The Columbia Restaurant's 1905 Salad is one of its most famous and beloved dishes. It has become an iconic menu item that has been enjoyed by countless diners over the years. The salad was created in the year 1905, hence its name, and it has remained a staple on the menu ever since.

The 1905 Salad is a combination of fresh ingredients and a unique dressing that sets it apart. The salad typically includes iceberg lettuce, julienne-style ham, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, olives, and a secret dressing that gives it its distinctive flavor. The dressing is said to be a blend of garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, and spices, but the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret.

The salad is often prepared tableside by the restaurant's staff, who expertly toss the ingredients together with the dressing, creating a flavorful and refreshing salad. The combination of the crisp lettuce, savory ham and cheese, tangy dressing, and the burst of flavor from the olives and tomatoes make the 1905 Salad a unique and delicious experience.

The 1905 Salad has gained such popularity that the Columbia Restaurant even sells bottles of their signature dressing, allowing fans to recreate the salad at home. But today I’m going to attempt to recreate the dressing and share it with you all. Note, I do use the word attempt because we’re unable to know if it’s exact but I can promise you it tastes VERY similar!

So, until you can get to Tampa to try the real deal 1905 Salad, hopefully this recreation can hold you over. Let’s dive in!

Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad

Ingredients

The Dressing:

• 3 garlic cloves minced

• 1 teaspoon oregano, dried

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil Spanish

• ⅛ cup White wine vinegar

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

• ⅛ teaspoon salt and pepper to taste

The Salad:

• 6 cups Iceberg lettuce, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 2 tomatoes ripe, cut into wedges

• ½ cup Swiss cheese, julienned

• ½ cup baked ham, julienned

• ¼ cup Spanish olives, pitted

• 1 Tablespoon Romano cheese grated; or Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine garlic, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar in a bowl and whisk until smooth.

2. Gradually stream olive oil into the mixture while whisking to form an emulsion. Season with salt and pepper.

3. In a separate bowl, add lettuce and toss with salad dressing.

4. Top with ham, cheese, tomatoes, and olives then divide between serving bowls.

5. Sprinkle grated Romano cheese over the top and enjoy!

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