parkesdale farm market

We came here specifically for the shortcake. At 4.25 for a shortcake with tax included and icecream we felt we got an awesome deal. The strawberry milkshake for 2.25 was also delicious.

OMG, if you are on a diet do not come here during strawberry season because a strawberry short cake will defitinately kill your diet. I do not think any one could eat two at a sitting because they are so large and have so many berry......

We visited while on a day-trip to the annual Strawberry Festival just down the road. The festival was nice, but the stop at Parkesdale was by far the highlight of the day. Try the shortcake and the strawberry milkshake; both are fantastic. I understand the shortcake is served only Jan - April; the shakes year-round. And what a deal - I got both for only $6 (my wife and I shared). Also, check out their market for all kinds of produce and other stuff at reasonable prices. We bought several strawberry jellies and preserves for souvenirs.I understand there is usually quite a wait line but reportedly they can serve 1000 people an hour. Luckily, coming during the Strawberry Festival, the wait was only a few minutes. All those folks at the festival may have missed the best thing here.

The real reason to come here is the interesting array of fresh produce and live plants offered by this market on the west side of Plant City. You can pick from an assortment of fruits and vegetables, or processed products such as jellies and preserves (including no sugar added). You can find some fairly exotic plants at excellent prices. These things make the trip to Parksdale worthwhile. But that's not what brings people in. It's the fresh strawberry shortcake. You can choose it with or without cake, with or without sweetened berries, or with dairy or non-dairy topping. Only one of our party of four got the sweetened berries with cake. He indicated the short cake was "all right." To me it looked just like spongy, angel-food cake, and so I passed it by. I got the unsweetened berries with a non-dairy topping -- which was ok.Presentation leaves a little to be desired. After you stand in a line that snakes around out the door and along side the building, you arrive at a counter where three women prepare your order. One woman picks up the appropriate bowl (with our without cake), and glops on the sweetened or unsweetened berries. The next woman has two pressurized hoses, and sprays on your choice of whipped cream or non-dairy topping. The third woman takes your money. The ambiance is army mess hall.In fairness, the berries aren't bad, but I didn't think they were worthy of the wait. I could have gone to another cash register (with no line), bought a flat of fresh berries, taken them home, and emptied a can of Cool-Whip on them -- which wouldn't have been a bad way to enjoy them. But, we also picked up a couple of plants and two jars of preserves, so all in all, the time was well spent.

Lynn and I took another couple on an outing to Parkesdale Farms for their famous Strawberry Shortcake. Lynn and I both had Strawberries, Ice Cream and Whipped Cream. It was delicious. The berries were huge as were the portions. We easily could have split one order. A bargain at $3.75 each. There is plenty of outdoor seating. This place really does a business during Strawberry season and near Plant City's Strawberry Festival. We decided to go after the Festival to avoid the incredible crowds. Parkesdale Farm was still very busy, but the lines moved fast and we didn't have any trouble finding a table. Eat a light lunch, then pig out on berries at Parkesdale Farm.

We visit Tampa every winter. One of the places we always go is the Parkesdale Farm Market for strawberry shortcake. It is delicious. Ask for less whipped cream to enjoy the berries a little more. This year we also tried a strawberry shake. It was delicious too. Yes, the line is long, but the service is very efficient. Even on a cold day, their space is sheltered to make it nice and cozy for your treat. We always buy some fresh vegetables to take home too - fresh green beans on this trip. When you are from the North, the farm market is a real treat in the wintertime!

We are so glad we live at least an hour and a half away.... or else we would be sooo fat. Politically correct, maybe not, but it's true. Ok maybe we come back a few times over the winter, don't tell any body. Seriously, the line is long, moves fast, lots of seating, nice people and it is so efficient. Go!!!

We were told about Parksdale while shopping in a Consignment shop located in downtown Plant City. They told us about the market. We drove about 1 miles on US92 and saw the crowd and knew we were at Parksdale's. It was worth the wait and time we spent enjoying the greatest strawberry shortcake ever. They offer a garden type tent in which to enjoy your food and take photos of the throne!! Check it out!!

Stopped here on the way home from Orlando. Amazing. A HUGE portion of ultra-fresh, plump Florida berries, with shortcake and whipped cream for $3. My friend had what she thought was one of the best Strawberry shakes she had ever had. But wait, these more...Attached to the Berry Stand is a complete Farmers Market, with fresh Florida produce (at unbelievable low prices) , a wide selection of jams, jellies and preserves and ven live plants and flowers for sale.Worth going out of your way.

You won't find a better strawberry shortcake anywhere! We've bought fruits, veggies, plants and have never been disappointed with anything. Very busy place, but the wait is never very long at all.

We never miss Parkesdale when we come to Florida. We always order a number 1 and enjoy them in the fantastic Garden of Eatin. Just great atmosphere and good food. Don't miss it!

Super busy, super fast! Great staff keep things moving! Fantastic Strawberry Shortcake, just wish I had room for a shake as well!

We have been wintering in nearby Wesley Chapel and were taken here by our friends for a treat. Being only a few days before the annual Strawberry Festival the line for strawberry shortcake was long but moved fast. Before arriving we were impressed by acre after acre of strawberry fields entering Plant City. While waiting for our treats we watched this farmer's market wash and package citrus fruit. $3.75 for a huge bowl of sliced strawberries over shortcake and topped with whipped cream. You may also opt for the addition of soft icecream. After eating your treat you can take a posed picture as the strawberry King and Queen. Don't miss buying fresh produce and preserves on the way out. Wonderful weekend outing in late February!

Unique rustic place! It's a farmers market with BIG PLUS! In my opinion, management knows what to sell and how to keep customers happy. They have everything from strawberries and tomatoes to exotic plants, and of coarse strawberry milkshake, my favorite! Loyal customer since 2001.LoV that place!

We have been wintering in nearby Lakeland for the past 5 years and today was our first time visiting this landmark establishment. We came with some friends from Ontario planning on avoiding any crowds by choosing a week day to come. Well we were wrong. Today is Tuesday at around 1:30 pm and there is hardly a place to park and the line of people snakes around like those in Disney World. To tell the truth however the line moved nicely and before we knew it we were standing before the counter to make our decisions on what calorie loaded strawberry concoction we would pick. I got the traditional strawberry shortcake with ice cream. Well I wish I had a picture because you probably would not believe the size of my bowl piled high with cake, big juicy slices of strawberries, swirls of vanilla ice cream and a big mound of whipped cream. OH MY GOODNESS. CAN IT EAT ALL OF THIS? Yes I did. They should sell bumper stickers declaring that one has survived Parksdale. No wonder there are line ups. GO!!