Ortega's Cocina

The staff at Ortega's are very friendly and one of the waiters is an incredible singer - he'll sing a beautiful Spanish song when serving your dessert 🥰. The grilled fish tacos, carne asada quesadilla, and flan are all very good 😋. But I would not recommend the tortilla soup; It was a bit too salty and seasoned for my taste, plus I prefer it with shredded chicken and avocado, which this tortilla soup did not have. The place is small and has a lot of Mexican decor which adds to it's charm. Another plus is that there isn't loud music.

Good Mexican food a few blocks off the beach. Had some outdoor tables plus lots of seating indoors. Ordered tortilla soup and the chili relleno combo (selected grilled fish taco option) I also was served chips with a green & red salsa (green was my favorite) Everything was good; especially the fish taco! Service was attentive and portions were large.

Ortega's Cocina is a wonderful family-run restaurant that has a unique and authentic atmosphere. The food tastes like Mexican home cooking which is very hard to find in restaurants these days. The quality of ingredients and the freshness of the food are top notch, and you can taste the care that goes into the preparation of every dish. The staff at Ortega's Cocina are fantastic and provide an exceptional experience. They are always welcoming and engaging, making you feel like part of the family. Their friendly and attentive service adds to the overall enjoyment of the meal. The tortillas are freshly made, and the tacos are the best thing on the menu. The meat is well-seasoned, and the toppings are generous. I also highly recommend the salsa, which is freshly made and bursting with flavor. Sadly, it seems that Ortega's Cocina will be closing down soon. So, if you want to enjoy this gem of a restaurant, it is important to go soon. I urge anyone who appreciates authentic and delicious Mexican cuisine to pay this wonderful establishment a visit before it's too late. Overall, Ortega's Cocina is a fantastic family restaurant with delicious food and an incredible atmosphere. It is a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic and enjoyable dining experience

fajitas were delicious. they are definitely shareable for two. great service, very friendly & fast with drinks and food ! try this spot out !

My first time visiting this place. The food was pretty good although if you're charging high for food with meat, maybe add some meat? I ordered the tamale Combination plate which included a carnitas tamale, beans, rice, and a beef taco. My taco was huge, overfilled...with lettuce - I dug out the lettuce and found a thin layer of chicken! I ordered beef. My first of tamale had no meat, okay it happens. My third bit of tamale had a thin wall of meat, like as if it were sprinkled in. My family ordered different dishes and all had the same issue. We made the decision not to tip, but guess what - it WAS NOT OUR DECISION TOO TIP OR NOT, THEY MADE US TIP 20% 😱 my mom said it's fine, be we'll never come back here.

Best Mexican place in the area! I ordered a michelada and got a huge drink. The enchiladas are amazing. Portions are big for reasonable price. Delicious and I highly recommend. The wait for my food wasn’t long at all and the waitress was nice to keep checking in on me throughout my meal

The Mexican food was good, but most of the menu was really expensive. I used to think, “it’s close to the beach so what else should I have expected?” But after living here in San Diego for a while that is not accurate. There are plenty of other great places to get Mexican food for a good price.

From the moment the waiter served the fresh salsa, we knew we had stumbled upon a real taste of Mexico. The relleno was out of this world and the enchiladas even better. House margarita was yummy. Can't wait to try the flan.

Great place for a sit down lunch if you're into shrimp, and fish tacos. I originally had ordered 4 tacos with nachos but was told the nachos was massive so I reduced my tacos to 3 and thank gawd I listened. Nachos was freaking massive, they definitely don't hold back on that serving. Shrimp tacos 5/5 Fish tacos 5/5 Nachos 5/5 They also serve drinks Went with a Michilada and would recommend. Definitely recommend this place, they have a salsa bar too. The habanero salsa is spicy af! You're been warned! Awesome place, definitely recommend.

Really awesome carnitas here, so flavorful, get the carnitas fries! I went right after the OB Christmas parade so of course it was super busy, the people working there were hustling their tails off and I still received friendly service and my food didn't take very long.

Whoa mama!!! This just might be my favorite taco place in Ocean Beach! I had the crispy fish taco and the surf-n-turf taco, and they are both knockouts!!! The habanero salsa is by far my favorite out of all the others I've tried around town. The staff here are very friendly and make you feel at home.

Some of the best fish tacos I've ever had. Was recommended this spot by a friend, who told me to go here because of their fish tacos. We each got 1 fish taco and they were amazing ! I got the surf n turf taco which the shrimp was spicy. We shared the Cali burrito which was yummy and delicious. Their guac tasted so good,probably some of the best guac I ever had. Looked and tasted fresh! We got some brews, they have beer on tap and bottles and cans ! We finished off a to go order of pollo asado nachos and they were huge ! We took them home and they were still yummy! Definitely coming back here!

This is the spot right here, best fish tacos I've ever had hands down don't snooze on it !

Positive ocean beach vibes. Order at the counter and wait or find a seat. I stopped in looking for tacos and ordered two fried fish tacos. Didn't have to wait long, they give you numbers and bring it to you. The tacos are large and come nicely dressed with cabbage and sauce. Not greasy and the fish flakes nicely. I'd get tacos here again.

Friendly staff, delicious and reasonably priced tacos. Not much more I look for. Would highly recommend, especially since the other taco shops in the area are much more expensive. Try their Taco Tuesday's and Thursday's for best prices.

I stopped in at Johnny Mañanas for Taco Tuesday after it being recommended to me by some locals. The atmosphere was open, inviting, and staff was very friendly! Although there was a line, orders were being taken quickly and I didn't wait for long at all! I ordered myself two of their world famous crispy fish tacos, along with a crisp and cold topo chico. My tacos came out within a few minutes and they were hot, fresh, smelled DELICIOUS, and were tasty too. I loved the addition of a salsa and lime bar to fulfill ALLL my salsa needs. Next time I come here, I'll likely opt for the grilled fish, since the beer batter of the crispy fish taco was a bit too hearty for my liking. Note: for folks who are looking to drink beer and cocktails, there are options for you too! Overall, this was a joyful and delicious experience! I recommend stopping by for a quick bite, a refreshing drink, and a good time!

Tasty food overall with chips and guacamole, shrimp and asada tacos definitely repeatable. Next time we plan to try the nachos. Very reasonably priced and casual atmosphere. The tables were not cleaned consistently but this was a minor area of improvement. Staff worked hard making the food and serving the drinks.

We had an excellent lunch that was brought over to us (after ordering) while we were sipping tasty suds at Ca. Wild Ales. A big YUM for the excellent burrito & quesadilla. The chicken was VERY tender too P.S. Sign outside said they offered $3 pints @ Johnnys!

Three reasons to go - 1. Large and very tasty $3.50 fish tacos 2. $2.00 draft beers 3. They carded my wife! Their carne asada taco was also great - tons of flavorful meat and a pile of guac. Had a quick "snack" here but it left a really strong positive impression. Definitely coming back when we're in the area.

Pretty good place right on the sidewalk in OB. We chose it mostly because they had an open sidewalk table with an umbrella for shade. We had our Golden with us. I wanted carne asada nachos but my bride mistakenly ordered carne asada fries. They were still very good. The portion is huge so I had to get a box. My bride had the fish tacos and she raved about them. The quality and portions are above average I would.

Alright, I had a stay in Ocean Beach for a week and let me start by saying that I visited Johnny Mañanas almost daily. It's THAT good. I felt like a true local and was welcomed with kindness at every visit! The crispy fish tacos are priced amazingly well and your tacos come loaded with perfectly battered hot fish and fresh, crunchy cabbage and tomato toppings. I honestly couldn't get enough of these tacos. And then, I tried the shrimp tacos and was equally -if not more (if that's possible)- blown away! Plump and well-seasoned shrimp with crispy tortillas to hold... yeah. You all get the point. If you're reading this and you're local or just visiting... this is a spot that you can't afford to pass up! It was a delight to stop in and get my Johnny Mañanas fix. I will definitely be back my next San Diego trip.

I've got to say, my expectations were not high enough when I went here. We were drawn in by the siren call of $2 draft beers. Where in San Diego can you get a an icy cold craft beer on tap for $2??? Literally only this little spot on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach. What goes with a craft beer? Obviously tacos! I got two of the crispy fish tacos and my man got a crispy fish and a grilled fish. WOW! Both were delicious but the grilled fish was my preference. It was a huge portion of fish and super tender, perfectly seasoned. The gentleman from the counter came out and checked on us a couple times and even got us another beer. I asked if this was a happy hour special, and he said it was just a seasonal special to help to get the word out about this restaurant. "We get you in with the beer prices but you will come back for our food" he said. Well here I am delivering the word to you. Really freaking good.

We visited for lunch and tried the fried fish taco, quesabirria, and carnitas. All the tacos were excellent, with generous portions for the price. The birria meat in the quesabirria taco was outstanding, though I think I'd prefer it with less cheese next time. Ordering is done at the counter, but the staff were friendly and our food was ready in under 10 minutes. We enjoyed $3 draft beers while we waited. I initially had a michelada, it wasn't my favorite and would not order that again. The restaurant is quite simple but clean, and it was nice to see the food being cooked and prepared. We definitely enjoyed this place and will be back soon.

Massive burritos! And the appetizer rolled tacos are huge and could definitely be a full meal. We got the carne asada, shrimp, and fish burritos. They were all pretty good. The fish and shrimp ones were a bit spicy. They also had too many black beans. Overall, I would say they were a bit watery so they definitely made a mess. We also got the rolled tacos which came with a bunch of lettuce and veggies and sauce on top. They got a little soggy with all of that added on. We took everything to-go and went to the beach.

Absolutely loved the carnitas nachos. Big enough to share, full of tasty pork, beans, pico,guac, cremma, nacho and shredded cheese, jalapeños. They use crisp multi colored chips. (I like the chips at the Oceanside location a bit better) Counter service is friendly and helpful. Clean, bright dining area with a few outdoor tables. Pepsi fountain products, plus others (bottle coke) in the cooler. Street parking is manageable midweek, tougher on weekends. Wr.

First time trying Johnny Mañanas and had the best experience! The employees were extremely welcoming and friendly, and the crispy fish tacos were delicious! The portion was also huge for the price. They also have a salsa bar, which you never see these days. Can't wait to come back here!

I will miss the old Ortega's but I can't fault Johnny's for quality. I will be going again

Johnny Mañanas has come down from North County and opened a branch where Ortega's Cocina used to be located on Newport Ave. The interior has been painted over with lime green walls. The tables were well spaced apart with bright colored metal chairs. I sat at the bar in front of the kitchen preparation area after placing an order at the service counter. The menu was fairly standard for a Mexican cantina. I did notice a lack of homemade traditional items such as tamales and pozole. I selected one of the five entrees which came with Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, salsa fresca, and corn tortillas. Carne asada was my protein which used Angus steak as the cut. The plate was well put together including a tortilla chip "basket" used to hold the refried beans. The portion size was good while the food quality was average. I didn't use the salsas that were available at a self service station in the back of the dining area as the meat had sufficient seasoning. Compared to the numerous Mexican joints in the OB neighborhood, Johnny Mañanas fell in the middle tier. Therefore, I rated my dining experience between three and four stars.

The food was absolutely deliciously amazing!!! There should be a line wrapped around the corner! Best Mexican we've had in San Diego and we will make it a point to come back every time we're in San Diego! The owner is also amazing and hospitable with great recommendations! We had the World Famous Crispy Fish taco and quesabirria taco with consume! Their salsa is delicious! Their Mexican Candy margarita was also a perfect blend! 5 stars hands down!!!

This place is OK. The wine pour was very big the 1st time I went then yesterday so small. Just have your staff measuring so it's consistent. The service was fast and friendly. The food is good - however I do prefer Nicos burritos better in all honesty.

Went for Taco Tuesday tonight and this place didn't disappoint! Not to mention they have a tasty salsa bar! I'll definitely be back

I loved this place and will definitely go back next time I'm in SD! Good tacos made to order, and beer is only $2 on tap! Part of me wanted to keep this place a secret for myself, but that would be unfair to the Yelp community. I really enjoyed their fried fish tacos (only $3.50 each!), super crispy battered and fried fish inside a taco and topped with a very generous portion of veggies. The kids really liked their chips and guacamole and thought it was nice that the chips were colorful instead of just yellow. I didn't get to try their cocktails because this was a second dinner for us that day, but I will next time because the choices looked good and other customers were enjoying their cocktails! I like the self-serve salsa cart. The hot salsa wasn't too hot. There was one sauce that looked kinda creamy and I didn't like that one. The mild salsa was still too spicy for my kids. I wish there was a self serve water section too. Restaurant was clean and the service crew were all super friendly.

Ramen Birria!!! SOOOO GOOD! I come here about once a week because I can't stay away from their giant crispy fish taco and the guys working there are ALWAYS so nice, helpful and Happy! Today they had ramen and with this winter weather I couldn't say no! So tasty! The food and upbeat atmosphere with fun music and interesting things in the TV like old price is right makes this my go to spot!

We ordered carnitas nachos and a pollo asada quesadilla. I was surprised by how large the portion sizes were. The single quesadilla order was actually two quesadillas and the nachos looked like enough to feed at least two people. The food and service was high quality. I thought the prices were very reasonable at about $15 a person, especially compared to other restaurants in San Diego.

They overcharge you. Prices they ring up are higher than posted on the menu, and there's no notice anywhere about added fees. I thought maybe it was just showing tax included, but tax was added again at end. Completely unacceptable when you have a digital sign board and can update your prices instantly. Advertise what you ACTUALLY cost! Congratulations on losing repeat business for trying to be sneaky about $0.62

Great fish tacos, great service and prices! Can't beat 3$ drafts. Restaurant and restroom were clean.

The crispy fish taco was around $4 and the habenaro sauce was so so good. It goes well with everything. Great taco! A great spot in a place where everything is expensive.

I just got the most delicious drink here. It was a Mexican candy margarita. I should have taken a pic of my enchiladas but I ate them too fast! Fish taco looks delicious.

My husband wanted to try their fish tacos since he saw how big they were when we were walking by. It was $3.50 per taco which isn't too bad considering how large and filling it was. They use mahi mahi for their fish. They also have a salsa bar with different levels of spice. We also ordered rolled tacos for the kiddos but they weren't fans. I thought it was pretty tasty but it was a bit more greasy than other rolled tacos. There's also a lot of flies there but they place fly fans for each table. It's an order first and then find a table type of dining establishment.

A guy sitting at an outside table told us this was the best. He was right! We shared azada nachos, chips and guacamole and two of us had a fish taco. Everything was excellent. Salsa bar was legit with a variety of salsas. The fish tacos reminded me of Mexico 10/10. The place was very clean. The bright decor was very inviting and there was plenty of seating. Outside seating is available, as well as

Came a second time! And got the fish tacos and carne Asada fries! Let me tell you these fries came in a huge plate. Enough for 4 people! My husband and I ate it. And we shared the tacos too! We both agreed it was delicious. He also got the michelada. He was in heaven. Definitely a place we will be coming back! Everything was clean the salsa bar is top tier with the taste.

Oh my yum!! I can't express just how AMAZING the carnitas burrito is!! I came here this evening to grab a burrito to go sit on the beach and enjoy the sunset and wasn't expecting it to be that fantastic!! I was suddenly surprised at how tasty and saucy it was along with how juicy the meat was!! Cashier was super friendly and funny as well, great service!! Definitely bringing my boss here for lunch some time, this was a total win

Parked in front of their store this morning and my son saw their sign for fish tacos. And because their menu said they use mahi mahi, we tried it. And it didnt disappoint! It's the best! We love it. We were even surpirse how super big portion is. Love the service. Love the ambiance. Love how fast the service is and how friendly the staffs are. This will definitely be our go to store now.

Had to kill some time after a killer sunset tonight, and was so excited to try this new place on Newport. David, who took my order at the counter, is one of the owners and was so nice! He was really cool to customize my tacos since I didn't want anything spicy. Got the surf and turf taco, the crispy fish taco, and the salsa & dips sampler. It's hard to find queso in San Diego, and theirs really hit the spot. The star of the show was the surf and turf taco. Hands-down the best I've had in San Diego. Will definitely come back to this small business and try more things next time!

This beachside spot is a culinary gem, offering a menu that blends fresh, quality ingredients with a commitment to sustainability. The diverse array of dishes, from savory birria to refreshing ceviche, makes for a flavorful experience. With counter service, the friendly staff adds a welcoming touch. The relaxed ambiance by the ocean is perfect for a casual meal, complemented by an enticing salsa bar. Beer and margaritas are available, enhancing the overall experience. For a taste of responsible dining by the sea, this spot stands out, especially for its delectable offerings. Highly recommended for a laid-back, flavorful beachside meal.

Visited one hour before close on a Sunday night and was blown away by the price, execution, service, and taste of the salsas and crispy fish tacos. The fish tacos were large servings and came out hot and crispy. A lot of places over batter their fish but not here. Fish tacos are my fav and a lot of times I'm disappointed. This place executed to perfection which and impressed me, which rarely happens. I am a loyal patron just after one visit. I loved the salsa verde and habanero salsa from the bar. I'm going back to try the burritos!!

My daughter was craving mexican food so we stopped into this new spot in town and I'm glad we did. I honestly never ate at Ortegas (what this spot was, formerly) but I had seen a few people post good things about this new spot so I decided to give it a try. The interior is fresh, colorful and welcoming. There's a good selection of bottled beverages, such as sodas, beer, hard kombucha, etc, and it looks like they have a few cocktails you can have made (not sure if it is a full bar). Birria tacos are my go to when I see them on a menu, and in this case I ordered their "Quesabirria tacos" and my daughter choose her old standby, rolled tacos. I ordered two, and they were huge and kept me full all day. My daughters rolled tacos came fully loaded with cheese, guac, pico, etc. Our food and my one juneshine came out to around $40 with tip, I did feel like it was on the pricier side for mexican food, but I do think they quality of the food was better than your average Roberto's, or one of the other "--berto" taco shops. I heard they have killer fish tacos too so I'll try those next time!

Great service and tasty tacos. We ordered the quesadilla and the grilled fish and fried fish tacos. Both were filled with fish and very tasty. Very reasonably priced, $3.50 fried, $5 grilled, $2 draft beers. The guacamole and salsas were very tasty.

Today, a very nice lady treated me to a fish taco from this restaurant, and it was one of the most delicious and freshest I have ever had. It was made to order, in every aspect, nothing pre-fried or pre- assembled. The batter was unbelievably crispy and light, the fish was so well complimented by it, and this is coming from someone who only likes grilled seafood. The taco was larger than what you would expect and above the fish sat a pile of veggies covered in what sauce, I don't know, but I want to marry it and have little saucy babies with it. The tortilla was also very light and easy to bite without falling apart. Altogether , it was just what I needed and I'm def going back. I want to try everything, so I think tomorrow I will get both done-in, and take-out for later. The place is very roomy and has a nice salsa bar, ima hit it hard! Overall, this restaurant is a quality joint, and def worth checking out.

Came on taco Tues street tacos are only 2.50. Really good. 3 dollar draft beers all day long. Outside seating.

First time I came here I got a carne asada taco and I was highly impressed! It was full of flavor and it wasn't dry like some places. Ever since then I keep coming back!

Food is over priced for being so so quality. The pollo asada plate was $15 and very underwhelming. The chips and guacamole was $7 with a tiny cup of guacamole. The chips and salsa was $3 for chips and unlimited salsa bar... tipped $5. We were waiting for our fish taco however the cashier never charged us for it so we never got it. We did verbally order it, our mistake for not checking. Ambiance is nice but not worth the so so food and prices. Better taco shops nearby. Side note. Not very busy. However we got someone else's order delivered to our table at first. Also my friend ordered 3 tacos and it was $22 including tip. So let that sink in.

I must've gone after Theo because clearly the staff was overwhelmed and grumpy. Service was terrible. Food and drink was sub-par. Lines were unacceptable. I'm all about patience but would expect staff to reciprocate. I would not recommend this establishment given there are so many other great places in OB who practice kindness.

I just ate the best rolled tacos of my life. I am absolutely stuffed but literally want to drive back and get more. The meat is so tender and juicy and the flavor was absolutely amazing. The salsa bar had some delicious and very hot, hot sauces. I also had a fish taco which was super yummy as well. But man am I blown away by those rolled tacos.

Delicious Mexican food! The fish tacos are huge and full of flavor, I also recommend the carne asada nachos they are fantastic!

This place recently opened and my wife found it. The place has amazing food! Especially the fish tacos and reasonably priced. It has a full bar area, indoor and outdoor dining areas. The service and staff are excellent and very friendly!

Nice clean place, with a restroom, no less. Stopped for lunch on Taco Tuesday and ordered one each of their $2.50 tacos. They were excellent with a little fresh topping added.