Iceberg lettuce, julienned ham, Swiss cheese, grated Romano, pimento-stuffed olives, tomato and Worcestershire-and-garlic dressing. The patio fills first.

The 1905 Salad was created at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City by maitre d' Tony Noriega in 1934, named for the restaurant's 1905 founding year. The salad became the Columbia's signature dish over five Gonzmart family generations and is now served at all six Florida Columbia locations. Tampa Magazine and the Tampa Bay Times rank it as the city's most-served signature plate. The Columbia keeps the dressing recipe secret and trains waitstaff to toss tableside in a chilled wood bowl.

Where to eat 1905 Salad in Tampa

1 editor pick for 1905 Salad in Tampa, ranked by editorial score. All Tampa signature dishes · 1905 Salad across every city.

  • Columbia Restaurant

    Order 1905 Salad tableside, Cuban sandwich with the house Cuban bread, and the Spanish bean soup.

    The Columbia Restaurant on East Seventh Avenue has plated 1905 Salad and Cuban sandwiches in Ybor City since 1905 and is Florida's oldest restaurant.

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Make it at home

Serves 430 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 1 large head iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 200g sweet ham, julienned
  • 200g Swiss cheese, julienned
  • 50g grated Romano cheese
  • 100g pimento-stuffed green olives, halved
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • Dressing: 120ml olive oil
  • 60ml white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Whisk dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Let sit 10 minutes to let garlic infuse.
  2. Put lettuce in a chilled wooden bowl. Add ham, Swiss, olives and tomato in concentric rings on top.
  3. Sprinkle the grated Romano evenly over the top.
  4. At the table, pour two-thirds of the dressing over and toss with two wooden spoons until every leaf is coated.
  5. Taste, add more dressing if needed, and serve immediately with Cuban bread on the side.

Editor tip. Toss at the table, not in the kitchen. The presentation and the Romano-cheese aroma at the table are half the dish.

Common allergens: Dairy.