2023 Rose Parade Float Road Test #1, breakfast at Portos

mmm-yoso!!! a food blog, being written by Cathy while Kirk and His Missus are driving to a vacation destination. 

Link to Road Test #2

Link to Road Test #3

Link to Road Test #4

Yes, it's that time of the year.   The Theme of "Turning the Corner” celebrating the unlimited potential that each new year brings, was announced by the Tournament of Roses in January by the 2023 President of the Tournament of Roses, Amy Wainscott.  “The 2023 theme celebrates turning a corner. Whether that corner is actual or figurative like the unlimited potential that each new year brings—we all enjoy the opportunity of a fresh start,” explained Wainscott. “Turning a corner means rising above – alone, or with family, friends and community. This year, as we turn the corner together, we share in the hope, beauty and joy of what 2023 will bring.”

 There was a poster drawing contest and the above logo was debuted in May. 

Organizations that will participate in the Parade began submitting designs to be approved by the Tournament and Phoenix Decorating Company, one of three companies which construct floats for the parade, (six organizations also build their own floats) had its first Road Test last Saturday.  The floats were tested for mechanics and maneuverability and will undergo at least two more tests before decorating begins the first Saturday in December. 

 The Oddfellows and Rebekahs entry is "Hope for Peace".  This symmetric float is a beauty.  Second photo is of the Driver, who drives the float by looking down at the 'rose colored line' along the parade route.  The small rectangular 'window' at the front is where the Spotter is seated. 
 The Spotter for the Petal Pushers and Lutheran Hour Ministries float is inside the right cube at the front (second photo). This photo of the back of the float as well as that first photo show where the collapsing parts are.  Each float has a maximum size so it can fit under signal lights, street lights and under the bridge along the Parade route. This float is sponsored by Kiwanis International and I haven't found a link to its title.  The surfing bear is wearing board shorts decorated with flags of the many countries that the Kiwanis serve.  You can easily see where this float needs to collapse to stay within the size restrictions of the parade route. 

 The Rotary International float, "Serving with Imagination and Hope" will look like a carousal horse.  You can see the Spotter seated at the front of this float. 

 No idea who has sponsored this float, but can see the the Spotter will be standing at the front and can also see the driver now while this float is in its rebar/pencil rod stage. 
 This is the City of Alhambra float entry.  Spotter is seated at the front and the driver is on the left side-near the red fuel tank. 

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There was no announcement of the Road Testing and The Mister and I drove up not expecting to see any floats.  Our goal was Portos for breakfast.  The West Covina location is six miles from the Phoenix Decorating barn.

 Well.  Turns out at 8:05 a.m., there's not much of a line.  I ordered pastries, breakfast and beverages all at one counter. 
 The meat pie ($1.15) is filled with the same picadillo that is in the famous potato balls, but is baked in flaky pastry.  A nice snack while we waited.
 Also ordered: cheese roll ($0.99), apple strudel ($1.45) and a refugiado (guava cream cheese pastry) ($1.09).  We took the sweets home.
 Soon, the beverages were delivered to the table.  Portos cortadito ($2.89) (espresso with sweetened condensed milk) and a summertime item- iced strawberry matcha latte (large) ($4.89).  Both beverages are quality and flavorful. 
Soon, the ropa vieja sandwich ($7.50) was brought out.  Served on fresh soft Cuban bread, the 'Cuban birria' (Cuban-style stewed beef with bell pepper, onion, olive, tomato sauce, and Spanish seasonings) was excellent and quite large.  The plantain chips (mariquitas) are seasoned with garlic salt and are a perfect side to the sandwich, breakfast time or not.  The ham and cheese (cheddar-jack blend) omelette ($5.50) is served on a fresh buttery croissant with a mayo-mustard spread and is also quite large.  

Always quality, friendly, efficient.  This family owned, six location, Los Angeles legacy is always a great stop.

Portos Bakery, multiple locations. website (this location is 584 S. Sunset Ave West Covina 91790) Open daily 6:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Comments

[kat]

how quickly time flies! looking forward to these updates.

[Soo]

Floats are looking good. Thanks for documenting the making of. That's awesome you went to Porto's. I always get potato balls.

[Peter]

If you ever need a Portos fix but don't want to make the drive, that new food delivery service Locale is featuring Portos and a few other LA-based restaurants/bakeries: https://sd.shoplocale.com/vendors/portos-los-angeles-sd

[Cathy]

Oh, the Tournament is more than a year long project, Kat. (Marching Bands are chosen at least two years in advance so they can fundraise for their transportation). Seeing the Parade floats being constructed step by step is always interesting.

Thanks, Soo. We do look for new (to us) places to stop when on the way home and that makes our little 'getaway' more interesting, while having Portos six miles South on the same street is convenient. (Irwindale exit from the 210 to the Phoenix float barn at Ornelas; stay on Irwindale, it will change names andl cross under the 10-first left is Portos).

Thanks for the information, Peter! In the case of last week, we just wanted to drive up that way, since the last time was for decorating floats on December 31.

[Loren]

mmm-yoso - your best place for Portos related food porn designed to make you sad they do not come any further south than the middle of LA :(

They looked amazing btw!

[Cathy]

LOL!!! Thanks for the compliment, Loren. We probably would not have sought out the drive to Portos if the Phoenix Decorating float barn had remained in Pasadena; Portos is wonderful. (If there were a San Diego County location, we'd be there once a week.)

[caninecologne]

As always, thanks for the updates on the floats that we will eventually see in their covered entirety on New Year's Day. It is fun to see their evolution and to know the "secrets" of where the driver sits as well as the spotter. Also cool knowing how the floats need to collapse in order to fit in the warehouse/garage.

That Porto's location is quite nice - it is huge and lines move quickly. Service is always friendly there. Their pastries are so good and reasonably priced.

Re: Locale - I recently ordered the potato balls with cheese and spicy peppers as well as chicken empanadas from Porto's. I was expecting them to be frozen (which I have done before ordering directly from Porto's) but they were piping hot and fresh! Thank goodness for having $15 off for my first order (hmmmm, will there be a second? _

[Cathy]

The Mister and I enjoy sharing float information with people, cc..even complete strangers. The West Covina Portos is so nice; we had two meals with a bit of leftover, treats to take home and two beverages for $27.88! Locale does look quite interesting.

[amanda]

I love these Rose Parade breakfast posts

[Cathy]

Thanks, Amanda! We'll try to get to 'new to us' places this year. Porto's is so convenient-and consistently wonderful, though.