Ortega's Mexican Restaurant

Great owners, great food.

Authentic Mexican food in Palo Cedro! The service is great, local owner is a sweetheart, and the prices are very reasonable.

Amazing authentic food!! Great prices and great people!! Family friendly atmosphere. Excellent customer service was treated like Family. Would highly recommend.

Nice stop going through to Redding

Ok, so I got my first meal from here to go, so I can't attest to eating in yet, but let me say this food was amazing❣❣👏👏 I will definitely be back and finally found a great Mexican food place❣ for me getting the rice and beans are a key to a good place and they rocked them! Thank you for a great meal!

We love this place. Food is very authentic. Owners are great.. prices are good.

This place is great for a quick local lunch. It’s family owned and they are super friendly providing fantastic food and super service.

I absolutely LOVE this place! I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. They have the small hometown vibe. Everyone is warm and welcoming and will make your dinning experience the absolute best. The food is so tasty and filled with all the flavors you’d expect to get at a Mexican restaurant. It’s one of the best in the area.

This is a great little spot in Palo Cedro. Probably one of the best restaurants you can stop by on the main road. Very friendly service, great food, fantastic salsa bar. Definitely recommend stopping by if you are hungry and driving through. Also a solid beer and drink selection.

Always the friendliest, most helpful service. Love popping in for the salsa bar and a quick bite. All the classic Mexican American dishes and some more traditional menu items. Guava margarita- didn’t even know it existed and now it’s the go to, favorite margarita.

Stopped in for lunch, first time here. Mmmmm delicious, the food was perfect! The waitress is the bestest, Eduwiges is so sweet and helpful! We'll be back for dinner too! Do yourselves a favor and give them a visit!

Really great tasting consistent food, nice family owned restaurant. Comfortable setting with casual atmosophere. Nice people!

Sara Roy

I absolutely LOVE this place! I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. They have the small hometown vibe. Everyone is warm and welcoming and will make your dinning experience the absolute best. The food is so tasty and filled with all the flavors you’d expect to get at a Mexican restaurant. It’s one of the best in the area.

Travis Dorsey

This is a great little spot in Palo Cedro. Probably one of the best restaurants you can stop by on the main road. Very friendly service, great food, fantastic salsa bar. Definitely recommend stopping by if you are hungry and driving through. Also a solid beer and drink selection.

Amanda Adams

Always the friendliest, most helpful service. Love popping in for the salsa bar and a quick bite. All the classic Mexican American dishes and some more traditional menu items. Guava margarita- didn’t even know it existed and now it’s the go to, favorite margarita.

Bud Infield

Stopped in for lunch, first time here. Mmmmm delicious, the food was perfect! The waitress is the bestest, Eduwiges is so sweet and helpful! We'll be back for dinner too! Do yourselves a favor and give them a visit!

Jessica C

Really great tasting consistent food, nice family owned restaurant. Comfortable setting with casual atmosophere. Nice people!

Great food and nice and friendly servers.. my favorite Mexican food around 😋 You won't find a more friendly, family ran restaurant in the north state... And they also accept Bitcoin for those willing to share the most sound money ever designed.. We call it freedom money... free from governmental or institutional control... 😀

We came in as a big party and they had us seated in no time. It took a little while to get our orders in but the food was out fast and everything was amazing. I hadn't been to Ortegas' in years. Such a nice experience. Keep it up

A complete hole in the wall that has friendly staff and the food was absolutely unbelievably incredible. You have to stop here if in the area.

Very friendly staff & great food & service

Ortega's is bomb dot com! Holy smokes, I can't believe I never knew about it until today. The salsa (all spice levels) is absolutely delicious. The shredded chicken is by far the best I have ever had, in a Mexican restaurant. The service was great, too. The gentleman was very kind to myself and 4 of my kids who were with me. We will be repeat customers!! I don't have a photo becasue the food was so good I ate it all first.

I loved the food at Ortegas. Our waiter was extremely helpful. It was a great experience.

This restaurant feels like home. The owners are friendly and involved with the daily preparations and serving guests. The moment I walked in the very first time I felt welcomed and appreciated. The food is tasty and well presented. It is true that everyone has different tastes, as for me, I highly recommend this restaurant.

Absolutely adore this place! Best Mexican food north of Sacramento, I'm sure. Definitely the most legit and tastiest in the whole Redding-adjacent area, and are s standout beyond the just the Mexican restaurant category. The service is always friendly, the food is tasty and hot, and gets served up fast, and they're the only spot Ive found, so far, that makes an actually spicy salsa. I've been here multiple times in the past year or 2 and they are consistent in being good. I haven't had an opportunity to try their cocktails, so can't review those, but am looking forward to it as they have some interesting sounding offerings: a guava margarita was the special last time I went. Highly recommended; this place is an absolute gem.

Dee Madden

Very friendly staff & great food & service

Liz Garcia

Absolutely adore this place! Best Mexican food north of Sacramento, I'm sure. Definitely the most legit and tastiest in the whole Redding-adjacent area, and are s standout beyond the just the Mexican restaurant category. The service is always friendly, the food is tasty and hot, and gets served up fast, and they're the only spot Ive found, so far, that makes an actually spicy salsa. I've been here multiple times in the past year or 2 and they are consistent in being good. I haven't had an opportunity to try their cocktails, so can't review those, but am looking forward to it as they have some interesting sounding offerings: a guava margarita was the special last time I went. Highly recommended; this place is an absolute gem.

S M

A complete hole in the wall that has friendly staff and the food was absolutely unbelievably incredible. You have to stop here if in the area.

Ben Simpson

I loved the food at Ortegas. Our waiter was extremely helpful. It was a great experience.

Michael Horton

Great service. Really good lunch. Some great salsa if course.

Michael Stevens

We came in as a big party and they had us seated in no time. It took a little while to get our orders in but the food was out fast and everything was amazing. I hadn't been to Ortegas' in years. Such a nice experience. Keep it up

Alan Jackson

Great food and nice and friendly servers.. my favorite Mexican food around 😋 You won't find a more friendly, family ran restaurant in the north state... And they also accept Bitcoin for those willing to share the most sound money ever designed.. We call it freedom money... free from governmental or institutional control... 😀

Sarah Hinkson

Ortega's is bomb dot com! Holy smokes, I can't believe I never knew about it until today. The salsa (all spice levels) is absolutely delicious. The shredded chicken is by far the best I have ever had, in a Mexican restaurant. The service was great, too. The gentleman was very kind to myself and 4 of my kids who were with me. We will be repeat customers!! I don't have a photo becasue the food was so good I ate it all first.

Wow!! What a great Mexican restraunt! Today was my first time eating here. We had been up cutting our Christmas tree and everyone was hungry. On a whim, my wife suggested Ortega's because it was close to home and, surprise!! they served an authentic specialty we loved, Birria. Now, Mexican quisine is my favorite. I've been to Mexico many times, I have Mexican family, I'd think I was Mexican in a prior life if I believed in that sort of thing... It's no wonder that I love Mexican food. So I was surprised to find Birria on the menu of this little place in Palo Cedro. Anyway, the food was great. Everything but the tortillas appeared to be homemade. The rice had a definate regional character to it. The Birria was really, really good. My son's fiancé is Mexican. She gave it her full approval. My wife had the Carnitas Plate, my son had Carne Asada tacos and my daughter a burrito. We all agreed the food was outstanding. The service was good as well. I belive the gentleman serving us was the owner. My only two caveats would be that the portions, while not stingy, are not as sumptuous as one might expect. The second is on the nitpicky side - the refried beans were on the runny side and a bit bland. I added some salt, Tapatío and mixed in some rice and it was fine, but everyone noted they could've been better. Other than that, our first impression was very good. We are looking forward to going again soon. Viva Ortega's!

Best bean & cheese burrito I've found. I wish they were just a little less expensive, but the food is soooo good it's worth it as an occasional treat. Some of the staff are super friendly and helpful, and some are... not so much haha.

Food was pretty good for the price. Took a bit longer than it should of to get it but the service was good.

The food was full of flavor. Everything I tried tasted good. The only reason it's not 5 stars is that it's a little expensive for what you get. Other than that, very good.

Great authentic family run Mexican Restaurant. It is a little pricey and there was only one gal waiting the 5 tables there at lunch on Saturday but the Mild Salsa and fresh chips were amazing. So was the food and came out hot and quick. Getting the bill was a little slow but the waitress was doing her best. There were at least 5 people in the back working (thus the food coming out fast and hot). Owners may want to have someone spell the poor gal so she can keep up. Great spot in Palo Cedro to get quality Mexican food.

Good local place to eat. Wide variety on menu but things like coconut shrimp are always out. Family owned and operated prices are ok. The chips and salsa bar are very good.

We Had the BBQ Chicken Burrito and the Shrimp Burrito. Both were very good. Only compliant is that I didn't have salsa for my chips. I'll check next time before I leave.

Ortega's Restaurant is a hidden little gem, nestled in beautiful Palo Cedro, CA. I absolutely love the menu at this local establishment and they serve... Goat meat. The only thing lacking here is their customer service, it is not good....at all, but the food is worth the wait. One of the better Mexican food places in Shasta County for sure.

Love this family-owned restaurant for its authentic taste have never been disappointed in their food the service, yes, I didn't go there for service I went there for good Mexican food, your food will never be cold when served, when you get your order taken? Salsas are pretty good and I believe they make there own chips as well

Good food. Very, very fast service. A little bit pricey. Staff is very nice. I recommend it.

Christian Thuller

Good food. Very, very fast service. A little bit pricey. Staff is very nice. I recommend it.

Everything is homemade and it shows. Good food, excellent service.

Tam Miller

Everything is homemade and it shows. Good food, excellent service.

Tried eating here 3 years ago, not impressed, but lately Seen alot of activity and thought to try again. There will not be a third time. My Food had no flavor however my husband's buritto was perfect for him. So maybe I need to try the buritto.

Seems like this spot has been on the decline the last few years kinda sad when they opened it was fire delicious but not so much these days

Big Bearded Bubba

Seems like this spot has been on the decline the last few years kinda sad when they opened it was fire delicious but not so much these days

Used to love this place, however it has really gone downhill. The once impressive salsa bar is now nearly empty--only three salsas now and they were not impressive. No bowls were available for the salsa, just little plastic solo cups (bowls finally came out when I was paying the check). Service was extremely slow. Not a good place for a lunch break--you'll be late getting back. When the food finally came it it was disappointing. Al pastor was bland, carne asada was gristley. at least the beer was cold and reasonably priced (unlike the food).

Usually I really enjoy the food here. But tonight's dinner was a disaster. Wife and I got to restaurant 1 hour before closing. Wife had the 5 taquitos with chicken. They were over cooked to the point that the chicken inside was also burnt. I had the ground beef nachos. Alot of grease on the plate. Look like caned nacho cheese sauce was used. To me that is nasty. Tonight had to be a bad night. Wife and I will eat at Ortegas again.

Food was ok not bad, I’ve had better. Service was horrible we will not be back. Waitress gave us our food and never came back. I paid $4 for a soda in a small glass and she never came to refill. We had to go to the counter to pay to leave. One and done. 🫤

Jeff Robbins

Food was ok not bad, I’ve had better. Service was horrible we will not be back. Waitress gave us our food and never came back. I paid $4 for a soda in a small glass and she never came to refill. We had to go to the counter to pay to leave. One and done. 🫤

Tom Martin

Usually I really enjoy the food here. But tonight's dinner was a disaster. Wife and I got to restaurant 1 hour before closing. Wife had the 5 taquitos with chicken. They were over cooked to the point that the chicken inside was also burnt. I had the ground beef nachos. Alot of grease on the plate. Look like caned nacho cheese sauce was used. To me that is nasty. Tonight had to be a bad night. Wife and I will eat at Ortegas again.

This place is hit and miss. Haven't been here in years and it still looks bad. There were Flys, broken plant pots, paper blinds that don't work. Food was salty and nothing authentically Mexican. We had a party of 11, no one liked it. Even though their local won't be going there again. 1 star for being open.

Been a few times. The food wasn’t that good but tried again to give the benefit of the doubt. Won’t be trying again.

Ordered the chicken fajitas for take out along with some other items. Got home 45 mins away, opened up the bag and found beef fajitas and NO TORTILLAS. Also was 70 dollars for 3 people which is fine but had to pay almost two dollars extra to use my debit card because of a service fee.

Food was bad. No flavor, nothing special. The food honestly was sad looking and the prices too high.

Ruth Ocegueda

Food was bad. No flavor, nothing special. The food honestly was sad looking and the prices too high.

Ck Ck

Ordered the chicken fajitas for take out along with some other items. Got home 45 mins away, opened up the bag and found beef fajitas and NO TORTILLAS. Also was 70 dollars for 3 people which is fine but had to pay almost two dollars extra to use my debit card because of a service fee.