The Caesar salad is a classic: Creamy, bright, crunchy, and fresh, it makes a perfect side salad and — if you’re like me — the perfect food to quest after a “best” in town. Despite being a classic the salad is deceptively young, having been invented in Tijuana, Mexico, just over a century ago, and there are bountiful variations today. Which only makes it more fun to compare between restaurants.
Not pictured: An unexpected surprise in a very good crème brûlée from Baraboo. (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Baraboo Supper Club’s Perfectly Classic Rendition
On the Caesar salad report card, Baraboo Supper Club hits an A on every line. Their Romaine lettuce is cool, crisp, and crunchy, the croutons were buttery (if a little large and dry), and the parmesan and black pepper on top does its job. But a Caesar salad is made or broken by its dressing, and this is the creamiest, most traditional salad you’ll find in town. For the real classic version, get the anchovies.
The Caesar isn’t actually on the pricey menu, but just ask for it!
Wylder’s Kale Caesar
From Baraboo, we quickly deviate from a classic version to a loose but delicious reinterpretation of the Caesar. Especially if you add chicken, this salad might be enough for a lunch entree for you — but you might have to fight the urge to get it daily if you work downtown. The kale makes it fibrous and filling, while the romaine keeps it light and crunchy.
The dressing doesn’t even count as a Caesar dressing, but the nuttiness from the tahini and acidity of the lemon does imitate the original pretty well. Yet it’s something about the poppy seed-studded croutons (shards might be more accurate) that carries this salad into Boise’s top three Caesars.
Red Bench Pizza’s Punchy Side
This is the dirty martini of the lot, and depending on the day you ask, might be my favorite on the list. Red Bench uses lemon zest, fried capers, and kalamata olives to take the acidic punch to another level. It comes in a small or large size, and works perfectly as a side for pizza (and Red Bench’s margherita might also be the best in town). Get this for takeout some weeknight, and you’ll be delighted!
