Is Porto's Glendale less insane than Porto's Burbank on Saturdays?

[gnarlex]

I know Glendale doesn't have as large a dining room as Burbank, but if it's just to take out, are they equally packed on weekends? Burbank can be daunting, although I know the lines do move. Whose parking is worse ? Gracias, CH-ers.

[Das Ubergeek]

Burbank moves (much) more quickly; Glendale has far better parking. That said, everyone seems to be allergic to parking west of Hollywood Way; there's nearly always street parking there.

I wonder whether the Downey Porto's will have decent parking when it opens (soon-ish).

[maxzook]

I wonder when the Downey Porto's will open, period. It's been a while ...

[Das Ubergeek]

When I called the Irwindale plant to ask, they said late summer.

[gnarlex]

Many thanks esp to all the CH backbones!
Burbank was eerily uncrowded last Saturday @1PM. Easy parking, no wait in line, found a table. As always, the feta & tomato sandwich was much better than the sum of its parts. Papa Preparada (their delicious potato balls smushed in a sandwich w/ swiss, L&T) was not as good as it sounded. Tasted their fllan for the first time, exemplary of the super-dense variety. Tres leches very good but for some ultra-sweet meringue on top. Mille feuille was also v. good.

[maxzook]

If there's a flaw to Porto's pastries, it's that they tend to be of the more-sugar-is-better variety, but after all, they're Cuban.

[Will Owen]

I always have to have a potato ball, but after two I find them cloying. I also wish the plantain chips were more interesting. The Cubano, the Lechon, and their take on an Italian sub are what keep me coming back; I'll have to try that feta & tomato. I've liked what pastries I've had OK, but sweets aren't my thing.

[happybaker]

The feta and tomato is DIVINE.

It's so simple you'd think it would taste simple but it simply tastes great.

And I like their oatmeal cookies, spicy and I think not too sweet.

[maxzook]

I'm abashed to admit that as much as I love oatmeal cookies, I can't recall ever having one at Porto's. Something to rectify next time I'm there.

[cjla]

Regarding the Glendale location, there's a covered public parking lot next to Billy's Deli, which is less than a block from Porto's. The first 90 minutes are free.

This is infinitely better than the metered public lot behind the bakery.

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Billy's Delicatessen
216 N Orange St, Glendale, CA 91203

[happybaker]

I think the burbank line moves faster BUT the free parking in Glendale for 90 minutes ROCKS. It can be really hard to find parking at burbank so if I have a choice - glendale.

[maxzook]

The Orange St. Billy's lot is why I give Glendale the edge for parking. It's a good thing I work within walking distance of the Burbank location.

Lines run long at both locations pretty much regardless of time of day, but they move pretty fast.

And forget about eating in at either location. You simply won't find a spot at mealtimes, and at any time of day the noise level is headache-inducing.

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Porto's Bakery
315 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203

Porto's Bakery
3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

[farmertomato]

Nobody goes there any more--it's too crowded. ;^)

[happybaker]

Hey! I go there!

I just get it to go : )

[Will Owen]

Whenever I go to the Burbank location on a Saturday, I'm usually attending some car-freaks' thing at Autobooks down the street, so I'm parked already (you do kinda need to be a customer, but they don't impose a time limit). And I always go with several other people, and we always find table-space outside. I've eaten inside, too, but I'm usually with this one couple who bring their dog. Never had a problem finding space.

[mucho gordo]

Interesting. I thought Glendale has a bigger dining area. Parking is bad in both locations although Glendale has a bigger lot. Sometimes we get lucky by having a handicapped placard.

[maxzook]

If anything, I think Burbank is a bit saner inside. However, the parking is worse.