If you grew up in Hoboken, the odds are you know that there's only one place to get Italian pastries and massive celebration cakes. By now, most people know Carlo's Bakery in New Jersey - and more and more people are becoming aware of it thanks to its expansion into places like New York City, Las Vegas, and beyond. It's all thanks to one man - Buddy Valastro. The celebrity baker didn't found the bakery - it's been around long before him - but he's the man who transformed it into a fast-growing empire. It's largely thanks to his popular reality TV series "Cake Boss" and various spinoffs, which showcase his larger-than-life personality and unique and colorful baking creations. However, if you talk to the regulars lined up at the original Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, they'll say the selling point is still the delicious baked goods!
Carlo's Bakery has been holding court in Hoboken since 1910, when it was founded by an Italian pastry chef named Carlo Guastaferro. However, in 1964 it was sold to Bartolo Valastro Sr., who would eventually pass it on to his son...
The famous Buddy Valastro, the bad-boy baker best known for starring on the cooking show Cake Boss. He's kept it going strong, and turned it into a growing bakery empire.
No surprise, cakes are still the bread and butter of the business, and you'll see a huge selection when you enter the bakery.
Valastro is known for his elaborate custom creations, but many of the premade cakes are ornate enough to make for a perfect celebration.
There are also a lot of hand-held treats available, including cookies and donuts, if you just want a small taste of Carlo's.
The specialties include traditional Italian pastries, many made from century-old recipes.
Valastro has updated the bakery a lot, but has also kept many things traditional. His passion for family shines through, with many personal pictures lining the walls of the bakery.
Between the celebrity inspiration, the great baked goods, and the TV show set there, it's no surprise that the bakery is still packed all the time with locals and tourists!
Have you visited Carlo's Bakery in New Jersey or at some of its other locations? Tell us about your favorite treats in the comments section, and let us know if you've watched Buddy Valastro on TV! You can visit the official website and Facebook page of Carlo's Bakery for more information on this popular New Jersey original. New Jersey's celebrity roots run deep, so why not visit Jack Nicholson's old stomping grounds?
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!