San Diego Restaurant Week returns from September 13 to September 20, 2026, and Ortega’s, a Mexican bistro in Hillcrest, is bringing its own Baja California flair to the table. If you’ve been putting off a visit to one of San Diego’s most talked about Mexican restaurants, this eight day stretch is the perfect excuse. Ortega’s is offering both a Restaurant Week lunch menu and a Restaurant Week dinner menu, so whether you’re sneaking away for a midday break or planning a full evening out, there’s a prix fixe option built for you.
The Restaurant Week Lunch Menu, $30 Per Person
Ortega’s lunch menu keeps things approachable while still delivering the kind of dish that makes a Mexican bistro in Hillcrest worth the trip. Guests choose a first course of either the Avocado Caesar, made with baby romaine, avocado, croutons, parmesan and Caesar dressing, or the Chicken Tortilla Soup, a chipotle broth loaded with roasted tomato, cilantro, garbanzo beans, rice, tortilla strips and avocado.
The second course is where the lobster comes in. Guests can order the Lobster Special, a half Maine lobster tail served with rice, beans and tortillas, with the option to add steak for $12 or grilled shrimp for $10. For those who want something different, there’s also the Enchiladas Suizas in salsa verde, Shrimp Enchiladas topped with pico de gallo and cotija, the Carnitas Plate with pickled red onion and radish, or a Chile Relleno stuffed with jack and Oaxaca cheese. Lunch wraps up with a choice of Coconut Flan or Tres Leches Cake.
The Restaurant Week Dinner Menu, $45 Per Person
Dinner steps things up with a longer list of starters and mains. The first course adds the Ortega’s Salad, with mixed greens, black bean corn salsa and honey vinaigrette, and a Sweet Corn Bisque made with roasted poblano and cilantro, alongside the Avocado Caesar Salad and Chicken Tortilla Soup from the lunch menu.
For the second course, the Lobster Special upgrades to a full Main Lobster Tail, again with the option to add steak or grilled shrimp. Dinner guests can also choose the Carne Asada Plate with grilled broccolini and nopal pico de gallo, the Pescado Veracruz in roasted tomato sauce with capers and olives, Lobster Enchiladas in a roasted poblano cream sauce, or the Chicken Mole finished with sesame seeds. Dessert options match lunch, with Coconut Flan or Tres Leches Cake to close out the meal.
Planning Your Visit
Ortega’s is located at 141 University Avenue in Hillcrest, San Diego, and reservations are highly recommended during Restaurant Week since tables fill up fast across the county. Whether you’re after a quick lunch with coworkers or a date night dinner featuring Baja lobster, Ortega’s Restaurant Week menus give you a real reason to explore one of Hillcrest’s most established Mexican restaurants.
If you’re searching for restaurant week deals in San Diego, a Mexican bistro in Hillcrest with lobster specials, tableside guacamole and a menu rooted in Puerto Nuevo tradition, Ortega’s is worth putting on the list from September 13 through September 20, 2026.