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Ortega's  A Mexican Bistro, San Diego, CA

Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

4.7 (1029)
$30 and under
Mexican
141 University Ave #4, San Diego, CA 92103

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 3 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for brunch
  • Charming
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.

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
  • 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

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What 1,029 people are saying

Ortega's A Mexican Bistro reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ortega's A Mexican Bistro shines with "amazing food and service," offering standout dishes like steak tacos, "fabulous margaritas," and table-side guacamole. Guests appreciate the "warm and inviting atmosphere" and friendly staff. While some experienced delays on busy nights, the authentic flavors and "great food" keep diners returning.
1,029 Reviews
  1. Rocco VIP

    San Diego19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Steak tacos were amazing! And as always the salsa was delicious

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  2. Sherry

    Idaho2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food and service. We had Mahi mahi tacos and Chicken pippian. The table salsa was fresh and flavorful. Great place hiding in plain site.

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  3. karil

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love Ortega’s! We meet friends there regularly for the fabulous margaritas, nice ambiance, and delicious food. The staff is friendly and efficient.

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  4. Katherine VIP

    San Diego4 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on March 16, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    I had a reservation. The hostess sat us in the back corner by the bar across from the kitchen door, despite a fairly open dining area with a pleastnt ambiance. In my opinion, the "bar" area should be left for open seating or optional to patrons. One, there was a man passed out on the bar. Two, the kitchen door was open and the sound of dishwashing was LOUD. Three, I could smell the bar rot from the table and bottles clanging in the bar were noisy. All around a poor experience. I have been here before in the past and it was nice. After this experience, I would not return again.

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  5. Staci VIP

    San Diego29 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Puerto Nuevo style lobster. Enough said. Absolutely delicious!

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  6. Lior

    Seattle / Eastern Washington16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very nice meal with chicken mole, fish taco and guacamole made at table. The margaritas were yummy as well. David took great care of us and service was perfect.

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  7. Thomas

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best margaritas in town! Add a splash of Pomegranate to their Presido margarita with a sugar rim for best margarita you’ve ever had! Great staff of people, super friendly!

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  8. SARA VIP

    San Diego141 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love this hidden gem! They have amazing Mexican food. We enjoy their steak burritos, steak tacos, table made guacamole & Casamigos margaritas are delicioius!! Highly recommend if looking for some yummy authentic Mexican food. This restaurant makes us feel like we are visiting Baja, MX. Best in town!

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  9. Wayne

    San Diego11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and margaritas. Table side guacamole nice touch. Valentine day prix fix was an excellent value.

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  10. Haley

    San Diego1 review

    3.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    had reservation at 8:45pm, didn’t get seated until 9:45pm. Food was alright, soup was good and steak was good but the burrito altogether was lack luster and the table side guac was middle of the road basic. the chicken tortilla soup and the chips and salsa was all that could really be enjoyed. The ambience was perfect for valentine’s day and the service was great. The food and wait time was what made this sort of not worth it. i will give the benefit of the doubt because it was at closing time and we were the last ones in there. but for valentine’s day i was expecting better. an $87.00 bill was not worth the experience. won’t be going again, but wasn’t the worst i’ve experienced

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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 4.7 stars by 1029 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. San Diego
  5. Hillcrest

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 3 times today
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
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