History of Caesar Salad
Image courtesy of Cliffer Rebelo / Unsplash
A Classic Dish with a Surprising Global Story & Now Served with a Northeast Florida Twist
There’s something about the salty tang of the dressing, the crunch of crisp romaine lettuce, golden croutons, and the generous shower of Parmesan that we all recognize. It's Caesar salad. Yet, few people know the Caesar salad has a story just as flavorful as its ingredients, with its beginnings not in Italy, as many assume, but just south of the California border.
From Tijuana to Timoti’s
The Caesar salad was created in 1924 in Tijuana, Mexico, not Rome, when Italian-American restaurateur Cesare Cardini needed to whip up something fast during a busy Fourth of July rush. Short on ingredients but big on entertaining, Cardini tossed together whole romaine leaves, olive oil, lime juice, a raw egg yolk, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and a toasted baguette slice. The dish was assembled tableside in front of guests, elevating its humble ingredients into a downright tourist attraction.
Cardini’s version didn’t include anchovies, which were a popular canned kitchen staple at the time. He preferred a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a hint of fishy flavor. Still, variations of his salad quickly gained popularity, especially as it spread to the United States and beyond. By the 1930s, chefs were experimenting by adding canned anchovies into the dressing, extra garlic, mustard, and protein-packed toppings like grilled chicken. Julia Child even weighed in with her own version decades later (sans anchovies, just as Cardini wanted), and now the Caesar is a menu mainstay across the U.S.
Image courtesy of Chris Tweten / Unsplash
Why order the 100-year-old Caesar salad?
Food historian Paul Freedman called the Caesar a snapshot of its era, both sophisticated and accessible, with just enough drama from its tableside presentation. In many ways, it was the perfect first course for the glamorous nightlife of 1920s Tijuana, where tourists fleeing prohibition laws sought out strong, bold flavors and even stronger cocktails.
That’s exactly why the Caesar salad is still so beloved in places like Fernandina Beach, where visitors from all over come for sun, seafood, and seriously good eats. At Timoti’s Seafood Shak, our Caesar salad embodies the same spirit of freshness, heritage, and flair that we bring to the table. Whether you’re relaxing after a beach day or grabbing lunch while exploring the historic district of Amelia Island, the Caesar is a cool, familiar classic that never goes out of style.
Our take: Keep it simple, sharp, and satisfying
At Timoti’s, our Caesar salad keeps things honest and flavorful with its fresh greens, shaved Parmesan, crunchy croutons, and signature T’s Caesar vinaigrette, made to perfectly balance that classic tangy and creamy flavor. Want to make it a main choice? Try it as a wrap or pair it with a fresh-caught fish for that coastal twist and extra protein.
Ready for a Northeast Florida Caesar?
The Caesar salad has a rich and flavorful past, and it’s a fan favorite right here in Northeast Florida at Timoti’s Seafood Shak. Visit us in Fernandina Beach or Nocatee, where we proudly serve family-friendly meals made with fresh, local ingredients. Whether you’re craving something fresh and light to go with your shrimp basket or just love a classic salad with that familiar bold flavor, the Caesar salad is always a solid choice.