100 Years of Caesar Salad
Words: Hannah Lemass
Images: Instagram
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Caesar Salad, we reflect on its origins and enduring popularity. It’s the ultimate “hot girl meal” when served up in perfect harmony with a side of skinny fries and a crisp Diet Coke. There is no other more enduring or immaculate meal in the history of gastronomy. So sit back and soak up this little foodie history lesson.
The Origin
Today is a very auspicious day. One hundred years ago, in the beautiful sun-drenched land of Tijuana, Mexico, a culinary hero changed the world forever. An Italian immigrant was hard at work inside his restaurant, catering to an influx of Californians who had crossed the border to sneak in a few scoops during Prohibition. Supplies were depleted due to the busy 4th of July weekend rush, but he had to feed the hungry mob who needed something substantial to line their stomachs.
All the man had on hand were whole romaine leaves and a hodgepodge of random condiments and basic ingredients: Worcestershire sauce, garlic, croutons, lemons, olive oil, eggs, and Parmesan. It seemed like a hopeless task, but the maestro dramatically took to the middle of the dining room and, in front of his eager guests, tossed together a dish he never could have imagined would have such an enduring legacy.
That man’s name was Caesar Cardini, and his creation was, of course, the legendary, iconic, untouchable Caesar Salad. Now, a century later, his creation is arguably the most popular and most iconic salad in history.
To Anchovy or Not To Anchovy
Cardini’s daughter has said that her father’s original recipe never called for anchovies, although many modern recipes include the savoury little fishies. An early mention of anchovies in a Caesar salad comes from columnist Dorothy Kilgallen. In a 1946 newspaper report announcing the addition of Caesar salad to the menu at New York’s Gilmore restaurant she listed the ingredients of the dressing and included anchovies. Apparently, Cardini himself thought anchovies, mustard, or herbs would have been too intense in flavour.
Celebrating An Icon
This month, a three-day food and wine festival will be held in Tijuana to honour the main man, and a statue of him will also be unveiled, immortalising him in all the glory he deserves. Meanwhile, Caesar’s, the restaurant where history was made all those years ago, is still operating and still serving up the salad up to 300 a day, they say. It should be said that while Cardini is generally thought to be the inverter some have contested his status as the OG. His brother and even some of his employees have also claimed to be the true innovator behind the dish. While we can never be sure 100%, Cardini is the one credited with the creation.
The Legacy
While other dishes of the early to mid-20th century have fallen out of favor, the popularity of the Caesar salad endures. In the US alone, 43 million bottles of Caesar dressing have been sold so far this year, and 35% of restaurants stateside have a Caesar salad on their menu. The dish holds a particularly special place in the hearts of gastronomes the world over. Before there was “girl dinner,” there was this iconic trinity of “girl lunch”: a fresh Caesar salad, skinny fries, and a crisp, refreshing Diet Coke (slice of lemon optional but highly recommended).
The next time you tuck into your hot girl meal, please raise your glass of Diet Coke to Caesar Cardini and thank him for inventing the best salad of all time.
Hail Caesar!
