Ortega’s Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Morrilton

I arrived at 1:15 pm on a Sunday. The parking lot was nearly full but people were exiting, most in church clothes. That was my question I picked the right place to eat. We are in Morrilton, so they do serve drinks. Interestingly the dining room is divided into dark and light seating areas. The bar is on the dark side. I chose the light. Later observation you have to request a seat in the dark. As busy as they were I received prompt attention, there were still seats available and the waitress saw me using my camera to read the menu and graciously offered help or more time. The menu was extensive. I had been craving some good tamales so I decided to order a la carte. 3 tamales. Rice and beans. Backing up, they brought the chips and salsa at the same time as the menus, then my drink order, water, came with a lemon slice and a modest amount of ice so you actually got to drink some cold water. The salsa was slightly spicier than usual far and served in a pitcher with a bowl. It was not hotter, just tastier. So I ordered salsa on the tamales rather than the queso. Again service was fast considering the crowd. People kept coming in but at a slightly slower rate and dressed much more casually. Then I noticed the televisions on every wall. Lots of tennis, other sports and two programs I couldn't identify. The tamales were pulled a pulled beef and devious. The beans were refried with a little melted cheese on top, no particular flavor. The rice however was closer to the fried rice I had in Spain. Very tasty, again, not hot, just flavorful. I had to get a to-go box but I knew that was okay. 2/3 of the people leaving were carrying them. Overall a very nice meal at a reasonable price. The atmosphere was happy, many families but the children were well behaved and enjoying their meals too. My biggest problem is how far they are from my home. I won't be able to return often and work my way through the menu as suspect some of...

Oct 2025 Edit: We went inside for dinner. EMPTY restaurant. 11 waiters doing nothing. The 'kid' that sat us went literally to the 1st booth and threw our menus on table and walked off. We moved due to We didn't like that seat. Waiter was very polite. I order red sauce on my burrito (after being asked red or cheese sauce). It came with cheese all over it. I can't eat cheese, hince red sauce. I hailed a different waiter down and explained situation. He rudely took my plate away. A different waiter brought my plate back with red sauce. Almost hit me in the face with the 'very hot plate'. Also very rude, slammed my plate down and left. My burrito was half the size from the original. The food is good. I just dont understand why they dont try to bring in more customers....Probably not returning. Previous edit: The portions are improving. Chicken nachos in photo was a reasonable amount. Tastes great. The food is good. If I could change one thing, it would be the size of the take-out. This isn't just since COVID so don't think that. They have always had smaller portions on takeout...

Went in today about noon. I ordered taco “enchilada “ and rice. The “enchilada” was nothing more than tasteless shredded chicken wrapped in a tortilla covered in cheese sauce. Which I was charged $1.50 more because I didn’t ask for the Red Sauce. Then I have already given my Credit Card to cashier, he handed back.. as I am putting it in my wallet and in my purse, he says.. could you sign,? I said yes, let me get my wallet put away. He said oh I didn’t want you to dine and dash. I told him he shouldn’t have said that to me. WTH, he had already...