Porta Via Italian Foods, Pasadena, CA USA

Ordered from Porta Via Italian Foods in Pasadena, California.

I had driven by their location a million times, so when we discovered it on Google Maps during our search for delicious local lunch I knew we had to go there.

Located in a bit of a no man’s land area, adjacent to some plastic surgeons and antique shops, we thankfully had URB-Es to ride to/from Porta Via Italian Foods, eliminating parking or timing concerns. I was excited, so was my colleague Evan, and we decided to embark on another adventure of our never-ending quest to find the best lunch time spot in Pasadena.

Having driven by so many times, I always thought this was a small café or sandwich shop; I was very surprised to see the selection once we walked inside. Ample choices for food, ample choices for items to cook with at home, warm hospitality all around… how have I never been here before?

What an awesome find!

While they had a massive menu to choose from, Porta Via’s panini menu caught my eye, boasting a savory sounding chicken club sandwich I couldn’t resist. Evan and I ordered our meals, some sides, and sat down waiting for our food to arrive, taking in the ambiance and watching as customer after customer came in to order their lunch… or dinner.

Hot, crunchy, moist and delicious, Porto’s chicken club panini was awesomely dense. The ingredients and flavors really blended well together, and the classic panini press ensured the perfect ratio as each item in this club was sandwiched together. A hearty meal and satisfying in almost every way. I would have loved a few more tomatoes, and a thicker cut of bacon would have gone a long way,

I could barely finish the sandwich it was so dense with flavors. I left full and content, knowing I would be back… Porto’s is a spot worthy of a weekly trip.

Location