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Ortega's  A Mexican Bistro, San Diego, CA

Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

4.4
4.4
1025 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • 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.

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
  • 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

Experiences

  • $20 off when you spend $100 or more

    Feb 24, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
    Celebrate our 20th Anniversary with us with $20 off your bill when you spend $100 or more with us. Cannot be used during Happy Hour.
    $20 off when you spend $100 or more Photo
  • 20th Anniversary Complimentary Appetizer orDessert

    Feb 24, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
    For our 20th Anniversary, we are offering a complimentary Appetizer or Dessert during lunchtime when two lunch entrees are purchased. Cannot be combined with Happy Hour.
    20th Anniversary Complimentary Appetizer orDessert Photo

What 1,025 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
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ortega's A Mexican Bistro offers a delightful experience with "amazing Mexican food" and "delicious guacamole and margaritas." Frequent visitors love the "fun creative menu" and "great atmosphere." Despite some mixed reviews, many patrons find the "service excellent" and the "food incredible." It's a "hidden gem" worth exploring for authentic flavors.

1,025 Reviews
  1. SARA

    VIP

    San Diego

    137 reviews

    5.0

    137 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    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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  2. Wayne

    San Diego

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    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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  3. Haley

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    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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  4. Karlos

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    I had high hopes for this restaurant when I made a Valentine’s Day reservation for 8:30 PM, expecting a smooth and enjoyable night. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Despite having a reservation, we weren’t seated until 10:20 PM—nearly two hours later. No updates, no apologies, just an endless wait that killed the mood. When we finally sat down, I was hoping the food would make up for the poor experience. It didn’t. The dishes were mediocre at best—nothing memorable, nothing worth the wait. The only saving grace? The margaritas packed a punch, but at that point, we needed them just to get through the night

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  5. PACO MHERI

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    I found this place on Open table. It was our first time in. We had a reservation at 8pm. It was Valentine’s Day. We arrived 745 and they told us they were running behind. When asked how long to wait they said unsure. We waited til 845 and started looking for other places to eat nearby but of course they finally called our name. So almost an hour wait with a reservation. I just don’t understand the the point on having reservations if doesn’t really apply to real time. Maybe this restaurant should only do reservations on holidays and not take any walk ins. Just saying because we’re tons of people waiting outside and inside, with and without reservations. We were waiting in front of the main check in desk for the whole hour and it was such a safety hazard. People’s butts were in my face if you can imagine. The food was ok. I thought it would be better. Maybe I came on an off day because the reviews sound way better than what we experienced. I wouldn’t recommend this place on a holiday, or Valentine’s Day. Like I said, maybe I came on a bad day but I wouldn’t come back. There are way more other places that I can eat at with better service and food. Maybe this days food wasn’t great because it was so busy.

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  6. Sarah

    VIP

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Margarita tasted like a bottled mix, although I ordered one that said “fresh lime juice” on the menu. Couldn’t drink it, just left it. I asked for water, and that took a while. Also, waiter didn’t clear table before dessert but put dessert plate in front of me. I stacked the dirty plates together so I could put dessert in the center of the table and share with my date. Lovely. Also, please don’t tap me on the back of the arm every time you stop by the table. Thanks.

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  7. Sally

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good timely service. Delicious guacamole and margaritas.

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  8. Gary

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent! Fun creative menu. Chips & salsa were fantastic so we knew we were in for a great meal! I had banana crusted snapper-yum! Great w the sauce it was served with. Hubby’s chile relleno was one of the best he’s had (he even asked to tell the chef personally!) Strawberry mint margaritas were delish too-refreshing! We’ll def come back!!!

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  9. John

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our second visit was as good as our first. We chose to meet relatives here for a nice meal. We visit from Long Beach and discovered Ortega’s on our own last time we were in town. We took locals here for their first visit and they loved it, too. Great margaritas. I’m surprised it is not busier. Just a few diners each time. We will return.

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  10. Jack

    VIP

    San Diego

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and reasonable priced.

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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 4.4 stars by 1025 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 2 times today
Experiences are available.

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, 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
  • Phone number
    (619) 692-4200
  • Private party facilities
    Contact restaurant for Private Events at 619-692-4200 or via email at info@ortegas.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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