Caesar salad takes its name from Julius Caesar, the most famous Roman emperor, but does so only indirectly. For twenty centuries after his death, the legacy of the emperor inspired thousands of Italian parents to name their sons Caesar. One of those sons was Caesar Cardini, an Italian who immigrated to Tijuana, Mexico where he opened a restaurant. In 1924, Cardini invented a salad made from romaine lettuce, garlic, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Worcester sauce; the salad became popular with the Hollywood stars who frequently visited Tijuana, and soon came to be known as Caesar’s salad, later shortened to Caesar salad. In a political—rather than culinary—context, the surname of the emperor is also the source of several other words eventually introduced into English: in ancient times the Roman emperors who succeeded Julius Caesar, such as Augustus Caesar, adopted his surname as a title in order to link themselves to their famous predecessor. Eventually, this title entered the Germanic family of languages where it gave rise to kaiser, a German title used until 1918 when Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated his throne and fled to Holland (kaiser, incidentally, is the source of kaiser roll, the name of a crisp, puffy bun that takes its name from its resemblance to the kaiser’s crown). The title of Caesar likewise entered the Slavic languages where it gave rise to czar, a Russian title used until 1918 when Czar Nicholas II was shot by the Bolsheviks. In a medical—rather than political—context, Caesar’s surname is also the source of the term caesarian section: the legend that Caesar was born by being cut from his mother’s womb prompted seventeenth century doctors to name this obstetric operation after him. This legend probably has no basis in fact, arising only because Caesar’s surname happens to resemble the Latin caesus, meaning cut. Caesar’s surname actually derives from caesaries, a Latin word meaning full head of hair, presumedly bestowed on an ancestor who had thick locks.
This Californian-born salad is one of a kind, featuring a signature dressing that incorporates either a raw or coddled egg, and typically includes anchovy fillets and croutons.
Caesar salad is a popular dish that was created in Tia Juana, Mexico by Chef Caesar Cardini. The salad typically includes romaine lettuce, anchovies, croutons, a raw egg, and grated Parmesan cheese. In many restaurants, Caesar salad is prepared tableside with great ceremony, adding to its allure. Over the years, there have been many variations of the “original” Caesar salad recipe, but the classic combination of crisp lettuce, salty anchovies, crunchy croutons, and tangy Parmesan cheese remains a staple of this iconic dish. Whether enjoyed as a starter or as a main course, Caesar salad is a favorite among salad lovers around the world.