Out past the edge of Yuma, rows of tall palms rise from the desert floor like they were planted on purpose, because they were. Ask somebody who has spent a few winters here where to get a date shake, and the answer tends to come fast and without much debate.
The spot they name is a family-run date farm with a small cafe, a well-stocked store, and a tour led by people whose family started the place. Snowbirds plan return trips around it, and road-trippers between Phoenix and California make a habit of pulling off the highway for it.
Keep reading to learn the farm’s story, what to order, when the tours run, and the practical details that will save you a wasted drive.
A Date Farm on the Edge of Yuma
Some of the best directions in Yuma County start with a palm grove and end with a milkshake.
The place in question is Martha’s Gardens, a working date farm at 9747 S Ave 9 3/4 E, Yuma, AZ 85365, in the southwestern corner of Arizona. It sits outside the busier parts of town, and the drive itself earns a nod from folks who make the trip.
Google lists it simply as a farm, which is accurate but undersells things a bit. On the property you will find date palms, a store selling the farm’s own fruit, a small cafe, and outdoor seating for lingering.
It has collected a 4.5-star average across more than 650 public comments, and the topics people bring up most are easy to guess. Dates come up over 240 times, and the date shake shows up about 150 times.
That ratio says plenty about why locals send newcomers here. The fruit is the foundation, but the shake is the handshake.
Families from nearby San Luis treat it as a community treasure, while travelers on the Phoenix to California run use it as a dependable stop. Both groups tend to describe it the same way, as a place worth the detour.
Before getting to the shake, though, the farm’s family roots deserve a closer look.
Roots of a Family Operation
Family businesses often say they put their heart into the work. At this farm, the proof walks you around the grove.
The tours are led by the son of the man who started the farm, and guests come away talking about how personable and knowledgeable he is. One of the owner’s sons, Nels, is singled out for his deep well of information and obvious pride in what his family has built.
That pride matters because date farming is not a casual hobby. The farm puts a lot of hands-on detail into raising quality fruit, and the tour explains how much labor goes into each harvest.
The staff behind the counter carry the story too. Even without a tour, an employee in the gift shop may share the history of the farm along with details about the products on the shelves.
Regulars describe the success of the place as a reflection of hard work and genuine love for growing dates. It is the kind of operation where the people selling you a box of fruit probably know which trees it came from.
Generations of customers have followed the same pattern. One family’s story goes like this: a dad brought his kids years ago, and now those kids return as snowbirds and bring their own grown children along.
So the farm passes down more than land. It passes down a habit.
The Shake That Built a Reputation
Here is the headliner, the reason old-timers answer the question so quickly.
The classic date shake is made with the farm’s own ice cream, which is made with their dates, plus what appears to be a date jam blended in. It runs on the sweet side, yet the date flavor and texture come through clearly.
Fans call it the best date shake they have had, and some return two or three times during a single trip to Yuma. One snowbird household admits the husband would happily go every day.
The menu gets creative from there. Options mentioned over the years include:
Bacon date shake, a surprising favorite that some guests call the best thing they have ever tasted.
Espresso or cappuccino date shake, for the coffee crowd.
Peanut butter date shake, described as super creamy and great for sharing.
Prices have shifted over time, from around $4.50 a few years ago to $5.50 more recently, and they may be higher now. One guest called the cappuccino version good in an expensive kind of way, so expect to pay for quality.
A heads-up for plant-based eaters: past guests found the kitchen could not make a vegan version of the shake. Check at the counter before setting your heart on one.
Fresh Fruit Straight From the Grove
Grocery store dates set a low bar, and this farm clears it with room to spare.
All of the dates sold here are grown on site. Shoppers often say they are far fresher than what they picked up at a warehouse club back home, and first-timers sometimes become converts on the spot.
The Supreme Medjool dates are a popular pick, and a variety pack has made its way home with plenty of guests. Some people buy in serious bulk, like the road-tripping couple who loaded 55 pounds into their vehicle for the drive back to Dallas.
Organic dates come up in conversation as well, along with a decent variety to choose from.
To be fair, experiences differ. A few people have found the boxed dates a little firm, and one shopper wished for a wider range of varieties.
A more recent account described the shelves as nearly empty, so stock may depend on the season and the timing of your visit.
Still, for many guests, tasting a date that came off a palm on the same property is the whole point. Seeing the fruit hanging on the trees and then buying it a few yards away makes the purchase feel personal.
Bring a cooler if you plan to stock up. Your future snack drawer will be grateful.
A Tour Worth Planning Around
Few farm tours earn the label of best tour a person has ever taken, yet this one keeps collecting that compliment.
The guided tour runs about 90 minutes and covers how dates are grown, from the palms to the packing. Guests leave with a new respect for how much careful labor each crop requires.
Part of the tour involves a ride around the farm, which first-timers look forward to once the season begins. The family member leading it brings both expertise and warmth, and that combination is what people remember.
Timing is the catch. Tours are seasonal, and they do not run year-round.
In one recent year, the final tour went out about a month earlier than planned because of unseasonably early heat. Late arrivals in a day can also miss out, so plan to arrive early.
If the tour is on your list, contact the farm through its website at marthasgardens.com before you go. Confirming the schedule ahead of time beats arriving to find the last group already left.
Skipping the tour still leaves plenty to do, but for curious minds it adds a layer of understanding. After 90 minutes among the palms, that shake might mean a little more.
Date School in the Back Room
Missed the tour? No problem, there is a backup plan with seating included.
An informative video plays in the cafe area, sometimes in a back room, and it walks through the whole process of growing and processing dates. Guests watch it while working through their shakes, which is a pretty efficient use of a lunch break.
The video explains the journey of the fruit from start to finish. Many people say it helps them understand why quality dates cost what they do.
It runs at certain times, so ask the staff when the next showing starts if you arrive mid-loop.
Counter staff fill in the gaps too. Employees are known for being knowledgeable, so basic questions about the farm or the fruit can usually be answered on the spot, even if you only have a few minutes.
Friendly staff earn more than 40 mentions in public comments, which is a strong showing for a small farm stand. Learning about dates, in general, ranks among the things people appreciate most.
For families with kids, the video and a quick chat at the register make a solid mini lesson in agriculture. Call it a field trip where the reward is dessert.
Sandwiches, Sweets, and Gift Boxes
A milkshake is a fine lunch for some people. For everyone else, the cafe has backup.
The menu has included several sandwiches, salads, and beverages. A turkey sandwich came loaded with turkey, onions, mayo, provolone, and lettuce, plus chips and a drink, for about $11 at one point, so current prices may be different.
The store side of things leans heavily into dates in every form. Shelves have held items such as:
Date rolls coated in walnuts, coconut, pecans, or almonds, which happen to be vegan.
Date nut bread, a standout with loyal fans.
Date coffee and date and coconut candies.
Date ice cream and assorted desserts.
Gift giving is easy here as well. The store has shipped gift boxes directly to friends and family, with one shopper sending a package all the way to Vermont.
Most of the desserts contain dairy, so vegan guests should stick with the date rolls. Selection can vary, especially later in the season.
Between lunch, snacks, and souvenirs, it is easy to walk out with more than you planned. Consider that a warning or an invitation, depending on your budget.
Hacienda Grounds and a Slow Afternoon
Some stops are built for speed, and others quietly ask you to sit down for a while.
The grounds have a hacienda style, with plenty of outdoor seating, a fountain, and date palms all around. Guests have described the setting as peaceful and clean, and some call it an oasis in the desert.
It works well for a relaxed hangout. Bring a sketchbook, some knitting, or a companion for a date-shake date, and the courtyard makes an easy place to pass the time.
In a hurry? You can also be in and out in about ten minutes, since orders have come out quickly even during a steady stream of customers.
Honesty matters here. More recent accounts note that the garden seating area looks neglected, the fountain may not be working, and some signage has faded.
At least one guest found a slow counter with only one person working, which meant a wait. Conditions seem to vary, so set expectations accordingly.
For many regulars, the charm outweighs the wear. The palms still stand tall, and the shake still tastes like the reason you came.
Hours, Seasons, and Smart Timing
Plenty of weekend road trips have ended at a locked gate, so read this part twice.
Martha’s Gardens is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday, at least according to its current listing.
That weekday schedule makes it a natural stop for snowbirds and retirees with flexible calendars. Weekend travelers should adjust plans or contact the farm first, since hours may change over the season.
A few timing tips worth keeping in mind:
Go earlier in the day if you want a tour, since late arrivals have missed out.
Visit in the cooler months for tour season and the lunch menu, as some offerings pause in the hot stretch.
Check fruit season if seeing dates hanging on the palms matters to you, because later visits may miss it.
The store has stayed open outside tour season in past years, so a summer stop can still mean a shake and some fruit. Even then, confirm details through the farm’s website.
A little planning keeps the trip smooth. Desert heat is not a great companion for a disappointed snack lover.
Why the Old-Timers Keep Pointing This Way
Recommendations from longtime locals carry weight, and this one has been passed along for years.
The appeal is straightforward. A family grows the dates, makes the shake with its own ice cream, and invites people to learn how it all works.
It suits a wide crowd. Snowbirds return each winter, families from nearby San Luis stop in often, and travelers between Phoenix and California use it as a healthier alternative to big chain stops.
It is not flawless. Some recent visits found thin shelves, tired seating areas, and slow service, and the shake costs more than a fast-food version.
Even so, a 4.5-star average across hundreds of comments suggests most people leave happy. Many describe it as a half-hour stop that turns into a tradition.
The best approach is simple. Come on a weekday, arrive early during the cooler months, and order whichever shake sounds most intriguing.
Grab a box of fresh dates on the way out, maybe a loaf of date nut bread too. Then you will be the one giving directions the next time someone asks where to find a proper date shake in Yuma.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.