Glendale’s Best: Fish King and Portos Bakery
Tuesday, June 21, 2005 7:59My parent’s lived in Glendale for many years and I have some friends who have lived in Glendale all their lives. Thus, over the years, I have heard about different places food-related in this community right next to Los Angeles.
Here are two that receive nearly universal praise.
Bakery
Everyone who has an opinion swears by Portos Bakery.
The business was started by Cuban immigrants and is thriving more than ever. I recently went there to buy a cake. Having been there several time in afternoons to find the place a mad house I figured if I got there at 7:30 in the morning, it shouldn’t be too busy. Hah! The place was already mobbed. Fortunately, there is a separate line for cake only purchases.
I ordered one of these …
Image source: http://www.portosbakery.com/images/cakes/readymade/TartNBG.jpg
It is one of their Fruit Tarts. Yummmm…
Portos Bakery
315 North Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
tel. (818) 956-5996
fax (818) 956-0696
Fish Market
When it comes to buying fresh fish, long time Glendale residents immediately say, go thee to Fish King.
I have to say I’ve become spoiled by Fish King. I used to buy fish at the local Ralph’s; now, I rarely do. Sometimes, I found that the fish at Ralph’s wasn’t so fresh and sometimes it just “didn’t look right.” I have to say even occasionally Whole Foods has had that problem. Not so at Fish King. They do wholesale to restaurants in the area and have a little storefront for retail to the public. Looking for some wild caught Salmon? They got it. Sushi grade Ahi Tuna? Fish King has it. Alaskan Halibut? Should be there.
Fish King
720 North Glendale Avenue
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: (818) 244-2161
If I happen to near Glendale for some reason and am in need of or have a craving for either baked items or fish, I make a beeline to these places.
Now, I have lived and worked in Los Angeles (Westside) for the last few years. Haven’t yet discovered places like that here. I’m sure they are out there.
Dear readers, where do you go to find these things?
By Rene (see more of his posts). You can find more of Rene's writing at his own website Rene's Ramblings
Jonah says:
June 21st, 2005 at 8:08 am
For fish, it’s Santa Monica Seafood to the rescue:
http://www.santamonicaseafood.com/storeinfo.htm
On Colorado in Santa Monica, best fish around. I got some Copper River salmon there this weekend and stood drooling in front of the counter over the halibut, yellow tail, ahi…
tm says:
June 21st, 2005 at 9:59 am
We really like Los Angeles Fish Company in Downtown for good fresh fish:
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/19396/
It’s always fun to glance at the orders that some of the local sushi bars and japanese markets have put in for that day.
Guava says:
June 21st, 2005 at 2:47 pm
Love Porto’s sandwich cubano for lunch.
annie says:
March 7th, 2007 at 11:51 am
I go to Fish King!!!
mike black says:
March 7th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
i hope fish king is better than sm seafood, which
is the best on the west side but still not heavenly
Mirta says:
March 14th, 2007 at 9:17 am
So GLAD Porto’s exists, I’m from Miami I know Cuban Bakeries, this is a wonderful example of great Cuban snacks, pastries, and sandwiches… Now they just need a restaurant that serves dinner!!! Finally guests will taste the difference between Cuban food and Mexican food. ENJOY!!!
Eduardo says:
July 10th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Having lived most of my life in Miami, I recently moved to Los Angeles and living in downtown. I miss my Cuban food, pastries, etc….hope I can find a place that comes close to Versailles on “Calle Ocho” or “Havana Harrys” back home. Having cravings for a good “cortadito” and “croquettas.” I’m definitely going to try Porto’s…and give you my feedback!!! Yes, there is a definite need for an authentic Cuban restaurants sans Mexican influences! Con mucho sabor a lo nuestro….Azucar!
Ian says:
December 19th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Porto’s and Fish King are horrible. Please do not come to try it, lines are bad enough already. Do not believe those positive reviews. I’ve been going there forever and it’s consistently bad. Trust me, you do not want to try it.
hbpapajohn says:
December 26th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
And another thing about those awful lines at Porto’s is that you have to stand with a bunch of happy strangers discussing what they are going to buy and what their favorites are and as long as they were within 20 miles of the place they may as well have swung by to pick of some of the pastries they have been dreaming about and you are forced to watch the kids being educated on the fine points of this or that delicacy and when you finally DO get to the front of the line and there are still are a hundred happily chatting people behind you, you have to deal with a knowledgable sales clerk who treats you as if you were the only person in the place submitting the most important order of the day. How do all those people put up with this grief day in and day out??!
shyable says:
January 18th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
WEll i don’t understand why alot of people think that Porto’s is a horrible place because its not……i’ve been working then for a long time if you think about it its not so bad many think that its so bad by getting in line and listening to everything try and be behind the displace case and you’lll see how horrible it is how customers yell at an employer…..Porto’s is one of the best bakery that ive known….
James Kagawa says:
January 6th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Fish King: In this day and age, a family-owned market is a rarety — and after 60+ years in the seafood business, I think it is safe to say Fish King offers top quality and ol’ fashoned personal service that will pleasantly satisfy all your seafood needs. This I say based on my experience there and the fact that my Dad and brother own and operate this Glendale institution. Living in Tokyo now, I have even met other Americans who have shopped there. Give it a try!
James Kagawa says:
January 6th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
http://www.fishkingseafood.com/
Jasmine says:
March 1st, 2009 at 11:11 am
Hello. Great job. This is a great story. Thanks!