Tracing its origins to the year 1960, when the Porto family made the tough decision to leave their home in Manzanillo, Cuba. After living through the drastic changes that were taking place around them, they requested permission to leave the country. Immediately Raul Sr. was terminated from his job and sent away to manual labor for the duration of the wait period. Wife, Rosa Porto was also let go. Knowing that it may take years to be able to leave the country, Rosa found herself alone and having to find a means to support her three children Betty, Raul Jr., and Margarita. Rosa, always a talented cake maker, with a passion for baking, entrenched herself in perfecting her recipes and began selling her delicious cakes to friends and neighbors not realizing that she was also building herself a loyal customer base. When the family finally emigrated from Cuba to California, they had not much more than the clothes on their backs, Raul Sr.’s strong work ethic, Rosa’s exceptional baking skills, and a dream for a better life. Soon after the plane landed, Rosa realized that her reputation had preceded her, and met her first customer just as she got off the plane. Raul Sr. took a job as a mechanic and after work delivered Rosa’s cakes. These were hard times, but the family was now in a country filled with limitless opportunities and their dream for a better future became more real as the years passed. Rosa continued on with her cake business and when their home could no longer accommodate the increased demand, opened a little 300-square foot bakery on Sunset Blvd, in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles. From day one, the place was busy, serving close to 50 customers a day. After tirelessly working two jobs, Raul Sr. left his latter job at Van De Kamp’s and joined Rosa full time. Meanwhile, their children Betty, Raul Jr., and Margarita managed to maintain their studies and learn the different parts of the business; baking, decorating, food preparation, customer service, and finances. In the 1980’s, after graduating college, Betty, Raul Jr. and Margarita stayed on with the business each taking on more specific roles. Raul Jr. took on managing the finances and alongside his long-time co-worker and friend, Tony Salazar, focused on new product development, production improvements, and quality control. Margarita joined her mom in the cake decorating area, and Betty managed alongside her father assisting customers. Rosa’s Cuban cakes were soon joined by French mousses, Italian sweets, and international savories. As customers flocked to the bakery demanding countless quantities of Cheese Rolls™, Refugiados™-guava and cheese strudels, and the infamous Potato Ball™ , space became critical. A move was made to a 2,000-square foot facility in Glendale and six years later to one double in size. The bakery continued to grow and more employees where hired to handle the demand for its increasingly broad line of cakes, desserts, and savories. The years proved Rosa’s formula successful. With the entire family’s effort, expansion to a 20,000-square foot facility took place in the 1990’s. Later further expansion included a Café with a menu showcasing signature Cuban sandwiches and lunch favorites. Rosa used her talents into a means of supporting her family and the business she began has turned into one of the most unique family-owned businesses in Southern California. Rosa Porto is now retired, but her recipes and her high standards remain, including her motto, “quality is the number one ingredient in everything we do”. Porto’s Bakery & Café now serves thousands of customers
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Reviews

Annie H.

05/16/2017

Provided by YP.com

Everything here is good but you must try the potato balls - they are amazing! Long lines are not unusual but totally worth it. Tons of fantastic deserts as well - all at great prices.

YM
Yo M.

04/11/2017

Provided by YP.com

This is a great bakery, with lots of great pastries and cakes, but they're just too busy all the time, that I don't bother with them anymore. Plus, the quality of their chocolate chip cookies has gone down, and are usually over-baked. There are other very good bakeries in the area, that are nowhere near as busy, that we've been going to instead.

DH
Dawn H.

02/17/2017

Provided by YPmobile

I have been coming here for years! Employees are always nice and the food is amazing!! The potato balls and the homemade muffins are ridiculously good!! Everyone I recommend to eat there thanks me! Family owned business!

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VM
Victoria M.

12/15/2016

Provided by YPmobile

I love this place. The food is great, but the desserts are even more fabulous. The line is always long, but somehow they make it move really fast. Very clean, nice atmosphere. You must try it!

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CJ
Cajun J.

12/05/2016

Provided by YP.com

Cuban bakeries are amazing. the bday cakes are great. great choice of designs and flavors. totally recommended.

Tracy S.

11/27/2016

Provided by YPmobile

Well, I can see why there's always a line. Everything tastes great! I have so many favorites, but the coconut macaroons are to die for.

Catie Y.

11/19/2016

Provided by YPmobile

Our go to for baked goods. There is always a line, but the line moves quickly. All the pastries are amazing.

GH
Gina H.

10/26/2016

Provided by YPmobile

Love everything here! Great price points food...& their pastries are amazing. My favs are their bran muffins, chocolate chip cookies & tres leches cake! So good!

Melinda S.

10/15/2016

Provided by YPmobile

Porto's has the best pastries, cookies and cakes. Don't forget to take a number! Lines can be long but moves fast.

CH
Catherine H.

10/12/2016

Provided by YP.com

One of our main go to places when we need a cake for a special occasion, the Chocolate Raspberry Cake never fails. The down side is that everyone else loves this place so it is always very busy.

Seta Y.

09/29/2016

Provided by YPmobile

I absolutely love this place! It's a wonderful place to have lunch and an even more wonderful place to have dessert. I would never buy my birthday cake from anywhere else.

Julie B.

09/28/2016

Provided by YPmobile

Best bakery around! Go for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or snack and you will not be disappointed!! Eat there or get it Togo.

Amy S.

09/26/2016

Provided by YPmobile

Great place for bread and pastries. Always a line out the door. But it moves fast. All the staff is knowledgable and fast. Their cakes are fresh and amazing. Highly recommend.

Kristine L.

09/16/2016

Provided by YP.com

Porto's is a must in our family for birthday parties (great cake) and anytime we want to spoil someone. Among my kids' favorites are potato balls and chocolate croissants. I love their coffee and salads.

KH
Kristen H.

09/15/2016

Provided by YP.com

We really enjoy Portos. The atmosphere and food are kind of a must-top-for item in Burbank. Pricing is VERY good too. Go enjoy this one!

NC
Nira C.

09/15/2016

Provided by YPmobile

The Cuban cake without cream is my favorite cake... Hands down. Love their cortadito. The potato and meat balls are amazing. The place is always packed which can be annoying at times.

KZ
Keith Z.

09/14/2016

Provided by YP.com

Always great food and service. Potato balls are to die for and a couple of cheese role with a cafe con Leche is a must. Never had a thing I was even mediocre about

CH
Christina H.

09/14/2016

Provided by YPmobile

The coffee and fresh orange juice is amazing!! They work hard to give you the best service so lines can be long.

Jennifer S.

09/13/2016

Provided by YPmobile

Absolutely delicious food!!! Everything there makes my mouth water...meat pies, potato balls, pastries galore ❤️ Seriously the only thing wrong with Porto's is that everyone knows about how awesome it is, so it can be a complete zoo and too loud.

Amy F.

09/02/2016

Provided by YP.com

We love to order Porto's when entertaining larger groups. Their empanadas and cubano sandwiches, paired with a few of their salads, are an affordable way to feed a crowd. I like this location because it's easier to park than the Glendale location.

More Business Info

Quality is the number one ingredient in everything we do!

Hours
Regular Hours
Mon - Sat:
Sun:
Services/Products
Bakery, Cakes, Cafe, Catering
Payment method
all major credit cards, cash
Neighborhoods
Magnolia Park, Burbank
Amenities
Fancy Platters, Pastries, Savory Platters, Sandwich Platters, Dipped Strawberries
Categories
Cuban Restaurants, Bakeries, Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch Restaurants, Caterers, Dessert Restaurants, Family Style Restaurants, Restaurants, Wedding Cakes & Pastries
Other Information

Parking: Lot, Street

Wi-Fi: No

Bike Parking: Yes

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Takes Reservations: No

Outdoor Seating: Yes

Cuisine: Cafe

Drive Through: No

Good For Family: Yes

Good For Groups: Yes

Good for Kids: Yes

Take Out: Yes

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