Columbia Restaurant 1905 Salad Recipe

This Tampa classic — Columbia Restaurant’s Original 1905 Salad — was named among America’s top salads by USA Today. Crisp iceberg lettuce, ham and Swiss cheese, ripe tomatoes, and pimento-stuffed Spanish olives come together and are dressed in a bright, savory vinaigrette. It’s a favorite for good reason.

Although the salad’s name references 1905, the dish itself was developed later. Columbia Restaurant, a historic Tampa-based Spanish restaurant founded in 1905, created and popularized the salad in the mid-20th century. The recipe served today at Columbia and copied by many home cooks originates from that restaurant tradition.

Why You’ll Love This Columbia 1905 Salad

This salad offers a satisfying balance of textures and flavors: crisp iceberg lettuce, tender ham, mild Swiss cheese, juicy tomatoes and briny Spanish olives. A finishing shower of grated Romano adds savory richness while the vinaigrette—bright from vinegar and lemon, garlicky and umami-forward from Worcestershire—ties everything together. Because it includes ham and cheese, the 1905 salad works well as a main-course salad for lunch or a hearty side for dinner.

The History of the Columbia 1905 Salad

Columbia Restaurant introduced this composed salad in the 1970s as an alternative to a salad bar. The recipe evolved from an earlier salad created by a waiter, and Columbia adapted those flavors into their signature 1905 Salad. The dressing—made with Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon, white wine vinegar, and grated Romano cheese—became a defining component, giving the salad its distinctive savory and tangy profile.

Because Columbia is a Tampa institution, the dish is often called Tampa’s 1905 Salad. Over time it has become a popular copycat recipe enjoyed in home kitchens across the country.

Ingredients in Tampa’s 1905 Salad

For the most authentic flavor, keep the ingredient list close to the original. Use iceberg for crunch, pimento-stuffed Spanish olives for their specific briny taste, and Romano cheese for the finishing touch.

For the salad:

• 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 2 ripe tomatoes, cut into eighths (cherry or grape tomatoes work, too)
• 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, sliced and julienned
• 1/2 cup baked ham, sliced and julienned
• 1/4 cup pimento-stuffed green Spanish olives, left whole
• 2 teaspoons grated Romano cheese for finishing

For the dressing:

• 1/8 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin Spanish olive oil (substitute good extra-virgin olive oil if needed)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (adds essential umami)
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

How to Make Columbia’s Original 1905 Salad & Dressing

Prep

Grate the Romano cheese and julienne the Swiss and ham into bite-sized strips. Wash and dry the lettuce thoroughly so the dressing will cling rather than dilute.

Toss

Combine the shredded lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss cheese, ham and olives in a large salad bowl. Reserve the grated Romano for the final garnish.

Prepare the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce and dried oregano. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make a light emulsion, then whisk in the white wine vinegar and fresh lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Note on Worcestershire sauce

Worcestershire adds depth and umami to the dressing. If you don’t have it, consider a small amount of a savory substitute, but avoid omitting it entirely for the most authentic flavor.

Dress and combine

Just before serving, pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat. Sprinkle the grated Romano cheese over the top and toss once more to distribute it evenly.

Serve

Serve immediately so the lettuce stays crisp. This salad holds up well as a main course or a generous side.

Tips & Tricks to Make the Best 1905 Salad

– Dress the salad right before serving to keep the greens crisp. If you plan to save leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately.
– Dry the lettuce well after washing so the dressing adheres properly.
– Cut the ham and Swiss into bite-sized julienne pieces for easy eating and even distribution.
– Use fresh lemon juice for brightest flavor, and stick with Romano for the finishing cheese when possible.

How to Store Columbia 1905 Salad

Stored without dressing, the salad ingredients will keep in the refrigerator for about three days. Once dressed, the lettuce will soften and become soggy, so only dress what you plan to eat immediately.

More Recipes to Try

If you enjoy salads and pimento-stuffed olives, consider trying other favorites such as BLT Pasta Salad, Olive Dip (old-fashioned stuffed celery dip), Muffuletta sandwiches, Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad, Dirty Vodka Martini, or an Italian raw veggie salad. These make great companions to the 1905 Salad and offer a variety of textures and flavors for gatherings.

This Columbia 1905 Salad is simple to make, full of contrast and flavor, and a reliable hit for family meals or dinner guests. Below is the full printable recipe including ingredient amounts, instructions, notes and nutrition.