Last year on a trip to the Everglades, Jonathan mentioned that we had to stop by a place called Robert is Here Fruit Stand. He grew up in Miami and had fond memories of going to Robert is Here as a kid, but I had never heard of the iconic Homestead fruit stand. Needless to say, the girls now beg to stop by any time we are in South Florida, even if we are not near Homestead! Read on to discover why Robert is Here is a can’t-miss stop on your next South Florida trip.
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WHERE DID THE NAME ROBERT IS HERE COME FROM?
This now famous fruit stand had a rather inconspicuous beginning. In 1959, young Robert, then only six-years-old, was tasked with helping his father sell vegetables along the side of the road in Homestead, Florida. Initially, motorists zoomed by and ignored the young boy with a table full of cucumbers. Eventually, his father decided to create a sign and spray painted “Robert is Here” on old hurricane shutters. That day, Robert sold out of vegetables by noon!
Today, Robert is Here has grown from a humble table to a sprawling market and agritourism destination. It’s not just a fruit stand–it’s a full-fledged Florida experience.
WHAT TO DO AT ROBERT IS HERE
One of the most obvious things to do at Robert is Here is shop for delicious produce, but that is not all they offer! They are famous for their milkshakes and smoothies, which range from more traditional flavors like strawberry and coconut banana to milkshakes made from exotic fruits such as mamey sapote and guanabana. The drinks are so popular that Robert is Here sells thousands a day!
Apart from shopping from their wide range of fresh produce and unique goods, Robert is Here also offers a farm featuring goats, tortoises, emus, and parrots. The farm began by accident when Robert agreed to temporarily house a few prize tortoises for a friend. Today, all of the animals on the farm are rescue animals entrusted to Robert is Here by organizations such as Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and their care is overseen by a veterinarian.
Robert is Here also features a play area, picnic tables, and live music on the weekends.
WHAT TO BUY AT ROBERT IS HERE
Robert is Here carries not only a wide variety of rare and exotic fruit, but they also have an extensive selection of jams, honey, and sauces, all locally made. Here you can find unique and delicious products such as mango butter, key lime cilantro hot sauce, or gator jam. (Hadassah was horrified when she saw this jam on the shelf, until we informed her it wasn’t made from gators but was an acronym that stood for ginger, apple, tangerine, orange, raspberry.)
Although we enjoy sampling their locally made goods, our favorite things to buy here are the hard-to-find fruits. Robert is Here is a treasure trove of tropical fruits such as jackfruit, lychee, and sapodilla. On our last visit, I got to sample fresh guanabana for the first time and it was delicious! Guanabana (also known as sour sop) is often described as a cross between a pineapple and cotton candy, and I found that description pretty accurate. I definitely wish it was easier to find elsewhere in Florida!
One fruit that we always purchase on our visits to Robert is Here is mamey sapote. Mameys have a smooth, creamy texture the same consistency as avocados, and they are a beautiful coral color. They taste like a combination of pumpkins and peaches and are perfect for making milkshakes. Because they are not always easy to find, we usually buy several and freeze them since we prefer to eat them as a dessert. If you haven’t tried mameys before, we highly recommend doing so! Here is a great recipe for a healthy mamey smoothie.
Even if you aren’t in the area and would like to sample some of their produce or other goods, Robert is Here ships around the nation. You can check out what is in season on their website and have it delivered straight to your home!
Interested in learning more about the history of Robert is Here? In 2015, Cesar A. Becerra published a book called Robert is Here: Looking East for Lifetime, which chronicles the inspiring journey of Robert and his fruit stand.
If you are ever in South Florida and looking for a fun, unique activity, be sure to check out Robert is Here. It’s not just a fruit stand–it’s a true Florida treasure!
Looking for other things to do near the Everglades? Check out our South Florida page here!
Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
