Carlos Bakery...The Cake Boss question?

[hkclem8328]

Has anyone visted Carlos Bakery?
I am headed to NJ this weekend and our route takes us right through Hoboken, where the bakery is located. I often watch the Cake Boss show on TLC and thought it would be cool to stop in.
I am having some difficulty finding info about it though. Their website, other then directions, and saying a long line often forms doesn't give much other info for just the average person that is not interested in ordering a cake.
I was wondering if anyone has been? If so what kinds of baked goods do they have for sale? Is there a line and is it very long? Is there parking located nearby or is it a bit of a walk? Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated!

 

[frndshpcptn]

My sister lives one block away from the bakery.

Yes, the line is LONG.

It's normal bakery fare - cookies, danishes, crumb cakes, etc. Coffee.

If you are a fan, though, it's fun to check out I think.

I'm not sure about parking, as it depends on the day / time of day you are going. Street parking can be avilable or non-existant. I have no idea if there are garages. there is one lot near the PATH trains.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Whatever you do go early in the morning. We've been there at 8 a.m. on a Sunday (had to drive past Hoboken anyway so we stopped for breakfast) and there was no line. Went there at 10 a.m. on a Saturday and it was crazy. It was even crazier by the time we got our stuff and left. And whatever you do, plan to spend a lot. They are quite pricey.

 

[princessmom29]

A friend went over the summer. She siad that they got there about 9 am on a weekday, and it took 3 hours to get inside and another hour to order anything, and it was crazy expensive.

 

[TiggerStac]

I had a friend go over the summer, as well. She said 3 hour wait. She got cupcakes, and wished she got more than the 1/2 dozen she did to take home.

 

[mytripsandraces]

I wouldn't bother with Carlo's Bakery (disclaimer: I'm not a fan of the Cake Boss). A friend who lives in Hoboken told me he sells standard Italian bakery fare and it's not particularly good. I was on my way to another place in Hoboken (more on that later), when we passed a long line. It was down the block and around the corner from the actual bakery.

If you want a real culinary experience in Hoboken, try Zafra or Cucharamama. They're 5-10 minutes walk from Carlo's. There's also a shop connected, where you can get good chocolate in bars or truffles, plus ingredients for wonderful dishes and some great take-out. I love the oatmeal and cocoa nib muffins, but they sell out quickly. The truffles are amazing!

www.zafrakitchens.com

 

[czycropper]

As mentioned before if you're going on the weekends get there early. They were filming this past couple of months so that's why the lines have been so crazy.

I've gone during "off" times (ie. early November, January-March during the week) and never had a wait. We park on the street behind the bakery (I can't remember the name of the street). Their cakes are very good, canollis are good but I've had better at a bakery near me....

 

[BellvilleDad]

I have one of his cakes in my kitchen right now. My SIL brought it back from a trip to NJ for my son's birthday. It's a very good cake, but she won't tell me what she paid for it.

 

[hkclem8328]

Thanks for the info!
We are planning on driving through tomorrow (thurs) morning, probably should be there around 8am. I really hope that there isn't too long of a line!
Something tells me the bakery items are probably not the best, but it is just more the novelty/experience of being able to say that you have been there. At least that's how it is for us!

 

[JerseyJanice]

A far better bakery, at least for pastries and cookies, is Rispoli's in Ridgefield, north of Hoboken and easy to get to from the NJ Turnpike. They don't seem to have a website, but if you Google it, you'll find it.

They make these pastries called Lobster Tails that are to-die-for! Their Italian cookies are all housemade with their own recipes, and they're out of this world.

 

[dlm1017]

My dd and I went and stood on line for about 2 and 1/2 hours to get in. They let in a bunch of people at a time and give you numbers. If you are claustraphobic its not the place for you You are arm and arm with people and you cannot see anything in the cases to pick. BUT, I got a picture of my dd and one of the sisters (I cannot remember her name right now) she was very nice and accomadating (sp?) We bought a t-shirt and i spent about 78$ on pastries. I admit I have had better, but they were ok. It was not about the pastries it was for my dd who is a huge fan of the Cake boss. I can at least say been there done that and "bought the t-shirt"

However, while my dd and I stood on line my dh, older daughter and my mom and dad waited in an outside bar up the street ( they had 3 pictures of sangria by the time we were done ) We had an amazing dinner at one of the little italion resteraunts up the street! Lots of wonderful places to eat in Hobokon NJ

 

[gracie1]

Glad to see the responses on here! On vacation in October we were thinking of driving to the bakery (4hours away) and picking up some pastries and driving back. But after seeing these reviews not sure if it is worth it.

 

[Nonie12]

I went. It was great. I've ordered from them, and we've also bought stuff right at the bakery. For our wedding, we ordered a big beautiful cake. It was great. They brought it right to Perona Farms. We actually got to meet Buddy! I didn't know that Buddy was going to come. The bakery was also great. Both times, it was obviosly great service!

 

[dana1003]

we live 10 min from carlos bakery..we re there almost every weekend..yes the lines are long...yes you can buy better cake elsewhere but do it anyway to say you did it..your driving right? parking sucks..make sure u have allot quarters..if you park off of washington (its on washington) down side streets youll find parking but make sure you read the parking signs..allot of streets are residential parking only and youll get ticketed or towed. take a walk to frank sinatra park..by the river. you re only like 2/3 blocks away and make sure you have your camera..these views are the best of manhattan..if ur hungry walk up to 6th and washington and eat at benny's pizzeria. you will need 2 plates to eat their slices, that s how long they are..have fun

 

[LoraJ]

Lines should be getting better now that vacation season is over. I drive by there every weekday morning at around 8:30am. There never would be a line at that time until mid-July. Even at 8:30am the line would be down the block. Later in the afternoon it would be down the block and across the street. It has gotten better lately though. There was no line this morning.

Whenever I have been in there, there have always been a few members of the family around. Buddy came down and waved the last time I was there.

The weekend probably will be busy, so I would go in the morning.

And for those of you going in the morning, be advised that they do street cleaning in front of the bakery just before 8:30am (sometimes after) so don't park on Washington unless you are sure the street cleaner has already passed by.

 

[serendipity]

Has anyone visted Carlos Bakery?
I am headed to NJ this weekend and our route takes us right through Hoboken, where the bakery is located. I often watch the Cake Boss show on TLC and thought it would be cool to stop in.
I am having some difficulty finding info about it though. Their website, other then directions, and saying a long line often forms doesn't give much other info for just the average person that is not interested in ordering a cake.
I was wondering if anyone has been? If so what kinds of baked goods do they have for sale? Is there a line and is it very long? Is there parking located nearby or is it a bit of a walk? Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated!

It's on third and Washington in Hoboken, NJ (I worked down the block for a number of years). If you're looking to avoid lines visit mid morning on a week day (rushes form early in the morning before work, on people's lunch breaks, and in the late afternoon). They have all of the standard baked goods of an Italian bakery. As for parking, you can park on the street if you're lucky enough to find a spot anywhere near the bakery (bring quarters) or park in one of the numerous lots, but expect to pay a premium ($20 or more).

 

[boysmom5150]

A far better bakery, at least for pastries and cookies, is Rispoli's in Ridgefield, north of Hoboken and easy to get to from the NJ Turnpike. They don't seem to have a website, but if you Google it, you'll find it.

They make these pastries called Lobster Tails that are to-die-for! Their Italian cookies are all housemade with their own recipes, and they're out of this world.

I second this. AMAZING stuff at RISPOLI!!!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I second this. AMAZING stuff at RISPOLI!!!!

I found this video on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8EA7e4X6hc LOL!

When I was a kid growing up in the 70s, Italian Rum Cakes were all the rage for parties. My parents got one for my First Communion party. I don't recall really liking them, but I do know one place where you can still buy this classic treat is Rispoli's Bakery.

OP, I don't blame you at all for wanting to go to the bakery on TV, but I wanted to put it out there that if someone is looking for an awesome bakery in North Jersey, Rispoli's fills that bill.

I hope you have a wonderful visit to our state.

 

[marcyinPA]

We were there two weeks ago. Get there early! As early as you can. We arrived around 10 am and the line was to the corner of the street. An hour later, the line was across the street and down the block. We waited for an hour outside (in the rain) and an hour inside.

When you make it inside, they give you a ticket. You wait for your number to be called to be waited on. It seems like there is a line inside, but there is not. If you want to see what is in the cases, you need to (politely) push your way inside. There is no menu on the wall. And no prices.

We got 3 lobster tails, one individual chocolate mousse cake, two cup cakes, eight small cannoli (four chocolate, four plain) six biscotti (I should have bought more of these!) and two pieces of crumb cake. I paid $43 and change!! I also bought a shirt and a mug.

The day we were there, Buddy stuck his head out the window and waved to the people waiting in line. Inside, we saw Mauro...he was doing a cake consultation. We also saw Buddy's sister Grace. And Buddy's son was on the steps. You can walk through the back alley...my friend's daughter and my son were lucky to see a delivery, so the back doors were open. They could see inside the bakery.

If you need to use a bathroom, go across the street to City Hall.

We found a parking spot on the street around the corner from the bakery. It was a metered spot. A parking ticket in Hoboken is $45. I know this because we got one. It was street cleaning day. I never saw a sign. The street was full of cars. Hoboken made money that day.

We ate lunch at Hudson Pizza. Good pizza...lots of specialty choices. Two slices of Buffalo chicken pizza, and one slice of pepperoni pizza, and three sodas...$15 and change. One slice will fill you...good NY style pizza!!

It was a fun time...expensive, but fun. Enjoy!