Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

4.6

1016 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Make a booking

2 people

26 Dec 2024

19:00

Neighbourhood 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
Website
http://www.ortegas.com/
Payment Options
Contactless Payment
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
Contact restaurant for Private Events at 619-692-4200 or via email at info@ortegas.com

Location
141 University Ave #4, San Diego, CA 92103
Area
Hillcrest
Cross Street
3rd Avenue
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Popular dishes

Guacamole Made TablesideUS$12.75
avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, lime
Baja Shrimp Ceviche*US$15.75
shrimp, tomato, cilantro, jalapeño, onion, corn tostaditas
Fish Ceviche*US$14.75
snapper, tomato, cilantro, jalapeño, onion, corn tostaditas
Poblano Portobello Quesadilla (2)US$14.75
corn masa, poblanos, portobellos, caramelized onion, oaxaca cheese, tomato arbol sauce, cotija & queso fresco, crema
Queso FundidoUS$16.75
oaxaca cheese, chorizo, poblanos, caramelized onion, cotija & queso fresco, crema, corn & flour tortillas

Ensaladas

Add: Chicken Breast +$10 | Mahi +$12 | Shrimp +$12 | Steak +$13 | Half Lobster +$25.75

Caesar & AvocadoUS$12.75
romaine, avocado, croutons, parmesan, caesar dressing
Ortega's Mixed Green SaladUS$12.75
mixed greens, grilled tomato, avocado, cucumber, carrot, garbanzos, cotija & queso fresco, black bean corn salsa, balsamic vinaigrette
Sandia Sesame SaladUS$12.75
mixed greens, watermelon, avocado, cucumber, carrot, garbanzos, cotija & queso fresco, black bean corn salsa, sesame soy vinaigrette

Soups

Ortega's Chicken & TortillaUS$9.75
roasted chicken, onion, chipotle, cilantro, garbanzos, tomato, rice, tortilla strips, avocado
Puerto Nuevo-Style TortillaUS$9.75
guajillo chiles, chicken stock, roasted tomato, cilantro, avocado, jack cheese, tortilla strips
Black Bean & PumpkinUS$9.75
pureed black bean & roasted kabocha pumpkin, black bean corn salsa, crema

Seafood

Ensenada-Style Fish Taco TrioUS$20.75
Modelo especial beer battered snapper on flour tortillas, chipotle garlic aioli, cabbage, crema, roasted salsa. Side refried beans
Banana Crusted HuachinangoUS$22.75
Snapper with a plantain crust, roasted tomato sauce. Side rice, refried beans & flour tortilla
Crab Enchiladas (2)US$23.75
Crab, mushroom, spinach, jack cheese, pico de gallo, corn tortillas, verde sauce, cotija & queso fresco, crema, cabbage. Side rice & refried beans
Mahi Mahi Taco TrioUS$21.75
Grilled mahi mahi on corn tortillas, chipotle garlic aioli, avocado, crema, cabbage. Side black beans
Dorado VeracruzUS$22.75
Seared mahi mahi, roasted tomato sauce, bell pepper, onion, poblanos, white wine, capers & green olives. Side rice, refried beans & flour tortilla
Shrimp Taco TrioUS$20.75
Shrimp sautéed in white wine on corn tortillas, chipotle garlic aioli, avocado, crema, cabbage. Side charro beans
Shrimp Enchiladas (2)US$21.75
Sautéed shrimp, jack cheese, mushroom, spinach, pico de gallo, corn tortillas, rojo sauce, cotija & queso fresco, crema, cabbage. Side rice & refried beans

Beef + Pork

CarnitasUS$20.75
Slow roasted pork, verde sauce, pico de gallo. Side rice, charro beans & flour tortilla
Steak Taco TrioUS$20.75
Angus steak on corn tortillas, chipotle sauce, cabbage, crema, avocado. Side charro beans
Steak BurritoUS$20.75
Grilled bistek, charro beans, jack cheese, huitlacoche-mushroom sauce, avocado, wrapped in a flour tortilla. Side rice & charro beans
Grilled BistekUS$22.75
Huitlacoche-mushroom sauce, pico de gallo. Side vegetables, rice, refried beans & flour tortilla

Chicken

Chicken Mole**US$20.75
Grilled chicken breast, spicy-sweet mole sauce, sesame seeds, crema. Side vegetables, rice, refried beans, & flour tortilla
Chicken Mole Enchiladas (2)**US$20.75
Roasted chicken, jack cheese, pico de gallo, corn tortillas, spicy-sweet mole sauce, cotija & queso fresco, crema, cabbage. Side rice & refried beans
Chicken Pippian**US$20.75
Grilled chicken breast, creamy pumpkin seed pippian sauce, crema, pumpkin seeds. Side vegetables, rice, refried beans, & flour tortilla

Puerto Nuevo Lobster

Includes Cup of Puerto Nuevo-Style Tortilla Soup. Grilled lobster, rice, refried beans, drawn butter, grilled lime, flour tortilla

Whole Lobster SpecialUS$46.75
whole lobster tail
Half Lobster & Steak SpecialUS$35.75
Ortega's surf & turf. Half lobster tail & fire grilled bistek, huitlacoche-portobello mushroom sauce
Half Lobster & Shrimp Special**US$34.75
half lobster tail & four large shrimp on a skewer, epazote cilantro pesto, roasted tomato sauce

Vegetarian

Poblano Queso Taco TrioUS$19.75
Grilled oaxaca cheese on corn tortillas, poblanos, caramelized onion, cabbage, black bean corn salsa, cotija & queso fresco, crema. Side black beans
Chile RellenoUS$19.75
Poblano chile, jack & oaxaca cheese, tomato sauce. Side rice, refried beans & flour tortilla (contains chicken stock)
Vegetarian BurritoUS$17.75
Black bean & pumpkin purée, potato, avocado, poblanos, caramelized onion, pico de gallo, jack cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla. Side black beans
Cheese Mole Enchiladas**US$19.75
Cotija, queso fresco & jack cheese, spicy-sweet mole sauce. Side rice & refried beans (contains chicken stock)

Sides

Refried, Charro or Black BeansUS$3.75
Mexican RiceUS$3.75
Flour TortillaUS$1.50
Corn TortillaUS$0.75
Cup Pico de GalloUS$2.75
Half AvocadoUS$4.50
CremaUS$0.50
Side VegetablesUS$4.75
Side SaladUS$3.75
Chiles Toreados (3)US$3.50

Margaritas

prepared with homemade sour mix

CabrilloUS$11.00
silver tequila & triple sec
PresidioUS$13.00
cuervo tradicional silver & grand marnier
PomegranateUS$14.00
pomegranate, cuervo tradicional silver & grand marnier, sugar rim
Spicy CucumberUS$14.00
cucumber, jalapeño, cuervo tradicional silver & grand marnier, chile rim
Mango MintUS$14.00
mango purée, mint & cuervo tradicional silver, sugar rim
TamarindUS$14.00
blended tamarind & cuervo tradicional silver, chile rim
Fresh JalapeñoUS$14.00
jalapeño, cuervo tradicional silver & grand marnier, chile rim
Strawberry MintUS$14.00
strawberry, mint & cuervo tradicional silver, sugar rim

Premium Margaritas

hand crafted with fresh squeezed lime juice

Don Julio ClassicUS$17.00
grand marnier, fresh orange
The Patron ClassicUS$17.00
grand marnier, fresh orange, pink salt rim
Mezcal MargaritaUS$16.00
agave nectar, sal de gusano (worm salt) rim
Hibiscus MezcalUS$16.00
housemade jamaica, agave nectar
Casamigos MargaritaUS$16.00
grand marnier, agave nectar, fresh orange
Casamigos Margarita LightUS$16.00
casamigos blanco, agave nectar
The Clase AzulUS$25.00
clase azul reposado, grand marnier, agave nectar, fresh orange, black sea salt rim

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

Noise • Moderate

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

A
Anne
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 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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R
Ralph
Seattle
67 reviews
5.0
67 reviews
Dined on 1 December 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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H
Hans
San Diego
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 18 November 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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g
glenn
VIP
San Diego
65 reviews
5.0
65 reviews
Dined on 9 November 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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E
Edoggy
San Diego
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on 7 November 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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M
Michael
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 19 October 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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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on 14 October 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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E
Elisa
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 14 October 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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M
Michele
San Diego
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 25 September 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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S
Susan
Washington DC
21 reviews
3.0
21 reviews
Dined on 25 September 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 booking

2 people

26 Dec 2024

19:00

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
Area
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
Contactless Payment
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Website
http://www.ortegas.com/
Phone number
(619) 692-4200
Private party facilities
Contact restaurant for Private Events at 619-692-4200 or via email at info@ortegas.com

Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Chicken Mole Enchiladas (2)

Shrimp Enchiladas (2)

Chicken Mole

Starters

Guacamole Made TablesideUS$12.75

Baja Shrimp Ceviche*US$15.75

Fish Ceviche*US$14.75

Poblano Portobello Quesadilla (2)US$14.75

Queso FundidoUS$16.75

Ensaladas

Caesar & AvocadoUS$12.75

Ortega's Mixed Green SaladUS$12.75

Sandia Sesame SaladUS$12.75

Soups

Ortega's Chicken & TortillaUS$9.75

Puerto Nuevo-Style TortillaUS$9.75

Black Bean & PumpkinUS$9.75

Seafood

Ensenada-Style Fish Taco TrioUS$20.75

Banana Crusted HuachinangoUS$22.75

Crab Enchiladas (2)US$23.75

Mahi Mahi Taco TrioUS$21.75

Dorado VeracruzUS$22.75

Shrimp Taco TrioUS$20.75

Shrimp Enchiladas (2)US$21.75

Beef + Pork

CarnitasUS$20.75

Steak Taco TrioUS$20.75

Steak BurritoUS$20.75

Grilled BistekUS$22.75

Chicken

Chicken Mole**US$20.75

Chicken Mole Enchiladas (2)**US$20.75

Chicken Pippian**US$20.75

Puerto Nuevo Lobster

Whole Lobster SpecialUS$46.75

Half Lobster & Steak SpecialUS$35.75

Half Lobster & Shrimp Special**US$34.75

Vegetarian

Poblano Queso Taco TrioUS$19.75

Chile RellenoUS$19.75

Vegetarian BurritoUS$17.75

Cheese Mole Enchiladas**US$19.75

Sides

Refried, Charro or Black BeansUS$3.75

Mexican RiceUS$3.75

Flour TortillaUS$1.50

Corn TortillaUS$0.75

Cup Pico de GalloUS$2.75

Half AvocadoUS$4.50

CremaUS$0.50

Side VegetablesUS$4.75

Side SaladUS$3.75

Chiles Toreados (3)US$3.50

Margaritas

CabrilloUS$11.00

PresidioUS$13.00

PomegranateUS$14.00

Spicy CucumberUS$14.00

Mango MintUS$14.00

TamarindUS$14.00

Fresh JalapeñoUS$14.00

Strawberry MintUS$14.00

Premium Margaritas

Don Julio ClassicUS$17.00

The Patron ClassicUS$17.00

Mezcal MargaritaUS$16.00

Hibiscus MezcalUS$16.00

Casamigos MargaritaUS$16.00

Casamigos Margarita LightUS$16.00

The Clase AzulUS$25.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Ortega's A Mexican Bistro offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Ortega's A Mexican Bistro restaurant rated?