Famous 1905 Salad Recipe from Columbia Restaurant
Recreate the famous Columbia Restaurant 1905 Salad at home with crisp lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, olives, and a flavorful garlic dressing. Ready in just 20 minutes!
1905 Salad Recipe
If you’ve ever visited Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine or Tampa, chances are you’ve heard of their famous 1905 Salad. This simple salad has developed quite a following over the years, and after one bite, it’s easy to see why.
We have visited St. Augustine many times, and the Columbia Restaurant is always a must-have stop while we’re there. No matter what entrée we order, we always start our meal with the 1905 Salad. It has become part of our tradition. The combination of crisp lettuce, salty ham, Swiss cheese, olives, and that incredible garlic dressing is hard to beat.
This homemade version captures all those flavors while being easy enough to make any day of the week. The original recipe does not include red onion, but I love the extra flavor and crunch it adds, so I include it in my version.
Recipe Snapshot
- Ready in 20 minutes
- No cooking required
- Serves 4 full salads (main course) or 8 as side salads
- Packed with flavor from ham, cheese, olives, and garlic dressing
- Great for lunch, dinner, or entertaining
What Is a 1905 Salad?
The 1905 Salad is a signature dish served at Columbia Restaurant, a Florida institution known for its Spanish and Cuban-inspired cuisine. The salad features crisp iceberg lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, green Spanish olives, tomatoes, Romano cheese, and a tangy garlic vinaigrette.
What makes this salad special is the dressing. It combines garlic, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil to create a bold flavor that ties everything together.
Why Is It Called the 1905 Salad?
The salad is named after the year Columbia Restaurant expanded its operations. Columbia Restaurant is known as Florida’s oldest restaurant. Over time, it became one of the restaurant’s most famous menu items and remains a customer favorite today.
Visitors from all over Florida make a point to order the salad when dining at Columbia’s. After trying it for yourself, you’ll understand why.
What Makes the Dressing So Good?
The dressing is the real star of this recipe.
Fresh garlic provides a bold flavor while Worcestershire sauce adds richness and depth. White wine vinegar and lemon juice bring brightness, and oregano gives the dressing its distinctive flavor.
When combined with good olive oil, these simple ingredients create a dressing that tastes like something much more complicated.
Why you’ll love 1905 Salad
Ingredients for 1905 Salad Recipe
Salad Ingredients
Iceberg lettuce – Provides the crisp, crunchy base that makes this salad so refreshing.
Swiss cheese, cut into julienne strips – Adds a mild, creamy flavor and classic texture.
Ham, julienned – Gives the salad a savory, salty bite.
Green Spanish olives – Adds briny flavor and authenticity.
Tomatoes, cut into eighths – Bring freshness and a pop of color.
Red onion, thinly sliced – My personal addition that adds extra crunch and flavor.
Romano cheese, grated – Adds a salty finish and authentic flavor.
Dressing Ingredients
Worcestershire sauce – Adds savory depth and richness.
Lemon juice – Brightens the dressing.
White wine vinegar – Provides tangy flavor.
Olive oil – Creates a smooth, flavorful base.
Garlic, minced – The signature flavor of the dressing. Use fresh!
Dried oregano – Adds classic Mediterranean flavor.
Salt and pepper – Enhances all the flavors.
How to Make 1905 Salad
- Prepare the Lettuce:Â Chop the iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Wash thoroughly and dry well using a salad spinner.
- Make the Dressing:Â Add the minced garlic, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce to a large salad bowl. Whisk until combined. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing. Add the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Assemble the Salad:Â Add the lettuce to a large serving bowl. Top with Swiss cheese, ham, olives, tomatoes, and red onion.
- Dress and Serve:Â Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle grated Romano cheese over the top. Serve immediately.
Easy Variations
- Add Grilled Chicken – Turn this salad into a heartier main dish by adding sliced grilled chicken breast.
- Add Salami – Some versions include salami for even more savory flavor.
- Make It Vegetarian – Simply omit the ham and add extra olives or chickpeas.
- Swap the Lettuce – While iceberg is traditional, romaine lettuce can add a little more texture and nutrition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Wet Lettuce – Water will dilute the dressing and reduce flavor.
- Overdressing the Salad – Add dressing gradually so you don’t overwhelm the ingredients. Serve extra dressing on the side for those who like extra.
- Using Pre-Shredded Cheese – Freshly cut Swiss cheese provides better texture and flavor.
- Skipping the Romano Cheese – The Romano cheese adds an important salty finish that helps balance the dressing.
Tips for the Best 1905 Salad
- Use Fresh Garlic – Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor. Garlic powder or prepared jarred garlic will not give you the same results.
- Slice Ingredients Thinly – Julienned ham and Swiss cheese create the signature texture that makes this salad so enjoyable.
- Don’t Dress the Salad Early – Wait until serving time to add the dressing. This keeps the lettuce crisp and fresh.
- Use Good Olive Oil – Since the dressing contains only a handful of ingredients, the quality of the olive oil makes a difference.
What to Serve with 1905 Salad
This salad pairs well with a variety of meals. Here are some of my favorites:
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make the Dressing Ahead – The dressing can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Prep the Ingredients Early – The lettuce, cheese, ham, olives, and onions can all be prepped ahead and stored separately.
- Storing Leftovers – Once dressed, the salad is best enjoyed immediately. Leftovers may become soggy after sitting.
FAQs about 1905 Salad Recipe
Copycat Columbia Restaurant 1905 Salad Recipe
This famous salad has been a menu favorite at the iconic Columbia restaurant for good reason. With salty green olives, juicy tomatoes, savory ham, Swiss cheese, and a garlicky dressing, every bite is packed with tons of great bold flavor. It’s the kind of salad that’s hearty enough for lunch, impressive enough for guests, and a great way to use up leftover ham after the holidays. Whether you’re reminiscing about a trip to St. Augustine or trying the 1905 Salad for the first time, this easy copycat recipe brings a little taste of Florida right to your table.
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Famous 1905 Salad Recipe from Columbia Restaurant
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce washed, dried, and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup Swiss cheese cut into julienne strips
- 1 cup cooked ham cut into julienne strips
- ½ cup Spanish olives whole or halved (your preference)
- 2 medium tomatoes cut into eighths
- ½ medium red onion sliced thinly
- ½ cup Romano cheese freshly grated
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil high quality
- 4 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Use a salad spinner to wash well and spin dry.
- Add the minced garlic, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce to a large salad bowl. Whisk until combined. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing. Add the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the lettuce to a large serving bowl. Top with Swiss cheese, ham, olives, tomatoes, and red onion.
- Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle grated Romano cheese over the top. Serve immediately.
