taste because this is my new favorite), The Lox (first time eating this vegan after almost 4 years, definitely did not disappoint), and then I grabbed a half pound of the macaroni salad (pasta was cooked to perfection). I’m going way overboard on the carbs and calories today but I don’t gaf. Every tasty bite is so worth it ❤️
Read moreGuest
SarahS88
Points +2816
We really love this place - Edit
I’m giving 4 stars only because I’ve been to the location in San Diego twice and that location had a lot more options available. Black and white cookies, hamentashens and coffee. This location was a bit cleaned out the time we were there and we ended up across the street to get coffee. Still our sandwiches were delicious and we will be back!
Read moreGuest
JeanneTurnerKataoka
Points +67
Yumminess - Edit
A wonderful little place with vegan versions of beloved classic deli sandwiches! Cannot say enough about the wonderful news of this place! And hot matzoh ball soup on a chilly day.
Read morePros: All vegan, Matzoh ball soup
Guest
mikekataoka
Points +36
Great deli food - Edit
The sandwiches closely mimicked the meat versions (brisket and corned beef) and the matzoh ball soup was excellent.
Read moreGuest
AndreaCronshaw
Points +112
Bagels - Edit
The bagels from Ben & Esther’s are absolutely amazing!! One of the best things I’ve ever eaten. I had the lox on the garlic bagel. My partner had the New Yorker which was good but not as good as the bagel. The server was so friendly and helpful, giving me some suggestions.
Read morePros: Absolutely delicious , Friendly atmosphere , Fresh
Guest
OperationChowhound
Points +10604
Too Much Mustard - Edit
I ordered the New Yorker, which is corned beef, Swiss cheese, and deli mustard on marble rye bread with a pickle spear. Unfortunately, all I tasted was the mustard.
Read morePros: all vegan
Guest
theplantbasedsoul
Points +658
Best Bagel Sandwich - Edit
Their breakfast bagel sandwich is delicious. Could it eat every day. Omnivores and vegans alike will love it and the bacon they use is 👌🏼
Read moreThe lunch sandwiches were a little too heavy for me, cause do with half the amount of mayo/deli meats.
If it’s busy, be prepared to wait a while…also wish the dine in area was a bit more spacious .
Updated from previous review on 2023-05-14
Guest
MarcT.
Points +63
Best Vegan Food in Portland - Edit
Insanely good, there's honestly nothing to improve. Tried the lox sandwich, Ruben, matzo ball soup, latke, pickles and hamentashen. It's hard to put into words but this is the taste of home. This is a mainstay and I'll be here every chance I get.
Read morePros: Matzo ball soup, Lox bagel, Latke
Guest
IanAlbert
Points +230
Best vegan shmear - Edit
We just got two vegan shmears to go, the plain and the scallion. They were by far the best vegan shmears I've ever had.
Read moreI don't know about the rest of the menu. I have no interest in vegan egg things.
Guest
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