Some of the best snacks in Florida are not sold in a store. They come from small stands on the side of the highway, where the peanuts are boiled right there and the fruit came off a nearby field.
Florida is full of these quick stops, from strawberry country around Plant City to the quiet stretches of US 301 up north. A few of them even boil their peanuts over a wood fire or season them Cajun style.
If you like a good road trip snack, this list will help you know exactly where to hit the brakes. Each of these six stands has its own reason to earn a spot, whether it is a famous shortcake, a farm full of honey and jams, or a pick-your-own strawberry field.
Grab a cooler, bring some cash just in case, and keep this list handy for your next drive across the state.
1. Lott’s First Choice Fruit Stand, Plant City, FL
Wood smoke is the secret ingredient at this State Road 60 stop. Lott’s First Choice Fruit Stand boils its signature peanuts over a wood fire, and that detail alone sets it apart from most stands in the state.
The peanuts have a loyal following. Some regulars buy them by the gallon, and plenty of drivers treat a monthly peanut run as a normal part of life in east Hillsborough County.
Beyond the peanuts, the stand carries fresh fruits and vegetables, and the produce holds its own. The staff is friendly and quick, which fits the stop well.
Plan for a short visit. There is no restroom, so this is a grab-and-go place rather than a spot to linger.
It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
If you want to skip a line, Tuesday morning and Friday morning tend to be calmer. Saturday afternoon is when everyone else seems to have the same peanut craving.
2. Side of the Road Produce Sales, Cocoa, FL
Cajun fans, this one is for you. Side of the Road Produce Sales in Cocoa makes homemade boiled peanuts, and the Cajun batch is the one people go out of their way for.
The name tells you exactly what to expect. It is a simple open-air stand on a Brevard County roadway, built for a quick stop on the way to the beach or back home.
The fruit is picked with care. Peaches are a strong point when in season, and the strawberries run a little pricier than some places but are very good.
Timing matters here. The stand is only open Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so a weekday drive will leave you peanut-less.
I would save this stop for a Saturday trip toward the Space Coast, when a bag of spicy peanuts and a box of fruit make the ride a lot more fun.
3. Waldron Farms, Citra, FL
Citra sits in a quiet slice of Marion County, and US Highway 301 runs right past one of its best snack stops. Waldron Farms is a local farmers market that sells fresh produce and boiled peanuts, with plain and Cajun options.
The shelves go well past peanuts. You can find pickled vegetables, local honey, jams, jellies, fresh eggs, and farm fresh unpasteurized milk, along with produce of all kinds.
That variety makes it more of a pantry stock-up than a quick snack run. The peanuts are known for being very fresh, which is the whole point of buying them roadside.
There is a restroom, a welcome perk on a long drive. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it is closed Sunday.
Saturday morning brings the biggest crowd. Weekday mornings are usually calmer, and you can call ahead at 352-260-5637.
4. Parkesdale Farm Market, Plant City, FL
Plant City calls itself the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, and Parkesdale Farm Market is one of the town’s best-known places to prove it. This historic roadside market is famous for strawberry shortcake and strawberry shakes.
The strawberry lineup keeps going. Strawberry bread and strawberry cookies sit alongside fresh picked berries, plus citrus and vegetables.
Here is the twist for this list. The boiled peanuts, including a Cajun version, are some of the most praised in the area, so you can pair a shake with a salty snack.
Shoppers also find garden items, souvenirs, jams, jellies, and sauces. Snowbirds make it a regular stop during strawberry season.
Parkesdale is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Monday and Tuesday. It has restrooms and free parking, and weekday mornings are much quieter than weekend afternoons.
5. Three Son Farms, L.L.C. (McIntosh Station), Dover, FL
Picking your own strawberries beats buying them in a plastic box. At Three Son Farms in Dover, seasonal strawberry u-pick runs Friday through Sunday from December to March.
The family-run farm has more than 40 years in the business and serves the Tampa Bay area. Seasonal flower u-pick usually pops up in November and December, then again in March and April.
The menu is a full lunch-and-dessert situation. Expect strawberry shortcake, milkshakes, strawberry pizza, strawberry cobbler, sundaes, boiled peanuts, hot dogs, and Cuban sandwiches.
The berries tend to be big and bright red, and the cobbler with ice cream is a popular finish. Families who know the area’s strawberry stands often rank this one near the top.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
6. Killoughs produce, Jacksonville, FL
No frills, no fuss, and very easy to reach. Killoughs produce is a classic roadside stand on US Highway 301 on the west side of Jacksonville, and getting on and off the highway takes almost no effort.
The fruit is fresh and fairly priced. Strawberries are a highlight, and the boiled peanuts get just as much love.
The owner is known for being helpful, which goes a long way when you are deciding what to take home.
It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no restroom, so plan your other stops around it.
Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds. For a calmer visit, try a weekday morning, or call 904-476-8457 to ask what is in today.
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