Porto’s Bakery & Cafe, known for its long lines and Cuban-inspired pastries, has confirmed it will open its first Inland Empire location in Ontario by 2028. The news, anticipated by many for years, places the popular chain squarely in a region where its customers have long asked for a local spot.
TheThe target opening year is 2028, with construction expected to begin in 2027. This move follows persistent demand from customers, as noted by Porto’s vice president and co-owner, Betty Porto. In an Instagram reel posted early Tuesday, Oct. 20, she noted that people have been asking them "for years" about an Inland Empire expansion. Chief executive officer and president Raul Porto echoed this sentiment, stating he regularly speaks with customers who drive from the Inland Empire, "even farther out," to visit existing bakeries. He added that the company is "really excited to finally get here."
The Ontario location will be situated on an 8.6-acre site at the southwest corner of Archibald Avenue and Inland Empire Boulevard. This area, described as a vacant lot near the 10 Freeway between Archibald Avenue and the auto dealerships near Vineyard Avenue, will become part of a larger commercial development. City representatives confirmed this new complex will feature approximately 50,000 square feet of commercial space spread across three buildings and will include an outdoor plaza.
The city of Ontario has actively pursued Porto’s for nearly a decade, according to city manager Scott Ochoa in a news release Tuesday morning. The city’s Development Advisory Board reviewed project details in August and September. Ochoa highlighted the city’s aim to tap into the chain’s strong regional following.
Porto’s Bakery & Cafe is a family-run business, currently overseen by the children of its founders, Rosa and Raul Porto Sr. Betty Porto and Raul Porto, along with Margarita Navarro, who appeared in the Instagram reel from the Glendale location, continue the legacy. Cuban immigrants Rosa and Raul Sr. first established the chain in Echo Park in 1976.
Today, Porto’s operates six locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties. A seventh location is already in development near the gates of Disneyland in Anaheim, specifically in Downtown Disney. That project has been in the works since 2022, with construction having started last December. The bakery chain has a strong reputation, with its Burbank location ranking No. 1 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2016. Its Glendale and Downey locations also made that list.
Visitors to Porto’s can expect a familiar setup: a bakery section for cakes and tarts, a quick-service counter offering sandwiches, salads, soups, and breakfast items, and a coffee bar for beverages and pastries. Signature items that will likely draw lines in Ontario include their Cheese Rolls, Potato Balls, and the Refugiado, also known as Guava & Cheese Strudel. Take-out pastries are packed in their recognizable yellow and brown boxes.
The announcement generated significant excitement online. The Instagram reel quickly garnered more than 60,000 likes and 2,600 comments shortly after being posted. Commenters expressed enthusiasm, with one writing, "Looking forward to having a sweet new neighbor," and another humorously suggesting, "You guys should put a Porto’s in my backyard!"
This new Ontario location marks a significant expansion for Porto’s, bringing its well-loved offerings closer to a dedicated customer base in the Inland Empire.
