Caesar salad, salad or side from Mexico: what it is and how it is eaten

Caesar salad is a chilled green salad first made in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1924. It features romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and a dressing of olive oil, lemon or lime juice, egg, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan, and often anchovies. The salad is now popular in many countries and often appears as a starter or light meal.

Share on WhatsApp

Created in 1924 by Caesar Cardini in Tijuana, Mexico
Dressing blends olive oil, egg, lemon juice, and Parmesan
Anchovies are common in modern recipes
Originally tossed at the table for diners
Now served worldwide with many variations

What is Caesar salad?

Caesar salad is a crisp, refreshing dish built around romaine lettuce and crunchy croutons. The leaves are coated in a creamy dressing made from olive oil, lemon or lime juice, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, and black pepper are often added for extra flavor. The salad is usually served cold or at room temperature, with the dressing giving it a tangy, savory taste and the croutons adding texture.

Where does Caesar salad come from?

The salad was created in 1924 by Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant running a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. Cardini improvised the dish during a busy holiday when supplies were low, using ingredients he had on hand. The original version was tossed at the table for diners. Some stories credit Cardini's brother Alex or a cook named Livio Santini, but most sources agree Caesar Cardini was the main creator. The salad quickly became popular and spread to the United States and beyond.

How is Caesar salad made?

To make a Caesar salad, romaine lettuce is combined with croutons and tossed in a dressing. The dressing is made by blending olive oil, lemon or lime juice, egg (sometimes coddled or raw), Worcestershire sauce, and grated Parmesan. Anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, and black pepper are often included. The ingredients are mixed together until the leaves are well coated. The salad is served cold or at room temperature, sometimes with the dressing prepared and poured at the table.

Hotel Caesar's in en:Tijuana , built in 1929 or 1930 for en:Caesar Cardini , who is commonly credited for inventing en:Caesar salad . — Hotel Caesar's in en:Tijuana , built in 1929 or 1930 for en:Caesar Cardini , who is commonly credited for inventing en:C. Photo: FateClub at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Caesar salad eaten?

Caesar salad is commonly eaten as a starter or light main course at lunch or dinner. It is often served on its own, but sometimes topped with grilled chicken or bacon. The salad is enjoyed in restaurants and at home, and its creamy, tangy dressing makes it a favorite for many. In some places, the salad is still prepared in front of guests, keeping the tradition of tableside service alive.

Kinds of Caesar salad

Many versions of Caesar salad exist. Some recipes swap romaine for other greens or add proteins like chicken or bacon. Anchovies and eggs may be left out or replaced, and some dressings use mayonnaise or vinegar instead of the original ingredients. Bottled Caesar dressings are widely sold, and chefs often create new dishes inspired by the classic flavors, sometimes using the name for salads that are quite different from the original.

What Caesar salad means

Caesar salad has become a classic dish in restaurants worldwide. It began as a specialty of a single restaurant in Tijuana but quickly gained fame, especially among Hollywood visitors. Today, it is a staple on menus and is often associated with tableside preparation. The salad's name and style have inspired many packaged dressings and restaurant versions, making it a familiar choice for diners.

Questions people ask about Caesar salad

What is Caesar salad made of?

It is made with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a dressing of olive oil, lemon or lime juice, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and often anchovies, garlic, and Dijon mustard.

Where did Caesar salad come from?

Caesar salad was first created in 1924 at Caesar's restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, by Caesar Cardini.

Is Caesar salad always made with anchovies?

Anchovies are common in modern versions, but the original recipe used only Worcestershire sauce for a similar flavor.

How is Caesar salad usually served?

It is served cold or at room temperature, often as a starter or light meal, and sometimes prepared at the table.

Are there different types of Caesar salad?

Yes, many variations exist, including versions with chicken, bacon, or different greens, and bottled dressings are widely available.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Caesar salad", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Caesar salad