Florida is weird. It’s a state where you can find a world-class opera house twenty minutes away from an alligator wrestling pit. But if you head south toward the Everglades, specifically to Homestead, you’ll find something that shouldn't work on paper but has become an international icon. It’s a fruit stand.
Robert Is Here isn't just a place to grab a bag of oranges. Honestly, it’s more like a tropical fever dream where you can pet an emu, eat a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding, and watch a man in his 70s calculate your change on a paper bag.
The Day Nobody Saw Robert
The story is basically local folklore at this point. Back in 1959, Robert Moehling was just a six-year-old kid. His dad was a farmer who had a massive surplus of cucumbers he couldn't sell. He stuck Robert on the corner of a rural intersection with a coffee table and a pile of veggies.
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The kid sat there all day. Not one person stopped. Not a single cucumber was sold.
His dad figured people simply didn't see the small boy sitting there. So, the next morning, he took two hurricane shutters and spray-painted three words in big, red letters: Robert Is Here. He put them on the side of the road. By noon, Robert was sold out. That sign didn't just sell cucumbers; it birthed a landmark.
What People Actually Get Wrong About the Fruit
Most tourists walk in expecting a grocery store. They’re usually looking for Florida oranges or maybe some local honey. You'll find those, sure, but that’s not why the "Disney World of Fruit Stands" is famous.
You’ve gotta look for the weird stuff.
Have you ever heard of a Monstera Deliciosa? It looks like a giant green ear of corn or a scaly lizard tail. It’s actually the fruit of a common houseplant. You have to wait for the scales to fall off on their own—if you eat it too early, the calcium oxalate crystals will make your throat feel like you swallowed needles. But when it's ripe? It tastes like a mix of pineapple and banana.
Then there’s the Black Sapote. People call it the "Chocolate Pudding Fruit." The skin is green, but the inside is dark, gooey, and tastes remarkably like cocoa. It’s bizarre. It’s also exactly why this place stays packed.
The Milkshake Ritual
Let’s be real. Half the people in line aren't there for the produce. They’re there for the milkshakes.
These aren't your standard McDonald's shakes. They use fresh fruit—never frozen syrups—and the menu is a wall of choices that can be overwhelming. The Key Lime milkshake is the heavy hitter. It’s tart enough to make your eyes water but sweet enough to keep you sipping.
If you want to sound like a local, try the Mamey or Guanabana (Soursop). Mamey tastes like a sweet potato mixed with pumpkin and almond. Guanabana is like a creamy strawberry-pineapple hybrid.
On a Saturday in January, the line for these shakes can wrap around the building. It moves fast, but be prepared to wait. It’s worth it.
More Than Just a Counter
Robert Is Here has evolved into a massive compound. Behind the main barn, there’s an animal farm. You’ll see goats, chickens, parrots, and some very large tortoises.
The goats are notorious. They’ve been known to stand on top of things they shouldn't—sometimes even on the backs of the tortoises. It’s chaos in the best way possible. There’s also a play area for kids and live music on the weekends.
Surviving the Storms
It hasn't all been tropical fruit and sunshine. Robert has seen some dark days. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew leveled the stand. Most of the groves were destroyed. In that same month, Robert’s mother, Mary, was tragically murdered in her home.
The family almost left. Robert considered moving to Oregon to start over. But the community wouldn't let him. People showed up to help him rebuild, and the "Robert Is Here" sign went back up.
Today, it’s a full family operation. Robert’s kids—Brandon, Victoria, Robert, and Savannah—all work there. Even the grandkids are involved. It’s one of the few places left in South Florida that feels genuinely tethered to the land.
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Making the Most of Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip, don't just wing it. Homestead is a hike if you're coming from Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
- Timing: Get there early. They open at 9 AM, and by 11 AM on a weekend, the parking lot is a madhouse.
- The "Honesty" Factor: Robert still likes to total things up by hand or on a paper bag. It’s charming, but it means you should pay attention to your bill if you're buying a lot of exotic items.
- The Price Tag: Honestly, it’s not cheap. You might pay $15 for a single rare fruit. You’re paying for the experience and the fact that they grow much of this on their own 40-50 acres nearby.
- The Book: If you want the deep history, buy Robert's book, Looking East for a Lifetime. He wrote it with historian Cesar Becerra, and it’s full of details about the early days of Homestead.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
Stop by on your way to Everglades National Park. The stand is located at 19200 SW 344th St, which is basically the last stop before you hit the main park entrance.
Grab a Cuban Sandwich from the food truck if they’re running it, get your milkshake (ask for honey instead of sugar for an extra buck), and take it to the back to watch the goats.
If you see an older man with a friendly smile wearing a "Robert" name tag, say hello. He actually is there most days. He’ll probably offer to slice open a piece of fruit you’ve never seen before and explain exactly how to eat it.
Don't leave without a jar of the Guava Butter. It’s his mother’s recipe, and it’s better than any jam you’ve ever had.
Once you've finished your shake, head five minutes down the road to the Everglades Alligator Farm or drive into the park for the Anhinga Trail. You’ve officially done the real South Florida.