Columbia Restaurant's 1905 Salad - crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne baked ham, Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese, and tossed with a garlic vinaigrette dressing.
You can enjoy this original made famous by the Columbia Restaurant right at home!
A sweet reader requested I get this one up on the blog. I make this so often at home I can make it in my sleep.
I have to say I still like to steal away to The Columbia Restaurant in Tampa for a delicious meal and to take in a flamenco show every once in while. It's a real treat if you can ever go.
We have a sweet friend Jennifer (that is from the dance team and studio my daughter was a part of growing up) that dances there. My daughter even took her flamenco class for a little while. Jennifer is amazing, so go by to see the show and tell them hello for me! You won't be disappointed!
I can't say enough how AMAZING the FOOD, atmosphere and service is there!! And my mouth is watering now thinking about their bread! Have you ever smelled that fresh cuban bread deliciousness as it bakes?
I am so very thankful that I live in this area because I cannot imagine not being able to have a slather of butter on some of that amazing bread every once in a while (We can also buy it in our local grocery stores - It comes from La Segunda Bakery in Tampa)! Divine!
When making this at home it goes perfectly with this Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork. It's also accompanies a Cuban Sandwich or a bowl of Spanish Bean Soup so well! Or you can make a meal of it all on its own!
What you will need to make 1905 Salad
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Green Spanish Olives with Pimentos
- Swiss Cheese
- Ham
- Romano Cheese
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Olive Oil
- White Wine Vinegar
- Oregano, dried
- Worcestershire Sauce
How to make the Columbia Restaurant's 1905 Salad or Ensalada 1905
TIP: Prepare the dressing the night before serving so that the flavors come together and intensify.
At the Columbia they prepare this table side and it is so fresh and delicious. It tastes just as amazing at home.
Step 1. Prepare dressing by mixing olive oil, white wine vinegar, dried oregano, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce together and store in an airtight container.
*One minor thing I do differently is add the Worcestershire and lemon to the dressing. They add it onto the salad before serving.
Step 2. Tear or cut the lettuce with a ceramic knife (I love this Kyocera one - it won't brown the lettuce and cuts everything like a dream) iceberg lettuce into bite sized pieces, add into bowl. Top with julienned ham, swiss cheese, olives, and cut tomatoes. When ready to serve add Romano cheese and toss with Dressing.
I often leave the dressing on the side and allow everyone to put desired amount of dressing on it the like. This also allows any leftovers to be saved and eaten the next day. (if there is any left 😉 )
More Delicious Dinner Ideas
Columbia Restaurant's 1905 Salad
Ingredients
1905 Salad
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces
- 1 ripe tomatoes, cut into eighths
- 1 cup Swiss cheese, julienned
- 1 cup ham, julienned
- 8 ounces spanish olives with pimentos
- ¼ cup Romano cheese
1905 Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoon oregano, dried
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 ½ to 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Combine lettuce, tomato, ham, Swiss cheese and olives in a large salad bowl.
- Before serving, add Romano cheese and dressing. Toss well and serve immediately. (*You may also leave dressing on the side to serve individually if desired)
- Columbia uses less white wine vinegar about ⅛ cup in their recipe - my family loves a little more so I double it.
✱ Nikki's Tips
Nutrition
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Patti says
The original 1905 Salad recipe in The Columbia Restaurant Spanish Cookbook (published 1995) also includes sliced celery -- they might not make it that way now, however, but it's a great addition. Just FYI
Nikki Lee says
Thank you for that info Patti! I have not tried it with celery. That would add some crunch for sure!
Teena Runnels says
This is the best salad ever. I love the Columbia salad and this salad taste just like it. Thanks Soulfully Made!!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you so much, Teena! It's perfect to have a little taste of Columbia at home!
Autumn says
I can’t wait to try this recipe! Just went to the Columbia Restaurant for the first time last week while vacationing in Sarasota, FL. What kind of ham do you recommend?
Nikki Lee says
I usually use Boars Head sweet slice ham. Not a sweet ham but it's more like a home cooked ham. Any will do, but I prefer a non sweet ham.
Dean says
This is legit. We enjoyed the lunch special at the Columbia when were visited Ybor City in March and this is exactly as we remember it. Don’t mess with anything, no substitutions or subtractions, it’s perfect. Now I need to find a legit Cuban sandwich recipe...
Nikki says
Thank you Dean! We eat this so often! I appreciate you letting me know you enjoyed it! I have a cuban sandwich recipe you may enjoy! https://www.soulfullymade.com/authentic-cuban-sandwich/
Leigh Offenhauer says
I have eaten and made this receipe since I was a child in Tampa, FL. We would go to the Columbia Restaurant often. Wish I still lived in Tampa; however, being able to make the wonderful receipe that myself helps a little. Publix does carry the dressing and Cuban Bread!
Nikki says
The Tampa Bay area is a wonderful place to be and eat! I have bought the dressing from Publix in a pinch! It is good. I love it even better homemade though! Cuban bread is hard to beat!
Angela says
Seeing this recipe makes me emotional, in a good way. My family moved to St. Pete, FL in 1959 and my grandmother worked as a waitress at The Columbia. I was born in St Pete in 1960, and I have eaten this salad my whole life and It was my fathers favorite... it was so funny to me as a young child that my sweet southern grandmother, who was an excellent southern cook, made this kind of food for us on occasion... I grew up a fortunate child... thank you for sharing the original recipe!
Nikki says
Angela, I love hearing your story! This area is near and dear to my heart! We often go to The Columbia and love it!
Tess says
We had our rehearsal dinner at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City and of course this salad was front and center! I've made it often over the years because everyone loves it. It's the only recipe I never, ever alter and I follow it precisely. You can't mess with perfection! And no, you can't use romaine lettuce or add avacado. It wouldn't be the 1905 salad. Thanks!!!
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
It really is such a delicious salad! We love to go to the Columbia too! Thank you so much!
Claudia says
So excited when I saw the 1905 salad on my Pinterest email! I lived in Jacksonville, FL and LOVED going to the Columbia restaurant in St. Augustine. I ALWAYS ordered the 1905 salad and for years carried around a matchbook cover from the Columbia with the recipe. Awesome salad, so fresh and very tasty. Thanks for sharing it on Pinterest!
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
You are so welcome! It is a favorite place to eat. I am glad you can now have a taste of it at home to enjoy! Thank you for stopping by and sharing!
Bev says
The Sangria de Cava at the Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine is a delicious accompaniment!
Heidi Dickson says
The Columbia Resturaunt is in Ybor City here in Tampa and St. Augustine, Florida. If you ever come to Florida I highly recommend eating there. Thanks for sharing this delicious salad.
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
We love going to the Columbia in Ybor often. It's a favorite!
Raelene says
Would it be 1 cup ripe tomatoes?
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
I use 1 ripe tomato.
Pem says
Nothing else like The Columbia Restaurant, OR this salad. Thanks for sharing!
~An old Fla gal!
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Pem, you are so right. It's a fabulous place. My family and I love going. I am an old FL gal too 😉
Laura says
Publix carries the restaurant’s dressing!
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
That is wonderful to know. It's so easy to whip up fresh at home too.
Georgieann says
Oh my goodness! The original landmark Columbia Restaurant established in 1905 remains open and extremely popular right down here in the historic Ybor City area of Tampa, Fl. Please google it for more information on the beautifully maintained restaurant and its history. The food is wonderful! And lucky us, the family has opened restaurants in other Fl locations. Georgiean Port Charlotte, FL
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Georgianne I agree it is and in my post I mentioned how much we also enjoy going. The food is amazing and as is the atmosphere. We celebrate many special occasions there. I love that they have additional locations to enjoy as well! We tend to go to the Ybor location. We are so lucky to live in this beautiful state! <3
Kippi says
Yum, I am pinning this one! I just purchased a head of iceberg lettuce and it needs to be used and now I know what salad I am making, thank you. Happy Weekend, Kippi #kippiathome
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Happy Weekend Kippi! I hope you enjoy this one as much as we do at my house. I make it often! Let me know what you think!