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Ortega's A Mexican Bistro, San Diego, CA

Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

4.5
4.5
1014 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 4 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
Ortega’s Mexican Bistro features the authentic flavors of Puerto Nuevo. Experience Baja style lobster and table side guacamole while sipping one of our classic fresh squeezed margaritas. Enjoy dining in our restaurant or for a more energized evening, dine in our bar - La Cantina. Additional flavors include Banana Crusted Huachinango, Flat Iron Steak Burrito, Chicken Mole. The design captures the festive traditions and tasteful flavors of Puerto Nuevo and Baja California.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Mexican / Southwestern
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 692-4200
  • Website
    http://www.ortegas.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Contact restaurant for Private Events at 619-692-4200 or via email at info@ortegas.com
  • Location
    141 University Ave #4, San Diego, CA 92103
  • Area
    Hillcrest
  • Cross Street
    3rd Avenue
  • Parking details
    Private Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Starters

  • Guacamole Made TablesideUSD 12.75

    avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, lime

    • Baja Shrimp Ceviche*USD 15.75

      shrimp, tomato, cilantro, jalapeño, onion, corn tostaditas

      • Fish Ceviche*USD 14.75

        snapper, tomato, cilantro, jalapeño, onion, corn tostaditas

        • Poblano Portobello Quesadilla (2)USD 14.75

          corn masa, poblanos, portobellos, caramelized onion, oaxaca cheese, tomato arbol sauce, cotija & queso fresco, crema

          • Queso FundidoUSD 16.75

            oaxaca cheese, chorizo, poblanos, caramelized onion, cotija & queso fresco, crema, corn & flour tortillas

            Ensaladas

            Add: Chicken Breast +$10 | Mahi +$12 | Shrimp +$12 | Steak +$13 | Half Lobster +$25.75

            • Caesar & AvocadoUSD 12.75

              romaine, avocado, croutons, parmesan, caesar dressing

              • Ortega's Mixed Green SaladUSD 12.75

                mixed greens, grilled tomato, avocado, cucumber, carrot, garbanzos, cotija & queso fresco, black bean corn salsa, balsamic vinaigrette

                • Sandia Sesame SaladUSD 12.75

                  mixed greens, watermelon, avocado, cucumber, carrot, garbanzos, cotija & queso fresco, black bean corn salsa, sesame soy vinaigrette

                  Soups

                  • Ortega's Chicken & TortillaUSD 9.75

                    roasted chicken, onion, chipotle, cilantro, garbanzos, tomato, rice, tortilla strips, avocado

                    • Puerto Nuevo-Style TortillaUSD 9.75

                      guajillo chiles, chicken stock, roasted tomato, cilantro, avocado, jack cheese, tortilla strips

                      • Black Bean & PumpkinUSD 9.75

                        pureed black bean & roasted kabocha pumpkin, black bean corn salsa, crema

                        Seafood

                        • Ensenada-Style Fish Taco TrioUSD 20.75

                          Modelo especial beer battered snapper on flour tortillas, chipotle garlic aioli, cabbage, crema, roasted salsa. Side refried beans

                          • Banana Crusted HuachinangoUSD 22.75

                            Snapper with a plantain crust, roasted tomato sauce. Side rice, refried beans & flour tortilla

                            • Crab Enchiladas (2)USD 23.75

                              Crab, mushroom, spinach, jack cheese, pico de gallo, corn tortillas, verde sauce, cotija & queso fresco, crema, cabbage. Side rice & refried beans

                              • Mahi Mahi Taco TrioUSD 21.75

                                Grilled mahi mahi on corn tortillas, chipotle garlic aioli, avocado, crema, cabbage. Side black beans

                                • Dorado VeracruzUSD 22.75

                                  Seared mahi mahi, roasted tomato sauce, bell pepper, onion, poblanos, white wine, capers & green olives. Side rice, refried beans & flour tortilla

                                  • Shrimp Taco TrioUSD 20.75

                                    Shrimp sautéed in white wine on corn tortillas, chipotle garlic aioli, avocado, crema, cabbage. Side charro beans

                                    • Shrimp Enchiladas (2)USD 21.75

                                      Sautéed shrimp, jack cheese, mushroom, spinach, pico de gallo, corn tortillas, rojo sauce, cotija & queso fresco, crema, cabbage. Side rice & refried beans

                                      Beef + Pork

                                      • CarnitasUSD 20.75

                                        Slow roasted pork, verde sauce, pico de gallo. Side rice, charro beans & flour tortilla

                                        • Steak Taco TrioUSD 20.75

                                          Angus steak on corn tortillas, chipotle sauce, cabbage, crema, avocado. Side charro beans

                                          • Steak BurritoUSD 20.75

                                            Grilled bistek, charro beans, jack cheese, huitlacoche-mushroom sauce, avocado, wrapped in a flour tortilla. Side rice & charro beans

                                            • Grilled BistekUSD 22.75

                                              Huitlacoche-mushroom sauce, pico de gallo. Side vegetables, rice, refried beans & flour tortilla

                                              Chicken

                                              • Chicken Mole**USD 20.75

                                                Grilled chicken breast, spicy-sweet mole sauce, sesame seeds, crema. Side vegetables, rice, refried beans, & flour tortilla

                                                • Chicken Mole Enchiladas (2)**USD 20.75

                                                  Roasted chicken, jack cheese, pico de gallo, corn tortillas, spicy-sweet mole sauce, cotija & queso fresco, crema, cabbage. Side rice & refried beans

                                                  • Chicken Pippian**USD 20.75

                                                    Grilled chicken breast, creamy pumpkin seed pippian sauce, crema, pumpkin seeds. Side vegetables, rice, refried beans, & flour tortilla

                                                    Puerto Nuevo Lobster

                                                    Includes Cup of Puerto Nuevo-Style Tortilla Soup. Grilled lobster, rice, refried beans, drawn butter, grilled lime, flour tortilla

                                                    • Whole Lobster SpecialUSD 46.75

                                                      whole lobster tail

                                                      • Half Lobster & Steak SpecialUSD 35.75

                                                        Ortega's surf & turf. Half lobster tail & fire grilled bistek, huitlacoche-portobello mushroom sauce

                                                        • Half Lobster & Shrimp Special**USD 34.75

                                                          half lobster tail & four large shrimp on a skewer, epazote cilantro pesto, roasted tomato sauce

                                                          Vegetarian

                                                          • Poblano Queso Taco TrioUSD 19.75

                                                            Grilled oaxaca cheese on corn tortillas, poblanos, caramelized onion, cabbage, black bean corn salsa, cotija & queso fresco, crema. Side black beans

                                                            • Chile RellenoUSD 19.75

                                                              Poblano chile, jack & oaxaca cheese, tomato sauce. Side rice, refried beans & flour tortilla (contains chicken stock)

                                                              • Vegetarian BurritoUSD 17.75

                                                                Black bean & pumpkin purée, potato, avocado, poblanos, caramelized onion, pico de gallo, jack cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla. Side black beans

                                                                • Cheese Mole Enchiladas**USD 19.75

                                                                  Cotija, queso fresco & jack cheese, spicy-sweet mole sauce. Side rice & refried beans (contains chicken stock)

                                                                  Sides

                                                                  • Refried, Charro or Black BeansUSD 3.75

                                                                    • Mexican RiceUSD 3.75

                                                                      • Flour TortillaUSD 1.50

                                                                        • Corn TortillaUSD 0.75

                                                                          • Cup Pico de GalloUSD 2.75

                                                                            • Half AvocadoUSD 4.50

                                                                              • CremaUSD 0.50

                                                                                • Side VegetablesUSD 4.75

                                                                                  • Side SaladUSD 3.75

                                                                                    • Chiles Toreados (3)USD 3.50

                                                                                      Margaritas

                                                                                      prepared with homemade sour mix

                                                                                      • CabrilloUSD 11.00

                                                                                        silver tequila & triple sec

                                                                                        • PresidioUSD 13.00

                                                                                          cuervo tradicional silver & grand marnier

                                                                                          • PomegranateUSD 14.00

                                                                                            pomegranate, cuervo tradicional silver & grand marnier, sugar rim

                                                                                            • Spicy CucumberUSD 14.00

                                                                                              cucumber, jalapeño, cuervo tradicional silver & grand marnier, chile rim

                                                                                              • Mango MintUSD 14.00

                                                                                                mango purée, mint & cuervo tradicional silver, sugar rim

                                                                                                • TamarindUSD 14.00

                                                                                                  blended tamarind & cuervo tradicional silver, chile rim

                                                                                                  • Fresh JalapeñoUSD 14.00

                                                                                                    jalapeño, cuervo tradicional silver & grand marnier, chile rim

                                                                                                    • Strawberry MintUSD 14.00

                                                                                                      strawberry, mint & cuervo tradicional silver, sugar rim

                                                                                                      Premium Margaritas

                                                                                                      hand crafted with fresh squeezed lime juice

                                                                                                      • Don Julio ClassicUSD 17.00

                                                                                                        grand marnier, fresh orange

                                                                                                        • The Patron ClassicUSD 17.00

                                                                                                          grand marnier, fresh orange, pink salt rim

                                                                                                          • Mezcal MargaritaUSD 16.00

                                                                                                            agave nectar, sal de gusano (worm salt) rim

                                                                                                            • Hibiscus MezcalUSD 16.00

                                                                                                              housemade jamaica, agave nectar

                                                                                                              • Casamigos MargaritaUSD 16.00

                                                                                                                grand marnier, agave nectar, fresh orange

                                                                                                                • Casamigos Margarita LightUSD 16.00

                                                                                                                  casamigos blanco, agave nectar

                                                                                                                  • The Clase AzulUSD 25.00

                                                                                                                    clase azul reposado, grand marnier, agave nectar, fresh orange, black sea salt rim

                                                                                                                    Last updated: 23 March 2022

                                                                                                                    What 1,014 people are saying

                                                                                                                    Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                                                    Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                                                                    4.5
                                                                                                                    4.5 based on recent ratings
                                                                                                                    • 4.4Food
                                                                                                                    • 4.5Service
                                                                                                                    • 4.4Ambience
                                                                                                                    • 4.3Value

                                                                                                                    Noise • Moderate

                                                                                                                    Review summary

                                                                                                                    AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                                                    Ortega's A Mexican Bistro offers a "wonderful service and delicious food" experience, making it "one of the best restaurants in Hillcrest." Guests love the "excellent ambience" and "authentic regional Mexican food." While some dishes like lobster have mixed reviews, the "table-side guacamole" is a highlight for many.

                                                                                                                    1,014 Reviews

                                                                                                                    1. Hans

                                                                                                                      San Diego

                                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                                      4.0

                                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                                      Dined 5 days ago

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 4
                                                                                                                      2. Food 4
                                                                                                                      3. Service 4
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      Always enjoyable! I'm a big fan of the Queso Fundito. Parking can be a challenge, but it is well worth it.

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                                                                                                                    2. glenn

                                                                                                                      San Diego

                                                                                                                      65 reviews

                                                                                                                      vip
                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                      65 reviews

                                                                                                                      Dined on 9 November 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      Table side guacamole and 2 steak and lobster dinners did not have to drive south

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                                                                                                                    3. Edoggy

                                                                                                                      San Diego

                                                                                                                      2 reviews

                                                                                                                      2.0

                                                                                                                      2 reviews

                                                                                                                      Dined on 7 November 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 2
                                                                                                                      2. Food 1
                                                                                                                      3. Service 2
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 1
                                                                                                                      Flour Tortillas on my tacos were hard as a rock and not fresh . Nobody in there and very slow service.

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                                                                                                                    4. Michael

                                                                                                                      San Diego

                                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                                      Dined on 19 October 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      Great somewhat hidden Mexican spot in Hillcrest neighborhood with great service and authentic regional Mexican food.

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                                                                                                                    5. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                                                      Orange County

                                                                                                                      11 reviews

                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                      11 reviews

                                                                                                                      Dined on 14 October 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      We took my mother for lunch for her 89 birthday and the staff was amazing. We loved our experience and the food was fabulous.

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                                                                                                                    6. Elisa

                                                                                                                      San Francisco

                                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                                      Dined on 14 October 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      One of our decades long most favorite restaurants! We used to eat at Ortega's Place south of the border in the 1980's and 1990's and have enjoyed this location in the Hillcrest every time we come to San Diego since it opened in the early 2000's. Always delicious-excellent food and friendly attentive service.

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                                                                                                                    7. Michele

                                                                                                                      San Diego

                                                                                                                      4 reviews

                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                      4 reviews

                                                                                                                      Dined on 25 September 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      This was the third time we have been here. It was Restaurant Week so the 3 course Lobster dinner was an even better price! Delicious and generous portions of Lobster and the other two courses of salad and desert. Great service by our very friendly server. Atmosphere is warm, cozy and has a great Mexican feel. One of our favorite places to go!

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                                                                                                                    8. Susan

                                                                                                                      Washington DC

                                                                                                                      21 reviews

                                                                                                                      3.0

                                                                                                                      21 reviews

                                                                                                                      Dined on 25 September 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 3
                                                                                                                      2. Food 3
                                                                                                                      3. Service 3
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      We visited Ortega’s for Restaurant Week Dinner. Having been to the various Ortega’s in Puerto Nuevo, Baja, we were hopeful that this Ortega’s would be comparable so that, when we had a craving for a lobster dinner, we could avoid border lines, added auto insurance fees, etc. We were very optimistic upon arrival as the restaurant provides a nice ambiance. Our server was initially attentive and personable. All of our drinks were great ( kudos to the bartender!). Tortilla soup was just spicy enough and very tasty. Our entrees were…meh. Lobster was as dry as could be, steaks were tough (but cooked med rare as requested). Shrimp was mediocre. And then our server seemed to vanish. Finally got dessert (flan was good) and then waited and waited for our check. We were there for 2 1/2 hours total.

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                                                                                                                    9. chris

                                                                                                                      San Diego

                                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                      1 review

                                                                                                                      Dined on 25 September 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      incredibly delicious food, some of the best mexican food ever

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                                                                                                                    10. Robert

                                                                                                                      San Diego

                                                                                                                      22 reviews

                                                                                                                      vip
                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                      22 reviews

                                                                                                                      Dined on 25 September 2024

                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                      Dinner for San Diego restaurant Week was excellent! Highly recommend this.

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                                                                                                                    FAQs

                                                                                                                    Ortega's A Mexican Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 692-4200.

                                                                                                                    Ortega's A Mexican Bistro is rated 4.5 stars by 1014 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                                                    Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                                                                    Make a booking

                                                                                                                    2 people
                                                                                                                    7:00 pm
                                                                                                                    Booked 4 times today

                                                                                                                    Order delivery or takeout

                                                                                                                    Google Map for Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

                                                                                                                    141 University Ave #4, San Diego, CA 92103

                                                                                                                    Additional information

                                                                                                                    • Cross Street
                                                                                                                      3rd Avenue
                                                                                                                    • Area
                                                                                                                      Hillcrest
                                                                                                                    • Hours of Operation
                                                                                                                      Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:00 pm
                                                                                                                    • Price
                                                                                                                      $30 and under
                                                                                                                    • Cuisines
                                                                                                                      Mexican, Mexican / Southwestern
                                                                                                                    • Dining style
                                                                                                                      Casual Elegant
                                                                                                                    • Dress code
                                                                                                                      Casual Dress
                                                                                                                    • Parking details
                                                                                                                      Private Parking
                                                                                                                    • Payment Options
                                                                                                                      AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                                                    • Additional
                                                                                                                      Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                                                                    • Website
                                                                                                                      http://www.ortegas.com/
                                                                                                                    • Phone number
                                                                                                                      (619) 692-4200
                                                                                                                    • Private party facilities
                                                                                                                      Contact restaurant for Private Events at 619-692-4200 or via email at info@ortegas.com
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