Best thing about the space is the outdoor patio and the service. Great place for cocktails!! With the food, my favorite item on the menu is chicken tortilla soup for lunch; and the lobster tail and steak...however I only order for dinner out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
SusanC
Going to Ortega's is one of our favorite places to go to in Hillcrest! A group of us UCSD nurses continue to meet up here even in our retirement. We've been coming here 15+ years for the great food & service. Chips & salsa are very good!! The only challenge these days is trying to find a parking spot. The widened bike lanes have taken away parking spots on University when it was already a challenge to park.
BrianC
The server we had was aloof and rigid. My friend did not want beans and instead asked for veggies, or even something as simple as some lettuce on the side. He said he would not do that and didn't offer any other options except double the rice. Not even an up-charge option. I also asked for a side of guacamole and the server said “we only offer table side guacamole”. What Mexican restaurant in San Diego doesn't allow an option for a side of guacamole? I would have paid $2 -$6 for a small side. Why is my only option for a little guacamole a $13 table side event? Either a poor choice on the part of management or a poor choice on the part of the server.
Erwin Romero
Those guys at the door very professional
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joseph Rolfes
Don't visit this
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ed B.
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.
ScottS
Food is very good our meals last night both seemed more spicy than usual We had the shrimp enchiladas and the chicken mole enchiladas Delicious but maybe a dad more soy y than in the past
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!
KCR619
Overpriced. Food was not good. Taste nothing nothing like the food in puerto nuevo. They wouldnt serve this low quality food at their restaurant's in Mexico. Dont be fooled thinking its anything like going to Puerto Nuevo CAUSE IT IS NOT SIMILAR!!!!
mfym
Food was delicious, from the chips & salsa, half lobster tail w/ beef or shrimps, rice, beans, flour tortillas, to the churros w/ chocolate and flan. Service was also good considering I saw only 1 waitress for 6 tables
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.
Best thing about the space is the outdoor patio and the service. Great place for cocktails!! With the food, my favorite item on the menu is chicken tortilla soup for lunch; and the lobster tail and steak...however I only order for dinner out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Going to Ortega's is one of our favorite places to go to in Hillcrest! A group of us UCSD nurses continue to meet up here even in our retirement. We've been coming here 15+ years for the great food & service. Chips & salsa are very good!! The only challenge these days is trying to find a parking spot. The widened bike lanes have taken away parking spots on University when it was already a challenge to park.
The server we had was aloof and rigid. My friend did not want beans and instead asked for veggies, or even something as simple as some lettuce on the side. He said he would not do that and didn't offer any other options except double the rice. Not even an up-charge option. I also asked for a side of guacamole and the server said “we only offer table side guacamole”. What Mexican restaurant in San Diego doesn't allow an option for a side of guacamole? I would have paid $2 -$6 for a small side. Why is my only option for a little guacamole a $13 table side event? Either a poor choice on the part of management or a poor choice on the part of the server.
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.
Food is very good our meals last night both seemed more spicy than usual We had the shrimp enchiladas and the chicken mole enchiladas Delicious but maybe a dad more soy y than in the past
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!
Overpriced. Food was not good. Taste nothing nothing like the food in puerto nuevo. They wouldnt serve this low quality food at their restaurant's in Mexico. Dont be fooled thinking its anything like going to Puerto Nuevo CAUSE IT IS NOT SIMILAR!!!!
Food was delicious, from the chips & salsa, half lobster tail w/ beef or shrimps, rice, beans, flour tortillas, to the churros w/ chocolate and flan. Service was also good considering I saw only 1 waitress for 6 tables
Restaurantji Recommends
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