Carlo's Bakery — Restaurant in Hoboken

I visited Carlo’s Bakery yesterday on Washington Street in Hoboken with my family, and I had to leave a special review—not just for the incredible experience overall, but especially for one of the staff members who made our visit even more memorable.

There was a younger guy probably in his 20's, kind of tall with curly hair—he seemed mixed, though I’m not sure of his background. I wish I had asked his name, because he absolutely deserves recognition. He was genuinely one of the nicest people we encountered on our trip. He took the time to happily explain what each baked item was when we had questions, and you could tell he really enjoyed helping customers. When I was cashing out, the card reader was unexpectedly set to Chinese, and we had a good laugh about it. That little shared moment just added to how warm and welcoming he made us feel.

Beyond the amazing staff, Carlo’s Bakery holds deep sentimental value for me. My Nani and I used to watch Cake Boss together all the time. She’s no longer with us, but visiting the bakery in person felt like a full-circle moment. Being able to bring my family there, take pictures, and experience everything we’d dreamed about—it meant more than I can put into words.

And the food? Absolute perfection. Every single thing we tried was a 10/10, but the cannolis… they were probably the most delicious thing I have ever eaten in my life. Truly unforgettable.

Thank you to the entire team for making the visit so special, and a heartfelt shoutout to the kind young man who helped make it even brighter. You made our day, and I hope this review finds its way...

Ordered a classic 6” Carlo’s Bakery Chocolate Fudge Cake for a loved one’s birthday. Oh my god I was so disappointed. I don’t normally complain and always keep my reviews honest, but I really can’t recommend this.

First of all, I chose expedited shipping and paid extra for this. It still arrived late and contacting customer service all I got was that it was in transit. Thanks. I should’ve just gone with getting another chocolate fudge cake locally and just dashed my dreams of trying Cake Boss cakes.

When it arrived, it was packaged well in dry ice. The instructions are very clear with how to defrost the cake and serve it. Let me tell ya it really was a block of ice. Left it at room temperature for 3 hours just like it said. Sliced into it and it was still sorta frozen so we took a first bite just to see. It was so dry and the frosting was disgustingly sweet, huge mass produced and store bought vibes. God, I was dissatisfied.

Then I was like why don’t I try warming it up and see if that’s better. It was a tiny better, but the cake layers are just dry and lacking a rich chocolate flavor. But also the frosting got semi-slimy so I ended up scraping it off to be able to actually taste the cake again. Such a let down. I have no other words. Almost all of it ended up in the trash. No one liked it and it was so embarrassing.

Please don’t buy a cake from here. Grew up watching Cake Boss and I’m sorry boss, but...

Walking into Carlo’s Bakery today felt like stepping into a mausoleum of dead dreams. This place, once a symbol of passion and family artistry, is now nothing more than an abandoned shell trading on a faded TV memory. It is a disgrace to the family name, to the kids who grew up idolizing this bakery, and to every customer who still walks in hoping to experience even a shred of the magic they once saw on screen.

The staff? Rude, detached, and actively uninterested like serving you is an inconvenience. The desserts? Bland, lazy, made with the cheapest ingredients money can buy. Nothing is labeled properly, presentation is careless, and there isn’t an ounce of pride in anything behind those glass cases. What was once craftsmanship is now factory mediocrity.

This bakery didn’t just fall from grace it completely surrendered. It now survives on nostalgia alone, scamming tourists with name recognition while offering nothing of the quality, warmth, or spirit that made it famous. Carlo’s Bakery used to inspire young bakers. Now it serves as a warning: success without care rots.

If you loved the show, do yourself a favor protect your memory. Don’t come here. The...