- Top Rated Bakery in San Diego
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Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli
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Vegan
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.
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6663 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, USA, 92115
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 12 Mar 2024 by Passittowill
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Added by SarahDugan on 02 Jan 2022
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70 Reviews
First Review by SarahDugan
ATJ
Points +36
5 stars - Edit
Would give more stars if I could. The RZA is the greatest breakfast sandwich of all time.
Read moreGuest
Forakora
Points +566
Adore this place - Edit
Everything is delicious. Everything. The bagels, the fillings, the pastries, and especially the homemade pickles. I'm such a sucker for pickles!
Read morePros: Best Homemade Pickles, Reasonable Prices, All Vegan!
Cons: Don't have one in LA
Guest
seal
Points +736
mixed feelings - Edit
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.
Read moreGuest
bfigs04
Points +198
All amazing - Edit
Everything I’ve tried there is awesome
Read moreGuest
NicoleParks
Points +2174
great vegan lox - Edit
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
Read moreGuest
muffy
Points +70
A must-try if you’re visiting San Diego - Edit
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).
Read moreAll 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
Guest
jodisouza
Points +218
Hidden Gem - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Total vegan menu, Friendly helpful staff
Cons: No indoor dining , Pricey, Small counter can be a long wait
Guest
Cyclingbro
Points +35
Blown Away! - Edit
Grabbed the “Steak and Egg on an Everything Bagel” and a “Cali Cheese”! Bagels are fresh/delicious and so are the ingredients.
Read morePros: Fast Service, Delicious, On Point Meat Like Qualities
Guest
chocokitty
Points +22
Favorite Breakfast Bagel Sandwich ^_^ - Edit
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.
Read moreGuest
5150_68
Points +150
Delicious bagel - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Variety , Fresh
Guest
Ella_Solo
Points +20
Great Breakfast and easy to go corn free - Edit
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!
Read morePros: Excellent food, good value, friendly staff
Guest
RachaelG
Points +20
Best meal ever! - Edit
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!!
Read moreGuest
VeganBoatBum
Points +143
One star - Edit
I love the food.
Read moreThe 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.
Guest
silas1912
Points +1077
If there is a better bagel, let me know! I still won’t believe you lol - Edit
 what a great sandwich ! THE GRAND PUBA
Read moreMushrooms, Horseradish Aioli
Corned Beet, Steak, Turkey, Bacon, Swiss. Lettuce. Tomato. Onion
Mayo, Dell Mustard
Pros: Very delicious, Very authentic, Very nice people
Guest
jcartz
Points +410
Vegan Jewish Deli brought me back! - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Options, Quality , Friendliness
Cons: None
Guest
justgivemeaccess
Points +28
Big Lunch - Edit
The sandwiches are large and full of deliciousness. A variety of sides was available. They had challah bread!!!
Read morePros: Parking is easy, Menu has a variety of plant based Sandwiches
Cons: Only outdoor seating, Few drinks options
Guest
AnnaLissaR
Points +40
Consistently good - Edit
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!
Read morePros: Food consistently good
Cons: No inside dining; 2 tables & 4 chairs outside
Guest
Rikkaa
Points +129
So much variety! - Edit
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
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-11-22
Guest
CherylLuft
Points +37
So good! - Edit
Stumbled on this chain last year, and returned again while visiting the area. The food is fantastic.
Read morePros: All the food!, Friendly workers, Many options
Cons: There aren't enough locations!
Guest
Dafna-bar-el
Points +116
Get the egg & bacon bagel! - Edit
Everything we had from this place was amazing so far,
Read moreEspecially 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
Guest
ollie33
Points +793
So Authentic - Edit
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
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-09-14
Pros: Delicious authentic style options
Cons: Expensive delivery! Next time will go there
Guest
veganalways
Points +269
Vegan Jewish Deli Done Right! - Edit
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!
Read moreGuest
mongoose10
Points +718
Reuben, yes :) - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Deli options , Sandwiches, Quick service
Guest
Uruguayanvegan
Points +102
So freaking delicious!!! - Edit
I’ve had the Turkey bacon sandwich twice! 10/10
Read moreGuest
ElissaBVegan
Points +2980
OMG!!! Amazing! - Edit
A full all-vegan Jewish Deli! Need I say more? Everything we had was fantastic!
Read morePros: 100% vegan , Delicious , Inside neon sign reads “For the Animals”
Guest
Adlaurem
Points +17
Very poor selection - Edit
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.
Read moreWhen 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
Guest
Spaceprincess1997
Points +78
Good not Great - Edit
Ben & Esther’s is a vegan deli that is supposed to make really good sandwiches. my partner and I had it while visiting San Diego and found that it was pretty overpriced for what was offered. I did really enjoy their breakfast steak and egg bagel my second time i came, but I still ran into the dilemma of the high-price not adding up. Particularly, my bf ordered the most expensive sandwich on the menu with numerous meats. He was really excited, but when he tried it, it tasted super dry and unlike meat (not that we expect an identical meat flavor, but it was a bit disappointing). The sandwich was about $24…. we expected a lot more. I tried it to verify, and sure enough it was dry and disappointing. He ended up finishing my cheaper sandwich.
Read moreGuest
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