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| Caesar Salad. Photo: stu_spivack, Flickr. |
Caesar's, the restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, credited with creating the now-mainstream Caesar salad, closed last week over a rent dispute.
"I showed up for work on Monday and I found all the furniture outside," Miguel Angel Ventura Oros, a waiter at the restaurant, told the Associated Press. "The manager told us there was an eviction for not paying the rent."
The restaurant blamed recent drug cartel battles and the swine flu outbreak for a downturn in business.
Tijuana relies on tourism as a major source of revenue, so it comes as no surprise that the restaurant blames the lack of customers for the closing.
Caesar's Restaurant was the latest incarnation of Caesar's Place in Tijuana, Mexico, where according to lore, an unexpected number of diners came in craving salad on July 4, 1924. The owner, Caesar Cardini, used what he had on hand to make a salad for all the hungry guests -- Romaine lettuce, lemon juice, croutons, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, egg and Worcestershire sauce -- creating a salad that proved to be a worldwide hit.
For those who still want to taste the "original" Caesar, Cardini's is bottled and distributed to grocery stores nationwide.
Tell us what you think! And see how Cardini's stacks up in AOL Food's Salad Dressing Taste Test below.
Our team of food editors poured, dipped and spooned through 94 bottles and pouches in search of the most refreshing, zesty and creamy brands of store-bought salad dressing. In the end, they selected several runners-up and a winner and loser in each of six flavors: Ranch, French, Italian, Caesar, Blue Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Read on for results and see the surprising brands they found to be the winners.
Salad Dressing Reviews
by AOL Food Editors
Our team of food editors poured, dipped and spooned through 94 bottles and pouches in search of the most refreshing, zesty and creamy brands of store-bought salad dressing. In the end, they selected several runners-up and a winner and loser in each of six flavors: Ranch, French, Italian, Caesar, Blue Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Read on for results and see the surprising brands they found to be the winners.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: Ranch
Best Yet Ranch
Calories per serving: 140
Total fat per serving: 14 grams
Creamy (1-5): 3
Our panel says: "With the right amount of tang, a great spice blend plus a kick of pepper makes this the 'best yet.'"
Learn more about Best Yet.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: Ranch
Cardini's Parmesan Ranch
Calories per serving: 150
Total fat per serving: 16 grams
Creamy (1-5): 3
Our panel says: "A great consistency with the classic tang of Ranch, there was a good blend of Parmesan and spices." "Would love to dip carrots into this!"
Learn more about Cardini's.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: Ranch
Wish-Bone Ranch Salad Spritzer
Calories per serving (10 sprays): 15
Total fat per serving: 1 gram
Creamy (1-5): 1
Our panel says: "A refreshing, lighter version of ranch, but just as bold in flavor." "This would season a salad instead of overpowering it."
Learn more about Wish-Bone.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: Ranch
Trader Joe's Organic Ranch
Calories per serving: 90
Total fat per serving: 9 grams
Creamy (1-5): 2
Our panel says: "Savory and not too sweet. Has a great buttermilk flavor with an intense Parmesan flair."
Learn more about Trader Joe's.
Rachel Been, AOL
Winner: Ranch
Hidden Valley Ranch Powder Packet
Calories per serving: 120
Total fat per serving: 18 percent
Creamy (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "There's a reason this powdered dressing has been popular since the 1950s." "I can't stop dipping into it -- it's just as addictive as French Onion dip for chips."
Learn more about Hidden Valley Ranch.
Rachel Been, AOL
Worst: Ranch
Wish-Bone Ranch
Calories per serving: 120
Total fat per serving: 13 grams
Creamy (1-5): 3
Our panel says: "I had a mild gag reflex -- it tastes like sunscreen, which is not a good thing."
Learn more about Wish-Bone.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: French
Brianna's Zesty French
Calories per serving: 150
Total fat per serving: 15 grams
Sour (1) - Sweet (5): 3
Our panel says: "It's odd that it doesn't contain tomatoes, as most classic French dressings do, but Brianna's bottle claims their dressing tastes great on tomatoes." "It has a good sweet and sour balance."
Learn more about Brianna's.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: French
Wish-Bone Deluxe French
Calories per serving: 120
Total fat per serving: 11 grams
Sour (1) - Sweet (5): 3
Our panel says: "Just what you would expect to get at a salad bar." "This is what you think of when you want a solid, standard French dressing."
Learn more about Wish-Bone.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: French
ShopRite Creamy French
Calories per serving: 120
Total fat per serving: 11 grams
Sour (1) - Sweet (5): 3
Our panel says: "While the bright orange color is a tad scary, the mustard notes are a nice change." "This French is zesty."
Learn more about ShopRite.
Rachel Been, AOL















