Some of the best food stops in Florida look like nothing special from the road, just a sign, a parking lot, and a line of people who clearly know something you don’t. You pull over out of curiosity, maybe a little hungry, and suddenly you’re holding a treat so good you start planning your next visit before you finish.
That feeling is what this little farm stand is all about. It’s simple, sweet, and way more memorable than you’d ever guess from the highway.
A Farm Stand on West Baker Street
Right off West Baker Street in Plant City sits Parkesdale Farm Market, a sprawling farmers market that has become a rite of passage for anyone traveling through Hillsborough County. The address is 3702 W Baker St, and you will probably spot the crowd before you spot the sign.
Here is a quick heads-up for anyone drawn in by the title. The thing you crack open at this stand is not a shell but a giant cup of strawberry shortcake, piled so high it practically needs its own zip code.
Strawberries are the headline act, with citrus, vegetables, plants, and sweet treats filling out the rest of the show.
Visitors describe it as a pretty big market, much larger than the roadside stand label suggests. You can wander through produce, browse a garden section, poke around a small gift shop, and then settle in with a milkshake outside.
It works as a quick pit stop on a drive between Tampa and Orlando, but plenty of folks turn it into a whole afternoon. Many make it an annual tradition, coming back every winter when the berries are at their best.
Once you see the setup, it’s easy to understand why a casual stop so often becomes a habit.
Roy Parke and a Credo Worth Reading
Opportunity over security. Risk over guarantees.
Those ideas belonged to founder Roy Parke, and his personal credo still hangs on the wall inside the market for anyone who takes a minute to look.
Plenty of shoppers rush past it on their way to the shortcake window, which is understandable. Still, visitors who stop and read it say it explains a lot about how a family-owned farm stand grows into something bigger than a quick roadside stop.
It turns the whole place into a kind of legacy you can taste.
That family-owned feel comes through in small ways. Regulars mention friendly staff, a tidy layout, and a market that stays clean even when the crowds roll in during peak season.
Some customers have been coming for a decade or more. One longtime fan says they make it their favorite stop every single year, even after moving away three decades ago.
That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident, and the credo on the wall might be the best clue to why. A farm built on taking chances ended up creating one of the most dependable treats in the region.
Life in the Winter Strawberry Capital
Plant City carries a proud nickname: the Winter Strawberry Capital, and locals take it seriously. The berries grown here ripen when most of the country is shoveling snow, which is exactly why this market feels so special in January.
One visitor put it nicely, saying they’re used to great local strawberries back home, just never during winter. A January stop here gave them that summer flavor in the middle of the cold season, and they couldn’t stop raving about it.
Timing also lines up with the Florida Strawberry Festival, a big annual event held in Plant City. During festival week, the whole town buzzes with music, visitors, and berry-themed everything, and the market gets swept up in that energy.
Weather plays its part too. Visitors noted that even after a recent freeze cut into one season’s crop, the market still had fresh strawberries for sale.
That says a lot about how deeply the farm is woven into the area’s growing rhythm.
For Florida residents, this is the kind of in-state tradition worth bragging about to out-of-town relatives. It’s Old Florida agriculture you can actually walk up to, order from, and eat on a picnic table.
The Famous Number One Shortcake
Bring a friend, or maybe two. Visitors joke that you’ll need help finishing the strawberry shortcake here, and they aren’t exaggerating much.
Fans go straight for the number one shortcake, a generous portion loaded with flavorful fresh berries and a towering mound of whipped topping. Regulars say the staff never skimps on the whipped cream, and many like adding a scoop of ice cream on top.
One traveler described the cake as light and airy rather than dense, which lets the strawberries take center stage. Simple, classic, and done right was their verdict.
Opinions on the cake itself do vary, and it’s only fair to mention that. A few visitors found it a bit dry or not quite what they expected, and one shopper was told the recipe is a cross between shortcake and a northern-style biscuit.
Even those folks tended to praise the berries for being incredibly fresh.
With well over a thousand mentions from guests, the shortcake is clearly the star. Some call it self-proclaimed world famous and agree it earns the title.
If you only order one thing on your first visit, this is the cup most people reach for.
Why Your Calendar Matters for Shortcake
Picture driving an hour out of your way for shortcake, waiting in line, and hearing it’s not in season. That exact thing happened to one traveler, and it’s the single most useful tip in this whole article.
The strawberry shortcake is a seasonal item, roughly running from January through April. Outside that window, the famous cup may not be on the menu at all.
The good news? The market doesn’t shut down when shortcake does.
Milkshakes, ice cream, produce, and plants are still available, and that same frustrated visitor still called the strawberry shake really good.
If shortcake is your main mission, plan for winter or early spring. That also happens to be prime Florida weather, when snowbirds are in town and a picnic table in the sunshine feels just right.
Calling ahead is a smart move before any long drive. The market phone number is 813-752-0502, and the website at parkesdale.com is another place to check before you go.
A quick call can save you a disappointing detour and help you decide whether to show up for shortcake or for shakes instead.
A Milkshake With Real Strawberry Chunks
Hands down the best strawberry milkshake they’ve ever had. That’s how one day-tripper from the Tampa area summed it up, adding they’d come back for the shake alone.
This isn’t a pink, syrupy drink. Visitors describe it as thick, perfectly balanced, and packed with real strawberries rather than flavoring, so you taste fruit in every sip.
Here’s a fun detail regulars love. The market now serves the shake with an extra-wide straw, fat enough for big strawberry chunks to slide right through without a fight.
The milkshake shows up in hundreds of guest mentions, second only to the shortcake. Some people even prefer it, especially those who found the cake hit or miss.
It’s also your best bet outside shortcake season. Even a visitor who left unhappy about other things admitted the shake was really good, which tells you something about how consistent it is.
Grab one for the road if you’re passing through on a long Florida drive. Or sip it slowly at an outdoor table, watching the line of hopeful shortcake fans grow.
Either way, it’s an easy, affordable treat that tends to turn first-timers into repeat visitors.
Ice Cream Boats, Cookies, and Other Sweet Detours
Not a shortcake person? No problem at all.
The dessert lineup stretches well beyond the headliners.
Guests mention strawberry ice cream boats, strawberry cookies, and parfaits among the local treats. One recent visitor got especially excited about Dole Whip, which is a nice tropical twist for a hot Florida afternoon.
Honesty time: not every sweet wins universal praise. One guest felt the strawberry ice cream on its own tasted much like what you’d find anywhere, while others called the ice cream boats amazing.
Strawberry cookies make a handy option for anyone who wants something portable. Toss a few in the car and you’ve got a snack for the drive home, no spoon required.
Families tend to appreciate the variety. Kids can pick their own treat while grown-ups split a shortcake, and nobody has to argue over one menu item.
Visitors also say the prices on shortcakes and shakes felt favorable, even surprising, given how popular the farm is. One shopper expected tourist-trap pricing and found the opposite.
For budget-minded Florida families, that makes trying a couple of different desserts a lot easier to justify.
Produce Bins Full of Florida Flavor
Beautiful cabbage. That might sound like an odd thing to get excited about, yet one shopper said it was some of the most beautiful produce they’d seen in years.
Beyond the treats, this is a full vegetable market. Citrus, fresh vegetables, and of course strawberries fill the bins, and guests praise both quality and prices.
Strawberries can be bought by the half flat, which is perfect for jam makers or anyone feeding a crowd. One customer called their half flat sweet and juicy and said it was worth waiting in line for.
Then there are the strawberry onions, a local favorite with a fun name. A customer who ordered them raved about how large and fresh they were, frying some and piling the rest on sandwiches.
Online ordering is an option too. That same onion fan said delivery was surprisingly fast and planned to order again the following year, and another longtime fan mentioned good experiences ordering online.
A small but nice selection of cheese rounds things out. Bring a cooler if you’re far from home, since a few visitors wished they’d had room to stock up on extra produce for preserving.
Garden Plants and Herbs to Carry Home
Ever wanted to grow your own Plant City strawberries? You can actually pick up a strawberry plant here and give it a shot in your backyard.
The garden area surprises a lot of first-timers. Visitors mention tons of plants for sale, from flowering varieties to herbs, plus gardening decor scattered through a lush green picnic area.
Prices get repeated praise. One day-tripper said the plants were priced really fairly, and another family called them beautiful and reasonably priced.
Some regulars have built a whole tradition around it. A longtime fan says that for the last few years, they pick out a new plant to bring home on each visit, like a living souvenir.
Another regular mentioned collecting plants and herbs for their garden over many years of trips. It’s a sweet way to carry a little piece of the farm back to your own patio.
For Florida gardeners, it’s a great chance to grab plants suited to the local climate without paying big-box markups. Just leave some trunk space, because it’s easy to walk in for a milkshake and leave with a car full of greenery.
Jams, Souvenirs, and the Strawberry Throne
Sitting on a giant strawberry throne might not be on your bucket list yet. After a visit here, it probably should be.
The strawberry throne is a beloved photo spot, and regulars insist you take your picture on it. Guests say there are plenty of fun spots for photos throughout the property, so bring a charged phone.
Inside, a small gift shop offers souvenirs and novelties at prices visitors call reasonable. One family said they even picked up some cute retail items alongside their produce.
Shelves of strawberry jellies, jams, and canned goods make easy gifts for neighbors or relatives up north. They pack well, travel easily, and taste like a Florida winter in a jar.
One visitor described the experience as nostalgic, with memorabilia and country-style touches that brought them back to simpler days. That Old Florida feeling is a big part of the charm.
If you’re hosting visiting family, this corner of the market does a lot of heavy lifting. A silly throne photo, a jar of jam, and a shortcake make for a memorable outing that won’t empty your wallet.
Picnic Tables, Corndogs, and an Easygoing Vibe
Relaxed and fun. That’s the vibe guests describe again and again, and it fits the place perfectly.
There’s plenty of outside seating, so you can enjoy your treats without rushing back to the car. The ever-green picnic area makes a pleasant spot to linger, especially during those mild winter months.
A recent bonus caught one regular’s eye: Smitty’s Buttermilk Homemade Corndogs truck now parks here. Something savory before your shortcake?
Sounds like a balanced meal to us.
So who will love it most? Families top the list, with many calling it a great place for family time and making fond memories.
Visitors have brought moms, cousins, and kids along for the ride.
Couples enjoy it too, with one guest recommending it for a day date. Road trippers love it as a spur-of-the-moment stop, and retirees and snowbirds appreciate the friendly pace and fair prices.
Clean restrooms and friendly staff get frequent mentions, though one visitor did hit a day when restrooms were out of order. Overall, though, it’s a comfortable, welcoming stop where nobody seems in a hurry to leave.
Beating the Line at the Window
Yes, there’s often a line. As one fan put it, there’s a line outside for a reason.
During peak strawberry season, waits can stretch out, but regulars say they usually move pretty fast. Most agree the payoff is worth the wait.
A ten-year regular shared a few smart tips. Have your order and payment ready when you reach the window, since it keeps things moving for everyone behind you.
Want to skip the crowds? Go during off-times on weekdays.
Since the market opens Wednesday through Sunday, a Wednesday or Thursday visit is likely your best shot at a calmer experience.
Festival week is a different story. When the Florida Strawberry Festival takes over Plant City, expect the whole town to be lively and busy.
Know your order before you get up there. Shortcake with or without ice cream, a milkshake, or both?
Deciding ahead saves you from that awkward moment of staring at the menu while the crowd waits. Patience and a little planning go a long way here, and a sweet reward is waiting at the end.
Hours, Parking, and Getting There
Mondays and Tuesdays are off-limits, so plan around them. The market is closed both days.
From Wednesday through Sunday, hours run 9 AM to 6 PM. That gives you a comfortable window for a morning stop or a late-afternoon snack on the drive home.
Find it at 3702 W Baker St, Plant City, FL 33563. It’s an easy detour for travelers moving through the Tampa Bay area, which is why so many people stop on the way back from day trips.
Parking might look tight at first glance, but don’t panic. A regular explained that if you pull in and follow the drive around the building, you’ll find a lot more parking in back, and others describe it as ample.
Questions about seasonal items are best answered by calling 813-752-0502. The website, parkesdale.com, is another handy resource, and online ordering is available for certain items.
On prices, visitors consistently call the treats and produce affordable and favorably priced. Exact costs aren’t listed here, but expect a budget-friendly outing compared to most tourist attractions.
That makes it a solid choice for retirees, families, and anyone watching their spending.
Our Take on This Strawberry Landmark
Some places live up to their reputation, and this one mostly does, with a cherry, or rather a strawberry, on top. Parkesdale Farm Market is the kind of Old Florida stop that sticks with you long after the drive home.
Is everything perfect? Not quite.
The shortcake cake gets mixed opinions, the famous cup is seasonal, and busy days bring lines.
Still, the strengths are hard to ignore. The milkshake earns near-universal love, the berries are fresh and sweet, and the produce and plants come at prices that feel fair.
Add the strawberry throne, a cozy picnic area, a family-owned spirit, and a founder’s credo on the wall, and you get more than a snack stop. You get a little slice of Plant City tradition.
Our advice is simple. Go between January and April if shortcake is your goal, aim for a weekday, and order the milkshake no matter what season it is.
Bring a cooler for produce and leave room for a plant or two. Odds are good you’ll be back next winter, just like the many regulars who have turned one quick stop into a yearly ritual.
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