Parkesdale Farm Market

“Stopped by Parkesdale Farm Market in Plant City on the way out from a day trip around the Tampa area and had such a great time. It’s a pretty big farmers market, and you can immediately tell that strawberries are the star of the show here, which makes sense for Plant City. We tried the famous strawberry shortcake and a strawberry milkshake. The shortcake was good and the strawberries were incredibly fresh and flavorful, but the cake itself wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It may have just been an off day, because it’s clearly a fan favorite. Still enjoyable, just not mind-blowing for me personally. That said, the strawberry milkshake was unreal. Hands down the best strawberry milkshake I’ve ever had. Super fresh, perfectly balanced, and absolutely worth the stop on its own. I would go back just for that. Beyond the food, there’s a lot to explore. Tons of plants for sale that are priced really fairly, a small gift shop, and plenty of fun spots for photos. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and the whole place had a relaxed, fun vibe. Overall, this is a really cool stop if you’re in the area or passing through. Highly recommend checking it out, and definitely don’t leave without getting a strawberry milkshake.”

“Plant City, Florida — the Strawberry Capital of Florida. We stopped at Parkesdale Farms, famous for its strawberry shortcake and strawberry shake. The shortcake is exactly what you hope for. The cake is light and airy rather than dense, which lets the strawberries take center stage. And they do. Fresh, bright, flavorful berries piled high with generous whipped cream. Simple. Classic. Done right. The strawberry shake is thick and loaded with real strawberries, not just flavoring. You can taste the fruit in every sip. Even after a recent freeze reduced this year’s crop, they still have fresh strawberries available for sale. There’s a line outside for a reason. Inside, you learn the story behind the place. Founder Roy Parke believed in opportunity over security and risk over guarantees. His personal credo hangs on the wall, and it explains how a farm like this becomes more than just a roadside stop. It becomes a legacy. Separately, the Florida Strawberry Festival is happening this week here in Plant City. Big music lineup, including The Oak Ridge Boys performing this afternoon. Festival energy is all over town. Two different experiences. One shared theme. Strawberries. Plant City does it right.”

“I’ve been coming to Parkesdale Farm Market for about 10 years now, and it’s still one of my go-to spots—especially during strawberry season. If you know, you know… I always go straight for the #1 strawberry shortcake. They do not skimp on the whipped topping, and it’s always fresh and loaded. It’s one of those places I make a point to bring friends and family when they’re visiting. Beyond the shortcake, they have a great selection of fresh produce, plus plants and herbs that I’ve picked up for my garden over the years. Everything is well-organized, and the market stays clean even when it’s busy. A couple tips: • Be ready with your order and payment when you get to the window—it keeps the line moving • The lines can get long during peak season, but they usually move pretty fast • If you want to avoid the rush, go at off-times during the week Overall, it’s a staple spot for me and definitely worth the visit if you’re anywhere near Plant City.”

“Review written January 25, 2026. Parkesdale has the best strawberry shortcake and strawberry milkshake in the United States. I have been coming here for years. The experience is always memorable. There can be a line at times, however, it is worth the wait. I love the fact that they now serve the milkshake with a straw fat enough to allow the large strawberry chunks to easily slide through. It is always a treat to go to Parkesdale this time of year. They always have the sweetest berries. They also offer strawberry jellies, jams and strawberry cookies. Not to mention they are a full vegetable market and sell plants and novelties. It is always exciting in plant city this time of year. The strawberry festival is right around the corner. When you go, make sure you take your picture on the strawberry throne. It is a great place for family time and a place to make fond memories.”

“A visit to Parkesdale Farm market is a MUST if you are in or near Plant City Florida! We are very accustomed to great tasting local strawberries, but not during the winter months. So, a January stop at this gem of a farm market was PERFECT in every way!! Oh my … the flavors that you’ll find here are simply AMAZING! We went for the strawberry shortcake and a strawberry milkshake, and enjoyed EVERY sip & bite! We enjoyed shopping for some quality produce and even bought some cute retail items. Customer service, atmosphere & quality products - 5 stars all the way!”

“Stopped on the spur of the moment as we traveled back south and so glad we did. Even if they are self proclaimed "world famous", they fall into that category in my book. The large portion of shortcake with flavorful strawberries, and a mound of whipped topping will satisfy any appetite. Pull over and take the dive into this tasty treat. **Next visit I will be trying the milkshake.**”

“Went with family recently and had a wonderful time. The strawberry shortcake and shakes were delicious and favorably priced. I expected the prices to be high d/t popularity of the farm. They had lots of beautiful plants and some souvenirs at reasonable prices, and some of the most beautiful produce I have seen in years -especially cabbage. Had I been heading home I would definitely have purchased enough to preserve. Was a nice trip with my mom and cousin.”

“Their strawberry shortcake’s cake was a little on the dry side, but still tasty with ice cream. The strawberries they have taste fresh and are affordable. I like the variety of plants they have too, I picked up a strawberry plant for my garden.”