Found: Porto's Bakery in Downey, California

The famous Porto's Bakery finally opened in Downey, California. When I used to work at Disney couple of years ago, this is where we got cakes for our celebrations. The other Porto's are located in Glendale and Burbank.

So when the mothership of Porto's opened in the city of Downey, only walking distance away from Paul's brother's house, we took the pup and decided to brave the 45 minute line to get some Saturday morning breakfast and coffee.

This place is huge. Maybe too big. There is no way I can pick out what I want from standing in line. There seems to be hundreds to different pastries. And the line management is bad. It reminds me of waiting in line at Disneyland. Who wants to wait in line for coffee for 45 minutes on Saturday morning? I felt like straining my neck to see what was on the other side of the glass display case...

By the time you get up there, you are assigned to a nice lady who will help you. The problem is I still don't know what pastries are available for me to purchase. Look at this display case. It's impossible to choose. Is there a menu? I think everyone else is having the same problem because they're going up and down the display case with the assigned lady workers pointing and asking what each of the pastries are. Finally after much debate we got:

Giant Chocolate Croissants, $1.60 each

Potato ball and Chicken croquette, 90 cents each

Potato Ball- these were my favorite. It's a soft mashed potato ball filled with seasoned ground beef and fried.

Guava Strudel or as known as pastel de guayaba-not as good as the ones from Tropicana. About 75 cents each.

And lastly, a giant Bacon Omelette on French bread breakfast sandwich, $4.15 each.

Mocha got to hang out with us on the patio which was heated. Overall, the food was excellent, but the atmosphere was not too inviting. You have to stand in line for almost 45 minutes, the tables that are provided are too tall and small, and you have to order the coffee separately which adds another 15 minutes after you have your pastries in front of you. There is such a hustle and bustle, it's hard to relax and get in the comfort zone. There was a separate line to get a whole cake- but it seemed like there were too many lines. It didn't feel like a cozy cafe, but it resembled a pastry section at a super market. I would only go back to order the items to-go. This is not a place for you to come and read a book and enjoy your coffee.
Porto's Bakery in Downey, CA.
8233 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241 - (562) 862-8888
Opens from 7am-8pm.