Ortega bistro is such a hidden gem. The service was top-notch. The food was delicious and the ambience is stunning. We can't wait to go back. Insta: @havilahvashti What we ordered: Sope Lobster Benedict Steak Breakfast Burrito Fresas Con Crema French Toast Cadillac Margarita Mimosa read more

Ortega's has been a longtime staple in the Hillcrest community, and I'm genuinely excited about this next chapter for them. They came under new ownership this spring, with Fernando at the helm, and recently launched a brand-new brunch menu. Can we get an amen and a hallelujah?! We visited with our monthly GTB brunch crew, and I have to say, the new brunch menu did not disappoint. And trust me when I say, we brunch A LOT. We're somewhere around San Diego almost every weekend, so we've worked our way through our fair share of brunch menus over the years. Ortega's did such a great job with this one. The menu has a little bit of everything, with plenty of sweet and savory options depending on what kind of brunch mood you're in. You can go full breakfast, lean into something sweeter, opt for tacos or something lighter, or order from their regular lunch offerings if brunch just isn't your thing. I went with the Lobster Benedict, which was super flavorful and came with breakfast potatoes that were absolutely smashing. The lobster made it feel a little elevated without being overly fussy, and I would absolutely order it again. Around the table, we got to see a pretty good sampling of the menu. The churro pancakes my neighbor ordered looked AMAZING. Someone across from me had the Ortega Salad, which looked fresh and delicious, while others went for the fish tacos and carne asada tacos. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked great. We also shared the tableside guacamole and queso fundido, and while both were delicious, the queso fundido was hands down the winner of the table. Do not skip it. Seriously. Even the tortillas deserve a mention. They were a mix of blue and yellow corn, tasted fresh, and were so good with everything we were sharing. For drinks, I tried both the guava mimosa and the tamarindo mimosa, which were fun, flavorful takes on the usual brunch lineup. They also have all sorts of specials happening throughout the week, so definitely check those out when you're planning your visit. Just as importantly, the hospitality was fantastic. Fernando, the new owner, is absolutely wonderful, and it was such a pleasure getting to meet him and hear a little about what they're doing with the restaurant. Marty took care of our table and absolutely knocked it out of the park. We had a larger group, and the service was warm, attentive, organized, and genuinely top tier from beginning to end. It's always exciting to see a longtime neighborhood staple get some fresh energy while still honoring what people have loved about it for years. Ortega's remains a solid Hillcrest spot for great chips and salsa, fun drinks, flavorful Mexican food, and now, a brunch menu that gives you another very good reason to visit. If you're in the neighborhood, go. If you're not, make a little Hillcrest field trip out of it. And whatever you do, order the queso fundido. read more

Ortega's Bistro - Churro Pancakes Con Chocolate - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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After being a customer for the last ten years, I will not be returning to Ortega's after a recent experience. I have been going to Ortega's every year for my birthday, however after a polarizing experience with what I think is a new employee, I don't see any reason to return. I stopped by the bar to see if they had empty tables available on Saturday, June 20th. They had several tables available and that is when a woman approached me and asked if she could help me. Not "hello" or "how are you," but rather, "can I help you?" She was rude and horrible from the get go! I explained that I was just checking to see how many tables were available since I was planning to be there with around 4-8 people but wasn't sure the exact count since many people were planning to stop by for a drink and then move on. She then proceeded to tell me that for eight people I would need to get two tables and that there was nothing available in the bar for that many people. I was very confused because she acted as though she didn't want to help me, but I didn't need her help since I have been going to Ortega's for the last ten years and we always sit in the bar area. We don't necessarily need tables since not everyone was going to be eating. She then told me that for eight people I would need to get two tables in the restaurant area since the bar can't accommodate that many people. That made no sense to me since the bar can accommodate well over eight people. I told her we would just take a four top to start and then expand as needed. That's when she asked if I had a reservation!!! I told her that reservations are not needed for the bar, but then she snapped back and told me that I absolutely would need a reservation for eight people and that I could not have the four top table that I wanted because it would not hold eight people. OBVIOUSLY it wasn't for eight people. She sounded like a broken record, repeating herself twenty times. This woman did not want to hear anything I had to say and I was done talking to her so I flagged down the bartender, Oscar and asked him whether I needed a reservation for the bar. He said absolutely not and then I tried explaining to him what was going on and what I needed. I proceeded to tell him that this woman, this new employee, told me that we needed a reservation for 8 people and that we couldn't sit in the bar area with that many people. She literally cut me off in mid sentence and told me that I was a liar and that she never said any of those things. Wow....I don't know where she came from, but having her there will cause the business to lose money. She is horrible, rude, uninformed, clueless and unprofessional. There are too many places in Hillcrest that are more than willing to take my money and that of my friends. We do not need to be treated that way by an employee who thinks they are better than everyone else, not to mention someone calling a customer a liar. You might want to remove that woman from dealing with customers and maybe have her sweep the kitchen floors since that is where she belongs. No one should speak to customers the way she did to me. Congrats, Ortega's, you've lost a very loyal customer at a time when businesses are struggling to keep customers coming back. read more

If you want to escape to Rosarito but don't feel like driving, this is the place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Really cool vibrant colors and Latin music.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But the food is really delish. Next time we will try Puerto Nuevo lobster but today, the magic word is Molé Chicken molé cooked to perfection over a bed of perfect rice and beans your abuela would love. We also split the sandia sesame, which is very large. I really appreciate the price point for Margarita, there are choices from classic to more modern. Marty walked us through our Latin feast but be careful he is super nice but a chip pusher. ;) read more

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Came for weekend brunch and the food was really good! I've had savory crepes before but never Mexican inspired ones and the poblano one was very good with the rajas! We also enjoyed the fresas con cream French toast. Their agua frescas are good too! read more

This was my first time here. Some family members spoke about the lobster. That it was a must try. Well , the lobster is the reason I gave it a 4 star and not a 5. Unfortunately the lobster was over cooked. Giving it a rubbery chew. For the price you pay, it should be made excellent given that they have a lobster logo on the outside of the building. That being said. The salsa and chips were great. The salsa is thick with a slight spice to it. The tortillas soup was filled with flavor. It has a hint of tomato, not like others that are heavy in tomato. My son had French toast. Which he loved. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is cantina style. There is an upstairs and fire place. Also, when you come in, you are greeted by a full bar[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. I might try it again, but with a different dish. read more

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We had a great experience here! We loved the ambiance, and the food was delicious. Brunch was fantastic, especially the chilaquiles--they were outstanding! The restaurant is also located right in the heart of Hillcrest, making it a perfect spot to explore the neighborhood before or after your meal. There are plenty of convenient parking options nearby as well. We will definitely be back! read more

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I've been so happy to see all of the renovations and updates at Ortega's lately. It's clear the new ownership is putting a lot of care into the restaurant, and it's really showing. The food quality is still just as amazing as ever, the margaritas are on fire, and the enchiladas are always a must-order. And let's talk about the coconut flan... I still dream about it! It's easily one of the best desserts I've had. You can really tell the new ownership is shining bright while preserving everything people have always loved about Ortega's. Looking forward to many more visits! read more

Visited Ortega's during restaurant week since it it had the option of steak & lobster puerto nuevo style. We were extremely disappointed in our visit. I got: puerto nuevo style tortilla soup, steak & lobster, and churros and chocolate for $39. The tortilla soup tasted like it was just tomato sauce and a little bit of water. Steak & lobster: I asked for it medium and it was cooked well and the lobster was fishy smelling and tasting. Churros: I actually liked the churros and it was probably the best thing I ate here. It had a filling in it and was cooked perfectly. My husband got the caesar salad, lobster & shrimp, and the coconut flan. Caesar salad: basic, nothing special, no sauce? Lobster & shrimp: also both fishy smelling & tasting. Coconut flan: no hints of coconut, otherwise decent flan. The meals came with tortillas but they only gave us 3 for the both of us. We also ordered drinks, I got the mango mint which happened to be on the happy hour menu, but they said we had to sit in the bar area to get the discount. read more

Ortega's Bistro - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Fantastic. My wife is Hispanic, and almost never eats Mexican food out. She loved this place. Great sauces, fresh tortillas, and delicious shrimp tacos. Finally, a Mexican restaurant that meet and exceeds expectations. Lydia and Jay read more

Really great service. Very fast and intuitive. I went here for dinner after a conference and found it to be perfect. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Really relaxing and good amount of food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The shrimp tacos were quite tasty! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]the Restaurant ambience,staff,food quality and presentation was amazing..[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Authentic and charming ...[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We had a party of 12 which the staff accommodated with ease.. Everyone in our party was impressed and will be returning !! Some free parking out front and a reasonable priced parking lot across the street....made for an enjoyable effortless experience.. Thank You Ortegas Staff !!! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Very great atmosphere with amazing food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Everything comes fresh. Nothing to complain about service has been phenomenal very attentive and make sure that you are satisfied. Thank you for everything. We will come back. read more

Went there during Restaurant Week.... Had the Puerto Nuevo Lobster.... So good! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Atmosphere 10/10, staff 10/10, food 8/10, salsa 2/10.... I would have given them 5 stars but the salsa was so underwhelming.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Chips and margaritas-amazing... Salsa...disappointing. read more

Ortega's Bistro - Puerto Nuevo Lobster - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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5/5 service i can't recommend enough. we made a reservation and it was super quick! we were greeted warmly & they were super accommodating. definitely recommend the strawberry margarita blended, my MIL had 3! i had the chicken verde enchiladas and it was amazing flavor and super creamy. the server was kind and we even spoke to who i think was the manager. we came to visit all the way from LA while passing through. [[HIGHLIGHT]]the vibes were great & the ambiance was so welcoming![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] they even gave us a treat to try read more

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Stopped in for a quick drink and they had mango margs on special. They were yummy. The chips were got and amazing and the bartender was a gem. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A delightful hour to relax and enjoy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Ortega's Bistro - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

I will start off by saying, the margaritas and the guacamole were the best part about this experience. The pomegranate margarita was just the right amount of strong with a good taste. Other than that, it was basic. I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt and say that we went on Valentine's Day, with a preset menu and mass production. We never got our first course salads. I got the steak taco trio and the steak definitely needed more flavor. The steak and lobster combo was like cutting into a shoulder, so a bit tough. [[HIGHLIGHT]]But I will say the ambiance was nice with a fire place and it was a lot bigger than it looks from the outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would definitely go back for the margaritas and chips and guac! read more

We have gone to Ortegas for years. It has been our favorite Mexican restaurant--good choices, fresh food, good environment. We ordered delivery for the first time--chicken tortilla soup and fish tacos. The soup for quite a bit of money came in a small plastic container, about what you'd get from a Progresso soup can, maybe less. The fist tacos were small, a few small pieces of fish two corn tortillas. Delivery was great. The servings were disappointing. We won't be doing this again. read more

I've been coming here for over 10 years and loved the food. I guess there are new owners and the food I usually order was terrible. The difference was like night and day. Also, no chips and salsa included for happy hour anymore. Service was slow. Considering how the food used to be and how it is now, I will not be coming back. Absolutely terrible. read more

For whatever reason, this visit was not nearly as good as the previous visit maybe two years ago. We got there in the restaurant was pretty empty, yet it took almost 5 minutes for anyone to come up to the host stand. We were just about to leave when who I assume was either a manager or the owner came to see us. The service was extremely slow. Even for the restaurant being pretty empty, they only had one server and the service was very slow. I will say the winner of the visit was the drinks. They came out even before the chips. The salsa came out before the chips lol. We had the table side of guacamole that also didn't have a whole lot of flavor. It required salt, but there were no salt shakers to be found. Instead, we added salsa to it to give it more flavor. The food was just OK. I got the Carnitas Dorta, and it was overly greasy in my opinion. It didn't have a whole lot of flavor. Thankfully, the cheese gave it some flavor because the aïoli was too overpowering. read more

Ortega's Bistro - Ortega's Freshly Made Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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It's spiny lobster season! Usually that's a big deal for most local places that dive into spiny lobster season, but for Ortega's, it's simply another day on the job. You see, Ortega's does their Puerto Nuevo style lobster all year round and if you've never had Puerto Nuevo style lobster, dive in, the water is warm (and delicious). A Google search will detail this particular style of lobster as this: "Puerto Nuevo-style lobster is a whole lobster, split in half, seasoned, and deep-fried in lard or oil until tender and crispy. Originating from the fishing village of Puerto Nuevo in Baja California, this dish is traditionally served with flour tortillas, refried beans, Mexican red rice (arroz rojo), pico de gallo, and a squeeze of fresh lemon. The lobster is often first briefly boiled and then fried quickly for a few minutes to achieve its signature crispy texture." This is what Ortega's does well. My only real critique is that the rice was pretty bland and clumpy. On top of that, we didn't get any pico de gallo and only serving two tortillas for a table of two people, both with lobster seems a bit chintzy. Also, the tortillas while good, were small and I think this dish would be better served with a few large burrito sized tortillas. Other than that, at just under $50 for a lobster lunch there isn't too much to complain about. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great service and ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ok variety of Mexican food. Good variety of wines and liqueur. Parking in front. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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The food is pretty darn good and the service is great and the servers are pretty darn awesome! Just wish the prices were a little bit less and it would be perfect! read more

I wish I could remember the name of the waiter who waited on us yesterday. What a great personality. This was at lunch. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A very nice place tucked in the corner a long university Avenue.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Next to edible arrangements. read more

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I came here for dinner with my family. We were visiting San Diego and looking for some Baja cuisine. Ortega's has a small parking lot but you can also find parking in other lots down the road. We made an early reservation and were seated quickly. Our server was very friendly and helpful with bringing all our platters to the table. I had a strawberry mint margarita while my mom had a mango mint margarita. Both were super refreshing and definitely packed a punch! For dinner, I had the mahi mahi tacos. They were delicious and I loved the crema they came with. The beans were also delicious and flavorful. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, cute spot decorated with Baja flair and really good food!! 10/10!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Ortega's Bistro - Mahi Mahi Taco Trio - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Great place for margaritas, tasty Baja style Mexican dishes! Order to share dishes, all look so good, so it's better to try many of their dishes, come as a group! read more

Excellent experience for Valentine's Day! I'm so lucky I got their email for a $39 pre fixed when EVERWHERE else is at least $80pp. It was an amazing deal and everything was so delicious. It feel so decadent to get to take a hunk of lobster, dunk it in butter and then eat it wrapped up in a hunk of fresh tortilla. There's nothing better than that, except perhaps their very tasty flan and those cream-filled churros with chocolate dipping sauce?! Divine! I need to come back here for the regular menu and get some queso fundido. Also, the ambiance was candlelit and warm, and the service was friendly! read more

Ortega's Bistro - Half 1/2 Lobster and Steak Special - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was good, but it lacked a little in flavor. We ordered the lobster and steak. Everyone is very friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Inside is so pretty, felt like I was in Mexico[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] . read more

First time here. WOW food and service were amazing. Prices are very reasonable and the food is authentic. Most definitely a place to go for a meal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I had a late lunch and the restaurant was nice and peaceful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I am sure this place can turn it up on happy hour !!! read more

Ortega's Bistro - Chicken Mole - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Nice atmosphere, great margaritas, free chips! There is loads of parking in the after hours. Good size portions of food. read more

Ortega's Bistro - Starters - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

This is our second time we have gone here and it has been I believe a hit every-time! The food is very good! A good price for lobster! And it really is like Puerto nuevo. The service is good too. Sometimes a little of a wait to get our drinks and food but not too bad where we would walk out. No one has ever been rude to us either. The drinks are also good. The parking situation sucks but we have also been lucky with finding parking on the street. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor is very nice and always clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Yeah, Taco Tuesday is back! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Same fabulous service, food, drinks and vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] See you here on Tuesday or any day . read more

Ortega's Bistro - Menu and margaritas. - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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The food and service have feeling like you are in a true Mexican restaurant full of culture and traditions. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience is very quaint and the serving size very good and most importantly they always come around and check if you need anything else.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The server's are very friendly and respectful to every single person who walks in. They take care of each person's needs in staying connected with the specific,needs of each guest. They have a great sense of health if there are certain needs needed. read more

Visited Ortegas last night for a work christmas party and it was lovely! Located in the heart of Hillcrest in San Diego, Ortega's offers an authentic taste of the Rosario region in Mexico, making it a must-visit for those seeking genuine Mexican cuisine. Of course I began my evening with a sip of the Jalapeño Margarita, which had the perfect balance of heat from the jalapenos and the sour of the lime, creating a unique and refreshing flavor. I followed it with the Presidio Margarita, with its blend of premium ingredients was the perfect opener for all the food we got! We ordered guacamole for the table, and it was fresh and perfectly crafted, with a perfect mash of avocados and the right amount of zesty lime. We also ordered the queso fundido, which is a melty combination of Oaxaca cheese, chorizo, poblanos, caramelized onions, cotija, and queso fresco. The dish was elevated by a drizzle of crema. It was so delicious. By recommendation for the main course, I opted for the Crab Enchiladas, a dish that exceeded my expectations. The enchiladas were generously filled with fresh crab meat, and the flavorful sauce added that flavor I was looking for from the moment I walked in. My coworkers ordered a variety of tacos, burritos, Huachinangos, etc. Everything looked as delicious as it sounds. For a sweet conclusion, we ordered the churros. With a crispy exterior, soft interior, and a dusting of cinnamon sugar, they were served alongside a dark chocolate dipping sauce. I want to thank our server and the whole staff for having us and for their super friendly service. We had such a beautiful evening. Will be back for sure read more

Ortega's Bistro - Crab Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Ortegas is located in Hillcrest, there is a small parking lot in front of the restaurant. Otherwise street parking is nearby. I was able to snag a spot in the parking lot. They had their normal menu as well as the restaurant week menu available. Ambiance: The interior is very dark, I came in around 7pm and it wasn't busy at all. Grabbed a seat while I sat at the bar waiting for my friend to arrive. I ordered a pomegranate margarita. Food/Drinks: Pomegranate Margarita - 3/5 It was very tart, which brought the rating down. Drink was strong. Chips & Salsa - 3/5 Standard chips and salsa, nothing extraordinary. Chicken Mole - 3/5 Mole sauce was good, the chicken was a bit dry. Generous portions. Service: Servers were attentive. read more

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You will find great quality Mexican food along with a friendly staff at Ortega's bistro. Came here on a Tuesday afternoon for lunch. It wasn't busy at all. The ambiance is cozy the moment you step through their doors. The layout and colorful decoration is beautiful and inviting. We were welcomed with warm chips and salsa. The menu is large with a lot of items to choose from. I picked the crab enchilada - one of the best I've had. Their green chili sauce really brings it together. Brunch and bottomless mimosas is offered on Sundays for just $12. What a deal. We'll definitely be back for that and the French toast! read more

Ortega's Bistro - Entrance - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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The service is always great here and when the weather is nice, I like to sit outside and they're tableside guacamole is some of the best I've ever had! They also do a great lobster dinner! It's a sweet little secret in Hillcrest... Check it out! read more

Six of us stopped in on a Thursday night at Ortega's, and it was wonderful. Super friendly bartender, super friendly hosed, and we had an assortment of margaritas. They were all good. read more

Ortega's Bistro - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Nice atmosphere and good service but mediocre food. While the tortilla soup was tasty, it was served lukewarm. The medium rare steak lacked flavor and was on the tough side. The lobster was unimpressive but the coconut flan was excellent and sadly the best part of the meal. read more

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I just had the rudest experience here and am never coming back! I used to love this place, but was just informed by my condescending server that you are not allowed to take any of your leftovers to go if they were ordered during happy hour! I sat in and had full service, ordered a drink and some tacos, plus a cup of soup that was not on special. I finished the soup, my drink, one of the two tacos, and half my beans. I was full but didn't want to waste the rest of my food. I asked to pay for some extra tortillas and just take the rest home. The server told me that the owners don't want me to do that and she rolled her eyes at me and said "but I guess we can make an exception this time." ... WHAT???!! So I told her to just throw everything in the trash since they felt I was taking advantage, paid my tab and left. What a cheap way to treat your neighbors. Yuck. read more