By Ruffrano’s Hell’s Kitchen Pizza
Last updated: October 22, 2026
On this page
- What makes a Caesar salad good?
- Where did the Caesar salad come from?
- What’s in the Caesar at Ruffrano’s in Manitou Springs?
- How do you make a Caesar a full meal?
- How do I order a Caesar from the Manitou Springs shop?
The best Caesar salad is the one that gets the basics right: crisp romaine and a garlicky, lemony dressing, finished with plenty of parmesan. In Manitou Springs, you can judge ours for yourself at Ruffrano’s Hell’s Kitchen Pizza, 9 Ruxton Ave, where the Caesar comes small or large.
“Best” is personal, so here’s what to look for in any Caesar, where the salad came from, and what goes into ours.
What makes a Caesar salad good?
A good Caesar starts with cold, crisp romaine and a dressing that actually tastes like something. The classic dressing is built on egg, garlic, anchovy, dijon mustard and lemon, and the salad gets a generous topping of parmesan. Limp lettuce and a bland, watery dressing are the giveaways of a tired one.
Purists also expect garlic croutons for crunch. Every kitchen puts its own spin on the classic, so read the menu description before you order.
Where did the Caesar salad come from?
The Caesar salad was born in 1924 in Tijuana, Mexico, according to National Geographic. It came from Restaurante Caesar’s, which Italian immigrant Caesar Cardini opened to attract visitors from the United States looking to escape Prohibition. The version purists love today uses whole romaine leaves and garlic croutons in a raw egg dressing with anchovies.
National Geographic also reports that Restaurante Caesar’s in Tijuana still makes the salad tableside.
What’s in the Caesar at Ruffrano’s in Manitou Springs?
Our Caesar is romaine with Caesar dressing, spinach and parmesan cheese. The spinach is our own twist on the classic, which National Geographic describes with whole romaine leaves. At our Manitou Springs shop you can order it small or large, and you can add grilled chicken breast to turn a side salad into lunch.
Ordering online? You can swap in a different dressing, like Ranch, Italian, Greek, Blue Cheese or Balsamic Vinaigrette, or add extra dressing.
Not in a Caesar mood? Our Greek and House salads are on the full menu too.
How do you make a Caesar a full meal?
Pair it with pizza. Our salad and slice combo puts a salad next to a slice of pizza, and our lunch special for two covers 2 slices, 2 salads and 2 drinks. Both are easy picks for a lunch break on Ruxton Ave, and you can add chicken to the salad for a bigger plate.
Knots work well too. Ours come Garlic, Cinnamon or Hellfire, served with a side of marinara or icing.
Hungry for something heavier? Our calzones and strombolis come with a side of marinara. Here’s the difference between a calzone and a stromboli if you can’t pick.
How do I order a Caesar from the Manitou Springs shop?
Our Manitou Springs shop is at 9 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. To order ahead, use order online for pickup, choose a small or large Caesar, add chicken if you like, and swing by when it’s ready. Questions before you order? Call the shop at (719) 685-4355.
Directions and contact details are on our Manitou Springs shop page. Planning a delivery order instead? Here’s how pizza delivery works in Manitou Springs.