If you’ve never experienced the glorious flavor explosion that is the 1905 Salad, get ready to meet your new favorite anytime meal. This iconic salad may have origins dating back over a century ago, but its bold, craveable flavors will have you wondering why you didn’t discover it sooner.
The 1905 Salad was created by a server in the 1940s at Tampa’s Columbia Restaurant, Florida’s oldest restaurant dating back to 1905 (hence the name). One bite of this zesty, umami-packed salad and you’ll understand why it was named one of America’s best by USA Today. It’s the antithesis of a basic garden salad in the most wonderful way.
This is a salad that brings the flavor with zero apologies. Thick julienned strips of Swiss cheese, ham, and crunchy marinated artichokes and pimento-stuffed olives create a delightfully savory, salty, and textural medley. But it’s the vinaigrette that takes things to a whole other level of bold, craveable flavor.
Rather than a simple oil and vinegar situation, the 1905 dressing gets bodacious notes of garlic, oregano, lemon juice, and most importantly – several hearty pours of Worcestershire sauce. That umami-packed Worcestershire is the secret, giving the dressing a rich, savory, can’t-quite-put-your-finger-on-it quality that’s utterly addictive.
The dressing coats every hammy, cheesy, briny bite, enveloping it in a velvety savor that perfectly counters the bright, juicy wedges of ripe tomato. The pops of pimento and generous showers of salty Parmesan add even more layers of sharpness and funk.
While chock full of tasty, filling ingredients, the 1905 salad still has a wonderfully fresh, crunchy vibe from that crisp iceberg lettuce base. Every forkful manages to taste vibrant and light yet profoundly savory and boldly flavored all at once.
It’s exactly the kind of iconic salad you could happily enjoy as a light lunch or dinner. Or double-down and pair it with some garlic bread or cheesy pasta dish for the ultimate Tampa-Italian feast. A glass of crisp white wine wouldn’t be unwelcome alongside either.
No matter when or how you serve it, the 1905 Salad is guaranteed to be an instant hit. It’s nearly impossible not to become hopelessly smitten with its robust, savory flavors and endlessly craveable, dare-we-say addictive, vinaigrette.
Tampa’s oldest restaurant dating back to 1905 certainly created a timeless winner with this iconic salad. One bite of its bold, assertive, yet perfectly balanced flavors and you’ll be transported to the Florida sunshine, instantly hooked for life. It’s a salad lover’s salad in the best possible way!
1905 Salad
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Salad:
- 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped
- 2 tomatoes cut into wedges
- 1 cup julienned Swiss cheese
- 1 cup julienned smoked ham
- 1/2 cup pimento-stuffed green olives
- 1 cup quartered marinated artichoke hearts halved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Instructions
- Make the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, garlic, oregano, Worcestershire, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper until emulsified. Chill until ready to use.
- In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss, ham, olives, artichokes and Parmesan.
- Pour the dressing over top and toss to fully coat and combine.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
