Secret of Caesar salad: John Robert Sutton Reveals on “Foods That Matter” Podcast

Secret of Caesar salad: John Robert Sutton Reveals on “Foods That Matter” Podcast

The Caesar salad was NOT invented in Italy!

The iconic dish, celebrating its 100th birthday this year, has roots in Tijuana, Mexico.

For decades, menus around the world have quietly suggested that Caesar salad hails from Italy. Romantic? Sure. True? Not even close. The secret of Caesar salad—now celebrating its 100th birthday—starts in Tijuana, Mexico, not Rome. And the story is finally getting the spotlight it deserves.

On the Foods That Matter podcast, food archaeologist John Robert Sutton sits down in person with Juan José “Tana” Plascencia, owner of Caesar’s Restaurant—the birthplace of the original Caesar salad—to unpack how a tableside improvisation became one of the most ordered dishes in America. The conversation is rich, flavorful, and refreshingly honest, much like the salad itself.

Secret of Caesar Salad: A 100-Year-Old Origin Story

Let’s clear the plate. The Caesar salad was created in 1924 by restaurateur Caesar Cardini at Caesar’s Restaurant in Tijuana. Why Tijuana? Prohibition-era Los Angeles diners crossed the border for a good time—and a great meal. When the kitchen ran low on supplies, Cardini did what great chefs do: he improvised.

The result? A theatrical, tableside salad built on romaine, egg, garlic, oil, cheese, Worcestershire, and citrus—no anchovies in the original recipe, despite modern assumptions. That moment of culinary necessity became a global staple. The secret of Caesar salad isn’t just where it came from, but how restraint, balance, and confidence created something timeless.

This story lands with a wink of relatability. We’ve all made magic from a near-empty fridge. Cardini just happened to do it in front of hungry guests who spread the word.

A Podcast Episode That Tastes Like History

On Foods That Matter, Sutton—often called the Indiana Jones of Food—brings his signature curiosity and boots-on-the-ground storytelling to Tijuana. Dining with Tana Plascencia inside the historic dining room, the two trace the salad’s journey from a border-town sensation to a menu must-have in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Paris, and Tokyo.

The episode is fun-loving and packed with flavor—both literal and historical. Sutton connects the dots between migration, culture, and taste, showing how food travels faster than passports. It’s the kind of listen that makes you hungry and a little smug at your next dinner party. (You’ll know the truth.)

You can hear the full episode on major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube via CurtCo Media.

Why Chefs and Food Lovers Still Care

In upscale kitchens from West Hollywood to Culver City, Caesar salad remains a test of technique. When done right, it’s crisp, bright, savory, and indulgent without being heavy. When done wrong—well, we’ve all had that limp, overdressed version.

Understanding the secret of Caesar salad brings chefs back to fundamentals: balance over excess, freshness over shortcuts. It’s a reminder that great food doesn’t need gimmicks. That philosophy resonates with wine collectors, cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone who values craft. It’s fun-loving simplicity at its best.

And yes, there’s humor in the fact that one of America’s most “classic” salads is Mexican-born. Food history loves a plot twist.

Celebrate the Centennial—And Take the Recipe Home

If you’re anywhere near Tijuana on July 7, 2024, Caesar’s Restaurant hosts a centennial celebration honoring 100 years of the dish. Even better: tell Tana you listened to the Foods That Matter episode—“Celebrating 100 Years of Caesar Salad with the Origin Story that Starts in Tijuana, Mexico”—and he’ll share the authentic recipe with you to take home.

That’s not just a souvenir. That’s culinary gold.

Mini FAQ: The Secret of Caesar Salad

Q: Where was the original Caesar salad invented?
A: At Caesar’s Restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1924.

Q: Was the original recipe Italian?
A: No. Despite the name, the dish has Mexican roots.

Q: Does the original Caesar salad include anchovies?
A: Traditionally, no. Worcestershire sauce provided the umami.

Final Bite

The secret of Caesar salad is a reminder that the best food stories live at the crossroads—of cultures, borders, and bold decisions. Thanks to Foods That Matter, this one is told with clarity, warmth, and just enough fun-loving flair to keep it fresh for another hundred years.

Pull up a chair. Toss the salad tableside. And tell the story right.