Ben & Esther’s Vegan Delicatessen

Used to live in PDX several years ago, before the vegan options in town expanded, and just visited again to find Ben & Esther's Deli in the mix. If I lived there again, I promise I never would take this place for granted: I would make weekly stops to get these delicious bagels, sandwiches, soups, and more. Ah, count your blessings, PDX!

If you want to have one of the best BLT’s, definitely come here, lovely staff and lovely sandwiches 12/10.

I got a bacon egg and cheese on a poppy seed bagel and honestly the bagel itself was just okay. For a place that claims to have nyc bagels mine fell flat.

We lived in San Diego and found this little gem. After moving to Arizona, we still can’t get our favorite deli out of our heads. Luckily every time we visit our friends in Portland we come here. In both locations incredible food and amazing staff. One of the best vegan spots of all the states we’ve travelled too.

After visiting the location in San Diego a few years ago, I was excited to try B&E's again and was not left disappointed. Every sandwich was prepared perfectly and so tasty! We ordered breakfast sandwiches and took two other sandwiches on a picnic later that day. Everything was wrapped well and easy to transport, but our only issue was that the pickles were wrapped in paper and soaked through the sandwich wrappings. While I applaud the lack of plastic, it was a surprise to find pickle juice all over the bag when we attempted to eat our lunch at a later time!

I’m a big fan of Ben & Esther’s and stop there on most of our trips to Portland. The veggie bagel with added Just egg is my “go-to” order. Staff friendly and easy online ordering if you want to grab and go.

We forgot how much we’re loved the food! Ate once at beginning of the trip and once at end! So good!!

All vegan menu with lots of options. Everything there has great flavor and texture! The Reuben was especially impressive

I ordered the BLT. Such a simple order you'd think. I don't know how they do it. The flavors are amazing. The texture of the marbled rye, how it's slightly grilled, the to-die-for flavor of the vegan bacon, the crunch of the lettuce, the taste and texture of the vegan mayo. It's Perfection. Very impressed with the neon "For The Animals" sign inside. Even more impressed with the "For The Animals" art work on the side of the building. It's what drew me in. That said, just a gentle reminder to the owners, the place needs a little TLC. The tables and space outside are the first impression and things are looking a little dingy. Same with the tables when you first walk in. Vegans don't like fresh cut flowers (they're dying), but some plants would be a nice touch. The Dutch have a word for making a setting warm, comfortable and inviting called gezelligheid. It's similar to the Danish concept of hygge. Just needs a little more hygge. : )

Full vegan deli with sandwiches. We got a couple bagel breakfast sandwiches, which hit the spot. They also have a bunch of different lunch sandwiches that I can’t wait to try.

Such great quality and food options

East Coast vibes this is the best Deli I have ever eaten at.

I often despair at finding good bagels when I eat out, let alone getting a good dozen to go. We ordered an egg, cheese and sausage on a salt bagel with a latke (with applesauce and sour cream!) and a veggie combo on a poppyseed bagel with potato salad. The latke was crisp and yummy, the potato salad was red potatoes and dill, excellent sides. The cream cheese on the veggie was also flecked with little bits of veg and tasted great. This is a definite weekly stop even if I am just going to get a bakers dozen bagels for my daily breakfast.

Sandwiches are big! You might want to split with someone. Bagels are the best. I picked the place I live based on its distance from B&E (seriously I did)

Great atmosphere, chill staff, and the food tasted great. Of course, fully vegan menu too. Split a reuben dog and lox bagel with a friend, both of which were fantastic. The carrot lox and capers on a fresh bagel paired so well with the nondairy cream cheese.