Porto’s Bakery & Cafe is set to expand its presence in Southern California with a new location planned for Ontario, scheduled to open in 2028. The Cuban American bakery, known for its signature pastries such as potato balls and cheese rolls, will join a new commercial development near Interstate 10 that encompasses 50,000 square feet across three buildings.

Founded by Rosa Porto nearly 50 years ago in a small Echo Park shop, the bakery has grown into a regional chain with six existing locations, including sites in Burbank, West Covina, Buena Park, Downey, and Northridge. The West Covina location currently ranks as the busiest, attracting customers from as far as Temecula, Riverside, and Rancho Cucamonga, leading to frequent long lines and extended commutes for devoted patrons.

Beatriz Porto, an owner and vice president of the company, said the decision to open in Ontario was driven in part by these loyal customers, many of whom travel significant distances to visit the bakery. The new site will have approximately 500 parking spaces, addressing one of the key challenges the family has faced in finding suitable locations for expansion.

The Porto family has deep roots in the business. Rosa Porto and her husband, Raul Sr., emigrated from Cuba to Los Angeles in the 1970s and initially sold cakes from their home before opening a storefront on Sunset Boulevard in 1976. Over the following decades, the bakery expanded into larger spaces and additional locations. Rosa Porto passed away in 2019, and the business is now managed by her children Beatriz, Raul Jr., and Margarita, along with members of the next generation.

Porto’s has evolved its menu to include not only Cuban classics but also items like French-style mousses and guava-and-cheese strudels, reflecting changing customer preferences. The bakery reportedly serves around 2 million customers each month. In 2016, it topped Yelp’s list of the 100 best places to eat in the United States.

The company also plans to open a location at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, potentially its seventh in Southern California. Originally expected to open in 2025, this site has been delayed due to construction complexities, though the family hopes it will launch before the Ontario branch. Additionally, Porto’s has established a national reach by shipping unbaked pastries across the country. Online orders surged from 100 daily before the COVID-19 pandemic to 1,000 during the height of restrictions.

Despite the growth prospects, Beatriz Porto emphasized the family’s intention to keep the business concentrated in Southern California for now, with any further expansion considered a matter for future generations. “I’m kind of old-fashioned, so I want to be close to the family,” she said.