Columbia Restaurant 1905 Salad

Name: Columbia Restaurant 1905 Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped; 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped; 1/4 cup Swiss cheese, julienned; 1/4 cup ham, julienned; 2 tomatoes, cut into wedges; 1/4 cup Spanish olives; 1/4 cup white wine vinegar; 1 tsp granulated sugar; 2 tsp dried oregano; 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 4 tsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning; 4 cloves garlic, minced; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 cup extra virgin olive oil

The 1905 Salad is Columbia Restaurant's iconic chopped salad from Tampa, Florida, combining iceberg and romaine lettuce with julienned ham and Swiss cheese, fresh tomatoes, Spanish olives, and a bright garlic-oregano vinaigrette. Its standout trait is the perfect balance of hearty proteins and tangy dressing that makes it a complete meal.

🍴Copycat

🌍American 🏷️Salad 🏷️1905 salad 🏷️Chopped salad Ham

🏷️

🏷️Swiss cheese

🏷️Garlic vinaigrette

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TikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
1/4 cup Swiss cheese, julienned
1/4 cup ham, julienned
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
1/4 cup Spanish olives
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tsp granulated sugar
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
4 tsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tsp all-purpose seasoning
4 cloves garlic, minced
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1
In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped iceberg and romaine lettuce.
2
Add the julienned Swiss cheese and ham to the bowl.
3
Top with tomato wedges and Spanish olives.
4
To make the dressing, combine the white wine vinegar, sugar, dried oregano, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, all-purpose seasoning, and minced garlic in a measuring cup or bowl.
5
Add a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper.
6
While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the dressing is emulsified.
7
Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad.
8
Toss everything together until well-coated and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Julienne the ham and Swiss cheese on a mandoline or with a sharp chef's knife to ensure even, thin pieces that integrate seamlessly into the salad.
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice in the vinaigrette—bottled juice lacks the brightness needed to balance the oregano and garlic.
Toss the salad just before serving to prevent the lettuce from becoming wilted; the vinaigrette is acidic and will soften the greens if left sitting.
Toast or gently warm the vinaigrette if serving warm-style, which is traditional at Columbia Restaurant and allows flavors to bloom and slightly soften the lettuce.

Substitutions

Spanish olives → Castelvetrano or Manzanilla olives (milder, slightly buttery flavor)
Swiss cheese → Provolone or mild white cheddar (similar mild, creamy character)
White wine vinegar → Red wine vinegar (slightly deeper flavor, more tannin)
Iceberg lettuce → Green leaf lettuce (more delicate, but maintains body)

Storage & make-ahead

Store dressed salad in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 1 day; store dressing and greens separately and assemble fresh for best texture and crispness.

Common Questions

What makes the 1905 Salad different from other chopped salads?

The combination of two lettuces, julienned ham and cheese, Spanish olives, and a distinctive oregano-forward vinaigrette gives it a Mediterranean-Spanish influence that's signature to Columbia Restaurant's cuisine.

Can I make the vinaigrette ahead of time?

Yes, the vinaigrette keeps refrigerated for up to 5 days. Whisk or shake before tossing with greens to recombine.

How fine should the ham and Swiss cheese be cut?

Julienne them into thin matchsticks, roughly 1/8 inch thick, so they distribute evenly throughout the salad and cook slightly when tossed with warm vinaigrette.