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National Caesar Salad Day

Dig into the world’s favorite salad: just big leaves of romaine lettuce, shaved romano or parmesan cheese, croutons, optional anchovies, and of course Caesar dressing.

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Drive July restaurant traffic and grocery sales by celebrating the iconic Caesar Salad's origin story and encouraging both dining-out and at-home preparation.

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Did you know? Caesar Salad was invented by accident in 1924 when a Tijuana chef ran out of food on July 4th—celebrate the real story behind your favorite salad.
Eat like Caesar Cardini intended: lift whole romaine leaves by the stem and eat with your fingers, not a fork—share the 'proper' way to enjoy Caesar Salad.
Stock your kitchen for Caesar Salad season: bottled dressing, fresh romaine, parmesan, and croutons—make it easy for customers to recreate the classic at home.
The Guinness World Record Caesar Salad weighed 3 tons—challenge your restaurant or community to break records this July.

History

The first thing to know about Caesar Salad is that it was not actually named for the ill-fated leader of Rome. At least not directly.

No, the salad is instead credited to Caesar Cardini, an Italian Immigrant who got into the restaurant business in the US and Mexico in the early 20th century.

Like most of the great culinary inventions, the Caesar Salad wasn’t necessarily the result of a deliberate design or a stroke of genius. Instead, it came about in a moment of desperation. At one point in 1924 there was a bit of a rush on Caesar Cardini’s restaurant in Tijuana.

As the day happened to be the 4th of July, many merry-makers were celebrating American Independence Day and Cardini was stuck without enough food to feed them all. So the clever chef quickly got to work to keep the customers happy, throwing whatever he could into a bowl.

The result? This delicious combination of ingredients, delivered with a little ‘chef’s flair’, as Cardini tossed it right at the table.

From there, these American guests loved what they ate so much that they took the idea with them back to California. Then, it eventually made its way to New York City in the 1940s and many people there still love it today.

Like most food, the Caesar Salad has undergone multiple permutations throughout the history of its existence. Originally, anchovies were not included as part of the salad, and that can still be commonplace today. In some restaurants that are fancier, however, patrons may occasionally find bits of actual anchovy in with the salad. In addition, as a complement to the natural anchovy flavor, comes the Worcestershire sauce.

Cardini would likely not be pleased by the common occurrence of using anchovies as he was decidedly opposed to placing anchovy directly in his salad. Of course, that’s not all that has been added over time! Many different versions of the salad exist today, including Steak Caesar Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad, even shrimp Caesar Salad. All of these have graced the menus of various restaurants throughout the world.

How to celebrate

Eat a Traditional Caesar Salad

The best way to celebrate this day is to make sure to eat a traditional Caesar Salad, eaten in the traditional style! That’s right, most people have been eating Caesar Salad wrong all this time! The correct way to eat this delicious salad is to have it prepared with whole romaine leaves. In fact, it is truly proper to consume the salad by lifting those leaves by the stem and eating them with the fingers. Cardini never intended for this to be a salad eaten with a fork! But, alas, even if it isn’t eaten as a finger food, enjoying one of these delicious salads is the perfect way to honor the day.

Try Making a Caesar Salad

In today’s world, making such a salad is pretty easy because most grocery stores offer bottle versions of Caesar Dressing that are simple and delicious. Just toss some romaine lettuce, a bit of shaved romano or parmesan cheese and a few crunchy croutons into a bowl. Pour some bottled dressing over the mixture and, just to get fancy, squeeze a lemon on the top for fun. A tasty and (somewhat) healthy treat!

Learn Some Fun Facts About Caesar Salad

Of course, everyone now knows that Caesar the Roman ruler had nothing to do with the salad. But what other interesting facts remain unknown? Learn these and spread them around on National Caesar Salad Day to keep the fun alive! The Guinness World Record for the largest caesar salad was set in Tijuana, Mexico by Canirac restaurant in 2007. It weighed more than 3 tons and took more than 160 participants to make it! As Caesar Salad popularity grew, so did the demand for Romaine Lettuce. Today there are nearly 80,000 acres of romaine lettuce farms and between 1990 and 2009, the per capita consumption of romaine in the US increased by more than 600%! Some people are worried that the raw eggs in Caesar Salad dressing might create a problem with salmonella. However, the fact that it is combined with lemon juice means that any germs will be killed off by the citrus fruit acidity. So it’s safe to eat raw eggs in Caesar dressing! The original Caesar salad made by Cardini didn’t contain anchovies and it also only had one large crouton–not several like it is served today. However anyone plans to indulge, be sure to enjoy a big Caesar Salad for National Caesar Salad Day!

FAQ

How did Caesar Cardini’s personality influence the salad’s creation?

Caesar Cardini was known for his charm and flair for hospitality. His improvisational skills came into play during a busy service when he created the Caesar salad using available ingredients. His personality made the dish memorable, turning a simple meal into a culinary classic.

Why is Worcestershire sauce key to the original dressing?

Worcestershire sauce provides the umami punch that defined the original Caesar salad dressing. The sauce adds depth without overwhelming the other ingredients. It was a clever substitute for anchovies in the early recipe, catering to diverse palates.

What’s the connection between the Caesar salad and aviation history?

Aviation pioneer Paul Tibbets, who piloted the Enola Gay, was a fan of the Caesar salad. His fondness for the dish brought it into social circles beyond restaurants. This odd link highlights how cultural icons helped the salad gain fame.

How is the Caesar salad celebrated in non-traditional ways?

Some people mark Caesar Salad Day with quirky contests like building the largest salad or reinterpreting the recipe. Restaurants may host events showcasing regional twists, such as smoked salmon Caesar salads or vegan variations.

What’s the most unusual ingredient ever added to a Caesar salad?

Chefs worldwide have experimented with Caesar salad. In one notable twist, a restaurant in Japan created a Caesar sushi roll, using seaweed and rice alongside traditional dressing flavors. These experiments prove its versatility.

Are there historical misconceptions about Caesar salad?

One misconception is that it’s a Roman recipe, inspired by Julius Caesar. In truth, it originated in 1920s Mexico, unrelated to Rome. The name honors its creator, Caesar Cardini, not the ancient leader.

How did Hollywood movies popularize the Caesar salad?

Hollywood stars frequented Tijuana during Prohibition, dining at Caesar Cardini’s restaurant. Later, mentions of the salad in classic films introduced it to wider audiences. Its glamorous origin appealed to moviegoers and gourmands alike.

What role does egg play in the Caesar dressing?

Egg yolk creates the creamy base for the dressing, binding the other ingredients together. Its richness balances the acidity of lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. This element is key to the salad’s luxurious texture.

Why is July 4 significant in the Caesar salad’s history?

Legend has it that Caesar Cardini first made the salad on July 4, 1924, during an American holiday rush. This association with Independence Day adds an ironic twist to its Mexican roots.

How do different countries adapt Caesar salad?

Countries tailor the salad to local tastes. In Brazil, for example, corn and hearts of palm are common additions. In Thailand, chefs might add chili to the dressing for a spicy kick.