If you want to escape to Rosarito but don't feel like driving, this is the place. Really cool vibrant colors and Latin music. 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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Went there during Restaurant Week.... Had the Puerto Nuevo Lobster.... So good! 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. Chips and margaritas-amazing... Salsa...disappointing. read more

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

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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. The ambiance is cantina style. There is an upstairs and fire place. Also, when you come in, you are greeted by a full bar. I might try it again, but with a different dish. read more

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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

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. the vibes were great & the ambiance was so welcoming! they even gave us a treat to try read more

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the Restaurant ambience,staff,food quality and presentation was amazing.. Authentic and charming ... 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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Really great service. Very fast and intuitive. I went here for dinner after a conference and found it to be perfect. Really relaxing and good amount of food. The shrimp tacos were quite tasty! read more

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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. But I will say the ambiance was nice with a fire place and it was a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. I would definitely go back for the margaritas and chips and guac! read more

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. A delightful hour to relax and enjoy. read more

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

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

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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Tried this place for their first day of brunch and it was great. Patio was nice to hang out with the fam. And the food was delicious. The servers seem very excited for the new dinner menu coming out! We will be there to try it as well read more

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

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

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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

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

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

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. Overall, cute spot decorated with Baja flair and really good food!! 10/10!! read more

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

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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

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. I had a late lunch and the restaurant was nice and peaceful. 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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The food and service have feeling like you are in a true Mexican restaurant full of culture and traditions. 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. 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

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. The decor is very nice and always clean. read more

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

Yeah, Taco Tuesday is back! Same fabulous service, food, drinks and vibe. 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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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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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

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

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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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've been coming to Ortega's now for the past four years, and it has consistently been the best Mexican restaurant I've dined at, in my opinion. And I'm married to an individual whose favorite food in the world is tacos...so we've tried a lot of different places across San Diego. Their free salsa is absolutely delicious--I loved the almost whipped or blended quality to it. It's always consistent in its flavor and heat level. The food is absolutely delicious. Love the seafood options, and as a mole fan they deliver (I sometimes get their mole on the side and the dip their perfect home made flour tortillas in it). Last but not least, their margaritas are the best I've tried. Better than Ponce's, better than anything in Old Town or Cass de Pico. The margaritas are satisfying, and made with real fruit juices or home made sour. Quality food at a great price. Go support this fantastic, local establishment! read more

This place is known for their happy hour specials, and I can understand why. Great drinks and even better homemade chips and salsa. The service was also top notch. I would not recommend the crab burritos, there was very little crab in it. But all other entrees were very good. I certainly would visit again. Great atmosphere too. read more

The prices are on the higher end however portion size of entrees / sides don't add up to overall cost. I understand that the restaurant business can be tough but don't provide what looks likes tasting plates - it looks cheap. I hope they can improve on this before I'll consider going back again. Disappointed. read more

Guacamole, Queso Fundido, Pomegranate Margheritas, Steak Tacos, Flan, and Churros Such a great happy hour spot! Yummy drinks, great chips and salsa, flavorful guacamole. The Queso Fundido is amazing--chock full of chorizo, poblanos, caramelized onion, corn and more--highly recommend! Tacos were just alright, nothing too remarkable. Flan was very good, churros were just okay. read more

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Love this place! Strong, good drinks and plenty of food choices. Our faves include the queso fundido, table-side guacamole, and the puerto nuevo style tortilla soup. Excellent service and plenty of indoor/outdoor and bar seating options. So good!! read more

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Decent food/cocktails and customer service. Great HH menu options. Delicious comp chips and salsa; the salsa here is very unique. I sat and dug out jalapeños from my jalapeño margarita with a spoon. It contained dozens of diced jalapeño that was way too much. I'd maybe come back here for HH, but only if I was in the area. read more

I'm heartbroken to say my favorite restaurant has gone downhill. I've been coming here for years and have shared it with so many people, but tonight was my last visit. I brought my best friend, excited to show her what I've always loved--but everything was off. My chicken mole enchilada had no chicken, the mole was bitter, the drinks tasted like tap water, and the guacamole was a skimpy portion. Even the tortillas tasted stale, not fresh like before. We drove all the way from LA for this, and I left embarrassed and disappointed. I get that times are tough, but it's just not the same anymore. Don't come with high hopes. read more

The salsa tastes like it's made from canned tomatoes. In San Diego I think salsa should be made from fresh ingredients. I've had the Baja tacos and the chicken mole enchiladas. Perhaps I've been ordering wrong but both dishes were mediocre. Also consistently the service was in attentive in that I both times had to ask for water refills and waited to make the payment though waiters were able to drop the bill at the table quite quickly. I'm new to the area and I'm sure there are plenty of other Mexican restaurants to choose from. read more

I have visited this place a few times in the last decade. This review is for my most recent visit in Feb 2024. The restaurant has a full bar, and even on a slow night having a meat at the bar is a decent vibe. This night I went with a group of four and sat at the bar. David was our bartender / waiter was forthcoming with great suggestions about what to enjoy on the menu. I had a taste of the tamarind margarita, and it was delicious. If I had to describe it, it tastes "brown" but in the best possible way. My partner and I shared two mains so that we could both enjoy the Chili Relleno and the Carnitas. The were both delicious: the chili relleno had an incredible cheese pull, and was covered in grilled cheese that was grilled deliciously. It sat in an enchilada like sauce that you can still taste the chilis in, one of the better ones I have had in San Diego. The carnitas were crisp and soft with pockets of oh so delicious pork fat. If I could criticize anything about it it would be the sauce over it was a tad overpowering and in the future I will ask for it on the side. But the unexpected star of the evening was the beans that came with the carnitas - charro beans, that made me giddy with unexpected pieces of meat in a soupy bean mixture. Soooo good. This place has improved significantly since my previous visits. Keep it up please! read more