In more closing news, Oregon-based vegan deli Ben and Esther's will close its Seattle location at the end of the year. Report Capitol Hill Seattle Blog. According to CHS, owners blame high labor and rent costs in part.
“Like many other restaurants, we are at a stage where we don't see a sustainable path forward. The writing is on the wall and the numbers don't lie,” the small chain said in a statement. “Our rent and labor costs are twice as much as other stores, but our sales are only half as much.”
When the deli opened on Capitol Hill last year, it was part of owner Justin King's plan. Start a chain of vegan Jewish delis (There is also another location in San Diego). But clearly, Seattle hasn't proven as fertile ground for the concept as King had hoped.
That's a shame, because there aren't that many Jewish delis in Seattle, vegan or non-vegan. Zilberstein's The restaurants in Pinehurst are outstanding. While he may be best known for his bagels, he also serves soups, pastrami, smoked fish, and on Fridays, challah. Not far from Ben and Esther's. Mr. Dingfelder'swe have an extensive sandwich menu, plus knishes, latkes, and everything else you need.
Other than that…not much. On its website, Dingfelders cites “the complete lack of traditional food” as one of the reasons it opened in 2018. Closed last year, bringing a latke sandwich limits your options even more. And none of the delis mentioned here (including Ben and Esther's) are certified kosher. Travel site for Jews I admit there aren't many places here for visitors who want to eat out and keep kosher.
Ben & Esters has hinted at a possible return – “We continue to look at more viable spaces and hope to return in the not-too-distant future,” the owner told CHS – but… Perhaps beyond that, there will be some more Jewish delis in Seattle in 2024? we hope?
