This Takes the Cake

HOBOKEN, NJ-- Everyone has their "things."  Mine is cake. (And donuts. And all things  pastries.) This past weekend a few friends and I took a "mini" road trip north to Hoboken, New Jersey... home of Frank Sinatra and Carlos Bakery. You might know the place from the popular reality TV show, Cake Boss. And oh wow... it did not disappoint AT ALL...  Check out all this good stuff... I was in pastry heaven!

For those of you who don't watch the show... the bakery is run by an Italian-American family. The star of the show is the son, Buddy, but the rest of the family is quick to point out that, "he's not the only one who works here!"  The crew might be famous now, but they still know how to work hard. We spotted a few of the stars working behind the counter. 

Here I am with "mama." She was as friendly and spunky as could be. 

This place is known for their creative, fancy cake decorating. These cakes on display were pretty standard...

...but we did see a few deluxe ones come out as they were being put into boxes for delivery. 

This picture below was the only time of the day we saw where there wasn't a line pouring out the door. Most of the day the line ran out the door and down the sidewalk. I'd have to say it is worth the wait.

We also happened to be in town the same day as the annual Hoboken St. Patrick's Day parade. Here's a picture of New Jersey's U.S. senators marching down the parade route.

  (don't worry, I let them know how I feel about their health care bill). 

The day was well spent. Definitely a real treat! (pun intended)