My mom hailed from the Galicia region of Spain, a place where the scent of fresh pastries and bread is as commonplace as breathing. I have childhood memories of always being in our family kitchen, basking in those delicious aromas wafting throughout the house. The strong scent of cinnamon mingled with sweet sugar and exotic vanilla had made the kitchen my favourite space. This is where I discovered my passion for baking and learned to make extraordinary pastries.
Portos Born out of a keen love for baking and a desire to create exquisite confectioneries, it quickly garnered a reputation as a reliable bakery. From specialty bread, a variety of cakes, unique pastries, sweets, to satisfying coffee and delicious sandwiches, there's something to delight everyone’s palate at Portos.
I'll never forget when my parents, Rosa and her husband, decided we needed to leave Cuba in search of better opportunities. To support our family, my mom, Rosa, began baking and selling those recipes she learned firsthand in our family kitchen. It’s an interesting recollection of how we initially started off. Rosa picked up right where she left off when we arrived in the USA, selling her mouth-watering cakes and pastries to friends and neighbors. We had nothing but the clothes on our backs, my dad’s unwavering work ethic, and Rosa’s unparalleled baking skills when we landed in California. It was this grit and determination that later became the foundation of our success story.
The cakes and pastries Rosa sold were exactly as delicious and high quality as those she used to make in her kitchen back home in Cuba. The response was incredible and people were literally queuing up outside our modest home eager to purchase Rosa’s delightful pastries. Rosa's exceptional baking skills combined with her persistence gained her a loyal customer base which allowed her to open a storefront bakery on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, California. My dad, Raul Sr. also pitched in, along with us kids - Beatrice, Margarita, and myself, Raul Jr. We assisted mom eagerly after school and on weekends and spearheaded the growth and success of the bakery. Rosa instilled in us her passion for baking and cooking which inspired us to keep the family business thriving. After we graduated, we embraced major roles in Portos Bakery, upholding and nurturing the legacy our mother started.
One thing I've always loved is how Portos Bakery's values align with ours, particularly when it comes to using only top-notch ingredients. We firmly believe there's no substitute for quality. This is what makes our Portos menu selections so delicious and popular. Rosa's original recipe Cuban cakes and pastries have become a staple on this menu. They're now considered signature items that people look forward to when visiting any Portos location. However, the icing on the cake, literally, was when Portos was recognized in the highly acclaimed "Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in The US" list, and again in 2021 as the "Best Bakery in the Southland" by the Los Angeles Times.
We urge you to explore the variety in our bread selections by visiting the Portos menu on their official website.
With our extensive range of bread and pastries on the Portos menu, your taste buds will be in for an unforgettable treat. Some of our most-loved bakery items include the Pumpkin Spice Danish, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Mini Pumpkin Pie, Cheese Roll, Refugiado, Chicken Empanada, Spinach Feta Empanada, and Meat Pie (Pastel de Carne). Seasonal favorites like Skull Cookies, Gingersnap Cookies, and Pumpkin Muffin are always in high demand. Our savory selection ranges from Turkey and Gravy Potato Balls to Sweet Corn Croquette, Spinach Feta Empanada, Meat Pie, Pork Tamale, Croqueta De Jamon, Baked Ham and Cheese, Croqueta De Pollo, Marquitas, and Cheese and Spicy Peppers Potato Ball. You can also enjoy a variety of bread such as Country Loaf, Sourdough Baguette, Multigrain Batard, Brioche Buns, Walnut Raisin Batard, Cuban Crackers, French Baguette, French Roll, Egg Bread, Cuban Roll, and Sourdough Batard.
Let me let you in on a secret, our Pumpkin Spice Danish is a must-try! We've twisted the classic Danish and made it with our special award-winning croissant dough filled with spiced pumpkin custard. It’s topped with pumpkin seed streusel, cinnamon, and oats - just the thing you need with your coffee on a chilly fall morning. The Pumpkin Cheesecake Slice is another customer favorite featuring a slice of creamy fall-spiced cheesecake made with roasted organic pumpkin and graham crust. We smother it in:
- Our signature dulce de leche
- Roasted pecans
- A dollop of fresh, premium whipped cream.
Can't Make It To a Portos Bakery Near You?
No worries! Portos Bakery is spread across various locations in California including Buena Park, Burbank, Downey, Glendale, West Covina, and Northridge. But if you can't find us nearby or fancy baking at home - guess what? We provide shipping for our best-selling products nationwide in unbaked, frozen and ready-to-bake conditions. This way everyone gets to savor Portos right at home, wherever you are.
Looking for Unique Wedding Cakes?
You’re at the right place! Portos takes great pleasure in making your wedding special and memorable. We believe every wedding cake must be delicious, memorable, and extravagant. Our team of cake specialists at the Glendale location create a unique wedding cake using only fresh ingredients, imported chocolate, fresh fruits, and premium liqueurs. Your guests will get to experience a delightful, moist, flavorful, and extraordinary cake that's sure to be talked about even after the wedding.
Our belief at Portos is that giving back to the community extends beyond running a successful bakery. We measure our success by the positive impact we make on the community. Portos wholly supports and thanks veterans for their service. It’s become a tradition to donate a box of Portos pastries to all the brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces as a small gesture of our gratitude.
In a memorably delicious visit, I observed and experienced firsthand the pros and cons of dining at the restaurant.
Pros:
- Extensive menu
- High-quality ingredients
- Pastries have exceptional flavors
- Warm and friendly customer service
Cons:
- Long waiting lines during peak hours
- Some locations don't have ample parking
- Occasional inconsistency in pastry flavors