2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test #1. Breakfast and snacks at Porto's.

mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food.  So many reasons to get to the food.  Cathy is writing today because the reason to drive North is again happening.

Link to Road test #2

Link to Road Test #3

Link to Road Test #4

Link to Road Tests #5 and #6

A few weeks after the 2019 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Showcase of Floats, on Sierra Madre Boulevard at the end of the Parade route, the President of the 2020 Parade (Laura Farber) was announced and the Theme of the 2020 Parade-  "The Power of Hope" was introduced. “With hope – anything, in fact, everything is possible.  Hope is more than simply the possibility of fulfillment. Hope is dignity and respect, joy and happiness, aspiration and achievement. Hope never, ever quits. Through hope, we can aspire to be our best and in turn inspire those around us to reach higher.”.  The float designs for the 130th Rose Parade use this as their design inspiration. 

Float designs were submitted to the Tournament and, once approved, construction began.  The first of a series of "Road Tests" (of manipulation, maneuverability and safety of the floats) of some of the 22 floats to be constructed by Phoenix Decorating Company, occurred on Saturday in Irwindale.  There will be about 44 floats total in the parade; Phoenix is one of three float building businesses, (six floats which are 'self constructed' also participate). This online newsletter will keep you up to date with Tournament happenings. Oddfellows Rebekahs float for 2020 is "First Responders Bring Hope".  This float will be applauded throughout the 5.5 mile parade route.
The little detail which might be missed in the Lions Clubs International "Hope for 20/20" float is that each character on board is wearing glasses- a nod to one of the Lion signature projects: vision.  
The 2020 Lutheran Hour Ministries float, "Anchored in Jesus"- a submerged anchor with three fish surrounding it, is the 70th entry for the only Christian themed Rose Parade float sponsored by the Lutheran Layman's League.
 Kiwanis International hasn't released an Artist rendition or title of their 2020 float; I'll add it.  So cute!

The above floats are marked with the colors to help with decoration (which begins the first Saturday in December).  The following two floats aren't quite as far along in construction.
 The 2020 Rose Parade float entered by Rotary International, "Hope Connects the World" is going to appear as if it is a balloon (like the San Diego Holiday Bowl parade) in the parade, with out walkers 'holding it down'.  It is in the 'cocoon' stage of construction.
 The City of Alhambra will enter this "Hope Keeps Us Going" float, still in the 'skeleton' phase of design. 

It looks like the morning of January 1, 2020 will be a great start to the year!

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I know, you are here for the food portion of the blog.  There was a small newspaper article in 2017 about a new location of Porto's, a Cuban Bakery Cafe, in the Los Angeles County area since 1976,  opening a fifth location.  Finally, the West Covina location opened two months ago.   I was interested in Porto's because of postings by other blogs: cc has made multiple visits, as have Soo and Maggie, Faye, Kirbie and Mary.  In fact, we've been to Azucar and Los Pollos specifically to try Cuban delicacies without having to drive a few hours to a Porto's location.. 
This store, six miles South of Phoenix Decorating, on the same road (which changes names, but is a straight drive) is so close!
There's an open baking area, 
the ordering lines are organized.  
There is a Coffee bar just to the right as you walk in. We didn't know the 'system' (you can order beverages when you are ordering Bakery and/or Cafe items in any line) and I sent The Mister off to order beverages here. A mojito  ($3.39) and a Double Cortadito ($2.59). 
 
  The display cases are just that-displays.  They are always full. You order and the Porto's guy (or gal) turns and goes to the kitchen to box your items...which (at least around 8 a.m.) are freshly warm. 
A potato ball ($1.05), ham croquette (95¢) and, as I must always order, ham and cheese baked in a croissant ($2.35).
Cross sections- the mashed potato ball is filled with picadillo (I could taste the olives!) before being rolled in breadcrumbs and fried.  I could see eating a few of these as a meal.  The ham croquette is very rich- just ham chunks and a seasoned Bechamel (flour, butter and milk) sauce.  It looks small but is just enough.
Cross section of the Ham and Cheese baked in a bread.  A wonderful rendition. 
Rellenitos-$1.05 each.  Made to order. Listed in the 'Savory' section of the menu.
Mashed plantain filled with black beans, fried then rolled in sugar.  This is wonderful.

Since it was breakfast and we were here...Torrejas was ordered ($5.98).
 Cuban style French toast, made with croissant dough, served with a more or less tropical fruit salad (that is guava sauce and it's not sweetened) and whipped cream cheese. Decadent and kind of addictive. 

We will return-many times- to try out the whole menu.

Porto's West Covina 584 S. Sunset, West Covina, CA 91790 (626)214-3490 Open Mon-Th 6:30-8:30, Fri-Sat 6:30-9, Sun 7-8 Website

 

Comments

[kat]

wow! porto’s looks like a huge place to get nice selections of foods. look forward to your parade float updates as well as the foods you get to try from here.

[Cathy]

This Porto's location is huge, Kat- 17,500 square feet inside with another 2500 square feet on the outside patio! Crazy popular, wonderful quality and *no* wifi. We leave at 5 a.m. driving for the floats and that is the reason for two hours each way, but the looking in new-to-us neighborhoods is always fun!

[RedDevil]

Love Porto’s! Was wondering why it was so empty until you mentioned you were there at 8am.

[Cathy]

Because the float road testing begins at 7, we leave East County around 5, make a quick stop at Cream Pan (Tustin) then get to the floats, take photos and enjoy early Saturday, RD. Figured Porto's crowds are heavier on weekends around 9...and it was beginning to fill up when we were leaving. Porto's was just wonderful to enjoy after seeing float building progression.

[James]

I *love* Porto's but there are so many choices! BTW this location looks so much bigger than the Glendale spot.

[Sandy]

I didn't know that Porto's has a West Covina location (not that it's any closer to SD). Still haven't been to the Buena Park location which is the closest to San Diego. I love those potato balls, which reheat very nicely in a toaster oven.

[Cathy]

Since it was our first visit, we tried 'basics' (and enjoyed each one), James. One of the articles I read did say this was the largest store (20,000 square feet of eating space). We've decided we will stop here after float decorating in December- to try the most expensive item on the menu- the $9.50 Grilled Steak Plato.

It's so very close to the float barn, Sandy. I'm already looking forward to the 4 a.m. wake up and July Road Test just to be able to try different items. Haha- reheat- as if those potato balls would make it home...I do like Picadillo and the recipe Porto's uses is great.

[Soo]

Mmm... They need to open a San Diego location. That's great you visited the newest one. Thanks for the cool float info and photos!

[kobi]

Love Porto's. Went to the Downey location and the line was out the door but it moved fast. There was a lot of pressure when it was my turn to order. I think I ordered two of everything.

[caninecologne]

I've only been to the Burbank location and while it is always busy, the lines move pretty fast. You must try their cream cheese rolls next time! My mouth is watering just thinking of those. I remember someone brought several dozen of those plus their potato ball to a party and it was literally attacked and gone before you knew it!

[Cathy]

A sixth location is being planned for Northridge, Soo. The family seems to be staying in Los Angeles County, making it more desirable to us San DIegans. So happy that it is *so* close to the Tournament of Roses/Phoenix Decorating float barn, giving us a reason to drop in.

I felt that pressure, and there wasn't even a line, Kobi! So many choices! There will be a next time soon enough.

Portos started doing mail order/bake at home late last year, cc. Still, getting it fresh-and being able to- is just exciting. I can't wait for the next float road test-to see the floats and then a treat.