Caesar Salad: A Brief History | McCray's Tavern Midtown (2024)

Crisp and crunchy, delightfully creamy, if there’s one thing we can say is "it’s a good salad". Deceptively simple in both style and substance, the Caesar salad can be found on restaurant menus around the world. But what do we know about this delicious dish? And was is really invented by Julius Caesar himself? (Spoiler: Nope!) Today, we’re serving up a bite-sized history of our favorite salad. Hail Caesar!

What is Caesar Salad?

Caesar salad can be served as an appetizer or a side, or add lean protein like grilled chicken for a complete entree. It's a fresh, nutritious, and filling dish that's perfect for any season. There are many different variations of this salad, but the classic recipe is always a hit. It is simple to make and yields delicious results every time.

Caesar salad is made with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. The dressing is a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and garlic.

Tip: Skip the shaky cheese. Shaved Parmesan makes a big difference with this dish, elevating both presentation and flavor.

There are many different variations of Caesar salad, but some of our favorites include bacon bits, grilled salmon, and our own homemade, buttery seasoned croutons. Feel free to get creative and add your own favorite ingredients because you can’t go wrong!

Does Caesar Salad Dressing Have Anchovies In It?

While anchovy fish or anchovy paste is an ingredient in some Caesar salad dressing recipes, the original recipe did not use this particularly pungent ingredient. You can make this creamy dressing without any fish at all, or use a different type altogether if you prefer. Salmon or trout would be great substitutes to keep the unique flavor profile of fish in Caesar salad dressing without using anchovies.

Who Invented Caesar Salad?

The Caesar salad is often believed to have been created by Julius Caesar himself. But it wasn’t. Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico.

He moved to Tijuana from California to avoid Prohibition, and it was here, on July 4th, 1924, where Caesar is believed to have invented the Caesar Salad. According to his daughter, Rose Cardini, the restaurant was overrun with American customers. Short on ingredients in the kitchen, her father assembled what was left: lettuce stalks, olive oil, raw egg, croutons, parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce.

Originally intended as finger food, the original Caesar salad recipe called for whole lettuce leaves, which were to be dipped in the dressing and then eaten with the fingers. It was a hit.


Cardini's salad became so popular that it was soon being served in restaurants all over the world. Today, it is one of the most popular salads in America.

Try Our Fresh Caesar Salad

For fresh Caesar salad at a Midtown bar and grill, stop by McCray's Tavern! We offer a mouthwatering selection of field-fresh seasonal salads, as well as our famous flatbreads, sandwiches, and croissants. Our menu has something for everyone, so make plans to join us and enjoy a delicious meal!

Caesar Salad: A Brief History | McCray's Tavern Midtown (2024)

FAQs

Caesar Salad: A Brief History | McCray's Tavern Midtown? ›

Caesar

Caesar
Cardini is an Italian surname. Notable people with the surname include: Caesar Cardini (1896–1956), Italian American restaurateur, chef and hotel owner. Ignazio Cardini (1566–1602), Corsican doctor, naturalist and humanist of Italian descent.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Cardini
salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. He moved to Tijuana from California to avoid Prohibition, and it was here, on July 4th, 1924, where Caesar is believed to have invented the Caesar Salad.

What is the brief history of Caesar salad? ›

The salad was first improvised in July 1924 at the Caesar's restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, on a day when the kitchen was overwhelmed and short on ingredients. It was originally prepared tableside.

Why is Caesar salad so good? ›

Caesar salads can be satisfying as a main dish or side. The fiber and water content in the lettuce and other added vegetables help you feel full. Plus, the crunchy texture of the croutons and raw vegetables may make salads more enjoyable to eat, according to researchers (10).

Is a Caesar salad healthy? ›

A classic Caesar salad can fit into any healthy eating plan, but modifications to make it more nutritious may be a good idea if you eat them often. Choose a salad dressing that's low in saturated fat and sodium and consider using a 1-tablespoon (14-gram) serving.

What restaurant made the first Caesar salad? ›

“We sell about 2,500 salads a month,” Plascencia said. “All tableside.” Diners at the restaurant at the Hotel Caesar in Tijuana have fallen in love with the tableside preparation of Caesar salad, created by Caesar Cardini in 1924.

Why is it called Caesar? ›

Many people think the Caesar salad was named after Julius Caesar -- it's not. The Caesar salad was invented by an Italian man named Caesar Cardini. Italians can rest assured that there was Italian influence behind its creation.

What made Caesar so famous? ›

Caesar rose to become one of the most powerful politicians in the Roman Republic through a string of military victories in the Gallic Wars, completed by 51 BC, which greatly extended Roman territory. During this time he both invaded Britain and built a bridge across the river Rhine.

What is caesar salad dressing made of? ›

Mince 3 cloves of garlic and place in a small bowl. Add mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, anchovies, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard; mix well to combine. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Can diabetics eat Caesar salad? ›

Even though caesar salad with chicken is a balanced dish, it can still impact your glucose metabolism. Control the portion of croutons as they are high in carbohydrates. Have a small portion of the Worcestershire sauce since it contains a lot of carbohydrates and sugar.

Is a Caesar salad healthier than a burger? ›

Broken down, a burger is a much better choice. Check out these salad options that are really not so healthy: Crispy chicken Caesar salad: Even before you add the salad dressing (about 200 calories), this salad can easily reach 700-plus calories, just from the crispy chicken pieces.

What is the healthiest salad? ›

Best: Black Bean-and-Avocado Salad

The beans are a good source of disease-fighting antioxidants, and they have protein and fiber, as well as energy-boosting iron. Avocado adds creaminess and fiber. Plus, its fats help your body take in nutrients, including heart-healthy lycopene.

Is Caesar salad healthier than fries? ›

The standard caesar salad at a chain restaurant comes in at 358 calories, 26 grams of fat, 7.5 grams of saturated fat and 942 milligrams of sodium. Although its calorie count is lower than fries, the salad packs more fat and saturated fat, and slightly more sodium.

What country is known for Caesar salad? ›

The Caesar salad is often believed to have been created by Julius Caesar himself. But it wasn't. Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico.

What was the original name of the Caesar salad? ›

An aviator in the war, the salad was popular among his high-flying friends, and he is said to have referred to it as “Aviator's Salad”. Of course, some claim that Alex was the true creator of the salad, creating it independently of Caesar's Fourth of July creation.

Who invented the caesar? ›

The Caesar was invented in 1969 by restaurant manager Walter Chell of the Calgary Inn (today the Westin Hotel) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He devised the co*cktail after being tasked to create a signature drink for the Calgary Inn's new Italian restaurant.

What is the historical background of Caesar? ›

Julius Caesar was a political and military genius who overthrew Rome's decaying political order and replaced it with a dictatorship. He triumphed in the Roman Civil War but was assassinated by those who believed that he was becoming too powerful.

What is the short history of salad? ›

Ancient Roots:

The ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans were known to consume mixed greens with a combination of salt, oil and vinegar. These early salads were often made with ingredients like lettuce, celery, radishes, and onions, which were considered beneficial for digestion and overall health.

Who was Caesar in history? ›

Julius Caesar was a Roman general and politician who named himself dictator of the Roman Empire, a rule that lasted less than one year before he was famously assassinated by political rivals in 44 B.C.E. Caesar was born on July 12 or 13 in 100 B.C.E. to a noble family. During his youth, the Roman Republic was in chaos.

What is the history of the Caesar box? ›

Caesar Box. The "Caesar Box," or "Caesar Cipher," is one of the earliest known ciphers. Developed around 100 BC, it was used by Julius Caesar to send secret messages to his generals in the field. In the event that one of his messages got intercepted, his opponent could not read them.

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