The Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad

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If you’ve ever visited the Columbia Restaurant in Florida then you know how incredible their 1905 Salad is! The Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad is fresh, hearty and super easy to prepare at home. It’s full of juicy tomatoes, salty baked ham, Swiss cheese, crisp lettuce, and a delicious vinaigrette dressing. And if you’ve never tried the 1905 Salad, you are in for a treat!

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History of the Salad

The Columbia Restaurant first opened its doors in 1905 in the heart of Ybor City, Florida, making it the oldest restaurant in the state. What began as a small corner café has grown into a beloved Florida institution, now with seven locations across the Sunshine State. If you’re visiting Florida, chances are you’ll find a Columbia Restaurant nearby—and it’s absolutely worth the stop.

Famous for their legendary 1905 Salad, refreshing homemade sangria, warm Cuban bread, and a menu full of authentic Spanish and Cuban dishes, Columbia offers a dining experience rich in history and flavor. It’s a true Florida gem you won’t want to miss! Learn more about this The Columbia here.

The 1905 salad was actually created in the 1940’s by a waiter, Tony Noriega, using leftovers he found in the fridge. He would sometimes serve the salad to his customers. In the 1970’s The Columbia Restaurant adapted the salad and named it “1905 Salad” in honor of the restaurant. It’s still a staple on the menu today. It’s even on USA Today’s list of “10 Great Places to Make a Meal of a Salad.”

The Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad is famously prepared tableside for their signature flair. When you order the 1905 Salad, your server brings a large chilled bowl and all the fresh ingredients right to your table. The magic happens in front of you as they toss everything together.

What You’ll Need

Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!

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• Iceberg Lettuce– this gives the salad a great crunch.
• Fresh Tomatoes– juicy vine ripened tomatoes are ideal, but any tomatoes will work.
• Green Spanish Olives– of course any olive will work, but Spanish olives are used in the original.
• Swiss Cheese– it’s the perfect cheese in this salad! It has a distinct flavor but is not overpowering.
• Baked Ham-This sweet and savory ingredient bulks up the salad. You can use any ham you like. The Columbia offers shrimp or turkey as a substitution for the ham.
• Romano Cheese– freshly grated is best, but you could also use parmesan cheese, if that’s what you have.
• Worcestershire Sauce– the perfect umami flavor.
• Lemons– to brighten the flavors and pull it all together.
• Dressing– freshly minced garlic cloves, olive oil, white wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt and pepper

How To Make It

1. Begin by mixing the dressing ingredients together. In a bowl or a jar whisk together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. The Columbia recommends preparing the dressing 1-2 days in advance to give it time for the flavors to meld together.
2. Prepare the salad ingredients:
   • Tear the lettuce into pieces
   • Quarter the tomatoes
   • Julienne the Swiss cheese and ham- slicing into long, thin matchstick like strips
3. Put it together: Combine the lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss cheese, baked ham, and olives in a large serving bowl. Drizzle the dressing and toss well to coat.
4. Finishing touches: Sprinkle over the Romano cheese. Squirt the worchestershire sauce on top and squeeze fresh lemon juice all over.
5. Add Cuban bread or another crusty bread and enjoy your 1905 Salad! This recipe makes 2 full dinner salad portions or 4 side salads.

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Tips

• Feel free to substitute, omit, or add ingredients to your liking.
  • If you aren’t a fan of olives, leave them out.
  • Use romaine lettuce instead of iceberg lettuce.
  • Add extra ham, pepperoni, salami or add turkey.
  • Add chopped hard boiled eggs.
  • Use shrimp instead of the meat.
  • Remove the cheese.
  • It’s your salad so you make it how you like.
• Enjoy your salad freshly made: Once the salad is assembled it doesn’t keep very long, so it’s best to enjoy right away.
• Make it ahead: You can put the salad ingredients together ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
  • Prepare the dressing and keep it in a separate container until you are ready to use it. It actually tastes better after 1-2 days! Combine the salad and dressing when you’re ready to eat.
• Grab the original! You can actually purchase the 1905 Salad Dressing online if you want the authentic dressing! Get it here. It’s also sold in Publix Supermarkets, if you are close to a location.
• The Columbia Restaurant’s cookbook is also sold online if you want to try some of their other amazing recipes. They also have a gift shop with their famous Sangria mix and pitchers.

The 1905 Salad isn’t just a side—it’s a full experience! The restaurant is still open after more than 100 years because of it’s ambiance, exceptional service, unique experience, and of course the delicious recipes!

Whether you enjoy it at the Columbia Restaurant or recreate it in your own kitchen, the 1905 Salad is a timeless classic that brings bold flavor, rich history, and a taste of Florida to every bite.

You might also like

• Caprese Pasta Salad
• Caprese Salad with Nectarines and Prosciutto
• Fresh Cucumber and Tomato Salad
• Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
• Greek Pasta Salad

Serving Suggestions

• Crock Pot Spaghetti
• Creamy Tortellini with Peas and Prosciutto
• Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
• Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaf
• Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken
• Cheesy Garlic Bread Sliders
• Mini Cottage Pies
• Ravioli Casserole

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