Rate-A-Restaurant, #69 in a series

Restaurant: Porto's Bakery

Location: 315 North Brand Blvd. (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Cuban bakery

We stipulated: We were picking up Evan's Sears portraits (hey, don't laugh -- they're economical, and we've been taking his picture there every three months to decent results) in downtown Glendale... and our stomachs were growling. Porto's was calling.



What we ordered: Both of us couldn't resist the Pan con lechon (roasted pork sandwich: oven roasted pork served with special Spanish garlic dressing -- mojo -- on Cuban bread).

High point: If you've been to Porto's, you know: The place is packed. The lunch line was nearly out the door. Yet it moved quickly, and we managed to find a table without a problem as well. A victory in any circumstance, but an even bigger victory when you've got a seven-month-old in tow.

Low point: Ultimately, the sandwich was just OK. Pork was tasty, but it was much more no-frills than expected. And the place was still just a little too crowded, and the pressure to eat and run was a little too high.

Overall impression: Still, Porto's is an institution. You know it's going to be packed -- that's part of the experience. The menu is so wide, you've got to head back and try other things. And the cakes -- specifically the tres leches, our favorite (I could eat it every day. I'd get fat, but I'd be a happy fat man).

Chance we will go back: If you live in Glendale, it's practically mandatory.

For a complete archive of our Rate-A-Restaurant reviews, check out our newly revised companion ratearestaurant.blogspot.com website.