Carlos Bakery

[PatsGirl]

So I promised DD that if we were ever in the vicinity, we'd stop by and pick something up and guess what....my son just called to say he was in NJ and would have about 6 hours of leave on Sunday so we're taking a trip there to have lunch with him (he deploys the 18th). Carlos' is on the way home so I booked a nearby hotel for Sunday night so we can get there on Monday am.

DD tells me she thinks we need to get there by 5 am for a 7 am opening? I have heard about lines going around the corner and of course it's my luck that its VD day but does any have real experience with the bakery wait times? I have heard that its best to get there as early in the am as possible but I was thinking around 7... anyone?

 

[luvwinnie]

I can't imagine waiting on those lines for anything. I grew up going to Carlos and can't believe what a circus it is now. Good luck! I guess the earlier the better!

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, someone on my FB said if I placed an order you start at a shorter line so I just ordered a half dozen red velvet cupcakes as her birthday present Hopefully, this will help.

 

[Jessica14]

Well, someone on my FB said if I placed an order you start at a shorter line so I just ordered a half dozen red velvet cupcakes as her birthday present Hopefully, this will help.

I was going to say the same thing! That's what I have heard as well. We were going to go for my DS 6th birthday, but the thought of lines really put me off. He has settled for a cake from the Magnolia bakery in NYC which is much closer for us.

 

[TaraPA]

I'd think a lot of people woulD be getting cookie or cupcake bouquets for Valentine's Day, so it's good you placed an order. Please post pics - I'd love to go there myself one day!

At least the weather lokos a little milder for Monday in case you do have a long wait outside!

 

[Parkers_girl]

We went on a random Thursday morning this past October and it was packed! We are big fans of the show and were headed down south and decided to make a stop at Carlos around 10am. We drove around for almost an hour just to find parking and just as I was cursing under my breath that this was the last time we were driving around the block, a spot opened up in front of the CVS right next to Carlos. The line wasn't around the block, but it was just to the end of the block that the bakery was on. We waited over two hours just to get inside. Once at the door you get a ticket then you are packed in the tiny bakery waiting for someone to call your number. It was very crowded when we went and there was no room to move around or to see what was in the cases. We settled with 2 cupcakes, 2 lobster tails and a couple of cannoli's for around 20 bucks. The lobster tails and cannoli's were total yum, but the cupcakes left much to be desired. TLC was there filming that day so we did get to see Mauro, some of Buddy's sisters, and we also got a hello from Buddy!However none of them were working up front, there was a bunch of teenagers working the counter when we went. We didn't get out of the bakery until around 1:30, so the entire experience took almost 4 hours!

While it is fun to say you've been there and very exciting to see the cast, be prepared for a long wait! Especially if it's chilly outside!

 

[Angelhalo]

OP check out this video! It might give a bit of an idea of what to expect.

As a random side note, this lady is so cute. She's just so awestruck by being there and they are too cute with their cake at the end!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpLTAa_b6Fc

 

[xxliz28xx]

We went on a weekday in March and there was no line, so that surprised me. There was a small crowd inside so I kind of felt rushed on what to get, but other than that we were out in 15 minutes. Try to go when the kids are in school.

 

[PatsGirl]

Unfortunately, we are going on Monday morning (VD) because that is when we will be in the area, we live five hours away but pass by that area on our way home...I wish it was just a random Monday but my best guess is that it will be especially busy given the holiday

 

[xxliz28xx]

Yes it probably will be. Get there early and dress warmly!

 

[LoraJ]

If you get there that early you should be fine, especially if you placed an order.

FYI to anyone coming to visit, I drive by there every morning and as long as it isn't a weekend or close to a holiday there are no crowds at all. This is around 8:30am. Funny thing is I said this same thing last summer and the next day there was a line out the door at that time every single day. Once school started up again there have been no lines in the morning, only exception is some Fridays. especially if there is a 3 day weekend approaching. It may get worse once spring breaks start happening.

Does anyone know if the second location will have a store front or do tours or something? I drive by there every day too. At least they have a parking lot there.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I want to go to Carlo's!!!!

 

[PatsGirl]

LoraJ ~ good info, thanks. I think we'll aim for 7 am. We're staying at a Doubletree about 1.5 miles away and I was planning to take a cab to/from the hotel instead of driving and trying to find parking. Will it be easy for us to get a cab from there? Or do you think I should just drive and wing it? TIA

 

[swanmom]

DON'T DRIVE !!! Hoboken has miles and miles of 'resident permit only' spots and sometimes it's hard to determine if the curb spot that seems available is actually open for public parking. (I walked about 1 1/2 blocks before I saw a sign that the amazing parking place I had grabbed as someone pulled out was not legal.) The few pay parking lots in the area fill up quickly and the Hoboken police are VERY vigilant about ticketing. If you are only a couple of miles away, stick to your 'take a cab' plan. You should be able to get one easily from the hotel if you let them know at the front desk.

 

[PatsGirl]

Will it be difficult to get a cab FROM the bakery? Is that an area that cabs drive by looking for fares, will I just be able to hail one? Can you tell we don't have cabs in my little town?

 

[scrapquitler]

Will it be difficult to get a cab FROM the bakery? Is that an area that cabs drive by looking for fares, will I just be able to hail one? Can you tell we don't have cabs in my little town?

Don't laugh, but I'll tell you how we would handle the staying 1 1/2 miles away and going somewhere with no parking in my family. I don't do walking where I have to cross the street if there is parallel parking on the road (traumatic stress over being hit by a car), plus I am lazy). In your situation, we would wake up at the hotel, DH would drive the children and I to the bakery where we would get in line to wait. He would drive back to the hotel, park the car and then he would walk to the bakery to meet us (he LOVES to walk). We would all wait in line, experience the bakery together, then the kids and I (or one of the kids and I) would stay there hanging around (maybe go check out something else on that block) and he would walk back to the car and come pick us up.

Such is life when you are a princess

 

[swanmom]

Downtown Hoboken is a surprisingly metropolitan area due its proximity to NYC. The area where Carlo's is located is very hip and happening. So you should not have trouble getting a cab. If you can allow a little time, there are lots of really cute shops on the same street at Carlo's - about four or five blocks of shops along each side of the street.
However..............there are also very industrial areas not too far away and I wouldn't walk around there without knowing what exactly areas I was headed into. I really think a cab is your best, safest bet and wouldn't be that costly.

 

[marcyinPA]

I don't know if this helps, but my friends went to Carlos' on Christmas Eve morning. They got there around 6 am and the line was already across the street.

We were there in the summer....we waited for 2 hours (one outside and one inside)...we got there around 9 am.

 

[marcyinPA]

DON'T DRIVE !!! Hoboken has miles and miles of 'resident permit only' spots and sometimes it's hard to determine if the curb spot that seems available is actually open for public parking. (I walked about 1 1/2 blocks before I saw a sign that the amazing parking place I had grabbed as someone pulled out was not legal.) The few pay parking lots in the area fill up quickly and the Hoboken police are VERY vigilant about ticketing. If you are only a couple of miles away, stick to your 'take a cab' plan. You should be able to get one easily from the hotel if you let them know at the front desk.

The signage is poor in Hoboken. I parked in a spot I *thought* was safe...several other cars parked at meters too. It so happened to be street sweeping day. That trip to Carlos cost me a fortune...between the $80 in bakery items and swag, and the $45 parking ticket.

 

[LoraJ]

Will it be difficult to get a cab FROM the bakery? Is that an area that cabs drive by looking for fares, will I just be able to hail one? Can you tell we don't have cabs in my little town?

Sorry for not getting back sooner.

You can get a cab from the PATH train station in Hoboken very easily. But the cab fare is ridiculous once you hit Jersey City. It will be $10 each way. I would just take the PATH train which is a short walk from the Double tree and a short walk from Carlos. When you get off the PATH train in Hoboken walk over a block to Newark (cross the street and head North where all the restaurants are) and then turn Left and walk to Washington, and Carlos is on the right between Newark and 1st.

If you take a cab over there and it is a Jersey City cab company and they are cheaper than the Hoboken $10 fare, you can ask about calling them to come pick you back up.