Unearth The Voyage
There is a farm market in central Florida where the line out front tells you everything you need to know before you even walk through the door. People show up from two hours away, some on quick detours off the highway, others making it the entire point of their weekend trip.
The draw is a strawberry shortcake that has built a reputation strong enough to outlast food trends, social media hype cycles, and every passing season. Fresh berries, fluffy whipped cream, and a biscuit-style cake served up in generous portions have made this little roadside stop one of the most talked-about food destinations in the Sunshine State.
By the time you finish reading, you will want to clear your Saturday schedule and point your GPS straight toward Plant City.
A Roadside Legend With a Proper Address
Right at 3702 W Baker St, Plant City, FL 33563, Parkesdale Farm Market sits in the heart of Hillsborough County, a region that has been growing strawberries commercially since the early 1900s.
Plant City earned the nickname “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World,” and this market leans fully into that identity. The building itself is unpretentious and welcoming, with produce spilling out front and hand-painted signs pointing you toward the good stuff inside.
The market is open seven days a week from 9 AM to 6 PM, making it easy to fit into almost any travel itinerary. You can reach them at 813-752-0502 or browse ahead of time at parkesdale.com.
Whether you are a local or passing through on a road trip, the address is worth saving in your phone right now.
The Strawberry Shortcake Everyone Talks About
The shortcake is the reason strangers strike up conversations in the parking lot. Fresh Florida strawberries, piled high over a biscuit-style cake base and finished with a cloud of whipped cream, it is the kind of treat that photographs well and tastes even better in person.
The portions are genuinely large, and many visitors find that one order is more than enough to share between two people. The strawberries used are sourced locally, and during peak season from January through March, they carry that deep, sweet flavor that store-bought berries rarely match.
A few visitors note that the cake itself can lean dry depending on the day, but the fresh berries and cream balance things out in a satisfying way. Most people agree that the combination as a whole is what earns the shortcake its legendary status in Plant City.
Strawberry Season and When to Visit
Florida strawberry season typically runs from late November through early April, with January and February being the sweetest months for local berries. Parkesdale serves its famous shortcake and shakes from January through March, according to signage at the market, so timing your visit within that window gives you the full experience.
Plant City’s mild winters create ideal growing conditions, and the berries harvested during peak season have a natural sweetness that warmer months simply cannot replicate. Visiting during this time means the produce section is stocked to the brim with the freshest fruit available anywhere in the region.
Outside of strawberry season, the market still operates and carries a rotating selection of vegetables, citrus, and other local goods. But if the shortcake and shake are your main motivation, planning a January or February visit will put you right in the middle of the best of what Parkesdale has to offer.
Fresh Produce Beyond the Berries
Strawberries get top billing, but Parkesdale is a full-service farm market with an impressive range of produce that goes well beyond the berry bins. Seasonal vegetables, locally grown citrus, and a rotating selection of fresh fruits fill the shelves and outdoor displays throughout the year.
The pricing at the market tends to be competitive with, and often better than, what you would find at a standard grocery store. Shoppers who come for the shortcake often leave with bags full of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and whatever else looks good that day.
There is something satisfying about buying produce directly from a market that is embedded in the farming community it serves. Plant City is surrounded by working farms, and that connection to the land shows up in the quality and freshness of what ends up on the display tables at Parkesdale every single morning.
Jams, Jellies, and Pantry Finds
One section of Parkesdale feels like a well-curated pantry from a time when people made everything from scratch. Shelves are lined with strawberry jellies, strawberry jams, fruit preserves, hot sauces, salad dressings, and an assortment of locally made condiments that make excellent souvenirs or kitchen additions.
The strawberry cookies are a particular hit with shoppers who want to take a little bit of the market’s flavor home with them. These are the kinds of items you do not find in a chain grocery store, and the handcrafted packaging adds to the charm.
Browsing this section is genuinely enjoyable even if you are not planning to buy anything. The variety is surprising, and the prices are reasonable enough that most visitors end up tossing a jar or two into their basket before heading to the checkout.
It is the kind of impulsive purchase you never regret once you get home.
Plants, Garden Decor, and Outdoor Shopping
Beyond the food, Parkesdale offers a surprisingly well-stocked selection of plants for sale, priced fairly enough that gardeners tend to linger longer than they planned. Tropical plants, flowering varieties, and herbs are typically available, making the outdoor section feel more like a nursery than a typical farm stand add-on.
Garden decor items, novelty signs, and decorative pieces are also scattered throughout the property, giving the market a lively, layered quality that rewards slow exploration. Families with kids tend to enjoy wandering this section, since there is always something colorful or quirky to look at.
The lush, green surroundings of the property add to the relaxed feeling of the place. A covered picnic area sits nearby, giving shoppers a shaded spot to rest, eat their shortcake, and take in the cheerful atmosphere before heading back out to browse more of what the market has to offer.
The Strawberry Throne Photo Opportunity
There is a strawberry throne on the property, and yes, you are absolutely supposed to sit on it. This oversized, fruit-themed seat has become a beloved photo spot for visitors of all ages, and it shows up regularly in social media posts from people who have made the trip to Plant City.
It is the kind of quirky, good-natured attraction that fits perfectly with the market’s personality. Parkesdale does not take itself too seriously, and the throne is a playful reminder that this place is as much about the experience as it is about the food.
Families with young children especially love the photo opportunity, and it gives everyone a fun keepsake from the visit. If you are the type to skip the photo stop, at least pause to appreciate the craftsmanship.
Someone put genuine effort into building a throne out of strawberry imagery, and that deserves a moment of acknowledgment.
The Relaxed Atmosphere and Picnic Area
After picking up your order, the covered picnic area at Parkesdale gives you a genuinely pleasant place to sit down and enjoy it. The space is shaded, surrounded by greenery, and has a laid-back energy that makes it easy to slow down and actually savor the experience rather than eating on the run.
The atmosphere across the whole property feels relaxed and family-friendly without being overly curated or commercial. There is a warmth to the place that comes from years of welcoming the same families back season after season, and that sense of continuity shows up in small details all around the market.
Tables fill up on busy days, so arriving a little earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon gives you a better chance at a comfortable spot. The setting is simple and unpretentious, which somehow makes the strawberry shortcake taste even better than it would anywhere else.
The Connection to the Florida Strawberry Festival
Plant City hosts the Florida Strawberry Festival every year, typically in late February and early March, and Parkesdale Farm Market sits right in the middle of the community that makes that event possible. The festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area annually, and many of them make a stop at the market either before or after attending the fairgrounds.
The timing of Parkesdale’s shortcake and shake season aligns almost perfectly with the festival calendar, which means that late February visits tend to catch both the event excitement and the peak of local strawberry quality at the same time.
For anyone planning a trip to the festival, adding Parkesdale to the itinerary is a natural extension of the experience. The two represent different sides of the same local pride, and together they give visitors a fuller picture of what makes Plant City such a distinctive destination in central Florida.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
A few practical notes can make your Parkesdale visit go more smoothly. Parking in the front lot fills up quickly on weekends, but there is additional parking available at the back of the property, so do not give up if the front looks full.
Arriving before 11 AM tends to mean shorter lines and a calmer shopping experience overall.
The shortcake and shake are both large, so sharing is a legitimate strategy if you want to try both without overloading. The market also offers options for those watching their sugar intake, with a few lower-sugar treat variations available on the menu.
Bringing a small cooler in your car is a smart move if you plan to buy fresh produce or jams to take home. The drive back can be long depending on where you are coming from, and keeping your market haul fresh is worth the small amount of extra preparation before you head out.
