Porto's Bakery & Cafe

One of the best places I visited while in Glendale, Calif. was a sweet place called Porto's Bakery & Cafe. My aunt Pat and cousins all told me that I had to make it there before I left because this place was really something else, and they were all right. From the outside of the bakery it's hard to tell that on the inside a magical world of baked treats, authentic Cuban cuisine and pastries awaits you. It looks almost like a warehouse, but on the inside prepare to be mesmerized. Not only is the food simply delicious and so reasonably priced, but the staff also provides such a warm and friendly environment.

When the Porto family immigrated from Cuba to California in the 1960s the only thing they had in their mind was working as hard as they could to make a better life for their children. Along with Rosa Porto's passion for baking the Porto family set out to create better opportunities for themselves. Porto's Bakery & Cafe went from a bakery being run out of their home to three locations in southern California.

Not only does Porto's sell decadent desserts and pastries, but they also sell a wide range of Cuban cuisine such as their famous Cuban sandwich. For less than five bucks you can have a real Cuban sandwich that will fill you up. Or for the same price just about you can have a freshly made tuna sandwich on Cuban bread, or a Media Noche Cuban sandwich, which is a regular Cuban sandwich with ham croquettes in the middle. I didn't get to try that one, but my cousin got it there and she told me it's the one she always gets.

There's definitely a good and a bad time to go to Porto's and luckily I managed to get there at a good time both times I went. The first time my Aunt Pat took me with her to pick out some desserts for our family dinner and we arrived minutes before a huge crowd, so we were able to get helped and get out quick. Even if you do see a long line snaking around the cafe don't be discouraged because the line moves quick! The pastry case is about a mile long though, so when the young lady who was helping me asked me what I wanted I really had no idea what to say.

I just started pointing and saying "two of those, and two of those..." and before I knew it we had a good three boxes filled with treats. Aunt Pat was in a different line to order a carrot cake, which also was so reasonably priced and tasted amazing! So moist, but not too sweet. They had everything from red velvet cupcakes, coconut macaroons, biscotti, guava pastries, coconut glaze balls, cherry turnovers, brownies and my personal favorite--the cheese roll. I was introduced to the cheese roll by Aunt Pat and I can say I've never had anything as tasty and simple as a cheese pastry roll. Another popular bakery item at Porto's is the savory potato ball, which is a savory deep-fried ball of mashed potatoes with perfectly seasoned  ground beef in the middle. A favorite among members of my family, and a new favorite for Gyles too!

I loved how organized and chaotic Porto's was at the same time. There's two different places to order from, and even a large area with seating. You can order pastries and desserts from one side to-go, and from the other side there's a miniature collection of pastries to order with your sit-down meal, and there's also the whole menu of Cuban food to choose from.

Of course along with a freshly baked chocolate croissant you can order up a hot latte, or freshly squeezed orange juice. It's just an amazing place with so much to offer, and to think of how far the Porto's have come on their journey is amazing. Just goes to show that we have every opportunity in life to do whatever it is we dream of doing.

Next time you're in the Glendale, Burbank or Downey, Calif. make sure you stop into Porto's Bakery & Cafe and enjoy a cheese roll or a potato ball at least! I doubt you'll leave with just one thing on your plate, or in your to-go box.

xx

Lindsay