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Ortega's  A Mexican Bistro, San Diego, CA

Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

4.6
4.6
1016 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 times today
  • Neighborhood 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
  • 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
  • Neighborhood
    Hillcrest
  • Cross street
    3rd Avenue
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,016 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ortega's A Mexican Bistro offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with standout dishes such as Puerto Nuevo style lobster and banana crusted fish. The "incredibly delicious food" and "friendly attentive service" make it a favorite among diners. Enjoy handmade guacamole and margaritas, though some visits experience inconsistent service.

1,016 Reviews
  1. Anne

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food and service. Well designed space with lots of seating. We ordered crab enchiladas, snapper with plantain crust, chicken mole enchiladas, and table side guacamole. My husband ordered a Don Julio margarita and I got a pomegranate spritzer. Really appreciated how many non alcoholic options they had on the drink menu that weren’t just soda! We will definitely be back

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  2. Ralph

    Seattle

    67 reviews

    5.0

    67 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great meal and service. Food really pops and has great flavor. Whole experience very pleasant with attentive service and great atmosphere.

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  3. Hans

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2024

    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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  4. glenn

    VIP

    San Diego

    65 reviews

    5.0

    65 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 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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  5. Edoggy

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 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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  6. Michael

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 19, 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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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 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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  8. Elisa

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 14, 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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  9. Michele

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 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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  10. Susan

    Washington DC

    21 reviews

    3.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 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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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 4.6 stars by 1016 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 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
  • Neighborhood
    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 Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • 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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