The Port Authority of NY/NJ run at train system that crosses the Hudson river called PATH.

That'll take you right to Hoboken from Manhattan.

http://www.panynj.gov/path/maps.html

More specifically, take the #2 subway line two stops from 72nd and Broadway to 34th and Seventh Avenue, then walk one block east to Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). Take a Hoboken-bound PATH train from 33rd and Sixth to the Hoboken Terminal. Carlo's is a short walk from the Terminal, at 95 Washington Street. You'll need to use a MetroCard for the subway and also for the PATH train. There is no free transfer between these two independently operated systems.

The trip should take less than 45 minutes, perhaps a bit more or less, depending upon time of day and promptness of connections.

When NYC has such a plethora of fine bakeries/patisseries - not sure why everyone wants to trek out to Hoboken to Carlos - but it does seem to be big with certain TV fans.

I have a friend who lives nearby and to get to that area of Jersey will take about an hour from the
UWS.

What's the deal with Carlos Bakery? I live in Manhattan and have never even heard of it. Is it known for a special type of cake, pie, bread, etc?

There have been several requests for info about it - apparently it is featured on some food show. I asked my friend in the area and she had never heard of it - until asked by a tourist. She said it's nothing special.

There's popular a TV show called Cake Boss with Buddy Valastro from Carlos' Bakery.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/cake-boss

I'm sure this thread will now degrade into a feud between those that love the show and those that hate it - typical fodors style.

Q: Can someone give me directions to XYZ.
A: Why do you want to go to XYZ? There are more interesting things to do in ABC.

Here's the website for the bakery, including hours and directions.

http://www.carlosbakery.com/

I see it's an Italian Bakery, not Carlos but Carlo's. That makes a little more sense since I've never heard much about Spanish bakeries.

We used to get our kid's birthday cakes from Carlo's when we lived in Hoboken. Find it very amusing that it's become so popular there are lines down the street to get in. When his Dad ran the place it was good but not better than a dozen other places, but the son has done a masterful job with PR.

If you're going to go to Hoboken and want to try places that are really good, I suggest Fiore's Deli on Adams and 4th. There fresh mozzarella is incredible. Try the Roast Beef and Mozzarella sandwich dipped in the meat juices. The Italian sandwiches at Biancamano in 11th and Washington are unreal. The mozzarella, with ham and prosciutto, wow. I could have eaten that everyday when I lived two blocks away.

I lived in Hoboken back in the pioneer days of the late seventies and early eighties. I have never heard of Carlo's, although if it was in its present location then, I would have walked by it daily. Never was much on sweets, though.

Thank you all for your responses!! My kids watch the show each week which is why they want to go there.