Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop, Hoboken NJ

Are you looking for something unique to do while visiting the Big Apple? Have you ever seen the TV show on TLC called “The Cake Boss”? Well, you can see it all in person just a few short minutes from Manhattan (depending on traffic, of course).

Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop, owned by the now famous Buddy Valastro, is located in Hoboken, New Jersey, just a few minute drive over the Hudson River from central Manhattan. The shop is set in the middle of a quaint shopping area of Hoboken, just a few blocks from the river where you can catch breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Buddy and his family have owned the Bake Shop for four generations now, with plans to continue to pass it down within the family.

Ever since the Bake Shop gained it’s worldwide popularity due to the TV show, there has been a consistent line of fans and customers patiently waiting outside of the shop on a daily basis. When you arrive at the shop, you can pop your head in the door and ask one of the many helpful staff members how long it seems to be taking that day to get into the shop. The average wait time is about 2 hours, and the line extends from in front of the Bake Shop to the block across the street. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your umbrella… you may be there a while. Although it seems like a long wait, the treats are worth it! The Bake Shop has everything from cannolis and biscotti to cakes and pies. Whatever your sweet taste buds desire, you can find it here. They also carry a bunch of merchandise from the show “The Cake Boss”, including t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, chef coats, books and DVDs.

I had the chance to visit the Bake Shop recently, and it was a great experience for everyone in my group. I was with the Brownwood High School Choir from Brownwood, Texas and they were thrilled to get a chance to get inside and get their goodies! Little did they know that their choir director had ordered a cake for them to eat while they waited in line. Not only was it delicious, but also it was her way of announcing to them that she is having a baby! The Bake Shop staff was not only helpful in getting the cake out to the group on the sidewalk, but they also enjoyed watching over as the baby news was announced. Everyone was excited, including the staff members! They made our visit there smooth and enjoyable; constantly checking in with us to let us know how much longer our wait was going to be. Then once inside, they answered a world of questions about their desserts and cakes for everyone in the group, and patiently packaged the goodies as the students and adults made their selections.

This was certainly a highlight to the New York trip and I recommend it to anyone with a serious sweet tooth and a love of doing something a little “out of the box”. Carlo’s Bake Shop is a crowd pleaser, and will certainly be putting smiles on visitors’ faces for years to come (and hopefully generations to come)!