When you’ve ever held a pastel-yellow field filled with Cuban pastries in Los Angeles, you’ve most probably tasted the legacy of Raul Porto Sr. On Wednesday the patriarch and co-founder of Porto’s, one of many area’s hottest bakery chains, died on the age of 92.
Porto’s firm shared the information in an Instagram submit late Friday morning, including that he died peacefully, surrounded by his household. Porto and his late spouse, baker and co-founder Rosa Porto, helped generations of Cuban immigrants discover a style of house and popularized regional specialties comparable to stuffed-and-fried potato balls, or papas rellenas; pressed Cuban sandwiches; and their “refugiados,” or guava-and-cheese pastelitos. Their pastries are so well-liked, even a single selection can promote tens of 1000’s in a month.
“Porto’s has grow to be its personal language, to the extent that its baked and sizzling meals not simply symbolize Cuba — they’ve come to symbolize Los Angeles,” former L.A. Occasions Meals columnist Lucas Kwan Peterson wrote in a evaluate final yr.
Rosa Porto died in 2019 on the age of 89. Rosa and Raul Sr. are survived by generations of Portos, together with a number of grandchildren. Their three kids — Beatriz, Raul Jr. and Margarita — all grew up serving to out of their mother and father’ bakery operation, then went on to run the enterprise themselves.
The Portos, from Manzanillo, Cuba, had hoped to maneuver to the U.S. for years and positioned themselves on a ready listing throughout Fidel Castro’s rule — a interval that noticed Raul Porto Sr. despatched to a labor camp as Rosa Porto misplaced her job. She started baking muffins and pasteles to help the household, and carried these recipes together with her after they emigrated in 1971 to construct a greater life for themselves.
The cake orders started instantly, and the couple bought her treats out of their house kitchen for years.
When the Portos arrived in Los Angeles, Raul Porto Sr. discovered work as a janitor and different jobs whereas his spouse’s underground bakery enterprise took off, and collectively they constructed Porto’s into an L.A. legend.
“Raul Sr. would help at any time when he might, even whereas working at one other native bakery,” the Porto household shared on Instagram. “After a number of years, he was in a position to be a part of Rosa full-time, dedicating himself to rising their enterprise. Via their exhausting work, humility and dedication, they remodeled a small household endeavor right into a cherished neighborhood treasure. Identified for his humble nature, Raul Sr. balanced his roles as a faithful husband, father, and businessman, inspiring all who knew him together with his ardour and dedication.”
The Portos’ empire started humbly with a primary storefront of solely 300 sq. toes in a Silver Lake strip mall in 1976, paid for with a financial institution mortgage. In an effort to draw clients they expanded past Cuban pastries to serve treats that appealed to various cultures — danishes, fruit tarts, muffins and extra. That embrace of different objects and cultures helped their bakery preserve its relevance, little question contributing to the native chain’s huge enchantment for many years. In 1982 Porto’s relocated to Glendale, and ultimately expanded to Burbank, Downey, Buena Park, West Covina and Northridge. A location is slated for Downtown Disney in Anaheim.
“We wish to categorical our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of affection and help we’ve acquired following the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Raul Porto Sr.,” the Porto Household mentioned in an e mail to the L.A. Occasions. “All the type phrases and shared reminiscences have been a fantastic consolation to us throughout this time of loss.
As we navigate by means of our grief, we’re deeply touched by the love we’ve acquired. Your tributes present the influence he had on so many lives, and for that, we’re eternally grateful. Thanks for honoring his legacy with us.”
