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Ortega's  A Mexican Bistro, San Diego, CA

Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

4.4
4.4
948 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican
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.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 1 time today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Mexican / Southwestern
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:30 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 692-4200
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Owned/operated by
    Asian and Pacific Islander, Latinx or Hispanic, LGBTQ+
  • 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 948 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

NoiseModerate

948 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    One of the best margaritas I have had. My husband and I wanted Mexican food like my moms house. Tried this place out unbelievably good. This is not your American style Mexican food like Old Town. This is legit Puerto Nuevo style.

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  2. steaks

    San Diego

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Absolutely love this place. Their puerto Nuevo soap is amazing. The steak and lobster is delicious and the spicy margaritas are the bomb!

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  3. Rose

    Palm Springs

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    We enjoyed our food. Loved the lobster and beans. Just like Puerto Nuevo.

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  4. Darya

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2023

    Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
    Great service. Good margarita! Lobster a bit chewy. But overall, great value!

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  5. bsolds

    San Diego

    28 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2023

    Overall1Food1Service2Ambience2
    I was disappointed with my meal at Ortega’s. Although the restaurant had good reviews on Open Table, the Puerto Nuevo lobster was terrible, very overcooked and dry. Even the rice, beans and tortillas were tasteless, pretty bad for a Mexican restaurant. I would not recommend this restaurant.

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  6. BrookeH

    Houston

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service4Ambience5
    My parents and myself tried the 3 course meal for restaurant week... The food was delicious and the drinks were strong. The homemade tortillas - to die for!

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  7. MorrisS

    San Diego

    45 reviews

    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    Overall4Food5Service5Ambience4
    Great restaurant with good food and good service.We will visit again

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Everyone in our group had the lobster and shrimp. Is was amazing. Great value and perfect portions. We ordered the table side guacamole which was also very good. All in our party left really enjoying our meal.

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  9. SteveB

    San Diego

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
    We went to Ortegas to take advantage of restaurant week in San Diego. What a great deal, we ordered the full lobster and the lobster with shrimp. The food tasted great and the service was timely. The only down part was the table location in the middle of the room next to the kitchen which made it hard to be intamite for date night. Other than the table location, we really enjoyed eating here and we will be back.

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  10. CaMelt

    San Diego

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Dinner was excellent and service was even better. Lobster, rice and beans delicious!

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  11. mfym

    San Diego

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2023

    Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
    The Restaurant Week special was a very good deal; all of the food was very good. I had the half lobster and shrimp and my friend had the half lobster and beef (flat iron steak). I had salad and my friend had the soup, and we both had the churros & chocolate sauce for dessert. Service was very good also.

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  12. MaryLu

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    We tried the San Diego Restaurant Week special lunch menu. I had the half lobster tail with shrimp and my friend had the whole lobster tail. The food was delicious, seasoned and cooked perfectly. The wait staff was very attentive. I highly recommend it.

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  13. EmoryB

    San Diego

    12 reviews

    2.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2023

    Overall2Food2Service3Ambience2
    The lobster was over cooked, the refried beans were too thin in consistency and very small portion of rice. Not worth the high price charged.

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  14. RONR

    New Mexico

    7 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2023

    Overall2Food1Service4Ambience3
    very mediocre food. Tasteless fish. was very disappointed. Service was good.

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    Overall3Food3Service3Ambience4
    Two of us ordered the lobster dinner and it was insanely overcooked. They remedied the situation by giving us two free desserts next time we come back 🤣

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  16. Sandy

    San Diego

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    Overall4Food4Service5Ambience4
    I love this restaurant, and we enjoyed our special celebration. The lobster was a bit dry and overdone and the noise was loud even for a Sunday afternoon. Could be because of Restaurant Week. Note, that the Tortilla soup is very spicy!

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  17. DavidL

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
    Alwasy a good place for Brunch! The housemade tortillas are awsome, the servis is prompt and friendly

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    Overall3Food3Service3Ambience3
    Food was yummy but nothing extraordinary. The margaritas were the main reason for the visit since we were going on a double date and my friends love sexy drinks. The margaritas were delicious. The restaurant was a lovely establishment. We booked our reservations a week or two in advance. With the reservation I was hoping to have a nicer seating area. They placed us right next to the kitchen even-though there were 20 other open tables available. I did not ask to be reseated because I thought there was a reason... but later found out they just put us at an unfavorable spot I guess by chance. Still not sure. The wait staff wasn’t as attentive as I would have appreciated, but they weren’t bad. Nice spot, decent food, great drinks, but probably won’t be a repeat customer.

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  19. BaroqueFlute

    San Diego

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service4Ambience5
    Excellent margaritas - my Mezcal margarita had smoked salt to enhance the flavor. Chips were paper thin & fresh. Guac was traditional. Salsa was unusual and delicious. Two fish dishes (mahi & snapper) were very well prepared, healthy and flavorful. Flour tortillas were see-through. Portions were normal, not overwhelming. Table & leather bench were the most comfortable we've experienced in a long time, and it was quiet enough to talk. Great value: appetizer, two drinks, two mains + generous tip = $114. Only one downside: we look for healthier options, and there were only a few.

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  20. DaveK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    my wife went there for our 42nd anniversary. She wanted lobster Puerto Nuervo style. she had the whole 1-1/4 lb and i had 1/2 lobster and 1/2 shrimp on skewer. We were amazed at the size of lobster! They cooked it perfectly! Very sweet. The server was above and beyond his ability. This restaurant was better than going to Old Town. We will be back soon. Highly recommend.

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  21. brigitte

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Amazing fun and positive environment love this place !!!!

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  22. Suavemex

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Tried Ortega's for the first time. As usual as other restaurants say they have lobster like Puerto Nuevo. I have to say was impressed. The food was delicious, the ambiance was really nice, not too loud and not that whispery place to have to watch how loud people get. A little hole in the wall but I will definitely go again.

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  23. tbrooks

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Spectacular!!

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  24. FrankE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    I can highly recommend this mexican restaurant to everyone who is looking for great food, good service and nice ambience.

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  25. adrianaf

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service4Ambience4
    The food was good. The service was excellent and the warm tortillas were amazing.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Good food and great server. Got a seat right of way.

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  27. Jason

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    I love coming here with my partner. It’s always so intimate and the food is delicious. I brought my family for the first time and made them fans as well. Looking forward to our next visit!

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  28. Miky21

    San Diego

    20 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    Overall2Food2Service3Ambience4
    The Spicy Cucumber Margarita was delicious! However, the Tamarind Margarita tasted like an overly sweet, artificial flavor. The Mole Enchiladas were decent, but I've had better. I don't think I would come back here.

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  29. TimM

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    Overall2Food1Service3Ambience2
    The food was mediocre at best. The cost was a bit extreme. We had the ceviche which was rubbery and bland, tasted store bought and previously frozen. The “steak” tacos (3)for $22 were basically a flavorless carne asada with toppings normally found on a fish taco. It seemed like a family style restaurant charging gourmet prices. The one bright spot was the service and the guacamole, made at the table…. Sometimes I don’t understand how these places get such high reviews…

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  30. AndrewJ

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Was seated promptly, attentive service and great food and drinks!

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  31. NoeC

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
    Very friendly environment. Food was great staff was on point

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  32. CHARLESW

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Food was great!! You have to try the Guacamole made at your table. It was amazing. I’ve passed this place a dozen times. We went Friday for dinner. The Crab cake enchiladas and Shrimp Taco trio were delicious. Highly recommend, Drinks were great as well.

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  33. wbm1

    New York Area

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Great place. We look forward to going again. Food was tasty, excellent margaritas and friendly attentive service.

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  34. 582019

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
    Food was good. Decent price and service was attentive.

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  35. Margie

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Great experience eating outdoors at Ortega's (as usual)! We will return.

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  36. MarkM

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Great food/atmosphere. We were waited on by Tony - very helpful and beyond kind! Great experience!

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    67 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    67 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2023

    Overall4Food4Service4Ambience3
    Food is always good- many items overpriced. Seem to favor their patrons of Hispanic decent, of which we are not. So we had to ask for things we saw others receive we didn’t. Something we didn’t experience other times we dined there!

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  38. pamb

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service4Ambience5
    We came for Gathers a day. Had a reservation and got right in. Friendly staff. Great ambiance. The food was amazing!!! So authentic and came out hot! The rice here is so good and fluffy. Can’t go wrong with bottomless mimosas at $12 either! Definitely going back on the regular!!

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  39. MichaelJ

    Los Angeles

    18 reviews

    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2023

    Overall4Food3Service5Ambience3
    We were craving Puerto Nuevo lobster and too lazy to make the drive across the border to Baja. The next best option? Ortega's in Hillcrest. We are crazy for the deep fried Lobster. We love the original restaurant in Puerto Nuevo, especially the fact that the lobster comes in three different sizes. Our service was excellent. The food decent, considering we are not in Lobster season. Our only complaint? The tortilla soup was lukewarm! Still the meal was worth the drive from Los Angeles. Next time we head further south for the real deal.

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  40. JeanneD

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 12, 2023

    Overall4Food4Service5Ambience5
    Delicious food, great service and beautiful surroundings.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff temperature check required

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 4.4 stars by 948 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 1 time 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 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:30 pm Sun 10:00 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
  • Owned/operated by
    Asian and Pacific Islander, Latinx or Hispanic, LGBTQ+
  • 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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