A Pit Stop at Robert Is Here

When you’re road-tripping through South Florida — especially on your way to pay a visit to the crocs in the Everglades or to the quirky Conch Republic — there’s one stop you have to make. Not because it’s flashy or famous in a theme-park kind of way, but because it’s pure Florida magic. It’s a place called Robert Is Here, and yes — the name is as curious as the place itself.

How Robert Begun

Robert Is Here started in 1959, when six-year-old Robert Moehling set up a roadside table to sell cucumbers. Business was slow, so his father painted a sign: Robert Is Here. The name stuck, the stand grew, and today it’s a local institution — part fruit market, part petting zoo, part time capsule of old Florida charm.

Shakes, Crocs & Conchs

I found it on a humid December afternoon, dust-covered and sun-dazed after a morning in Everglades National Park. A friend had texted me: “Don’t miss Robert Is Here. Trust me — best milkshake of your life.” Intrigued (and parched), I detoured into Homestead.

From the road, it looked like a technicolor fruit stand in full swing — hand-painted signs, wooden crates spilling with tropical fruit, music in the air, and a line of people that said this place is no secret. And it isn’t. But it still feels like one.

Inside, I wandered through aisles of fruit I’d never seen before: guanabana, canistel, black sapote, mamey sapote, dragon fruit, jackfruit the size of toddlers. Don’t worry if you’re clueless — the staff are super friendly, offering slices to taste and tips on how (and when) to eat everything.

Milkshakes and More

But let’s talk about the real reason people come: the milkshakes. Made fresh with your choice of whatever’s ripe that day, they’re thick, cold, and bursting with actual fruit flavor. I went with mango and passionfruit — it tasted like someone blended up a Florida sunset and handed it to me in a cup.

Behind the market, I found shady picnic tables, roosters strutting around, kids feeding goats, and a giant tortoise slowly making his way to the fence. It was peaceful and weird and wonderful all at once. Live music played from a corner stage. I stayed longer than I planned.

And yes — Robert is still here. He’s often behind the counter, smiling and chatting, making sure the stand that bears his name stays true to its roots.

So if you’re cruising through South Florida — whether you’re chasing crocs in the Glades or sailing down to the Conch Republic — make sure to swing by Robert Is Here. Come for the shake. Stay for the vibe. Leave with sticky fingers, full cheeks, and a little more love for this wild, fruity corner of the world.

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