Cuban Fan Favorite Porto’s to Open Standalone Space in Northridge

Score another one for Porto’s, the beloved Southern California Cuban restaurant chain known for its sandwiches, pastries, and fried potato balls. Per What Now LA, the group has officially inked a deal — after much speculation — to take over a defunct standalone Sears automotive service center building in Northridge. The 2,700 square foot spot doesn’t even come close to comparing to the company’s gigantic 25,000 square foot flagship in Buena Park, but it’s still expected to draw big lines and sell lots of cheese rolls.

Porto’s has become one of Southern California’s greatest success stories, with namesake owner Rosa Porto immigrating from Cuba to found the company. Over the years she added outlets from Glendale and Burbank to West Covina, Downey, and beyond, and even ships its pastries nationwide. Rosa Porto died in December of last year at 89.

In other news:

— Food & Wine is loving the new happy hour menu at Citrin in Santa Monica.

— George’s Greek is expanding to the Sherman Oaks Galleria with a new 3,100 square foot restaurant space.

— Kato is starting a series of Sunday night tasting menu dinners in West LA for 12 diners at a time only.

— Forno Fama pizza pop-up is happening at Lady & Larder on Sawtelle this Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

— An orange wine pop-up called Orange Glou is coming to Eveleigh on Thursday, February 20. Tickets are $25.

— Otoño chef Teresa Montaño is hosting a food-filled five day tour of Spain’s Basque region this May, for anyone keen to take a trip.

— Chef Fabio Viviani closed his Moorpark restaurant Cafe Firenze last month after 11 years.

— Broad Street Oyster Co. is going permanent at its location at 23359 PCH in Malibu. The project started at Malibu Village just for the summer, but is now going to stick around for a while with a robust menu of lobster rolls, seafood towers, beer and wine, and more.

Hanna von Matérn