Carlos Bakery

[LoraJ]

There are parking lots not too far from Carlos. They aren't cheap, but not too bad as long as you aren't in the area too long.

Best time to grab a spot in front of the bakery is 8:30am as long as the sweeper has gone by. That's on weekdays. Not sure if they have been sweeping lately because of the snow, so parking is a bit of a mess.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

My Grandmother grew up in Hoboken so Carlo's was always a Sunday dinner staple.

The last few times I've been in Hoboken there was a line out the door but that was the weekend. Can't imagine how it's going to be on Valentine's Day....
Please take pictures and have fun

 

[CanadianPaco]

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

I do too! It would so neat to see!

 

[ryka]

I live in Hoboken. Parking is horrible here. If you don't have to drive don't. I think you might be able to take the light rail. I am trying to picture where the hotel is. I think there is a stop by there. You never know what you are going to get from Carlos. Somedays there's a line and somedays you can walk right in. I wonder if they might even be filming cause it is Valentine's day.

Who knows you might even get to see Caroline Manzo's sons from RHONJ. They live here now too lol or maybe you can stop by and see the Glam Fairy from Jeresylicious. She is around the corner from me. Seems like all these jersey folks are moving here. I just hope the Jersey Shore cast stays away lol

 

[LoraJ]

I live in Hoboken. Parking is horrible here. If you don't have to drive don't. I think you might be able to take the light rail. I am trying to picture where the hotel is. I think there is a stop by there. You never know what you are going to get from Carlos. Somedays there's a line and somedays you can walk right in. I wonder if they might even be filming cause it is Valentine's day.

Who knows you might even get to see Caroline Manzo's sons from RHONJ. They live here now too lol or maybe you can stop by and see the Glam Fairy from Jeresylicious. She is around the corner from me. Seems like all these jersey folks are moving here. I just hope the Jersey Shore cast stays away lol

I totally forgot about the Light Rail. It's right behind the Double Tree. Duh! I PM'd the OP telling her may be best to cab it at 7am and take the PATH back.

 

[gracie1]

What hotel is the closest to the bakery? If the Doubletree is only a mile and a half, I would personally walk it. Does the Doubletree have a parking garage? I would love to take a trip there!

 

[LoraJ]

Well there was no line this morning when we drove by. Only about 5 people inside.

The closest hotel is The W in Hoboken. It's about 3 blocks away. The Double Tree is in Jersey City and if there is snow everywhere it would not be good to walk from there. Although, I forgot, maybe the walkway is open now that connects Jersey City to Hoboken then you don't have to detour around the train tracks anymore. Much more pleasant walk.

 

[marcyinPA]

I certainly don't want to be a bubble buster, but I do have to be honest, in that I didn't find the bakery items to be all that great. The crumb cake was good (big crumbs), and the canoli were good, and we also got lobster tails and some cupcakes. But they weren't any better than any other commercial bakery around my area. I don't know if the quality was better before they got so famous? Anyone know the answer to that?

Don't get me wrong, it was still a lot of fun and I'm glad we went. And we love the show. But don't go with really high, homemade yummy expectations. You might be a little disappointed.

 

[pixiefairy]

Oh...my 9 year old would be so jealous! He's always asking if we can take a trip (from Chicago) to go there, lol. He loves Cake Boss.

OP...hope you took some pictures and had a short wait!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I certainly don't want to be a bubble buster, but I do have to be honest, in that I didn't find the bakery items to be all that great. The crumb cake was good (big crumbs), and the canoli were good, and we also got lobster tails and some cupcakes. But they weren't any better than any other commercial bakery around my area. I don't know if the quality was better before they got so famous? Anyone know the answer to that?

Don't get me wrong, it was still a lot of fun and I'm glad we went. And we love the show. But don't go with really high, homemade yummy expectations. You might be a little disappointed.

I've heard the exact same things. Great crumb cake, canoli and lobster tails, but I've heard the cupcakes and cake are horrible. Someone even said they preferred the cake from Shop Rite over Carlo's Bakery cakes.

 

[LoraJ]

I've heard the exact same things. Great crumb cake, canoli and lobster tails, but I've heard the cupcakes and cake are horrible. Someone even said they preferred the cake from Shop Rite over Carlo's Bakery cakes.

Yeah, I had a cupcake from Carlo's once and it wasn't that great. I like their pastries and cookies though. But for cupcakes I go down the street to Crumbs.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I certainly don't want to be a bubble buster, but I do have to be honest, in that I didn't find the bakery items to be all that great. The crumb cake was good (big crumbs), and the canoli were good, and we also got lobster tails and some cupcakes. But they weren't any better than any other commercial bakery around my area. I don't know if the quality was better before they got so famous? Anyone know the answer to that?
.

The entire family thinks the actual baked goods have gone dow hill sice the t.v. show.
There are much better pastries in the surrounding areas.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Yeah, I had a cupcake from Carlo's once and it wasn't that great. I like their pastries and cookies though. But for cupcakes I go down the street to Crumbs.

I was never a fan of Crumbs either, but they were good enough. I've got a new obsession now though -- Baked by Melissa. OMG They are mini cupcakes (bite size) and they are the best things I've ever had. On the expensive side and very sweet, but so flavorful. They have 3 stores in NYC and you can order them over the internet. If you ever get the chance, you have to try them!

 

[ryka]

Yeah, I had a cupcake from Carlo's once and it wasn't that great. I like their pastries and cookies though. But for cupcakes I go down the street to Crumbs.

I love crumbs

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, thank you everyone for your responses! Just got home about an hour ago so thought I'd update whoever is interested.

Stayed at the Doubletree about a mile away, valet parking there is $20 and the room was $107 ~the room was huge, two double and a separate living room with couch, coffee and side tables, small kitchen table, coffee, fridge and micro. I have never paid so little for a room as nice and as close to Manhattan as this was. Beds were super comfy and the personnel were really friendly and helpful. So...

The lightrail is just behind the hotel but we opted to take a cab which the hotel front desk called for us at 7 am. Turns out it was "Katrinas Car Service" and it cost $10 plus $2 tip each way. There were three of us so not too bad, would have been $7 for the train each way. Personally, I would have walked but my DM68 was with us and wasn't too thrilled with the idea so we split the cab I took the drivers card and called for a pickup when we were ready to return and he arrived within 5 minutes to and from.

On the way the driver warned that lines can be very long and with it being VD, well, he didn't think it would be good. But when we arrived, NO LINE AT ALL We walked right in and had maybe a half dozen people in front of us waiting to order.

Our bounty included a dozen cupcakes assorted, lobster tails, M&M cookies, crumb cake and a dozen cannoli. We tested a little bit at breakfast at the hotel and then headed home. All in all, a good trip with few mishaps and little traffic and NO LINES. Would I go there without being in the area? No. But if I was heading down 95 and had a little time to spare and a tween in the backseat, you could make their day

 

[LoraJ]

Glad you made it there.
And also very glad there was no line. My husband and I figured it was probably really bad yesterday.

Did you see any of the family there? Not that I have been there a lot, but when I have been at least some of the sisters have been up front. One day I went and I felt like they were all there except for mama.

 

[Cat0727]

That's great there was no line! How good did you think their cannolis were? And I want to know too- did you see any of the family?

 

[SeaSpray]

PatsFan, I'm glad that you had a good trip and had no line for the bakery!


I just read that Buddy's wife Lisa delivered their new baby this evening at 5:11pm! A son, Carlo Salvatore. CONGRATS TO THEM!

P.S. Carlo is the man that Buddy's father bought the bakery from and Salvatore was one of the men who worked at the bakery until last year, who died just last month from cancer. What a great tribute.

 

[Kath816]

My son lives a couple of blocks away from Carlo's. He agrees that the weekends are insane and during the week there are times you can just walk in. I've been, on a Thursday morning last May (Steven's Tech graduation day) and I was prepared to wait in line since I figured a lot of people would be in town for graduation. We walked right in.

He ordered my birthday cake there the August before last. He walked in after work one day and told Mary that it was his mom's birthday, she (me) loves the show, and wants a cake. He didn't care what kind. Mary told him that she would take care of it, and "your mother's gonna love it!" I got the signature cannoli cake. It was delicious. She also made him promise to watch the show, since he had never seen it. He didn't know it was Mary. I made him watch the show and pick out who waited on him! When he went to pick it up on a Sunday, there was a huge line. Buddy came out and started taking pictures with people. He was thrilled because he moved up closer. We gave my son the business because he didn't get a picture. He said Buddy was nice. Mary was very good to him too, even though he obviously had no clue about the show.

This past September he bought my niece's Sweet 16 cake there. When he was ordering, he asked for, and received, Buddy's autograph. I wanted their lobster tails too. They are awesome. When I called to add them to the order, they said that you could not do that. I actually tried to call again and get someone different, but they said the same thing. So, I am very surprised that some posters said they ordered a few cupcakes and they took the order. And this cake was for 50 people (and had a Broadway theme with stars). So it was not small by any means.

Just my "little review!"

 

[PatsGirl]

My DD knows the family members but I don't. She was pretty excited about the many familiar faces but I'm not sure who was who. She did say it was Buddy's sister who waited on us

Congrats to the family on the new baby. A young girl (17 or 18) was a few people in front of us and brought Buddy a beautiful red rose and asked if he'd come down to accept it. I don't know what was said but the sister ran upstairs and came down with a pen and paper but no Buddy Too bad, I had the camera ready and waiting. But maybe he wasn't even there.

I haven't tried the cannoli yet but I did have a lobster tail and coffee for breakfast. Truthfully, I don't have a sweet tooth and most of the goods are being given to friends and family in the morning, maybe I'll keep a red velvet cupcake for my lunch though.