Porto’s Bakery & Cafe is coming to Ontario, bringing the family-owned business’ popular Cuban-inspired pastries, cakes and savory dishes to the Inland Empire for the first time, city officials said Tuesday.
The bakery will anchor a new 8.6-acre commercial development at the long-vacant southwest corner of Archibald Avenue and Inland Empire Boulevard. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with Porto’s projected to open in 2028, according to the city.
Founded in 1960 by Rosa Porto, the bakery has grown from a family-owned small business into a Southern California favorite. Today, the second and third generations of the Porto family continue her legacy, serving customers a menu rooted in her recipes and Cuban heritage.
Signature items include the Cheese Roll and Potato Ball, along with an assortment of pastries, cakes and tasty favorites. The bakery also offers breakfast, coffee, lunch and dinner.
The Ontario location will give Inland Empire residents more convenient access to the bakery while creating jobs and adding a new dining destination to the city.
“The city of Ontario has been working to bring Porto’s to our community for nearly a decade, and we’re proud they chose Ontario for their first Inland Empire location,” City Manager Scott Ochoa said in a statement.
Ochoa added that the bakery’s regional following could help attract residents and visitors as Ontario continues to grow as a destination, benefiting the local economy and surrounding community.
“Porto’s has a strong regional following,” he said. “As Ontario grows as a destination, businesses like this give residents and visitors more reasons to spend time here, supporting our local economy and the broader community.”
Raul Porto, the business’ CEO, said the family looks forward to serving customers closer to home.
“For years, we’ve welcomed guests from across the Inland Empire who have traveled to visit our bakeries, and we’re excited to finally have a home here,” Porto said in a statement. “We’re grateful for Ontario’s warm welcome. Our family has always valued the connections we build with the people and communities we serve, and we can’t wait to welcome guests to this new and special place.”
The broader development will include approximately 50,000 square feet of commercial space across three buildings, with a mix of restaurants, cafes and retail businesses. Plans also call for a landscaped outdoor plaza featuring water elements, outdoor dining and gathering spaces connecting the buildings.
Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, executive director of the city’s Economic Development Agency, said the project is expected to generate many local jobs and attract thousands of visitors daily.
The development will also transform a site that has remained vacant for years into a new retail and dining destination, creating opportunities for businesses and bringing additional activity to the area, she said.
“Anchored by Porto’s, this new retail destination will bring hundreds of local jobs and draw thousands of visitors each day, making it a significant addition to Ontario’s local economy,” McLain Hiramoto said in a statement.
The project is located near the 10 Freeway and comes amid continued development in the surrounding area. Nearby projects include the recently completed Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotels, new auto dealerships and the expanding Capital City Entertainment District near Toyota Arena.
Additional details about Porto’s Ontario location are expected to be announced as plans progress, officials said. The city’s website is ontarioca.gov.