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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!
Colombia 1905 Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Green Spanish Olives with Pimentos
- Swiss Cheese
- Ham
- Romano Cheese
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Olive Oil
- White Wine Vinegar
- Oregano, dried
- Worcestershire Sauce
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How to make Colombia 1905 Salad
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 iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces 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) and add it to a large serving bowl. Top with julienned ham, swiss cheese, olives, and cut tomatoes. When ready to serve, add Romano cheese and toss it with dressing.
I often leave the dressing on the side and allow everyone to put the amount of dressing they like on it. This also allows any leftovers to be saved and eaten the next day. (if there is any left 😉 )
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Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad
Ingredients
1905 Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tsp oregano, dried
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 ½ to 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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
Instructions
1905 Salad Dressing
- To a salad dressing bottle or mason jar, add olive oil, white wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Shake or whisk until well combined. See Notes for Dressing Tips*1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 2 tsp oregano, 4 cloves garlic, 1 lemon, 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1905 Salad
- Combine lettuce, tomato, ham, Swiss cheese and olives in a large salad bowl.1 head iceberg lettuce, 1 ripe tomatoes, 1 cup Swiss cheese, 1 cup ham, 8 ounces spanish olives with pimentos
- 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)1/4 cup Romano cheese
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Notes
- Make the dressing the day before serving for the best flavor.
- Columbia Restaurant also makes this dressing table side and squeezes in the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce on the salad. I like to put it in the dressing ahead of time.
- Columbia uses less white wine vinegar, about 1/8 cup in their recipe – my family loves a little more, so I double it.
- I often double the dressing to have extra. The dressing is also a great dip for bread.
- The dressing can be served on the side so everyone can add it to their liking. This also helps if you have leftover salad; once dressed, it will not hold up overnight without becoming soggy.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
adapted from Columbia Restaurant
I love Cuban sandwiches and this salad is such a perfect pairing! I prefer a vinaigrette with lots of “tang” so like that you increased the amount of vinegar. Great salad!
This is my new go to salad for company. Always a fave!!
Thank you so much, Pam! I always make it for company as well! Everyone requests it time and time again. I so appreciate you sharing!
We loved this recipe. Even my picky eater. Tastes like the real thing at Columbia without waiting for a table or a parking place!!
Thank you so much, Donna! It’s nice to be able to enjoy it at home!
Does anyone know how long the dressing would last stored in a Mason jar in the fridge?
I usually keep it for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
I love this! Have made it many times since running across your PIN in 2021. So good and comes together quickly. Thank you!
Thank you, Tracie! I am so glad you found it and continue to make it! That really puts a smile on my face and makes my heart glad!
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
Thank you for that info Patti! I have not tried it with celery. That would add some crunch for sure!
This is the best salad ever. I love the Columbia salad and this salad taste just like it. Thanks Soulfully Made!!
Thank you so much, Teena! It’s perfect to have a little taste of Columbia at home!
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?
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.
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…
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/
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!
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!
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!
Angela, I love hearing your story! This area is near and dear to my heart! We often go to The Columbia and love it!
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!!!
It really is such a delicious salad! We love to go to the Columbia too! Thank you so much!
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!
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!
The Sangria de Cava at the Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine is a delicious accompaniment!
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.
We love going to the Columbia in Ybor often. It’s a favorite!
Would it be 1 cup ripe tomatoes?
I use 1 ripe tomato.
Nothing else like The Columbia Restaurant, OR this salad. Thanks for sharing!
~An old Fla gal!
Pem, you are so right. It’s a fabulous place. My family and I love going. I am an old FL gal too 😉
Publix carries the restaurant’s dressing!
That is wonderful to know. It’s so easy to whip up fresh at home too.
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
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
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
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!
Wow