HIDDEN GEM IN HILLCREST (San Diego). Ceasar and David (bartenders) always make you feel at home. My wife and I have been here many times and we always have a great experience. Great food, service, ambiance and overall experience.
Cathy G.
Great meal tonight, the last day of Restaurant Week. They shown! Excellent warm chips and fresh salsa to start. The cesar salad and Puerta Nueva Style Tortilla soup were fine, but not return worthy, however the lobster and desserts were outstanding. We got the steak and lobster combo and sprang for the $10 surcharge to get the double lobster. So glad we did! The lobster was cooked perfectly, tender and yummy with the real melted butter. The steak was a substantial sirloin cut, but a poor cousin to the lobster. We took it home, so we could have the included dessert. Again, great decision--cause the coconut flan was rich and smooth and delicious. The churros were also very tasty, fresh and filled with custard. The only complaint would be that the proteins were under-seasoned and they don't have salt and pepper on the tables. It was quickly remedied and the lobster sang. We were here 20+years ago and weren't too impressed. Well, they won us over. The lobster and the flan are memorable. We won't be waiting another 20 years to return, that's for sure!
DomC
Service was very sloooow. 20 mins to order food, 15 mins to get a drink, 15 minutes to wait for a check, 15 minutes to wait for the check to be picked up. Waitress was making silverware bundles the entire time not checking on us. An hour and a half experience could've easily been 45 minutes. Chicken mole enchiladas were atrociously bad, I literally spit it back out (they took it off the bill) - the best thing was the chips and dip and a bottled Dos Equis. I know they have a good happy hour but this dinner experience was bad. Thanks.
A perfect intimate night with close friends. The food was delicious and the drinks were strong. Our waitress provided excellent service. Always kept checking how we were doing. Overall I would go back again.
Derrick B M.
I've been here few times and always got their surf and turf which is mediocre but finally after branching out I've discovered my favorite place for Chili Relleno! It was so delicious with ooey-gooey cheese on the inside and crispy grilled cheese on the outside. The sauce it's in is incredibly flavorful! I love their refried beans and always double up on that and skip the rice. My frozen tamarind Margarita always hits the spot and it's blended perfectly and doesn't separate. The carnitas are solid here but I would request that the green salsa was placed on the side. They also make a killer queso fondito but bring friends or else you'll be too full to eat anything else. The tortillas always taste freshly made with a great texture. The bartending is always filled with suggestions and are super friendly. Makes you feel at home. The place has great lighting during the day and a cozy darkness in the evening. Excited to try other things and discover more at this unassuming spot during my next visit.
Sylvia W.
Food, drinks and service are all consistently great here. Disregard my review of 12 years ago when I thought their guac was a little bland. I certainly haven't felt that way in years and Ortega's remains a favorite for me and my family and friends.
Cesar Velazquez
Tried this place for restaurant week and it was definitely a great choice. The 3 courses were all really good and a hefty portion. The lobster and steak were cooked perfectly. Both the churro and flan desserts were really well made. Parking is alittle tough but there’s a lot down the street that isn’t too bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
BBDoll
I went to Ortega's with my son and daughter in law during restaurant week. the Caesar salad was good and a big portion. My son had the soup served in a small bowl. He said it was filling. I had the lobster with beef, and they had the lobster with shrimp. The lobster was a little tough and small and the beef, I asked for medium, was charred black on the outside and well done on the inside. My son and daughter in law said their lobster was the same as mine and enjoyed their shrimp. The service was great, but they sat us at a table that was next to another table that shared the same seating/bench which also shared with another table. It's a bit enclosed and maybe that's why it was so loud? We could hear everyone's conversation except our own. Definitely not a good date spot. When both of those separate parties left, the restaurant had a more calm, relaxing feel and we could actually hear the nice music. I've been to the Ortega's restaurants in Puerto Nuevo, and I enjoyed the food at those locations.
Met out of town friends for dinner, hadn't been in 10 years... and everything was still delicious - even the chips and salsa! Fresh Mexican seafood is just part of the selection and it was served perfectly with my classic Cadillac... 5 stars!
Robert K.
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!
Kyle Heiskala
Delicious food and great service. Love going to Ortega's for happy hour or a late lunch. Drinks are great and good classic Mexican music too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Banana Crusted Huachinango, Rice and Beans, Ortega’S Freshly Made Guacamole
Ismael
We decided to try Ortega's for our special Valentines Dinner! We were not disappointed! Food was authentic and fresh. Our server Luis was above and beyond, he was on top of everything despite a busy night! We will definitely return!
bosscab
Would have preferred seating in a better lit area. Unfortunately our salad was served after we received our main course, but the dinner was delicious. So was the dessert and drinks.
Those guys at the door very professional
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don't visit this
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
HIDDEN GEM IN HILLCREST (San Diego). Ceasar and David (bartenders) always make you feel at home. My wife and I have been here many times and we always have a great experience. Great food, service, ambiance and overall experience.
Great meal tonight, the last day of Restaurant Week. They shown! Excellent warm chips and fresh salsa to start. The cesar salad and Puerta Nueva Style Tortilla soup were fine, but not return worthy, however the lobster and desserts were outstanding. We got the steak and lobster combo and sprang for the $10 surcharge to get the double lobster. So glad we did! The lobster was cooked perfectly, tender and yummy with the real melted butter. The steak was a substantial sirloin cut, but a poor cousin to the lobster. We took it home, so we could have the included dessert. Again, great decision--cause the coconut flan was rich and smooth and delicious. The churros were also very tasty, fresh and filled with custard. The only complaint would be that the proteins were under-seasoned and they don't have salt and pepper on the tables. It was quickly remedied and the lobster sang. We were here 20+years ago and weren't too impressed. Well, they won us over. The lobster and the flan are memorable. We won't be waiting another 20 years to return, that's for sure!
Service was very sloooow. 20 mins to order food, 15 mins to get a drink, 15 minutes to wait for a check, 15 minutes to wait for the check to be picked up. Waitress was making silverware bundles the entire time not checking on us. An hour and a half experience could've easily been 45 minutes. Chicken mole enchiladas were atrociously bad, I literally spit it back out (they took it off the bill) - the best thing was the chips and dip and a bottled Dos Equis. I know they have a good happy hour but this dinner experience was bad. Thanks.
A perfect intimate night with close friends. The food was delicious and the drinks were strong. Our waitress provided excellent service. Always kept checking how we were doing. Overall I would go back again.
I've been here few times and always got their surf and turf which is mediocre but finally after branching out I've discovered my favorite place for Chili Relleno! It was so delicious with ooey-gooey cheese on the inside and crispy grilled cheese on the outside. The sauce it's in is incredibly flavorful! I love their refried beans and always double up on that and skip the rice. My frozen tamarind Margarita always hits the spot and it's blended perfectly and doesn't separate. The carnitas are solid here but I would request that the green salsa was placed on the side. They also make a killer queso fondito but bring friends or else you'll be too full to eat anything else. The tortillas always taste freshly made with a great texture. The bartending is always filled with suggestions and are super friendly. Makes you feel at home. The place has great lighting during the day and a cozy darkness in the evening. Excited to try other things and discover more at this unassuming spot during my next visit.
Food, drinks and service are all consistently great here. Disregard my review of 12 years ago when I thought their guac was a little bland. I certainly haven't felt that way in years and Ortega's remains a favorite for me and my family and friends.
Tried this place for restaurant week and it was definitely a great choice. The 3 courses were all really good and a hefty portion. The lobster and steak were cooked perfectly. Both the churro and flan desserts were really well made. Parking is alittle tough but there’s a lot down the street that isn’t too bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
I went to Ortega's with my son and daughter in law during restaurant week. the Caesar salad was good and a big portion. My son had the soup served in a small bowl. He said it was filling. I had the lobster with beef, and they had the lobster with shrimp. The lobster was a little tough and small and the beef, I asked for medium, was charred black on the outside and well done on the inside. My son and daughter in law said their lobster was the same as mine and enjoyed their shrimp. The service was great, but they sat us at a table that was next to another table that shared the same seating/bench which also shared with another table. It's a bit enclosed and maybe that's why it was so loud? We could hear everyone's conversation except our own. Definitely not a good date spot. When both of those separate parties left, the restaurant had a more calm, relaxing feel and we could actually hear the nice music. I've been to the Ortega's restaurants in Puerto Nuevo, and I enjoyed the food at those locations.
Restaurantji Recommends
Met out of town friends for dinner, hadn't been in 10 years... and everything was still delicious - even the chips and salsa! Fresh Mexican seafood is just part of the selection and it was served perfectly with my classic Cadillac... 5 stars!
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!
Delicious food and great service. Love going to Ortega's for happy hour or a late lunch. Drinks are great and good classic Mexican music too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Banana Crusted Huachinango, Rice and Beans, Ortega’S Freshly Made Guacamole
We decided to try Ortega's for our special Valentines Dinner! We were not disappointed! Food was authentic and fresh. Our server Luis was above and beyond, he was on top of everything despite a busy night! We will definitely return!
Would have preferred seating in a better lit area. Unfortunately our salad was served after we received our main course, but the dinner was delicious. So was the dessert and drinks.