Robert is Here — Review by emmymade
Homestead, United States — Fresh Fruits and Farm Stand
Emmy visited Robert is Here, a charming fruit stand and farm in Homestead, Florida, where she tasted exotic tropical fruits including jaboticaba, Asian guava, pineapple, and custard apple. The stand offers excellent service with staff cutting fruits and providing salt for dipping, all set on a beautiful property with various animals. She highly recommends the establishment for families and anyone interested in experiencing fresh, quality exotic fruits.
What was great: Beautiful farm setting with animals, fresh exotic fruits cut to order, helpful staff service including salt for dipping, perfectly ripe pineapple, creamy custard apple, unique jaboticaba fruit experience, emu eggs available
What could improve: Asian guava texture was like raw zucchini and more fragrant than flavorful, jaboticaba seeds were woody and tart, seeds in some fruits were tough or crunchy
The Dishes
Emmy sampled an impressive variety of exotic fruits at Robert is Here. The jaboticaba, a Brazilian national fruit that grows in clusters like grapes, had a slimy, squelchy texture with tart seeds and a light, grape-like flavor that proved fun to eat despite being unconventional. The Asian guava, also called strawberry guava, had an unexpected zucchini-like texture that was more fragrant than flavorful, though adding salt significantly improved the taste. The pineapple, cut with a beautiful swirl pattern, was perfectly ripe, succulent, and juicy, tasting dramatically better than canned varieties. The red alma or custard apple was creamy and sweet with a slightly mealy texture and tropical apple-pineapple notes. Emmy also enjoyed coconut water straight from a water coconut, describing it as slightly salty and quenching, perfect when chilled. Additionally, she purchased a natural sponge that grows underwater and an emu egg, which she planned to cook and preserve.
The Experience
Robert is Here offers a delightful farm experience with a charming backstory. The stand began when Robert's father gave him cucumbers to sell as a child, and he created the famous sign that still marks the original spot. Today, the property features a beautiful menagerie including goats, emus, tortoises, and chickens. Staff members like Rachel provide exceptional service, slicing fruits immediately upon purchase and offering complimentary salt for dipping. Most impressively, Robert himself still works behind the counter cutting mangoes, adding authentic charm to the establishment. The farm stand atmosphere is family-friendly and welcoming.
Value & Pricing
Pricing information was not explicitly mentioned in the transcript, though the items purchased appeared reasonably priced for fresh, exotic fruits and specialty items like emu eggs. The service of cutting fruits and providing salt added value to the purchase.
Notable Moments
It started off as a fruit stand. When Robert was just six years old, his father gave him some cucumbers to hawk by the roadside, and he didn't sell any cucumbers. The next day, he made a sign that said, 'Robert is here.' And he sold out.
Oh my gosh. Yes. Oh, perfectly ripe. So succulent and juicy. So much better than canned pineapple.
This, my lovelies, is an emu egg. It is absolutely stunning. It looks like a dragon egg.
The Verdict
Robert is Here is a must-visit destination for anyone in Florida seeking authentic exotic fruits and a genuine farm experience. The combination of fresh, quality produce, exceptional customer service, unique animals, and charming farm atmosphere makes it perfect for families and fruit enthusiasts alike. Emmy highly recommends the establishment as a wonderful place to discover new flavors and learn about tropical fruits while supporting a local, family-run business with genuine history.