Australia's In-N-Out: Oporto, Coming to San Bernardino

By Elina Shatkin Thu., Feb. 24 2011 at 11:56 AM

Various burgers served at Australian chain Oporto.

[Editor's note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that the new Oporto is opening in Orange County; it is opening in Rancho Cucamonga, which is in San Bernardino County. Our apologies.]

Australia's answer to In-N-Out is coming to the United States, and its first stateside location opens tomorrow in Rancho Cucamonga. Founded in 1986, Oporto, which serves Portuguese-influenced Australian fare, "supposedly has a cult following in Australia on the scale of In-N-Out in California." Except In-N-Out specializes in traditional hamburgers and Oporto is known for its Portuguese-influenced chicken burgers and "rappas" (wraps), which makes it more analagous to Chick-fil-a.

As the gay marriage-hating, chicken sandwich-loving Southern chain continues to make inroads into Southern California with its first Los Angeles outpost slated to open in Hollywood this summer, Oporto aims to give them a run for their money.

Oporto will open its first United States outpost tomorrow in Rancho Cucamonga. An Ontario location is scheduled to open in the next two or three months and a Glendora restaurant, in July, according to the Daily Bulletin.

The chain's most popular item is its Bondi Burger, made with two grilled chicken breast fillets, lettuce, cheese, mayo and a spicy chilli sauce. Al the Australian outposts also offer halal chicken meals; no word on whether that will carry over to the United States. Oporto also serves "brekkie" (breakfast) featuring Australian bacon, which is made from pork shoulder and leaner than American bacon.

Is it any good? A Brisbane resident tells the OC Register:

"It is more McDonald's than In-N-Out... They push the 'fresh' label, but I don't see much differentiation with KFC's new marketing campaigns... I wouldn't say it is amazing... but I would say it is good and worth a try. If I had a hankering for chicken, I would choose Oporto over KFC."

Better than KFC. Talk about "damning with faint praise."

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Ben

What on Earth does politics about marriage have to do with chicken restaurants? Stop proselytizing, please and just tell us about the restaurants.

Anne

I wish I hadn't read this article.I happened to pass the RC location on Haven and stoped in Got the 2 fillet Bondi with chile sauce for $3.49 and a med soda for $1.79. It's no good. Although the bread is very fresh it also seems very soft and disintegrates and the shredded iceburg lettuce tends to fall right out, so no crunch like you get with In N Out. The meat is thin and tasteless although it's grilled, and not frozen. The heat from the chile sauce is welcome but the sauce itself isn't good - it's a bit medicinal. And the addition of mayo and some white cheese glue just doesn't add up. I only ate half, it was so unsatisfying.

Tommy Henderson

thanks Anne, was just watching the promotion on KTLA news and thought about giving them a try for lunch today. I am a life long IN-N-OUT fan and nobody can beat it. We are also big fans of Chick-Fil-A and its just delicious chicken and we know what to expect. I was there at Haven and Foothill yesterday and wasnt aware of Oporto but did notice a new chain "Two Guys Burgers" getting ready to open. They just seem to be a poor knock off of IN-N-OUT from the menu to the color scheme of the restaurant. I think I'll Stick with my tried and true favorites before giving my money these new competitors without some much more positive reviews from my peers. Thanks

H20polo

The "Brisbane Resident" is a cousin of OC Registers "Fast Food Maven", Nancy Luna. It is unfair to compare what is going on in Australia and what is going on here in the States. The comment about McDonalds was from left field and gave no reasons why they thought "it was more McDonalds." I tried the "Bondi Burger" and thought it was one of the best chicken sandwiches from any chain that I have had. I challenge people to try it before they listen to somebody 7500 miles away.

Nothalal

In Australia they claim to be Halal because they offer Halal chicken. But that is the case with 90% of the chicken in Australia as it I'd slaughtered Halal for the lucrative export markets to our north. But unlike KFC & McDonalds, and Nandos, Oporto to date have refused to become Halal certified.

Anne

Rancho Cucamonga is NOT in the OC, dumbkoffs, it is in San Bernardino County, also known as part of the Inland Empire,only a few miles from LA County city of Claremont, . But thanks for telling me Chick-fil-a is not only a bad speller, but donates to anti-gay marriage groups. I don't think they are good enough to cross that line. Although this atheist will tolerate In N Out's bible verses and almost equally bad spelling.