Caesar Salad’s 100th Anniversary – Best Spots in San Diego

A culinary icon celebrates its 100th birthday this year. Arguably the world’s most famous salad, the origins of the Caesar Salad can be traced back to a restaurant in Tijuana called Caesar’s from Chef Cesare Cardinin during the Prohibition Era in 1924.

The anniversary comes the same year that Tijuana, along with San Diego, are being recognized as the 2024 World Design Capital, a designation that illuminates the best innovation and design from the region. Today, various interactions of this globally beloved dish are served around the world. Below are some of the best versions of this globally beloved dish in San Diego.

Photo Credit: Mandie Geller

Puesto

Puesto, San Diego’s own luxury taco mini-chain, offers an elevated version of the Caesar salad which pairs perfectly with their award-winning tacos made with signature organic, non-GMO blue corn tortillas. The Jalapeño Caesar with little gem lettuce, breadcrumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and jalapeño slices, is a vegetarian-friendly salad light enough to serve as a refreshing appetizer before indulging in a plate of Puesto tacos, or filling enough to stand on its own with the addition of Wayne Farms chicken or guajillo shrimp. Bright and crunchy, with the right amount of richness, this modern take on the iconic TJ-born salad would make Chef Cesare proud.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Valentina

The perfect Caesar doesn’t exist, although it does at Valentina, a neighborhood European-style bistro and wine bar located in Leucadia along Hwy 101. Paying homage to the timeless recipe, Valentina’s rendition honors the original recipe’s legacy while infusing its own innovative touches. Perfect for a punchy starter, savor crisp romaine lettuce dressed in a velvety Caesar dressing and topped with Parmesan cheese, capers and croutons. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures, capturing the essence of this beloved culinary icon. 

Photo Credit: Shannon Partrick

Beginner’s Diner

The longevity and universal love of the Caesar salad is on clear display at Beginner’s Diner, the Lafayette Hotel’s 1940’s-inspired diner where American classics are memorialized 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Taking a more traditional approach, the Beginner’s Diner’s Caesar Salad is made with anchovies, garlic croutons, parmesan, and baja olive oil. While it may have been invented south of the border, the Caesar has been canonized in American diner culture, pairing perfectly with other staples such as freshly-cut french fries and cold Coca-Cola. No better way to celebrate this milestone anniversary of the Caesar salad than to travel back in time at Beginner’s and recognize the enduring influence of this Mexican-born dish.