Welcome to the American Story. Mostly true stories about what it is that makes America beautiful.

Heartbreaking, funny, inspiring, and endlessly interesting.

This is Chris Flannery with the Claremont Institute.

I call this one.

Make cakes.

During peak hours in the 300 Make Cakes.

During peak hours in the 300 block of Bran Boulevard in the city of Glendale, in what is called Metropolitan Los Angeles.

You might see a line of eager people of all ages and backgrounds,

making their way into Porto's Bakery and Cafe.

You might see a similar scene in Buena Park, Burbank, Downey, or West Covina.

Portos is a many splendid gift to the Southland,

and is not just the empaniadas.

It's the spirit of freedom and enterprise.

Rosa and Raoul Porto and their children brought this gift to America from Cuba a lifetime ago.

In 1959, Fidel Castro had just imposed communism on Cuba

and made private businesses illegal.

In the town of Manzanio,

this put an end to the jobs held by Rosa and her husband,

Raoul was forced to work in a labor camp cutting sugar cane for $8 a month.

Rosa was left at home without an income, trying to figure out how she and her family could survive.

Rosa's neighbors were already familiar with her grandmothers and mother's cherished recipes,

and with Rose's skill in bringing them to life,

...