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April 24, 2008
Burbank Parking Woes Blamed on Porto's Bakery
Photo by jslander via Flickr
If one popular restaurant single handedly caused enough of a parking problem that the LA Times' Burbank Leader is writing a feature article on it and it became a city council election issue, then it's time for the city of Burbank to think a little more about their poor public transportation system and walkability of the suburban Magnolia Park area in the city's westside.
Since the popular Porto's Bakery moved to the corner of Hollywood Way and Magnolia Boulevard, the city has made the alley behind into a one way street and is looking into more traffic mitigations such as restricting left-hand turns from the parking lot. They are also looking to lease private lots to give the public more parking spaces.
People say Porto's is a mixed blessing -- it's brought people to the area, maybe even began a revitalization of the shopping district, but at the same time some businesses are suffering due to lack of parking.
LAist Food Review
-- Wake Up LA: Porto's Bakery
More Burbank Fun
-- LAist Inbox: $200 Ticket for Smoking on a Burbank Sidewalk?
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This story is nothing but lies. Nobody goes to Burbank anymore because you can't smoke on the sidewalk.
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I live two blocks from Porto's. Indeed it has helped revitalize the area, but alas the parking lot is a bit quaint, especially for a relatively new establishment. There's a huge amount of traffic on that corner of Hollywood Way and Magnolia Blvd., and the lot clearly wasn't designed with that in mind.
That said, I find the area very walkable. The Chandler Bikeway, which bisects much of the city is just a block away from Porto's. Plus both local shuttles and Metro buses cruise the neighborhood. Again, I think the specific problem is the commuter traffic in the area, not so much local residents.
But in the end it's about potato balls and Cubano sandwiches.
Dear City Council, please don't make them go away.
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There's a bus stop right outside.
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Burbank is like a chasm of consistent public transportation
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maybe if they open another Porto's a couple of blocks away, they can do the Starbucks thing (AKA Starbucks everywhere) and eliminate lines and parking issues by being ubiquitous. or not. :-)
honestly, i'd rather they open a porto's in west LA. i'm jealous.
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Was there yesterday for lunch, pulled into the lot, found a space in 15 seconds after going the wrong way in the "alley."
Why fight it - Los Angeles has never been and will never be a walking town. Just accept reality, people.
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If it comes down to cars vs. Porto's, let's make Magnolia a nice little promenade like they did to Pier Ave in hermosa and 3rd st in Santa Monica.
PS DB: Is that you living in my garage???
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Porto's food: great!
Porto's traffic hell: far from great.
I don't blame Porto's. I blame their customers.
Sit near the entrance. You will see many "near-misses", and more than likely at least one accident. I saw one person (cell phone being used, of course) pull from the curb (10 minute parking), and get nailed by someone making a left from southbound Hollywood Way to eastbound Magnolia.
The real pain, though, is the southbound Hollywood Way drivers who make that last minute hop to the center lane, to make a left. They are usually:
* on the phone
* driving an unnecessary SUV
* the unnecessary SUV is blocking one of the traffic lanes, due to the person's poor lane changing skills
* blocking northbound people from making a left onto westbound Magnolia
* more important than you. :P
There's plenty of parking around Porto's (the lot behind the auto bookstore Jay Leno is always at, the Rite Aid lot, the Wamu parking lot, on the actual street, et cetera). Sadly, most of the Porto's customers I see don't get that a block of walking to get to the food is acceptable (and good for you if you eat too many potato balls)!
I live two (long) blocks from Porto's as well (and have lived in Burbank long enough to remember that corner being a Thrifty drug store, AND Albin's Drug Store). A two block walk is not that bad, people.
off-topic: if you are going to drive around in your "support the troops" gas guzzling SUV, make sure:
* you can see over the steering wheel
* you get the **** off of your phone
* you can drive
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BRATMix: Yay Albin's! I miss their countertop jukeboxes and chocolate milk shakes.
Elise, I didn't think you'd mind. I'm not living there, only using it to cure some ham.
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According to the Burbank Leader story, some folks wait up to 45 minutes for a parking spot. That's just plain stupid. During lunch, you're going to wait nearly that long in line, so you may as well park a block or two away and get yourself set.
I've visited Porto's during lunch rush, early morning, and evening. I have had no trouble finding parking, as long as I look beyond the parking lot immediately behind the restaurant.