- 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-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 30 Mar 2025 by susieandmichael
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Added by SarahDugan on 02 Jan 2022
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85 Reviews
First Review by SarahDugan
MidwestMuncher
Points +255
Very thankful to try this amazing food - Edit
If you happen to be in San Diego, I would personally consider this a must-hit restaurant. Everything here is delicious and although my expectations for this place were very high, they were still surpassed. I had a steak, egg, and cheese bagel that was excellent, with the vegan steak being very tender and filling. I was also very impressed by the other bagel sandwich I had, a latke, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich that was somehow even tastier than the steak bagel sandwich I had. I also opted for an order of matzo ball soup, which was massive (maybe a quart or more? No idea how to quantify it). I had never had matzo ball soup before, but now I’m hooked: the matzo balls had an amazing chewy, broth-soaked texture on the outside with a firmer, denser interior. Truly some of the best soup I’ve ever had. I also had a chance to try some macaroni salad, some pasta salad, some potato salad, and some dolmas, all of which were very fresh and flavorful. Aside from that, I also ordered some desserts, including a black and white cookie, which was good. However, I was truly blown away by the other two desserts, which were a cake and a pastry. The cake was Biscoff flavored, and was perfectly moist on the inside while also being covered with some phenomenal cookie butter icing and Biscoff cookie crumbs in the outside. The pastry I had was an apricot Hamantaschen. The filling was great, but the light, flaky dough itself was some of the best bites of a pastry I’ve ever had, no exaggeration. My only minor complaint is that they ran out of some food items at the end of the day, but considering I went here about 20 minutes before they closed, that was certainly expected. If I ever come back to San Diego (or if I go to Portland!), Ben and Esther’s will likely be my first stop from the airport.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-11-03
Pros: Phenomenal food, Great staff, Good portion sizes
Cons: Ran low on some items at end of day (expected)
Guest
xtineexplores
Points +544
Amazing Sandwich - Edit
The turkey bacon club is amazing! It's jam-packed w goods, as if they put a whole package of vegan meat in there! Very generous portion size. Love the mayo and cheese in it, too. My husband and I split this sandwich for breakfast. Highly recommend.
Read moreGuest
Drinknwine
Points +363
Great breakfast options - Edit
Dropped some friends off at the SD airport early in the morning and went straight to Ben and Esther’s afterwards together some breakfast. Cute little place with all sorts of sandwiches, pasta and potato salad, bagels and more. We got the egg, cheese and sausage bagel sandwich and the bagel and lox sandwich. Bonus - free coffee before 10am. The sandwiches were delicious!! Very soft bagels and the fillings were great. I would love to go back for lunch and try the Philly or Rueben. The young lady behind the counter was so nice and friendly. I wish I knew her name. A must go to.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Great choices, Super friendly staff
Cons: Very little seating ( 1 table outside ), No public restroom
Guest
HaniAhimsa
Points +126
Soooooo good - Edit
We usually get bagels here, but decided on sandwiches since it was later in the day. The "turkey" club sandwich was AMAAAZING! I got a meal deal with it so tried some potato salad too. YUM. I love this place!
Read morePros: sandwiches, bagels, pastries
Guest
Brycew
Points +2130
Especially Yummy! - Edit
I just love when people make an effort to veganize a cuisine and culture that isn’t typically accessible to vegans. Ben & Esther’s does just that, bringing New York Jewish deli culture to the west coast! The sandwiches, deli items, and baked goods are all excellent, the people are friendly, and it’s a memorable experience! Highly recommend
Read morePros: Latke bagel sandwich, Wonderful cookies, Free coffee with any purchase before 10am!
Guest
villain
Points +9370
Loved the sandwiches - Edit
Amazing, flavorful sandwiches! What was left for sides options didn't look too appetizing, but if the potato latkes had been in stock I'd be curious to try. Unfortunately no bathroom
Read moreGuest
k_robsss
Points +2180
Amazing Jewish deli - Edit
I love Ben & Ester’s! Their bagels are so good.
Read moreI had the lox and the macaroni salad and OMG I still crave it.
It is definitely pricey but worth it IMO. There aren’t any comparable places in SD that I’ve been to.
Guest
soy_vegana
Points +1211
A must while in SD - Edit
We got it delivered and it was still wonderful.
Read moreThe lox bagel is a must try, without a doubt. Even the gluten free bagel is perfectly soft and ample enough for a bagel sandwich.
One of the best black / white cookies I've ever had, don't skip it!
Guest
AutumnTierra
Points +1552
Great sandwiches - Edit
I had the Ruben and it was excellent. The sides were also good. No kids menu, but plain hot dogs will do. The smoothie place next door was not good (do not recommend). Very limited seating.
Read morePros: Good sandwich choices , Good sides, Has breakfast options
Cons: Limited seating
Guest
RandySchultz
Points +79
Top Veggie Reubens! - Edit
2nd time here in a week - and all for the Reubens. Excellently made. We have marked this place as a favorite when in San Diego. And are looking forward to trying the Portland one soon.
Read morePros: Menu, People working, The food!
Cons: Limited seating
Guest
Seanlhy
Points +440
Feel Good Bacon - Edit
I had the Egg + Cheese + Bacon on an Onion bagel. It was really good! Definitely the best vegan bacon I've had by far, highly recommend it if you're looking for a quick meal.
Read moreGuest
charlie611
Points +58
Great Food - Edit
This was my first visit to this Deli. I ordered the New Yorker. I was impressed with the flavor and texture of the corned beef. The rye bread was very fresh. I wanted to buy bagels and they gave me some as it was late in the day. The bagels are delicious. I want to return and try everything. Incredible to have all this deli food and it is all vegan.
Read morePros: Corned Beef, Bagel, Deli mustard
Cons: No indoor seating.
Guest
BonnieSpringsteen
Points +585
Amazing - Edit
Love the bacon, egg and cheese bagel. and the jammers are to die for!
Read moreGuest
ChrisCather
Points +399
Sandwiches and bagels, skip the sides - Edit
Most of the sandwiches are really good, with just a couple of exceptions! The macaroni salad was bland and dry. The horseradish sauce is so weak it just tastes like mayo. The lox and white fish had tons of smoke flavor in them! It's a good flavor, except that it was overwhelming.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-11-06
Pros: Great Ruben sandwich
Cons: Jalapeno bagel had no jalapenos, Macaroni salad was bland, Phone off hook
Guest
vsvihla
Points +589
Great sandwiches! - Edit
We tried and loved:
Read moreBLT + avocado - large, but so tasty we finished it all!
Classic reuben- also large. Great flavor. Excellent!
Bennie's Brisket - Amazing! So tasty. Loaded with filling. Huge.
We also got bagels (everything and sesame) and cream cheese to go. The cream cheese was very good. The bagels were a bit disappointing - not chewy or flavorful. They'd be great as a sandwich, but I was surprised they were not better.
Overall, we'd certainly return for sandwiches!
Pros: Lots of options, Huge portions
Cons: Bland bagels, but good as a sandwich
Guest
Dunori
Points +327
So nice, went twice - Edit
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.
Read moreGuest
ATJ
Points +36
5 stars - Edit
Would give more stars if I could. The RZA is the greatest breakfast sandwich of all time.
Read moreDunori
That’s what I got also and yeah thumbs up on it.
Read moreGuest
Forakora
Points +588
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 +1949
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 +250
All amazing - Edit
Everything I’ve tried there is awesome
Read moreGuest
NicoleParks
Points +3730
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 +80
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 +268
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 +40
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 +300
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
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